The short answer: how to split three days in Lisbon
For 3 days in Lisbon, give each day one area:
- Day 1: Alfama, São Jorge Castle, and Baixa.
- Day 2: Belém, for Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, then Chiado and Bairro Alto in the evening.
- Day 3: A day trip to Sintra and Pena Palace.
Three things shape the plan: Jerónimos and Belém Tower are closed on Mondays, Pena Palace uses strict timed entry, and historic lifts can be suspended, so keep a walking or road-transport alternative for the hills.
This plan assumes three full days and a first visit. Lisbon is built on steep hills with slippery stone sidewalks, so comfortable shoes with grip matter as much as your tickets.
Jump to
- three-day Lisbon at a glance
- What to book before you go
- What changed in 2026: funiculars and Belém Tower
- Getting in and getting around
- Where to stay for this itinerary
- Day 1: Alfama, São Jorge Castle, and Baixa
- Day 2: Belém, Chiado, and Bairro Alto
- Day 3: Sintra
- Keep / Swap / Skip
- preparation checklist
- FAQ
Your three-day Lisbon itinerary at a glance
| Day | Main area | Core stops | Optional stop | Closed or timed | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alfama + Baixa | São Jorge Castle, Alfama's lanes, Praça do Comércio | A viewpoint (miradouro) at sunset | — | Walk, tram, or taxi; check lift closures |
| 2 | Belém + Chiado | Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower | Bairro Alto in the evening | Both closed Mondays; timed entry | Train or tram 15E |
| 3 | Sintra | Pena Palace | Moorish Castle, Sintra's old town | Pena Palace interior: strict time slot | Train from Rossio, about 40 min |
Details checked November 15, 2026. Confirm hours, prices, and closures for your own dates.
Who this itinerary is for
This route suits independent first-time visitors who want Lisbon's old neighborhoods, the monuments of Belém, and Sintra's palaces in one trip. Expect a lot of uphill walking. If hills are hard for you, see the Keep / Swap / Skip table.
What to book before you go
| Booking | Why it matters | Notes (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Jerónimos Monastery (cloister) | Book a timed visit; closed Mondays | Adult cloister ticket €18; the church is free |
| Belém Tower | Reopened in May 2026 with its own timed entry | Adult ticket €15; closed Mondays |
| Pena Palace | The palace interior has a strict time slot | Choose Essential (€20 adult), Complete (€45), or Park (€12); inclusions differ |
What changed in 2026: funiculars and Belém Tower
Check current closures before planning a lift ride. As of November 15, 2026, CARRIS lists Glória, Lavra, Bica, and Santa Justa as out of service. Its separate Graça notice says the funicular is temporarily closed for preventive maintenance. The April reopening does not establish that it is running now. Use a bus, taxi, or a walking route you can manage.
Belém Tower reopened in May 2026 with timed visits. Use the official monument operator for booking information.
For this itinerary, lifts are helpful extras rather than essential links between prepaid visits. Check CARRIS service notices shortly before travel.
Getting in and getting around
From the airport
Take the metro Red Line from the airport, changing at Alameda or São Sebastião for the historic center. The operator’s journey guide gives about 25 minutes to Rossio, 31 to Baixa-Chiado, and 37 to Terreiro do Paço. Add time for airport formalities, waits, and the walk to your accommodation.
In the city
- Transit card: A navegante occasional card costs €0.50 before travel credit or tickets; each passenger needs their own. A Carris/Metro day ticket does not include the Sintra train: choose a product that includes CP or pay for that journey separately. Contactless bank-card payment is also available on the metro.
- Tram 28: This tram through Alfama and Graça can be crowded. A preloaded Carris/Metro ticket or zapping fare is cheaper than the single onboard tram ticket; paying onboard by bank card does not mean you receive the preloaded-card fare. Keep your belongings close.
- Walking: Lisbon's stone sidewalks (calçada) are slippery when wet. Wear shoes with grip.
Stay connected
Our international eSIM guide explains what to check before you land.
Where to stay for this itinerary
- Baixa: Central, relatively flat, and close to metro stations and trams. Neighboring Chiado is uphill, so check the exact address and luggage route before booking.
- Alfama: Atmospheric and close to Day 1, but steep, with narrow lanes; check access with luggage.
- Príncipe Real and Bairro Alto: Lively at night; Bairro Alto can be loud until late.
Lisbon’s municipal overnight tax is €4 per eligible guest per night, for up to seven nights per stay. Age exemptions and other exemptions apply. Ask the property to confirm your total and whether it is included in the quoted price. Our hotel selection checklist covers what to compare.
Plan your stay
Choose a base for your Lisbon itinerary
Compare stays for your dates, then check the route from the nearest transport stop to the property. Look at hills, luggage access and recent noise reviews, and confirm whether the full quote includes the applicable tourist tax.
Check the full price and cancellation terms before choosing a room.
Affiliate link: BoardingNotes may earn a commission if you book through this link.
Day 1: Alfama, São Jorge Castle, and Baixa
Route: São Jorge Castle in the morning → Alfama's lanes downhill → lunch → Baixa and Praça do Comércio → a viewpoint at sunset.
Start at the top: São Jorge Castle sits above Alfama, with views over the city and the Tagus River. Going uphill first means you'll walk mostly downhill afterward. Check the castle’s current official opening schedule and ticket options before your visit.
Walk down through Alfama, Lisbon's oldest neighborhood, with narrow lanes and stairways. Stop at the Miradouro de Santa Luzia viewpoint on the way.
