Portugal · 2026 itinerary
Lisboa 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Lisboa: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
A triumphal arch linking Praça do Comércio to Rua Augusta. You can climb the 96 steps to a small viewing platform above the arch.
🕐 Always open (arch itself free from ground level; stair access via the museum shop, 10:00–19:00)
Free entry💡 The climb is free if you’re quick, but the official access fee is €3. Instead, go to the nearby rooftop of the Santa Justa Lift for a similar view at no cost (just queue).
Hotels near Arco da Rua Augusta →A sunny terrace overlooking the city and the Tagus River. Benches, shade and a small kiosk bar. Quieter than the more famous viewpoints.
🕐 Always open
Free entry💡 Go at sunset on a weekday to avoid crowds. Bring a bottle of wine from the nearby mini-mercado.
Hotels near Miradouro da Graça →Saraiva · ££
Leitaria Académica · ££
Deeper Into Lisboa
A renovated traditional market with fresh produce stalls, pastelarias, and small food counters. Less touristy than Time Out Market; locals do their shopping here.
🕐 Monday to Saturday, 08:00–20:00. Some stalls close by 18:00.
💡 Best for a cheap lunch: pick up a pastel de nata (€1.30) and a coffee from the corner bakery. Avoid the seafood counters if you’re on a tight budget.
A calm, slightly neglected 19th-century botanical garden with towering palm trees, tropical plants and a ruined greenhouse. Steep paths and benches for reading.
🕐 Monday to Saturday, 09:00–18:00 (winter), until 20:00 (summer). Closed Sundays.
💡 Entry is €2. Go on a dry weekday morning when it’s nearly empty. Watch for fallen fruit on the paths.
Magnetic
The Great American Disaster
Final Favourites & Departure
Houses an extraordinary collection of Portuguese tiles from the 15th century to modern day, including a 36-metre-long panel of Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake
💡 Free entry on Sundays until 2pm, and for all under-12s. The cloister café is lovely but pricey; bring a snack.
Hard Rock Cafe
Pizza Hut
Getting Around Lisboa
Buy a Viva Viagem card (€0.50) at the station machine. Top up with a single journey. Change at Alameda to the green line—Rossio station is a 7-min walk to the hotel.
Not for airport transfers, but handy from the hotel. The hotel is 6 mins from Martim Moniz tram stop. Go early morning (before 9am) to skip queues. Buy your single ticket or use the Viva Viagem card.
Official taxis queue outside arrivals. Avoid touts—use the rank. Pre-booking with apps like Uber or Bolt often costs €10–€12.
Aerobus stops right at Restauradores. From there, the hotel is a 5-min walk down Rua das Portas de Santo Antão. Avoid this for late arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Lisboa?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Arco da Rua Augusta and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Lisboa?
See our full best time to visit Lisboa guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Blue Apartments, Browns Boutique Hotel & Apartements, Pensão S. João da Praça. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.