10 Things to Do in Lisbon on Your First Trip
Planning a first trip to Lisbon gets confusing fast because the main sights are spread across several neighbourhoods, and the hills can make short distances take longer than they look. For the main things to do in Lisbon, group nearby stops instead of crossing the city several times in one day.
Keep Belém together for one day. Graça, São Jorge Castle and Alfama can go into another route, with Tram 28E as an option along the way. My 4 Days in Lisbon itinerary shows how to arrange them without filling every hour.
For transport, food and where to stay, use my Lisbon Travel Guide. The list below focuses on what to do at each stop, how much time to allow, what it costs and what to know before you go.
What to Prioritise on Your First Lisbon Trip
1. Start at Praça do Comércio
If you’re exploring central Lisbon on foot, start with Praça do Comércio. The square opens onto the Tagus, and the Arco da Rua Augusta leads straight into Baixa.
You only need a short stop. Walk across the square, go down to the river, then continue under the arch towards Rua Augusta. You can also add it at the end of an Alfama walk when you’re already heading downhill towards Baixa.
- Usually takes around 20 to 40 minutes
- Free to visit
- Located beside the Tagus River in Baixa
2. Walk Through Baixa and Chiado
From Praça do Comércio, keep walking through Baixa before heading uphill towards Chiado. This keeps two central areas in the same route instead of treating them as separate trips.
Baixa has Rua Augusta, Rossio and several large squares. In Chiado, you’ll find cafés, bookshops, shops and theatres. A Brasileira is well known, but it gets busy, so there’s no need to wait if you only want coffee.
Allow extra time if you plan to shop or stop for lunch. If not, you can cover the main streets in around an hour.
Allow around 1 to 2 hours for a general walk
Free to explore, apart from food and shopping
Covers central Lisbon from Baixa up towards Chiado
3. Stop at Pastéis de Belém
Before heading to Jerónimos Monastery, stop for a warm Pastel de Belém. The bakery has been making them since 1837, and the monastery is only a few minutes away on foot.
Don’t assume the takeaway line is your only option. The building has several dining rooms, so check inside for a table if the queue outside is long. Cinnamon and icing sugar are available for the pastries.
The official menu currently lists one Pastel de Belém at €1.60, so you can add this before sightseeing without taking much time from the rest of your Belém day.
- Usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes
- One Pastel de Belém costs €1.60 (about $1.85 USD)
- Located at Rua de Belém 84 to 92, close to Jerónimos Monastery
4. Visit Jerónimos Monastery
Give Jerónimos Monastery more time than the other Belém stops. The two-storey cloister is the main paid area, and you’ll probably spend most of the visit walking around its arches, columns and central courtyard.
The Church of Santa Maria is next door and follows separate visiting hours. Vasco da Gama’s tomb is inside, so check the church schedule if you want to include it on the same visit.
Buying your cloister ticket online can save time at the ticket office, but you may still have to wait at the entrance during busy periods. Go in the morning if Belém Tower is also on your plan.
If you’d prefer to visit with a guide, this Jerónimos Monastery guided tour is another option.
- Usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours
- Adult cloister admission costs €18 (about $21 USD)
- Located at Praça do Império in Belém
- Closed on Mondays
5. Walk the Belém Riverfront
Once you leave the monastery, cross Jardim da Praça do Império towards the Monument to the Discoveries, then follow the river towards Belém Tower. You won’t need another transport ride between these stops.
Belém Tower reopened on 27 May 2026 after restoration work and now uses timed entry. Book a time if you want to go inside. The tower is small, and the narrow stairs can slow people down.
MAAT is farther along the river if you want another museum. If your day already includes the monastery and tower, you can skip it and spend the extra time around Belém instead.
- Allow around 1.5 to 2.5 hours for the riverfront and Belém Tower
- The riverfront is free. Belém Tower costs €15 (about $17 USD)
- MAAT costs €16 (about $18.50 USD) for visitors who live outside Portugal
- Follow the Tagus River through Belém
6. Ride Tram 28E
You’ll see Tram 28E on most Lisbon lists, but remember that it’s public transport, not a sightseeing tram. The current route runs between Martim Moniz and Campo de Ourique and passes Graça, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado and Estrela.
