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Things to do in Lisbon

12 places · 15 h 10 min of sightseeing · 3 days

Belém Tower, Lisbon

How many days do you need in Lisbon?

12 places add up to 15 h 10 min of pure sightseeing. At 6 hours a day, not counting walking and meals, that's 3 days.

The best-known places in order, as long as they fit into 6 hours of sightseeing a day. Sightseeing only, without walking and meals — build the day-by-day plan with opening hours and the route in a RouteMarket notebook.

1 day — 5 h 55 min

2 days — 11 h 10 min

3 days — 15 h 10 min

Top sights

Ordered by how well known each place is. Data: OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia.

  1. Belém Tower — 1 h visit. This is a 16th-century defensive tower built directly on the water, which is the only one in Lisbon to symbolize the era of maritime discoveries.
  2. Jerónimos Monastery — 2 h visit. It stands out for its monumental scale and elaborate, open-to-the-sky cloisters in Manueline style, making it unique compared to urban churches.
  3. 25 de Abril Bridge — 30 min visit. This impressive suspension bridge structure offers the opportunity to drive across, allowing you to admire extensive panoramas of the Tagus and the city.
  4. Praça do Comércio — 45 min visit. It is one of the largest squares in Europe, with an equestrian statue of King Joseph I, unlike a castle or cathedral.
  5. Lisbon Cathedral — 45 min visit. The construction of this oldest church in Lisbon began in 1147, much earlier than others in the area. Hours: Tue–Sat 09:00–19:00 · Sun–Mon 09:00–17:00.
  6. Padrão dos Descobrimentos — 45 min visit. It offers an elevator ride to a viewing terrace with panoramic views of the river, the Jerónimos Monastery, and the Torre de Belém, distinguished by its mosaic compass rose.
  7. St. George's Castle — 2 h visit. Its origins in the 6th century make it Lisbon's oldest historical defensive structure, located on the city's highest hill. Hours: Mon–Sun 10:00–20:00.
  8. Calouste Gulbenkian Museum — 2 h 30 min visit. In addition to a comprehensive art collection ranging from antiquity to modernity, the Museum is surrounded by an extensive, beautiful garden. Hours: Wed–Mon 10:00–18:00.
  9. National Museum of Ancient Art — 3 h visit. It gathers the richest collection of European, Portuguese, and Asian art from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, distinguished by the breadth of its collections. Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00.
  10. Santa Justa Lift — 45 min visit. Designed by Raoul Mesnier, a student of Gustave Eiffel, this 45-meter elevator is the only Neo-Gothic connection between two districts of Lisbon.
  11. Tamareira-do-Senegal — 10 min visit. It originates from Africa and is distinguished by its characteristic, curved trunks and ability to form dense clumps.
  12. National Pantheon — 1 h visit. Its construction, begun in the 17th century, was only completed in the 20th century, and it serves as a mausoleum for national heroes. Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–13:00, 14:00–17:00.
  13. Central Mosque of Lisbon — 30 min visit. It is the only main mosque in the city, allowing visitors to familiarize themselves with Islamic sacred architecture and the functions of a Muslim place of worship.
  14. Rossio — 30 min visit. One of Lisbon's main squares, existing since the Middle Ages, it features a wavy cobblestone mosaic and a monument to King Pedro IV.
  15. Teatro Nacional de São Carlos — 20 min visit. Opened in 1793 at the command of Queen Maria I, it is the main center for opera and ballet, distinguishing itself from a museum.
  16. Monastery of São Vicente de Fora — 1 h 45 min visit. Unlike the Panteão Nacional, it contains the royal mausoleum of the Braganza dynasty and unique azulejos depicting La Fontaine's fables.
  17. Sanctuary of Christ the King (Almada) — 1 h 30 min visit. This monumental statue of Christ, modeled after the one in Rio, stands in Almada across the Tagus with an extensive panorama of Lisbon.
  18. Arco do Triunfo da Rua Augusta — 30 min visit. A monumental triumphal arch completed in 1873, with a viewpoint, unlike a square or a castle.
  19. Estrela Basilica — 45 min visit. Built at the command of Queen Maria I, it stands out with its famous nativity scene featuring over 500 figures, a unique attraction. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:00–11:30, 15:00–16:00.
  20. Avenida da Liberdade — 1 h visit. This wide, elegant avenue with luxury boutiques and cafes is ideal for relaxing strolls in the style of the Champs-Élysées.
  21. Igreja de São Roque — 45 min visit. It stands out with its exceptionally rich interior, containing the famous Chapel of St. John the Baptist, considered one of the most expensive in the world.
  22. Restauradores Square — 20 min visit. The central obelisk from 1886 commemorates the restoration of independence in 1640, differing from the public character of Praça Dom Pedro IV.
  23. National Azulejo Museum — 1 h 30 min visit. This is the only museum dedicated exclusively to Portuguese azulejos, housed in a former monastery, with a rich collection of ceramic tiles. Hours: closed.
  24. Praça da Figueira — 20 min visit. Beyond its function as a transport hub for buses and the metro, it stands out with permanent stalls offering local products.

Where to eat

What to see in Lisbon in one day?

Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, 25 de Abril Bridge, Praça do Comércio, Lisbon Cathedral, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, Tamareira-do-Senegal.

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