A weekend in Lisbon

Hills, river light and custard tarts: Belém, Alfama and Sintra in two or three days.

Checked 10 October 2026

Alfama’s red roofs and white houses climbing towards São Vicente de Fora

Lisbon packs a river-front monastery, a hilltop castle, tiled lanes, fado nights and a palace day trip into a weekend that costs less than most western European capitals. The one planning fact that matters: book the Jerónimos cloister and Belém Tower online a few days ahead, because both sell out and most state museums close on Monday.

Lisbon is a city of seven steep hills on the wide mouth of the Tagus, so a weekend here is half sightseeing, half climbing to viewpoints. The flat grid of the Baixa, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, sits between two older hills: Alfama and the castle to the east, Chiado and Bairro Alto to the west. Belém, 6 km downriver, holds the monuments of the age of discovery.

It is a relaxed, unflashy capital where lunch is long, dinner starts around 20:00 and a ginja at a street counter costs a coin or two. Yellow trams still grind through Alfama, the river ferries cost €2, and the light on the tiled facades at the end of the day is what most visitors remember.

The catch is popularity: the big three in Belém, Tram 28 and the Sintra palaces all have queues, and several lifts and funiculars are temporarily out of service in 2026. Plan the timed tickets first and the rest falls into place on foot.

Lisbon in two or three days: a plan

Day 1 is Belém (timed tickets in the morning, when the light and the queues are kinder) and Alfama at sunset; Day 2 is the castle, the Baixa and Chiado; a third day goes to Sintra. Avoid Monday, when the state monuments are shut.

  1. Day 1: Belém's monuments and an Alfama evening

    • Morning

      Tram 15E or the Cascais train from Cais do Sodré to Belém. Take a 9:30 slot for the Jerónimos cloister (booked online), see the free church (open from 10:30, from 14:00 on Sundays), then walk 15 minutes along the river to Belém Tower for your timed entry.

      Full guide on Sightsale →

    • Afternoon

      Pastéis de Belém for tarts at a table in the back rooms, then MAAT's riverside building and roof walk (closed Tuesdays). Back to the centre by train to Cais do Sodré.

    • Evening

      Tram 12E or a taxi up to Miradouro de Santa Luzia for sunset, wander down through Alfama, and book a fado dinner at Clube de Fado by the cathedral.

  2. Day 2: the castle, the Baixa and Chiado

    • Morning

      Castelo de São Jorge at the 9:00 opening, before the groups (its small museum is temporarily closed). Walk on to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for the widest view of the city; on a Tuesday or Saturday detour to the Feira da Ladra flea market.

    • Afternoon

      Down to Rossio for a ginja at A Ginjinha and a bifana on Rua da Madalena, then up Rua do Carmo to the roofless Carmo Convent (closed on Sundays; the Santa Justa lift beside it is temporarily closed, so walk) and on to Chiado for a warm pastel de nata at Manteigaria.

    • Evening

      Seafood at Cervejaria Ramiro (book on TheFork) or the stalls at Time Out Market; drinks on the Bairro Alto Hotel terrace or in the Bairro Alto lanes.

  3. With a third day: Sintra

    • Morning

      Train from Rossio to Sintra (about 40 minutes), bus 434 up to Pena; take the park from opening and a palace slot booked ahead.

      Full guide on Sightsale →

    • Afternoon

      Down to town and Quinta da Regaleira for the initiation well and tunnels, on a timed ticket from its own shop.

      Full guide on Sightsale →

    • Evening

      Train back to Rossio; if you still have energy, the €2 ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas and dinner at Ponto Final on the water (closed Tuesdays).

If it rains

Spend the day at the Gulbenkian Museum and its modern art centre (open to 21:00 on Saturdays, closed Tuesdays) and the Oceanário; the National Tile Museum and the National Museum of Ancient Art are temporarily closed for restoration, so do not plan on them.

With children

The Oceanário (under 3 free, children €15.50–17.70) is the easy win; the castle's walls and the ferry to Cacilhas also work well, and under-13s go free at Jerónimos and Belém Tower.

