Morning: Rossio and Baixa

Begin your Lisbon adventure in Rossio Square (Praça Dom Pedro IV), the beating heart of the city since medieval times. This elegant square features wave-patterned Portuguese pavement, baroque fountains, and is surrounded by magnificent buildings. Take a moment to admire the National Theater and soak in the vibrant atmosphere as locals and tourists mingle in the surrounding cafés.

From Rossio, explore the Baixa District, Lisbon’s downtown area that was completely rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake following the innovative urban planning of the Marquis of Pombal. Walk along the grid-patterned streets—Rua Augusta, Rua da Prata (Silver Street), and Rua do Ouro (Gold Street)—which still reflect their historic commercial purposes. The uniform Pombaline architecture creates a harmonious aesthetic with its pastel facades and wrought-iron balconies.

Afternoon: Commerce Square and Arch

Head south to Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square), one of Europe’s most beautiful squares. This majestic waterfront plaza was once the site of the royal palace before the earthquake destroyed it. The symmetrical yellow-colored buildings with arcades house restaurants and government offices. At the square’s center stands an imposing equestrian statue of King José I, while the triumphal Rua Augusta Arch marks the entrance from Baixa. For breathtaking panoramic views, climb to the arch’s viewpoint—the perspective over the square, Tagus River, and Cristo Rei statue across the water is magnificent.

Evening: Santa Justa Lift and Dinner

Experience the Elevador de Santa Justa, an iconic neo-Gothic lift built in 1902 that connects Baixa to the higher Carmo neighborhood. Designed by Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard, a student of Gustave Eiffel, this wrought-iron structure is both a functional elevator and an architectural landmark. The upper platform provides stunning views over the city’s terracotta rooftops.

End your first day with dinner in one of Baixa’s traditional restaurants. Try bacalhau à brás (shredded cod with potatoes and eggs) or cozido à portuguesa (Portuguese stew), paired with a glass of vinho verde or a local red wine.

Morning: Climbing Through Alfama

Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest and most atmospheric neighborhood, a maze of narrow streets, hidden squares, and steep staircases that seemingly defy any logical layout. This medieval quarter, built by the Moors, survived the 1755 earthquake largely intact. Start your exploration early in the morning when the neighborhood awakens—you’ll see laundry hanging from wrought-iron balconies, smell fresh bread from small bakeries, and hear the melancholic strains of fado music drifting from doorways.

Get intentionally lost in the alleyways, discovering tiny grocery stores, local taverns called tascas, and colorful facades adorned with azulejo tiles. Stop at Miradouro de Santa Luzia, a spectacular viewpoint decorated with azulejo panels depicting Lisbon before the earthquake. The vista encompasses Alfama’s terracotta rooftops cascading down to the Tagus River, with the white domes of Santa Engrácia Church in the distance.

Afternoon: São Jorge Castle

Continue uphill to the magnificent Castelo de São Jorge, perched on the highest hill in Lisbon. This Moorish fortress dates back to the 11th century, though archaeological evidence suggests fortifications existed here since the 2nd century BC. After the Christian reconquest in 1147, the castle became the royal residence until the 16th century.

Explore the castle’s ramparts, walking along the battlements for 360-degree views of Lisbon—you can see the entire city spread below, the Tagus River, and the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge. Within the castle grounds, visit the archaeological site, the Camera Obscura for a unique perspective of the city in real-time, and the peaceful gardens where peacocks roam freely. The castle’s eleven towers and the exhibition spaces tell the story of Lisbon’s evolution through the centuries.

Evening: Fado in Alfama

Return to Alfama in the evening for an authentic fado experience. This uniquely Portuguese music genre, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, expresses saudade—a deep, melancholic longing. Alfama is the birthplace of fado, and numerous small restaurants offer intimate performances. Book a table at a traditional fado house like Clube de Fado or Parreirinha de Alfama. As you dine on Portuguese delicacies, talented fadistas will perform, their powerful voices accompanied only by Portuguese guitar and classical guitar, creating an unforgettable emotional experience.

