Lisbon in 5 Days: tips, what to see, and much more

If you are lucky enough to spend 5 days in Lisbon, you will have the chance to get to know the city in depth. And you can do so at your leisure, with plenty of time to see and enjoy its monuments and with the possibility of going on excursions to the most interesting places in the surrounding area.

You can see all the points of interest in the city centre, in the Belém district and in the northern part. Then you can take the opportunity to visit Sintra and Cascais, two towns near Lisbon with a lot to see and learn about. I share with you this itinerary designed to make the most of a 5-day trip to Lisbon.

I always recommend starting your visit to Lisbon with the historic centre. It is home to many of the main monuments as well as containing the true essence of the capital of Portugal. The centre is made up of the neighbourhoods of Alfama, Baixa and Chiado, as well as the upper quarter, which are adjacent to each other and can be easily visited in a day, seeing them at your leisure.

Alfama neighbourhood

There is a lot to see and do in Alfama. Its steep streets can be travelled by tram and represent the essence of the city. The monuments that we can see in Alfama are: St. George's Castle, Lisbon Cathedral, the viewpoints of Portas do Sol and Santa Lucia and the National Pantheon.

The most "typical" way to get around Alfama is on board tram 28, which has become more of a tourist attraction than a means of transport.I recommend you also take some time to wander around and discover its corners, its architecture and its gastronomy.

Baixa and Chiado

Beneath the Alfama hill are these central neighbourhoods. Here you will find some emblematic streets and the most important squares of the city, Pedro IV Square and Commerce Square. In addition to the Santa Justa elevator that we will have to take to visit the convent do Carmo.

This area is ideal for strolling while admiring its charm, for enjoying its gastronomy in its numerous restaurants or for shopping in the shops of Rua Augusta.

All these neighbourhoods can be visited in the first 24 hours without the need to rush. But you will have to get up early to make the most of your time.

On the second day of this itinerary we will only get to know one neighbourhood. But it is more than enough considering the number of monuments to be found there. This is the Belem district. An area that was once a village separate from Lisbon but which the capital eventually absorbed.

As a consequence of the time of the discoverers that marked the history of Portugal, many of the buildings that today are emblems of Lisbon and some of the most important in the country were built in Belém. The main ones are:

Jerónimos Monastery

I would go so far as to say that the Jerónimos Monastery is the most important historical site in Lisbon. However, it is the most visited in the capital and is recognised as a World Heritage Site. It achieves all this thanks to an artistic and architectural ensemble headed by its cloister and its church.

Taste the Pasteles de Belém

Of all the things to do in the Belém neighbourhood, the most essential is to try its traditional cakes. They can be tasted all over Lisbon but Belém is the original factory where they were made by the monks of the Jerónimos order in its beginnings, and this is the best place to try these sweets.

Belém Tower

Lisbon's most iconic landmark is this small fort overlooking the Tagus, which stands out for its unique architecture rarely seen in similar constructions. The Belém Tower is located just a few minutes away from the Jerónimos Monastery and can be visited inside and you can access its terrace with views of the Tagus River.

Monument to the Discoveries

Almost all, if not all, of Belém's monuments were built thanks to the profits brought by the conquistadors who departed from the waters of Lisbon for new destinations. As a tribute to all of them and the discoveries they made, a huge monument of more than 50 metres high was built on the banks of the river, known as the Monument to the Discoveries. It is one of the most photographed spots in the city.

After seeing the main sights of Lisbon on the third day it's time to rest and take it easy. But that doesn't mean that there are no more places to visit. On a more relaxed day we can take the opportunity to visit two of the most important and beautiful parks as well as one of the main avenues of Lisbon.

Park of the Nations

Located in the northern part of the city, the Parque das Nações wasbuilt to house the Universal Exhibition that Lisbon hosted in 1998. It is a place with a very modern architecture that is worth seeing. The oceanarium, the largest aquarium in Europe, and the cable car are the two most recommended activities in the Park of Nations.

Edward VII Park

A central city park popular with locals and tourists alike for its views of the city centre and its famous botanical gardens. Its gardens are on a slope and run from the Marques de Pombal Square and connect to Avenida Liberdade. Its name is not due to any Portuguese king, but to the visit of the British monarch Edward VII in 1902.