A yellow Lisbon tram on a cobbled street
A yellow Lisbon tram on a cobbled street

What to see in Lisbon

The big sights

  • Church

    Jerónimos Monastery

    The Manueline monastery in Belém, with the two-storey cloister and the church holding the tombs of Vasco da Gama and Camões. Allow 1–1.5 hours for cloister and church.

    Tip: The church is free and has its own queue; only the cloister needs the timed ticket, which often sells out for the same day.

    Price
    Cloister €18 (€19.11 online); €9 ages 13–24 and over 65; 12 and under free; church free
    Book ahead
    A few days ahead in summer and at weekends

    Full guide on Sightsale →Official siteas of October 2026

  • Landmark

    Belém Tower

    The 16th-century fortress at the river's edge, the emblem of the age of discovery. Inside it is cramped: a bastion, a few vaulted rooms and a narrow spiral stair to the terrace. Plan 45 minutes plus any wait.

    Tip: Book a timed slot online; the operator says tickets often sell out and cannot be bought on the day. If it is sold out, the outside and the riverside walk from Jerónimos are free and most of the point.

    Price
    €15 adult; €7.50 ages 13–24 and over 65; 12 and under free
    Book ahead
    A few days ahead; Lisboa Card holders must also book a slot with the card number

    Official siteas of October 2026

  • Museum

    MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology

    A curved white building on the river in Belém next to a red-brick former power station, both used for contemporary art and design shows. The walkable roof is a free viewpoint over the Tagus and the 25 de Abril bridge.

    Tip: Closed on Tuesdays. A combined ticket bought online gives 20% off MAAT and three neighbouring contemporary art venues, valid 90 days.

    Price
    €16 adult for visitors living outside Portugal; €12 students; under 13 free
    Book ahead
    Not needed

    Official siteas of October 2026

  • Landmark

    Castelo de São Jorge

    The Moorish-era castle on the highest hill of the old city: walls and towers to walk, the remains of the royal palace and a wide all-round view of the Baixa and the river. Allow 1.5 hours.

    Tip: Go at 9:00 or in the early evening: open 9:00–21:00 until 31 October (the wall-walks may close from 18:00 as the light fades) and 9:00–18:00 from 1 November. The Camera Obscura only works on the free guided tour and its hours shrink to 11:00–13:00 in winter. The castle museum is temporarily closed while toilets are upgraded, and a strike on 17 October 2026 may disrupt visits.

    Price
    €17 adult; €8.50 ages 13–25; €14 over 65; 12 and under free; free with the Lisboa Card
    Book ahead
    Not needed; tickets are sold online and at the gate

    Official siteas of October 2026

  • Neighbourhood

    Alfama and Miradouro de Santa Luzia

    Lisbon's oldest quarter tumbles from the castle to the river in stairways and alleys. Santa Luzia, with its tiled panels and bougainvillea, looks over Alfama's rooftops to the Tagus. Free, open all the time.

    Tip: Walk down, not up: take a tram or taxi to the top and descend through the lanes to the cathedral and the river.

    Price
    Free
    Book ahead
    No

    Official siteas of October 2026

  • Experience

    Tram 28

    The 1930s yellow tram that rattles from Martim Moniz through Graça, Alfama, the Baixa and Chiado to Estrela and Campo de Ourique. Fun for 20 minutes, slow for the whole route.

    Tip: The queue at the Martim Moniz terminus can be long in summer: board mid-route, or take tram 12E, a shorter loop from Praça da Figueira up through Alfama. Keep your phone and wallet in front of you; it is the city's main pickpocket route.

    Price
    €3.30 on board; €1.90 with a Navegante card; included in the €7.25 24-hour ticket
    Book ahead
    No

    Official siteas of October 2026

  • Museum

    Oceanário de Lisboa

    One of Europe's largest aquariums, built for Expo 98 in Parque das Nações around a huge central ocean tank with sharks, rays and sunfish. Allow 1.5–2 hours.

    Tip: Prices fall through the day: the 16:00–18:30 slot is €25.50 against €29.90 in the morning, and the code ONLINE10 takes 10% off online.