Morning: Jerónimos Monastery

Take the tram or train to Belém, the district that celebrates Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. Begin at the magnificent Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery), a UNESCO World Heritage site and masterpiece of Manueline architecture. Construction began in 1501, commissioned by King Manuel I to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s successful voyage to India.

The monastery’s facade is a symphony of intricate stone carvings featuring maritime motifs—ropes, anchors, corals, and armillary spheres—that celebrate Portugal’s seafaring achievements. Inside, the church’s soaring vaulted ceiling seems to float effortlessly, supported by slender columns that create an impression of infinite space. Visit the tomb of Vasco da Gama, the renowned poet Luís de Camões, and explore the spectacular two-story cloister where delicate stone tracery creates patterns of light and shadow. Each corner reveals new architectural details—from gargoyles to botanical carvings—that reward close examination.

Mid-Morning: Pastéis de Belém

No visit to Belém is complete without tasting the legendary Pastéis de Belém. Since 1837, the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém has been producing these custard tarts using a secret recipe allegedly derived from the monks of Jerónimos Monastery. The blue-and-white-tiled interior is always bustling, but the wait is worthwhile. Order the pastéis fresh from the oven, sprinkle them with cinnamon and powdered sugar, and savor the crispy, flaky pastry filled with creamy custard—an indulgence that defines Portuguese gastronomy.

Afternoon: Belém Tower and Monument to the Discoveries

Walk along the riverfront promenade to the iconic Torre de Belém, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Built between 1514 and 1520 as a defensive fortress and ceremonial gateway to Lisbon, this limestone tower is an architectural jewel combining military functionality with elegant Manueline decorative elements. The tower’s positioning on the water creates stunning photographic opportunities. Climb the narrow spiral staircase to the top for views of the river and the Cristo Rei statue across the water.

Continue to the imposing Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries), a modernist monument built in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator’s death. The monument depicts Portuguese explorers, cartographers, and nobles on a stylized caravel ship, seemingly ready to depart on another voyage of discovery. An elevator takes visitors to the rooftop viewing platform, offering excellent views of Belém and the Tagus River. On the plaza below, a magnificent compass rose made of colored marble maps the routes of Portuguese discoveries worldwide.

Late Afternoon: MAAT Museum

For contemporary culture, visit MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology), a striking undulating building covered in white ceramic tiles that reflects light and water. The museum hosts rotating exhibitions of international contemporary art and explores the intersection of art, architecture, and technology. Even if you don’t enter the museum, walking on its rooftop promenade provides wonderful river views and photo opportunities.

Morning: Chiado Sophistication

Chiado is Lisbon’s most elegant and intellectual neighborhood, historically frequented by writers, poets, and artists. Start your morning at the historic Café A Brasileira, opened in 1905, where a bronze statue of Portugal’s most famous poet, Fernando Pessoa, sits at an outdoor table. Order a bica (Portuguese espresso) and a pastry while soaking in the literary atmosphere.

Explore Chiado’s refined streets lined with bookshops, theaters, and sophisticated boutiques. Visit Livraria Bertrand, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest operating bookstore (founded in 1732). The district’s main shopping street, Rua Garrett, offers everything from international brands to Portuguese designers. Don’t miss the beautifully restored Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Lisbon’s opera house built in 1793.

Late Morning: Carmo Convent Ruins

Visit the hauntingly beautiful Convento do Carmo, a Gothic church left deliberately in ruins as a memorial to the 1755 earthquake. The roofless nave, with pointed arches open to the sky, creates a powerful and poetic space. The attached archaeological museum houses an eclectic collection including ancient sarcophagi, pre-Columbian mummies, and medieval sculptures.