After lunch, continue to Baixa, the flat grid of streets rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, and the riverside square Praça do Comércio.
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte and Miradouro da Graça are options for sunset, but both mean climbing again from Baixa. Choose one, take a taxi if needed, or finish by the river. Do not rely on the Graça funicular while its closure notice remains in effect.
Day 2: Belém, Chiado, and Bairro Alto
Route: Train or tram to Belém → Jerónimos Monastery → Padrão dos Descobrimentos → Belém Tower → back to the center → Chiado and Bairro Alto in the evening.
Get to Belém by train from Cais do Sodré or tram 15E. The official visiting page lists the Jerónimos cloister at €18 for adults, open Tuesday–Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.). The free church has different hours: 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday and 2–5 p.m. on Sundays and religious holidays. Check the listed holiday closures when booking.
Continue via Padrão dos Descobrimentos toward Belém Tower, adjusting the order to your booked slots. The tower’s adult ticket is €15; opening is Tuesday–Sunday, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., with last entry at 5 p.m. Jerónimos and Belém Tower close on Mondays and specified holidays; the tower can also close in bad weather. Belém is a good place for a custard-tart break.
Back in the center, spend the evening in Chiado, with its cafés and bookshops, and Bairro Alto, where restaurants and bars fill the narrow streets after dark.
Day 3: Sintra
Route: Early train from Rossio → Pena Palace at your time slot → Moorish Castle (optional) → Sintra's old town → train back.
Take a commuter train from Rossio to Sintra; check the current CP timetable for your date. Allow roughly 40 minutes on the train, plus the separate uphill transfer to Pena. Seats are not reserved.
Pena Palace is uphill from Sintra station. Use the 434 bus or a licensed taxi/ride service where permitted; queues and road restrictions can add time. The palace time-slot rules allow no late entry. Allow about 30 minutes from the park gate to the palace entrance, in addition to your journey from the station. An optional park-to-palace transfer must be booked separately and still needs time. Private-car access from the historic center is restricted.
Choose the right Pena ticket: the Essential Visit (€20 adult) includes the New Palace, terraces, and park. The Complete Visit (€45 adult) also includes the private apartments. The Park ticket (€12 adult) currently includes the terraces, kitchen, and chapel, but not the main New Palace or private-apartment route. Check your chosen product before paying.
Make the Moorish Castle optional rather than a second fixed appointment. It involves more slopes and steps. If Pena takes most of your day, head back to the old town for food and a short wander before your train.
Keep / Swap / Skip
| Your situation | Keep | Swap | Skip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 2 falls on a Monday | Days 1 and 3 | Swap Day 2 with Day 3 | Jerónimos and Belém Tower on Monday |
| Hills are hard for you | Baixa and Belém’s flatter riverside; monuments may have stairs | Taxis for climbs; a lift only after checking service | Walking up to the castle |
| Pena time slot sold out | Sintra's old town, Moorish Castle | A Park ticket at Pena; check included areas | Expecting New Palace entry without its ticket |
| Rainy day | Jerónimos, museums | A shorter Alfama walk | Wet stone stairways in smooth shoes |
| Planning a historic-lift ride | A route that works without it | Follow CARRIS notices and use a bus or taxi if suspended | Building a timed connection around an unverified lift |
| Only two days | Days 1 and 2 | — | Sintra |
Your preparation checklist
- Book Jerónimos and Belém Tower for a day other than Monday, and choose your Pena ticket and time slot.
- Pack shoes with grip for steep, slippery sidewalks.
- Get a navegante card or use a contactless bank card on the metro.
- Check which funiculars are running.
- Take an early train to Sintra.
- Check whether your hotel price includes the €4-per-night tourist tax.
- Use our 3-day city break planner for the rest of your prep.
Planning sources
Key booking and rule sources checked November 15, 2026: CARRIS service notices · Pena Palace visit options · Jerónimos and Belém Tower visiting rules · official monument tickets. Recheck the provider’s calendar for your travel date.
Frequently asked questions
Is three days enough for Lisbon?
Yes, for a first visit covering Alfama, Baixa, Belém, and a Sintra day trip. Add a day for Cascais or a slower pace.
Is the Glória funicular open?
Glória is listed as out of service at the November 15, 2026 check. Use the CARRIS closure notice and replacement services, and recheck before travelling.
Is Jerónimos Monastery free?
The church is free. The cloister costs €18 for adults, and the monastery is closed on Mondays.
Do I need to book Pena Palace in advance?
Yes, for the New Palace or private-apartment routes. Choose the appropriate visit product and arrive at the palace entrance at your booked time; the park gate is about 30 minutes away. The separate Park ticket has different inclusions.
How do I get from Lisbon to Sintra?
Take the train from Rossio station, about 40 minutes. From Sintra station, use a taxi, ride-share, or the 434 bus to reach Pena Palace.
How do I get from Lisbon Airport to the city center?
Take the Red Line and change for your destination. The operator gives roughly 25 minutes to Rossio or 31 minutes to Baixa-Chiado via Alameda; reaching your hotel takes longer once waits and walking are included.
Is there a tourist tax in Lisbon?
Yes. The municipal charge is €4 per eligible guest per night, capped at seven nights per stay. Exemptions apply; ask your accommodation to show the applicable amount in the total.
Before you go
Book your timed tickets, avoid Belém on a Monday, and pack shoes with grip. Three days in Lisbon work best with uphill walks in the morning and viewpoints at sunset.