Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal's coastal capital. Today we'll guide you through the ultimate one-day itinerary in Lisbon, showing you the best this city has to offer in just one day.
If you're staying in Lisbon longer, check out our other blog posts: 48 Hours in Lisbon, Where to Stay in Lisbon, and Best Day Trips from Lisbon. But for now, let’s start our day in Lisbon.
One day itinerary in Lisbon
![One day in Lisbon, Portugal](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-rua-agusta-arch.jpg)
![One day in Lisbon, Portugal](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-rua-agusta-arch.jpg)
The first burning question to answer is ‘Is it possible to see Lisbon in just one day?’ Although it is much more difficult to see everything in Lisbon than in Porto, it is possible to enjoy the highlights and top attractions in a packed 24 hours. So we'll show you which route you should take.
morning
Belem Tower
![Where to stay in Belem Castle, Lisbon?](https://theplanetd.com/images/Where-to-stay-in-Lisbon-Belem-Castle.jpg)
![Where to stay in Belem Castle, Lisbon?](https://theplanetd.com/images/Where-to-stay-in-Lisbon-Belem-Castle.jpg)
Start your day trip to Lisbon in the Belem district by watching the early morning sunrise from Belem Tower. You can go inside Belém Tower, but it opens only at 10 a.m. and the crowds are fierce. You can also enjoy this attraction outside for a satisfying experience. If you go to see the sunrise, you can take a few photographers with you to capture this UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.
It is located right next to the Tagus River. This beautiful tower was built in 1515 to defend Lisbon from invaders along the Tagus River.
monument to discovery
![Monument to the Discoveries one day in Lisbon, Portugal](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-monuments.jpg)
![Monument to the Discoveries one day in Lisbon, Portugal](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-monuments.jpg)
Leaving Belém Tower, a short walk along the waterfront promenade brings you to the Monument to the Discoveries. Portugal was a land of explorers. Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a tribute to Portugal's legendary explorers. You can't miss this monument towering over the Tagus River.
At 52m high, it creates an overwhelming sight. Although it was built in the 20th century, it is no less impressive. For a small fee, you can take the elevator for views of the Tagus River or walk up the stairs. They don't open until 10am, so let's just enjoy the view.
Be sure to stop by to see the compass roses that decorate the plaza in front of the Monument to the Discoveries. It was a gift from South Africa and pays homage to Portuguese travels in the 15th and 16th centuries. Look for mermaids, Neptune, the popular compass rose, and blowing faces within the designs.
If you really want to see the views of the Tagus, you can stop at any of the following Lisbon attractions and then take the elevator right back.
Jeronimos Monastery
![One day in Lisbon, Jerónimos Monastery](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-jeronimos-monastery.jpg)
![One day in Lisbon, Jeronimos Monastery](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-jeronimos-monastery.jpg)
A walk from the coast takes you to Jerónimos Monastery. This is the first stop we suggest going inside. Reserve a timed entry ticket for first entry of the day. After seeing the Tower of Belém and Padrão dos Descobrimentos, it will be the perfect time to enter the Monastery of Jerónimos, which opens at 10 AM.
Jerónimos Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal, a masterpiece of Manueline architecture. The beautiful marble design is also not to be missed. The interior includes cloisters, courtyards, gardens, and chapels. The monastery also contains the tomb of Vasco da Gama, the first European to reach India by ship.
I recommend spending about an hour here before moving on. Remember, you only have one day in Lisbon, and when you get home people will be asking, “Did you see this?” “Did you see that?” And you can say, “Yes, I did!”
- Upgrade to the Lisbon Card for free access to public transportation and top attractions, including the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower.
Pathes de Belem
![A day in Lisbon Pasteis De Belem](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-pasteis-de-belem.jpg)
![A day in Lisbon Pasteis De Belem](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-pasteis-de-belem.jpg)
As we continue our journey through Belém, we realize it's time for a snack. If you go after sunrise and haven't booked a hotel that includes breakfast (which I highly recommend as it will save you money and time), your meal will be ready.
Pasteis de Bélem is an icon of the city. Whether you're hungry or not, go inside and try this famous Portuguese custard.
Besteis de Bélem is the original pastel de nata available throughout Portugal. Portugal's iconic custard tart originated in monasteries here when nuns used egg whites to break their habit. They had leftover yolks and didn't know what to do with them, so they made custard, filled them with pastries, and sold them to the monastery to make money. Thus, Pastel de Nata was born. Then the monastery closed, and the recipe was passed on to the bakery next door. They have been serving Pasteis de Belem ever since.
Don't be afraid if you see a long line. The restaurant is huge and the line moves quickly. We were inside within a few minutes.
noon/lunch
![One day, midday in Lisbon](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-comercio-square.jpg)
![One day in Lisbon, midday](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-comercio-square.jpg)
From Belem, you can take the tram back to Placa Do Comercio (the main square on the waterfront) and ride one of Lisbon's historic trams on the way to the beautiful waterfront square. This gives you the opportunity to take the iconic tram back to the old city, one of Lisbon's best attractions.