    Price
    €25.50–29.90 adult by time slot; €15.50–17.70 ages 3–12; under 3 free
    Book ahead
    A day ahead at weekends

    Official siteas of October 2026

Hidden gems

  • Museum

    Calouste Gulbenkian Museum and garden

    Hidden gem

    An oil magnate's private collection, from Egyptian and Islamic art to Rembrandt, Turner and a room of Lalique jewellery, in a 1960s building set in a garden of ponds and paths. The Centro de Arte Moderna at the other end of the garden shows Portuguese modern art.

    Tip: Free on Sundays from 14:00. Closed Tuesdays; open to 21:00 on Saturdays. The garden is free every day from sunrise to sunset.

    Price
    €16 museum including the modern art collection; €18 all exhibitions; 25% off under 30
    Book ahead
    No

    Official siteas of October 2026

  • Palace

    Palácio Fronteira

    Hidden gem

    A 17th-century noble house on the edge of Monsanto park, still lived in, with formal gardens set with 17th-century azulejo tile panels. Interior visits are guided only.

    Tip: The house tour runs Monday to Saturday (English at 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30 and 16:00); on Sundays it is closed. Metro to Jardim Zoológico, then follow the green line on the floor.

    Price
    €17 palace and gardens; €10 gardens with audio guide; €8 gardens only
    Book ahead
    Book the house tour online a day or two ahead

    Official siteas of October 2026

  • Church

    Carmo Convent ruins

    Hidden gem

    The Gothic church whose roof fell in the 1755 earthquake and was never rebuilt: open sky above stone arches, with a small archaeological museum in the old apse. A quiet 30 minutes between the Baixa and Chiado.

    Tip: Monday to Saturday 10:00–18:00 from November (to 19:00 May–October); closed on Sundays. It stands at the top of the Santa Justa lift, which is temporarily closed; walk up Rua do Carmo from Rossio in about 10 minutes.

    Price
    Paid entry at the door; the museum does not publish its price online
    Book ahead
    No

    Official siteas of October 2026

  • Viewpoint

    Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

    Hidden gem

    The highest viewpoint of the old city, above Graça, by a small chapel. The panorama takes in the castle, the Baixa, the Carmo ruins and the river, and it is calmer than Santa Luzia or Graça.

    Tip: Go at sunset with something to drink; tram 28 stops nearby at Graça.

    Price
    Free
    Book ahead
    No

    Official siteas of October 2026

  • Market

    Feira da Ladra

    Hidden gem

    Lisbon's flea market, in Campo de Santa Clara behind the São Vicente de Fora monastery: tiles, old postcards, vinyl, junk and the odd treasure. Good for an hour on the way between the castle and Graça.

    Tip: Tuesdays and Saturdays only; come in the morning, as stalls thin out after lunch.

    Price
    Free
    Book ahead
    No

    Official siteas of October 2026

  • Experience

    Ferry to Cacilhas

    Hidden gem

    The commuter ferry from Cais do Sodré crosses the Tagus to Cacilhas in about 10 minutes and gives the classic view of Lisbon from the water. From the pier, walk along the riverside Rua do Ginjal to Ponto Final for a meal with the city in front of you.

    Tip: Use your Navegante card (€1.60 zapping) instead of the €2 single; children ride free on this route.

    Price
    €2 single; €1.60 with zapping
    Book ahead
    No

    Official siteas of October 2026

Day trips from Lisbon

  • Sintra

    Romantic palaces in forested hills: the yellow-and-red Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, and in town Quinta da Regaleira with its initiation well. Pena plus Regaleira fills a full day.

    Getting there
    CP urban train from Rossio to Sintra, the last stop, about 40 minutes and about €2.55 each way on a Navegante card. From the station, Scotturb bus 434 loops up to Pena; the 24-hour 434/435 pass is €10.96 in the Parques de Sintra shop.
    Eat
    Pack a snack: cafés near the palaces are busy and basic; eat properly in the old town before the train back.
    Tip
    Book Pena (Essential Visit €20, park only €12) and Regaleira (€20) separately on their own sites; your Pena time is at the palace door, 30 minutes' walk from the gate.

    Full guide on Sightsale →bilheteira.parquesdesintra.ptas of October 2026

  • Cascais

    A former fishing village turned seaside town at the end of the coast line, with small beaches, a marina and a promenade. Half a day is enough, or combine it with Belém on the way.