Afternoon: Príncipe Real and Gardens

Príncipe Real is one of Lisbon’s trendiest neighborhoods, known for its upscale boutiques, design shops, and vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. The central Jardim do Príncipe Real features a magnificent 150-year-old cypress tree with a canopy so large that a café operates underneath it. The garden provides a peaceful retreat with locals playing cards, reading, or simply enjoying the shade.

Explore the neighborhood’s concept stores, vintage shops, and art galleries. Visit Embaixada, a restored 19th-century Moorish palace transformed into a collective of Portuguese designers, craftspeople, and restaurants. The building itself is worth seeing, with its ornate stucco work and central courtyard.

Evening: Bairro Alto Nightlife

As dusk falls, Bairro Alto transforms from a quiet residential area into Lisbon’s nightlife hub. This bohemian neighborhood’s narrow streets fill with people hopping between small bars, fado houses, and restaurants. The tradition is to buy drinks from tiny bars and socialize in the streets, creating a festive outdoor party atmosphere. Start with dinner at a traditional Portuguese restaurant, then join the locals bar-hopping through the atmospheric lanes. Popular spots include Pavilhão Chinês, a quirky bar filled with collections of toys, trinkets, and memorabilia, and Park, a rooftop bar offering spectacular sunset views over the city.

Morning: Journey to Sintra

Take a 40-minute train ride from Rossio Station to Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage town nestled in the lush hills of the Serra de Sintra. This enchanting place captivated royalty, nobility, and poets throughout history with its mystical forests, dramatic mountain scenery, and romantic architecture. Lord Byron called it a “glorious Eden,” and you’ll understand why.

Palácio Nacional de Sintra

Begin in the historic center at the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, recognizable by its distinctive conical chimneys. This medieval royal palace showcases various architectural styles reflecting centuries of Portuguese history. Inside, admire the remarkable azulejo-covered walls, intricate Mudéjar ceilings, and the Swan Room with its ceiling decorated with 27 painted swans. The Magpie Room tells a gossipy tale involving Queen Philippa and King João I.

Afternoon: Palácio da Pena

Take the bus or taxi up the mountain to the magnificent Palácio da Pena, one of Europe’s most stunning examples of Romantic architecture. Perched atop the Sintra mountains, this colorful palace—painted in vibrant yellows, reds, and purples—looks like something from a fairy tale. Built in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II on the ruins of a 16th-century monastery, the palace combines Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, and Manueline elements in a fantastical architectural fusion.

Explore the lavishly decorated royal apartments preserved as they were in the late 19th century, then wander through the extensive Parque da Pena. This romantic park covers 200 hectares of exotic plants, lakes, grottoes, and winding paths that lead to various viewpoints offering breathtaking vistas of the palace, Sintra, and the Atlantic Ocean. On clear days, you can see all the way to Lisbon.

Late Afternoon: Quinta da Regaleira or Palácio de Monserrate

If time permits, visit Quinta da Regaleira, a mysterious estate featuring an elaborate palace, chapel, and romantic gardens filled with symbolic architecture. The highlight is the Initiation Well, a nine-story spiral staircase descending into the earth—allegedly used for Masonic initiation ceremonies. Underground tunnels connect various grottos and fountains throughout the gardens, creating an adventure in exploration.

Alternatively, visit the elegant Palácio de Monserrate, a gorgeous exotic palace combining Gothic, Indian, and Moorish architectural influences. The surrounding botanical gardens feature rare plant species from around the world, brought back by Portuguese explorers.

Evening: Return to Lisbon

Before returning to Lisbon, explore Sintra’s charming historic center. Try traditional sweets like travesseiros (almond-and-egg-yolk puff pastries) and queijadas de Sintra (small cheese tarts) from the historic Piriquita bakery. Catch the train back to Lisbon in the evening, filled with memories of this magical place.

Morning: Modern Lisbon

Parque das Nações (Park of Nations) represents Lisbon’s modern face. This contemporary district was developed for Expo ’98, the last world’s fair of the 20th century, and has been transformed into a vibrant waterfront area mixing residential, cultural, and leisure spaces. The architecture is strikingly modern, contrasting sharply with Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods.

