One Day in Lisbon: Ultimate 24-Hour Itinerary (Local Tips)

One day in Lisbon is not enough to get the full experience of the city, but if you’re quick on your feet, you can get a gist of the city and get some amazing food along the way.

If you’re still deciding on trip length, here’s my guide on how many days you need in Lisbon.

In this itinerary, I’ll make sure you visit the most important neighborhoods, get to try the best food, visit amazing viewpoints, and still experience the culture.

I’ve divided it into a morning, midday, afternoon, and evening guide, so you should be fully covered for your day in Lisbon.

I’ve both lived in and traveled to Lisbon, so I’ll cut out everything I don’t consider necessary for a 24-hour visit and share only the absolute must-experience things and hidden gems, of course.

If you have more time, see my full Lisbon itineraries (1-7 days).

Planning on spending a different amount of days in Lisbon? I have multiple guide for you.

How to Experience Lisbon in One Day

I’ve divided it into morning, midday, afternoon, and evening, keeping the activities you need to experience close together so you don’t spend too much time walking between them.

1. Morning: Classic Lisbon Start

Areas: Baixa → Chiado → Alfama

Start in Baixa, because it’s flat, central, and a nice warm-up before the hills.

Breakfast (keep it simple):

• Coffee + pastry at a local bakery
• Or a quick tosta mista if you need something bigger

Then do the classic route:

1. Praça do Comércio
   This is the famous Lisbon Square. Walk all the way to the river and take in the view for 2 minutes.
2. Rua Augusta + the Arch
   Walk up Rua Augusta, and if you’re into viewpoints, go up the Arco da Rua Augusta. Great view for very little effort.
3. Santa Justa Lift or Carmo Convent
   Santa Justa is iconic, but it can be busy. If the line is long, skip it and go to Convento do Carmo instead. The ruins are worth it.
4. Chiado quick walk
   Chiado is one of the best areas to stay, and it’s a great area to just walk around for 15 minutes.

Now you head into Alfama.

This is where Lisbon becomes Lisbon.

5. Alfama wander + Tram 28 (optional)
   Tram 28 is crowded and touristy, but it’s also an experience. If you want to do it, do it earlier rather than later.
6. Viewpoints (these are non-negotiable)
   • Miradouro da Graça
   • Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
     Senhora do Monte is one of my favorites. You get the full city + the river in one view.

Optional add-on:
If it’s Tuesday or Saturday, do a quick stop at Feira da Ladra. Don’t spend too long. One day goes fast.

2. Midday: Iconic Lisbon Moments

Castelo + pastries + a proper lunch

If you only pay for one attraction today, pay for Castelo de São Jorge.

It’s one of the places that actually gives you the “wow, I’m in Lisbon” feeling, and the view is incredible.

After the castle, it’s time for your very important pastel de nata stop.

Pastel de nata:

• Manteigaria (my go-to)
• Fábrica da Nata (also solid)

Then grab lunch.

If you want something easy, go for a bifana. It’s fast, cheap, and perfect for a packed day.

If you want something more comfortable, you can sit down and have a proper meal, just don’t choose a place with a tourist menu and photos of the food.

3. Afternoon: Riverside & Belém (optional)

Belém is worth it, but only if you do it smart. The fastest way to get to Belém is via Uber; it takes 20 min. Alternatively, you can take Tram E15 from Baixa to Belém.

If you go, go directly and don’t turn it into a 3-hour mission.

In Belém, the essentials are:

• Jerónimos Monastery (beautiful, but long lines)
• Belém Tower (iconic; you don’t have to go inside)
• Monument to the Discoveries (quick stop, good photos)
• Pastéis de Belém (touristy, yes; but a must-try)

My honest take:
If it’s peak season and everything is chaos, I’d rather stay central and enjoy Lisbon properly than stand in lines all afternoon.

Alternative if you skip Belém:
Spend the afternoon in the city with a slower pace:

• Small museums
• More viewpoints
• A long coffee break
• A neighborhood walk where you’re not rushing

4. Evening: Local Life + Sunset

Sunset → dinner → Bairro Alto

End your day with a sunset.

Lisbon sunsets are something else, and it’s the perfect way to close a one-day trip without stressing.

Easy sunset options:

• Any miradouro you didn’t do earlier
• Or head toward the river around Cais do Sodré and walk along the water

For dinner, keep it simple:

• Time Out Market, if you want options and speed
• Or pick one solid restaurant and enjoy a proper meal

After dinner, walk through Bairro Alto.

Even if you don’t drink, it’s worth it. The energy is high, and it feels like Lisbon at night.