    Getting there
    CP train from Cais do Sodré to Cascais every 20 minutes in the day, 40 minutes, stopping at Belém after 8 minutes. The €11.40 Carris/Metro/CP 24-hour ticket covers it along with the metro and trams.
    Eat
    Manteigaria has a branch in Cascais for a pastel de nata; otherwise eat grilled fish in one of the lanes behind the harbour.
    Tip
    Track works between Caxias and Cascais put replacement buses on the line in the evenings (weekdays from 21:50, Saturdays from 20:50, Sundays from 19:50); come back before then.

    cp.ptas of October 2026

Praça do Comércio and the statue of King José I beside the river
Praça do Comércio and the statue of King José I beside the river

Where to eat in Lisbon

Lisbon eats lunch from about 13:00 and dinner from 20:00. Signature tastes are the pastel de nata, the bifana (a garlicky pork sandwich), grilled sardines and seafood, and a shot of ginja. Bread, olives and butter brought to the table (couvert) are charged if you touch them.

  • Pastry shop (classic)

    €

    Pastéis de Belém

    Belém

    The bakery that has made its custard tarts from a recipe linked to the Jerónimos monks since 1837. Order the tarts warm with cinnamon and icing sugar and a bica (espresso).

    Booking: No bookings. The street queue is mostly for takeaway; walk inside for a table in the large back rooms, which is usually quicker.

    pasteisdebelem.ptas of October 2026

  • Pastry shop

    €

    Manteigaria

    Chiado, Time Out Market and other branches

    A counter that makes only pastéis de nata, with crisp, buttery pastry and tarts coming out of the oven all day. Eat one standing, still warm.

    Booking: No bookings; the queue moves fast.

    manteigaria.comas of October 2026

  • Snack counter

    €

    As Bifanas do Afonso

    Baixa (Rua da Madalena 146)

    A half-century-old counter where the pork is simmered in white wine, garlic and lard and stuffed into a roll, with mustard if you like. A bifana was €3 in September 2025; drink a draught beer with it and move on.

    Booking: No bookings; there is often a line. A second counter at the Lisbon Art Stay Hotel on Rua dos Sapateiros sells the same bifana.

    timeout.ptas of September 2025

  • Bar (historic)

    €

    A Ginjinha

    Rossio (Largo de São Domingos)

    A tiny historic counter by Rossio pouring sour-cherry liqueur, listed as one of the city's Lojas com História; customers drink on the square. You will be asked: with or without the cherries?

    Booking: No bookings; stand-up only.

    lojascomhistoria.ptas of October 2026

  • Food hall

    €€

    Time Out Market Lisboa

    Cais do Sodré (Mercado da Ribeira)

    The original Time Out food hall, with 26 restaurants and 8 bars under one roof, from seafood and pasta to stalls by well-known Lisbon chefs. Easy for a group that cannot agree; crowded at lunch and dinner.

    Booking: No bookings; open daily 10:00–midnight. Go before 12:30 or after 15:00 for a seat.

    timeout.comas of October 2026

  • Seafood beer hall

    €€€

    Cervejaria Ramiro

    Intendente (Avenida Almirante Reis 1)

    A bright, noisy beer hall for shellfish by weight: garlic prawns, clams, crab and goose barnacles, finished the Lisbon way with a prego (steak roll). Seafood prices add up quickly.

    Booking: Book on TheFork through its website; closed Mondays (open Tue–Sat 12:00–00:00, Sun to 23:00).

    cervejariaramiro.comas of October 2026

  • Fado restaurant

    €€€

    Clube de Fado

    Alfama, by the cathedral

    A stone-vaulted fado house in a 300-year-old building, founded by a guitarist. One set menu (couvert, starter, main, dessert) with live fado from 20:30 between courses; there is no separate show ticket.

    Booking: Book ahead; €78 a head including the fado. Open daily, kitchen from 19:30.

    clubedefado.ptas of October 2026

  • Fado restaurant (classic)

    €€€

    A Severa

    Bairro Alto

    Open since 1955 and run by the same family for four generations, with candlelit dinners and traditional Portuguese food between fado sets.

