Lisbon, a city of seven hills, invites you to wander through its charming, labyrinthine streets, where every corner reveals a new discovery, from ancient castles to contemporary art. The melancholic Fado music echoes through historic Alfama, while the scent of grilled sardines fills the air, creating an intoxicating sensory experience. Prepare to be captivated by its rich history, stunning viewpoints, and the warm hospitality of its people.
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Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete breakdown of your 5 Days in Lisbon, Portugal. Click any day to expand.
Fly into Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), 7km from the city centre. Metro Red Line to Oriente, then Green Line to Rossio (€1.65, 25 minutes). Lisbon is built on seven hills above the Tagus estuary — the westernmost capital in continental Europe, with 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. Start at Castelo de São Jorge (€15) — the Moorish castle on the highest hill, with views of the entire city, the Tagus, and on a clear day, the Atlantic. The castle was built by the Moors in the 11th century and captured by Afonso Henriques in 1147.
Alfama — the oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon, a labyrinth of steep alleys, tiled houses, and miradouros (viewpoints) that survived the 1755 earthquake. The Sé de Lisboa (free) — the oldest church in Lisbon (1147), built on the site of the main mosque after the Christian reconquest. The Museu do Azulejo (€5) — the National Tile Museum in a 16th-century convent, with the most extraordinary collection of Portuguese tiles in the world, including a 23-metre panorama of pre-earthquake Lisbon.
Fado dinner at A Baiuca on Rua de São Miguel — a tiny restaurant in Alfama where the fado is performed by the locals, not for tourists. The food is excellent (bacalhau à brás, caldo verde) and the music is extraordinary. Book ahead — there are only 20 seats. Or Sr. Fado on Rua dos Remédios — slightly larger, equally authentic, with excellent Portuguese wine.
Stay in Alfama (most atmospheric) or Baixa/Chiado (most central). Recommended: Santiago de Alfama Boutique Hotel (luxury, inside a 15th-century palace) or Lisbon Story Guesthouse (mid-range, in the heart of Alfama).
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