Quick take
- Day 1: Baixa/Chiado + sunset near the river.
- Day 2: Alfama + viewpoints + optional fado night.
- Day 3: Belém monuments + river walk + pastry ritual (flatter, calmer).
- This is the best ‘classic Lisbon’ trip length for most first-timers.
- Schedule one museum block as your mid-day shade option.
- Keep one morning slow: long coffee + gentle walking equals better Lisbon.
How we update this guide
We try to keep advice here timeless (neighborhood logic, routes, pacing) and call out details that can change quickly (opening hours, transit patterns, prices, seasonal events). If something important changes, we want to hear it.
- Site-wide review date: 2025-12-31
- If you spot an error: send the page URL + what changed + the date you observed it.
- For anything time-sensitive, verify official sources close to travel time.
Why 3 days is a great first trip
Three days lets you do Lisbon’s classic trio without rushing: the elegant center, the old hillside neighborhoods, and the riverside icons of Belém.
It also gives you space for what makes Lisbon special: cafés, viewpoints, and long evenings.
Day-by-day plan (classic trio)
Use this plan as a skeleton, then adjust based on weather and energy. If it’s hot, schedule museums and cafés mid-day. If it’s clear, prioritize Belém and viewpoints for the best light.
- Day 1: Baixa + Chiado + sunset viewpoint.
- Day 2: Alfama + Graça viewpoints + fado (optional).
- Day 3: Belém monuments + riverfront walking + pastry ritual.
Where to add museums, markets, and slow time
Lisbon trips work best when you include one ‘slow block’ each day: a museum, a market, or a long café stop. This keeps the city from becoming an endless hill climb.