    Booking: Book ahead; minimum spend €55 a person including the fado. Closed Wednesdays; dinner 20:00–23:00.

    asevera.comas of October 2026

  • Restaurant (two Michelin stars)

    €€€€

    Belcanto

    Chiado (Rua Serpa Pinto 10A)

    Contemporary Portuguese cooking with two Michelin stars (as the restaurant states) and a cellar of over 350 wines, about 80% Portuguese. Choose the tasting menu or the à la carte (one or two starters, main and dessert); dishes cannot be shared.

    Booking: Book weeks ahead; open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

    belcanto.ptas of October 2026

  • Restaurant (riverside)

    €€

    Ponto Final

    Cacilhas (Rua do Ginjal 72), across the river

    A small Portuguese restaurant on a pier with a terrace facing Lisbon; people cross by ferry just for the view. Order rice dishes, fresh fish or pataniscas (salt-cod fritters).

    Booking: Book for sunset; closed Tuesdays (Wed–Mon 12:30–16:00 and 19:00–23:00).

    timeout.ptas of October 2026

Where to stay in Lisbon for a weekend

For a first weekend, stay in the Baixa or Chiado: flat, central and on the metro, with Alfama and Bairro Alto on either side. Avoid the far suburbs on booking sites' 'Lisbon' results.

The best areas

  • Baixa and Rossio

    Flat, central and handy for the airport metro, the Sintra train at Rossio and trams 12E, 15E and 28. Busy and touristy, but everything is walkable.

  • Chiado and Bairro Alto

    Chiado is elegant, with cafés and shops; Bairro Alto above it fills with bars after dark and is noisy until late. Good for couples who want restaurants and fado on the doorstep.

  • Alfama

    Atmospheric lanes, fado houses and views, but steep, with cobbles and few taxis at the door. Suits people who travel light and want the old city around them.

  • Belém

    Quiet and green beside the river and the monuments, 7 minutes by train from Cais do Sodré or about 30 by tram 15E. Suits a calmer stay or families.

Hotels with character

  • Baixa (Rua de São Nicolau)

    €

    Home Lisbon Hostel

    A friendly hostel in the Baixa known for its nightly home-cooked 'Mamma's dinner', with dorms and private rooms, a library room and a bar.

    from about €40 a night for a dorm bed; private double from about €148 (November)

    homelisbonhostel.comas of October 2026

  • Alfama

    €€€

    Memmo Alfama

    A small design hotel tucked into Alfama near the cathedral, with a terrace looking over the rooftops to the Tagus.

    from about €238 a night (double, November)

    memmohotels.comas of October 2026

  • Alcântara, towards Belém

    €€€€

    Pestana Palace Lisboa

    A restored 19th-century palace and national monument with gardens and two pools, about 10 minutes from Jerónimos. Suits a quieter stay with the Belém monuments nearby.

    from about €257 a night (double, November)

    pestana.comas of October 2026

  • Bairro Alto

    €€€€

    The Lumiares

    A five-star apartment-style hotel and spa in Bairro Alto, decorated with Portuguese makers and artists, with a rooftop bar and restaurant.

    from about €398 a night (November)

    thelumiares.comas of October 2026

  • Chiado (Praça Luís de Camões)

    €€€€

    Bairro Alto Hotel

    A luxury hotel on Chiado's main square whose terrace and fifth-floor restaurant look over the rooftops to the river. Suits a special-occasion weekend right between Chiado and Bairro Alto.

    from about €628 a night (double, November)

    bairroaltohotel.comas of October 2026

Staying for months?Renting a home in LisbonRentlet covers rents, where to search and the scams to avoid.

Lisbon passes, free days and deals

The bottom line

For a typical weekend the Lisboa Card only pays off if you pack in Jerónimos, Belém Tower, the castle and plenty of transport in 24–48 hours; most people do as well with official tickets and a €7.25 24-hour transport ticket. If you buy it, note that Jerónimos and Belém Tower still need a timed slot booked with the physical card's number.