Liberdade Avenue

This wide avenue is one of Lisbon's main thoroughfares and connects the Restauradores and Marquês de Pombal squares. Full of shops and beautiful buildings, it is crossed by a boulevard with numerous trees, fountains and statues. A very pleasant and recommendable walk to enjoy a part of Lisbon.

Take a cruise on the Tagus

You can also take advantage of this peaceful day to take one of the best cruises to get to know Lisbon. You have a wide variety of boat trips, from those that take you on a sailing boat, to traditional boats, catamarans or even yachts. Here is a selection of the best ones:

• Traditional boat trip in Lisbon
• Yacht trip in Lisbon
• Private sailboat tour in Lisbon
• Private catamaran tour in Lisbon
• Dolphin watching tour around Lisbon

Situated about 30 kilometres from Lisbon in the middle of a protected natural park, this village is known for its palaces and gardens. Part of Lisbon's World Heritage Site since 1995, Sintra can be visited from Lisbon by car, bus, train or organised tour. These include transport to and from the centre of Lisbon. The highlights to see in the Sintra resort are:

The Pena Palace

The Da Pena Palace is the first thing you should visit in Sintra. It is its main attraction and one of Portugal's best-known tourist attractions. It is striking for its colours and its mixture of architectural styles. The interior of the palace and the surrounding gardens are also an essential part of the visit. To visit it I leave you this link with all the information about one of the best excursions you can do from Lisbon: visit Sintra.

Quinta da Regaleira

Famous for its initiation well, the Quinta da Regaleira Palace hides many secrets related to Freemasonry. Apart from this, its gardens and the palace itself are well worth the time. It is a place worth visiting with a guide.

The National Palace of Sintra

Its two impressive chimneys attract the attention of all visitors to Sintra. They stand out from the rest of the town of Sintra and attract the attention of visitors as they are located in the very centre of the town and are visible from almost any point. The National Palace is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Palace of Monserrate

The Palace of Monserrate brings together styles as different as Gothic and Arabic architecture. This particular mixture, together with its impressive botanical garden, makes it a must-see in Sintra.

Other places of interest in Sintra

If after visiting these four places you feel like visiting more of Sintra, which is quite likely, you still have plenty of options. The other palaces and places worth visiting in the town are the Castelo dos Mouros, the Convento dos Capuchos or the Chalet and garden of the Countess.

On the last day of this 5-day Lisbon itinerary we can take a trip to the beautiful village of Cascais and end the trip by enjoying the atmosphere of the Bairro Alto. Both places are ideal for a more relaxed day, focused on enjoying the culture and gastronomy without the need to visit as many monuments as on the previous days.

Cascais

This beautiful seaside town is located just 30 kilometres from Lisbon. You will see that its streets and houses have a very stately and opulent air, and this is due to the fact that it was once the favourite destination of the Portuguese aristocracy. This is faithfully reflected in its villas and mansions.

Today it is a very pleasant town to visit for its varied atmosphere. There is a strong fishing tradition and the fishermen offer their catches in the town square, as well as clothes markets and live Fado shows. You can also visit some of the main sights of Cascais, such as the Citadel or the Museum of the Counts of Castro Guimarães.

Although Cascais is more crowded in summer, it is a good destination for a day trip thanks to its beaches. And it is still recommended all year round to escape the tourist bustle of Lisbon with its terraces, cafés and restaurants.

Bairro Alto

Cascais can be visited and enjoyed in a morning and the last few hours in Lisbon can be spent in the Alto district. This central neighbourhood is Lisbon's nightlife district par excellence. It coexists an avant-garde and modern atmosphere with the tradition of Fado and old squares and buildings.

This plurality is where its charm lies and there is no better way to say goodbye to Lisbon than doing so in its streets. We can dine in one of its restaurants while enjoying a Fado show and then enjoy the nightlife in its numerous pubs.

If we opt for a more touristy approach in the Alto neighbourhood we have the viewpoint of San Pedro de Alcántara, from which you can get stunning views of Alfama, the Glória lift to go up its steep streets or the viewpoint of Santa Catalina and its statue of the mythological sea giant Adamastor.