You can hire Uber like us. If you hire an Uber, ask them to drop you off at Time Out Market where you will have lunch. By tram, Time Out Market is just a 15-minute walk from Piazza del Comercio. Before heading to the market, explore the beautiful square and Rua Agusta Arch.
Rua Agusta
![One day in Lisbon Rua Agusta](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-rua-agusta.jpg)
![One day in Lisbon Rua Agusta](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-rua-agusta.jpg)
From Comercio Square, walk towards the Rua Agusta pedestrian street to Rua Agusta Arch. Rua Agusta is six blocks full of shops, restaurants and energy, with street performers entertaining customers as they take their lunch break.
Grab a chair at one of the outdoor cafes and enjoy authentic Portuguese food. This is a beautiful street not to be missed and is located in the heart of the city. Stroll along this street to see the sights and visit Bacalau, Pasteis de Nata and Portuguese can shops.
afternoon
Alfama District
![Alfama One Day in Lisbon, Portugal](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-alfama-640x960.jpg)
![Alfama One Day in Lisbon, Portugal](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-alfama-640x960.jpg)
Alfama District is Lisbon's oldest neighborhood and a great place to end the rest of the afternoon. If you want to walk, it's just 5-10 minutes from Rua Agusta to the start of the Alfama walking tour. This is where you can really feel the history of Lisbon as you walk through the narrow alleys.
Lisbon Cathedral
![One day in Lisbon Lisbon Cathedral, Portugal](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-lisbon-cathedral.jpg)
![One day in Lisbon Lisbon Cathedral, Portugal](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-lisbon-cathedral.jpg)
Start your time in Alfama at the Lisbon Cathedral. It is the city's oldest church, built in the 12th century. You can go inside for free, but there is a small entrance fee of around €2 to see the cloisters.
Portas do Sol observation deck
![One day itinerary from Lisbon Portas do Sol](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-portas-do-sol.jpg)
![One day itinerary from Lisbon Portas do Sol](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-portas-do-sol.jpg)
Portas do Sol is the next stop, a short walk uphill. This is one of the most popular miradoros in Lisbon, overlooking the river and the city. Admire the terracotta roofs that make you feel as if you are overlooking a Mediterranean village stretching out to the sea.
Located on a spacious balcony, it provides ample space to enjoy the panoramic views. Places of note are the Monastery of St. Vincent and the National Pantheon.
tram 28
![Tram 28 one day in Lisbon, Portugal](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-tram-28-640x960.jpg)
![Tram 28 one day in Lisbon, Portugal](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-tram-28-640x960.jpg)
You can take tram number 28 from Portas do Sol. No trip to Lisbon would be complete without a ride on one of the city's historic trams, and tram number 28 is iconic. Tram 28 replaced the original horse-drawn carriages in 1914. Lisbon is known as the city of hills, and these trams help locals navigate the steep hills. Tram number 28 is a 7-metre route that passes through the popular tourist districts of Lisbon, Graca, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, Santa Catarina and Estrela.
It takes about 50 minutes to travel the entire route, but we recommend using public transportation. If you only want to make a few stops, you can hire Uber. The trams run until 10 or 11 PM depending on the season, so you can always come back later and see it all.
Senora do Monte Viewpoint
![One day in Lisbon miradouro senorha du monte](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-miradouro-senorha-du-monte.jpg)
![One day in Lisbon miradouro senorha du monte](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-miradouro-senorha-du-monte.jpg)
From Portas do Sol, tram number 28 takes you next to the Monastery of St. George. You can get off there and explore the interior, or simply enjoy the view and wait for the next stop, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. Since you're pressed for time now, I'd recommend skipping it and heading straight to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.
This is the highest point in Lisbon and is worth stopping by for overhead views of the city.
Sao Jorge Castle
![A day at St. George's Castle in Lisbon](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-castelo-st-jorge.jpg)
![A day at St. George's Castle in Lisbon](https://theplanetd.com/images/one-day-in-lisbon-portugal-castelo-st-jorge.jpg)
Take a walk along the castle's ancient walls and enjoy amazing views of the city from high above. Castelo de São Jorge is open until 9pm in summer and is a great place to watch the sunset.
You can visit the gardens and take guided tours. There is a museum inside that is free to enter, and of course the views of the walls and city are beautiful. This site is an important historical site with a settlement dating back to the 7th century BC.
Evening/Evening
To end your day in Lisbon, head to Barrio Alto. This is where you can enjoy Lisbon's nightlife, and Bairro Alto has a variety of dinner options. We loved Gin Lover's Bar in Barrio Alto. We enjoyed cocktails here and a delicious meal on the outdoor terrace.
nightlife
After dinner you have a few options. Enjoy Bairro Alto's nightlife, go bar hopping and spot Fado performers. If you really want to see a fado show, I recommend booking a pre-planned performance here. This highly rated tour
Well, it was a busy day in Lisbon, Portugal! From historic landmarks to vibrant neighborhoods and stunning views of Miradoros, we've shown you how to make the most of your days and nights in this stunning city. If you'd like to spend more time in Lisbon, check out our 48 Hours in Lisbon Itinerary.
For more attractions, the best places to eat, and the most efficient ways to explore Lisbon, check out our blog, The Best Things to Do in Lisbon.