Oceanário de Lisboa

Begin at the Oceanário de Lisboa (Lisbon Oceanarium), one of Europe’s largest and most impressive aquariums. Designed by American architect Peter Chermayeff, the building appears to float on water. The oceanarium houses over 8,000 marine animals representing 500 species from four different oceanic habitats—the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Antarctic oceans—all surrounding a massive central tank containing sharks, rays, large schools of fish, and other pelagic species. The experience is immersive and educational, perfect for all ages. The jellyfish exhibits are particularly mesmerizing.

Teleférico Experience

Take a ride on the Teleférico de Lisboa (Lisbon Cable Car), which glides over the Tagus River for 1.2 kilometers, offering panoramic views of Parque das Nações, the Vasco da Gama Bridge, and the river. The journey provides a unique perspective of this modern district and is particularly beautiful at sunset.

Afternoon: Vasco da Gama Bridge and Waterfront

Stroll along the beautifully landscaped waterfront promenade, admiring contemporary sculptures and architecture. The Ponte Vasco da Gama, stretching 17 kilometers across the Tagus, is the longest bridge in Europe. While you can’t walk across it, viewing it from Parque das Nações is impressive.

Visit the Pavilhão do Conhecimento (Knowledge Pavilion), an interactive science museum perfect for curious minds. The hands-on exhibits cover physics, mathematics, biology, and technology in engaging ways.

Evening: Dinner with a View

Parque das Nações offers numerous waterfront restaurants with excellent views. Enjoy fresh seafood or modern Portuguese cuisine while watching the sunset over the Tagus. The district also features a casino and various bars for evening entertainment.

Morning: LX Factory

Spend your final morning at LX Factory, a creative complex housed in a former industrial textile factory in the Alcântara neighborhood. This hip space has been transformed into a hub for startups, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs. Explore dozens of shops selling vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, books, and design objects. The bookstore Ler Devagar occupies a former printing press and features books displayed on vintage industrial shelves with a reading café.

Grab brunch at one of the trendy cafés or restaurants—the weekend brunch scene here is particularly vibrant. The walls throughout LX Factory serve as canvases for street art and murals, creating an constantly evolving outdoor gallery. On Sundays, a market often takes place featuring artisans, food trucks, and live music.

Afternoon: Cristo Rei and Final Views

Take a ferry from Cais do Sodré across the Tagus to Cacilhas, then catch a bus to Cristo Rei (Christ the King), a massive statue of Jesus Christ with outstretched arms standing 110 meters above the river. Inspired by Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer, this monument was inaugurated in 1959 as a symbol of gratitude that Portugal was spared from World War II.

An elevator takes you to the observation platform at the statue’s base, providing the most spectacular panoramic view of Lisbon. You’ll see the entire city spread before you—the red roofs of Alfama, the castle on the hill, the downtown grid of Baixa, the riverside Belém district, and the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge stretching across the Tagus. This vista provides the perfect conclusion to your week in Lisbon, allowing you to identify all the places you’ve explored and appreciate the city’s magnificent setting.

Evening: Farewell Dinner and Sunset

Return to Lisbon for a farewell dinner. Consider returning to a favorite neighborhood or trying a new one. Head to a miradouro (viewpoint) for one last Lisbon sunset—Miradouro da Senhora do Monte or Miradouro da Graça are excellent choices. As the golden light bathes the city’s terracotta rooftops and the Tagus River glimmers, reflect on your seven days exploring this captivating city.

For your final meal, indulge in a special dinner at a restaurant serving refined Portuguese cuisine. Try dishes you haven’t yet sampled—perhaps arroz de marisco (seafood rice), polvo à lagareiro (octopus with olive oil and potatoes), or the famous porco à alentejana (pork with clams). Toast your Lisbon adventure with a glass of Portuguese wine and perhaps finish with a shot of ginjinha, the traditional cherry liqueur served in chocolate cups.