  • Lisboa Card

    Free entry to Jerónimos, Belém Tower, the castle and about 50 other sites, plus unlimited metro, buses, trams and CP trains to Sintra and Cascais. €31 for 24 hours, €51 for 48, €62 for 72 (children 4–15: €21/€28/€35). Prices valid until 31 March 2027. Collect the physical card at an Ask Me Lisboa desk. The Santa Justa lift, the National Tile Museum and the National Museum of Ancient Art are temporarily closed, so those inclusions cannot be used for now.

    shop.visitlisboa.com · as of October 2026

  • 24-hour transport tickets

    Carris/Metro €7.25 (all trams, buses, funiculars and the metro); add the Cacilhas ferry for €10.35 or CP urban trains to Sintra and Cascais for €11.40. Load onto a €0.50 Navegante Occasional card.

    carris.pt · as of January 2026

  • Zapping credit

    Top up the Navegante card with €3–40 and each trip costs €1.72 on Carris and the metro instead of €1.90, or €3.30 when you pay on the tram. Cheaper than a day ticket if you take fewer than four rides.

    metrolisboa.pt · as of January 2026

  • Free Sundays at the Gulbenkian

    Free entry to the museum, the modern art centre and exhibitions on Sundays from 14:00, and free for under-18s every day. Under-30s also get free entry on Saturdays 18:00–21:00 with the free Gulbenkian Card.

    gulbenkian.pt · as of October 2026

  • Under-13s free at the state monuments

    Children up to 12 go free at Jerónimos, Belém Tower and the castle; ages 13–24 pay half at Jerónimos and Belém Tower and ages 13–25 pay €8.50 at the castle.

    mosteirojeronimos.torrebelem.gov.pt · as of October 2026

The 25 de Abril Bridge over the Tagus
The 25 de Abril Bridge over the Tagus

Getting around Lisbon

  • From the airport: the metro red line starts at the Aeroporto station by the terminal; change at Alameda (green line) for the Baixa and Rossio or at São Sebastião (blue line). €1.90 a trip plus the €0.50 Navegante card, sold from machines in the station. Taxis and ride-hailing wait outside arrivals.
  • Metro and trams: one €1.90 ticket covers an hour on the Carris and metro network (€1.72 with zapping). A 24-hour Carris/Metro ticket is €7.25. Tram 15E runs from Praça da Figueira and Cais do Sodré along the river to Belém; tram 12E loops through Alfama.
  • Lifts and funiculars: the Santa Justa lift and the Glória and Lavra funiculars are temporarily out of service (October 2026); the Graça funicular from Mouraria is running again. Walk or take a tram up the hills.
  • Trains: Sintra trains leave from Rossio (about 40 minutes); Cascais trains leave from Cais do Sodré every 20 minutes and stop at Belém after 8 minutes.
  • Ferries: the Transtejo boat from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas costs €2 single (€1.60 zapping) and runs frequently all day.
  • Tourist tax: Lisbon charges €4 per person per night, up to €28 a stay (as reported by Which?, 2026), collected by your hotel or rental.

Tips and tricks

Gathered from travel forums, locals and the sight’s own advice, rewritten in our own words. What worked for others, not a guarantee.

  1. Book Belém's two timed tickets first

    Jerónimos' cloister and Belém Tower sell out, especially at weekends; book both on the official MMP shop a few days ahead and pair them in one morning, Tuesday to Sunday.

    From Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower official site, 2026

  2. Never plan Belém for a Monday

    Jerónimos, Belém Tower and most national museums close on Mondays. Use Monday for the castle (open daily), the Gulbenkian or Sintra.

    From Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower official site, 2026

  3. Sit down at Pastéis de Belém

    The long line on the street is mostly takeaway. Walk in and look for a table in the big rooms at the back; prices are the same and it is often faster.

    From Foursquare and travel guide tips, 2025–2026

  4. Board the 28 mid-route

    The longest queue for tram 28 is at its Martim Moniz terminus; boarding mid-route at Graça or Estrela usually means a shorter wait, though you may have to stand. Tram 12E is a shorter loop through Alfama if you only want the old-quarter stretch.