Practical Tips for One Day in Lisbon

• Lisbon is very walkable, so I recommend walking wherever you can, or using public transport if it’s a bit further; the trams are an experience in themselves.
• Wear comfortable shoes when walking in Alfama, as the roads have seen better days and the cobblestones can be challenging, especially in the rain. Make sure your shoes have some grip.
• Start early to avoid chaos on Tram 28. It’s actually best to take it from Campo de Ourique, but unless you’re staying there, it’s too long a walk for 24 hours in Lisbon.
• If you’re going to Belém, go mid-afternoon, not at lunchtime.
• It’s difficult to avoid crowds, but if you travel in September or during spring, you’ll experience fewer queues at restaurants and attractions. If you’re in Lisbon during high season, just arrive early.
• Lisbon is quite a cheap city compared to other European countries, so you get a lot of value for money both when you dine out and at attractions.
• The weather in Lisbon can be unpredictable. In general, it’s super sunny, but it can turn in a second and start raining, so it’s always a good idea to have an umbrella close by if you sense it’s going to rain that day.

What to skip

• Don’t try to do Sintra + Lisbon in one day
• Don’t queue for everything
• Don’t eat at places with photo menus on Rua Augusta

If you’re arriving by cruise, airport, or train

From the airport (LIS)

The airport is close to the city, so you can get there quickly.

• Best option: take the metro into town (cheap + reliable).
• If you’re staying in Chiado / Bairro Alto, the metro gets you close; it’s a short walk or a quick Uber.
• If you’ve got luggage and want the easiest option, Uber is simple and usually good value.
• Don’t take a taxi; you’ll likely end up paying more than you should, and it takes much longer because taxi companies often try to drive up the price.

From a cruise

This is the easiest one-day setup in Lisbon.

Most cruise stops put you close to the center, so you can basically start immediately:

• Head straight to Praça do Comércio and kick off the itinerary from there.
• Don’t waste time overplanning, just start walking in Baixa.

From the train

It depends on the station, but both are easy.

• Santa Apolónia: very close to Alfama + the historic center. You can start there or go straight to Baixa.
• Oriente: farther out, but well connected. Take the metro into the city center (or take an Uber if you’re short on time).

If you’re arriving midday, I’d keep it simple and focus on the center, viewpoints, and dinner. Belém is great, but it’s the first thing I’d cut if time is tight.

Where to stay for 1 day in Lisbon

• Best base: Chiado / Bairro Alto
• If you want old town vibes: Alfama (but hilly)
• If you want quiet but still central: Principe Real

Food & Drink Mini Guide

You don’t have time to eat everything in one day, but you can eat the right things.

Best pastries (don’t leave without this)

• Pastel de nata (obviously)
  Go to Manteigaria for the absolute best pastel de nata in Lisbon.

Quick bites (perfect for a packed itinerary)

• Bifana
  If you’re in a hurry, this is the best quick meal in Lisbon. (Get it at As Bifanas do Afonso)
• Pão com chouriço
  Simple, warm, and you’ll find it in a lot of places. (A Padaria Portuguesa, for example)

Proper lunch/dinner ideas

If you have time for one “real” Portuguese meal, make it something classic:

• Bacalhau (codfish); you’ll see it everywhere for a reason
• Piri-piri chicken; super simple, always hits (Try Bonjardim)
• Duck rice if you find a good spot (Pica-Pau is amazing)

What to drink (simple version)

Portugal is known for wine, and you get excellent value for money.

If you want a safe order:

• Red: Touriga Nacional
• Region: Douro wines are usually a win.

And yes, you can do Port wine in Lisbon too, but if you’re saving it for Porto, that also makes sense.

Alternate One-Day Routes

Not everyone wants the same day in Lisbon, so here are three options to choose from, depending on your preferences.

1) Classic Lisbon (most sights)

This is the itinerary above:
Baixa → Chiado → Alfama → Castle → (optional Belém) → Sunset → Bairro Alto

Best if it’s your first time in Lisbon.

2) Slow travel / food-centric (less running, more enjoying)

If you want Lisbon without feeling like you’re in a sprint:

• Morning: Chiado + Principe Real (coffee + shops + calm streets)
• Midday: Long lunch + a proper Portuguese restaurant (Pica-Pau)
• Afternoon: One viewpoint + one museum
• Evening: Sunset + relaxed dinner + wine (Dinner at Tapisco)

Best if you like food and atmosphere more than “checking boxes.”

3) Photography + viewpoints (the “I want the best views” day)

This is for the people who want rooftops, streets, and light:

• Early: Baixa streets + Praça do Comércio
• Mid-morning: Alfama textures + streets
• Midday: Castle viewpoints
• Afternoon: Miradouro da Graça + Senhora do Monte
• Sunset: one final miradouro or riverside

Bring good shoes. And yes, you’ll walk a lot.

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