    From Lisbon Tourism tram guide (commercial site), August 2026

  5. Do not plan around the Santa Justa lift

    The lift is temporarily closed. Walk up Rua do Carmo from Rossio to Largo do Carmo in about 10 minutes and see the Carmo ruins on the way.

    From Carris and Visit Lisboa, 2026

  6. Collect the Lisboa Card before booking

    Online buyers get a voucher, not a card; Jerónimos and Belém Tower slots can only be booked with the physical card's number, so pick it up at an Ask Me Lisboa desk on arrival before trying to reserve.

    From Visit Lisboa shop reviews and replies, 2026

  7. Pay with a Navegante card, not cash on board

    A single tram ride bought from the driver is €3.30; the same ride on a €0.50 Navegante card with zapping credit is €1.72. One card per person.

    From Carris price table, 2026

  8. Use the evening hours at the castle

    Until 31 October the castle stays open until 21:00 (last entry 20:30), though the wall-walks may close earlier as the light fades; the late afternoon has fewer groups. From 1 November it closes at 18:00.

    From Castelo de São Jorge official site, 2026

Scams and problems to watch for

  • Fake drugs in the Baixa

    Men on Rua Augusta and around Rossio mutter offers of hashish or cocaine to passing tourists. What they sell is typically bay leaf, flour or similar. Just keep walking.

  • Pickpockets on Tram 28 and 15E

    Crowded trams are worked by pickpockets, often a group that crowds the door while one takes a wallet or phone. Keep valuables in front, zipped, and step away from the door crush.

  • Couvert you did not order

    Bread, olives, butter or cheese placed on the table at the start of a meal are charged if you eat them. If you do not want them, say so or ask the waiter to take them away; you only pay for what you touch.

  • Tuk-tuk prices

    Tuk-tuks wait at the main squares and viewpoints and quote by the hour; prices vary widely. Agree the total price and the route before you get in, or take the tram for €1.90.

  • Reseller 'skip-the-line' tickets

    Many sites sell Jerónimos, Belém Tower or Sintra tickets with a mark-up but no real queue skip. The official shops sell timed tickets at face value; a reseller only makes sense for a guided tour or a slot the official shop no longer has.

Questions people ask about a weekend in Lisbon

What is there to do in Lisbon in a weekend?

Spend one morning in Belém (Jerónimos, Belém Tower, pastéis de nata) and an evening in Alfama with a fado dinner. The second day covers the castle, the Baixa, Chiado and a viewpoint at sunset. A third day goes to Sintra.

Is 2 days enough for Lisbon?

Two days are enough for the city's highlights if you book the Belém tickets ahead and walk the centre. Add a third day for Sintra or Cascais, which is what most visitors regret skipping.

Is the Lisboa Card worth it?

Only if you visit several paid sights and use a lot of transport in 24–48 hours. It costs €31, €51 or €62 for 24, 48 or 72 hours; Jerónimos (€18), Belém Tower (€15) and the castle (€17) plus a day of transport (€7.25) come to about €57, so the 24-hour card pays off only if you fit all three into one day. You still have to book Jerónimos and Belém Tower slots with the card's number.

Which museums are free in Lisbon?

The Gulbenkian Museum is free on Sundays from 14:00 and always free for under-18s; its garden is free daily. The Jerónimos church is always free. Children up to 12 go free at Jerónimos, Belém Tower and the castle.

What is the best day trip from Lisbon?

Sintra, 40 minutes by train from Rossio, for Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira; book both timed tickets ahead. Cascais, 40 minutes by train from Cais do Sodré, is the easy seaside option.

Where to stay in Lisbon for a weekend?

The Baixa or Chiado: central, flat and on the metro, with Alfama and Bairro Alto within walking distance. Alfama has more character but steep cobbled lanes; Bairro Alto is noisy at night.

What to eat in Lisbon?

A warm pastel de nata (Pastéis de Belém or Manteigaria), a bifana pork sandwich, grilled fish or shellfish at a beer hall such as Cervejaria Ramiro, and a shot of ginja by Rossio.

How do I get from Lisbon airport to the city centre?

Take the metro red line from the airport station and change at Alameda for the Baixa or Rossio. A trip costs €1.90 plus €0.50 for the reusable Navegante card.

More sights in Lisbon