Crowding is the main issue. Board near Martim Moniz if you want a longer ride and keep your bag closed when the tram is full. Trying to get on halfway through the route can be harder.
If the queue is long, don’t waste half the morning waiting. Take a bus, taxi or rideshare to Graça and carry on from that point. CARRIS posts service changes online, so check the route on the day if the tram matters to your plan.
- Allow around 45 minutes to 1 hour for a longer section of the route
- An onboard tram ticket costs €3.30 (about $3.80 USD)
- Runs between Martim Moniz and Campo de Ourique
- Check CARRIS for service changes before you go
7. Stop at Miradouro da Graça
For a wide view over central Lisbon without paying an entrance fee, add Miradouro da Graça before São Jorge Castle. You can see the castle, Baixa and the Tagus from the viewpoint.
About 30 to 45 minutes is enough for most visits. Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is also nearby, but you don’t need both unless viewpoints are a priority for you.
If you take Tram 28E, get off in Graça before continuing towards the castle. This keeps the viewpoint and castle in the same part of the day.
- Usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes
- Free to visit
- Located in Graça, north of São Jorge Castle
8. Visit São Jorge Castle
Plan around 1.5 to 2 hours for São Jorge Castle, especially if you want to walk the walls. The ticket covers the castle grounds, gardens, museum areas and views across Lisbon.
Some parts involve uneven steps. The Camera Obscura is included when operating, but access depends on the weather and scheduled tours. Think of it as an extra rather than something to plan your visit around.
Buy online if you want to avoid the ticket-office queue. After the castle, continue downhill through Alfama instead of travelling to another part of the city.
For a guided visit, the São Jorge Castle and Alfama tour covers both stops in one experience.
- Usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours
- Adult admission costs €17 (about $19.60 USD)
- Located at Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo above Alfama
- Wall walks and towers can close before the main site
9. Walk Down Through Alfama
After the castle, head downhill through Alfama instead of taking transport back to Baixa. You don’t need a strict route because the streets connect through stairways, small squares and narrow lanes.
Keep a few points in mind for direction, such as Largo da Achada, Miradouro do Recolhimento and Rua da Judiaria. The river is also a useful reference as you work your way down.
Alfama is residential, so keep doorways clear and avoid blocking narrow streets for photos. Good shoes matter too because the paving can be steep and slippery, especially after rain.
- Give yourself around 1.5 to 2.5 hours
- Free to explore
- Runs downhill from the castle area towards the Tagus and Baixa
- Wear shoes with good grip for steep and uneven paving
10. Spend an Evening Listening to Fado
Save Fado for the evening after sightseeing. Choose a short performance or a Fado restaurant if you want dinner included.
The CASA LUNDUM option already selected for this guide lasts about one hour in Alfama and includes a glass of Port wine. It can go before or after dinner.
Prices vary by date and platform, so check the current rate and book ahead for a specific night.
- The CASA LUNDUM show lasts around 1 hour
- Expect around €14 to €19 (about $16 to $22 USD), depending on the date
- Located in Alfama, close to Lisbon Cathedral
- Book ahead if you want a specific night
Optional: Take a Lisbon Walking Tour
If you prefer having someone explain the city as you walk, book a guided tour on your first day. It can cover Rossio, Chiado, Baixa and Alfama in one route and show you how the areas connect.
The Best of Lisbon Walking Tour takes you through Rossio, Chiado, Baixa and Alfama in around 3 hours. A pastel de nata, a local snack and wine are included along the way.
This is a good option for your first day, especially if you’d rather explore these neighbourhoods with a guide.
What About Sintra?
Keep Sintra as a separate day trip. It isn’t part of Lisbon, and Pena Palace plus Quinta da Regaleira already take a large part of the day once transport and timed entry are included.
If you want to add Sintra, give it a full day. My Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon guide covers the route, transport and the stops to prioritise.
How to Fit These Things Into Your Lisbon Trip
Group these things to do in Lisbon by area. In Belém, start with Pastéis de Belém and Jerónimos Monastery, then walk to the Monument to the Discoveries and Belém Tower.
On another day, start in Graça, visit São Jorge Castle and continue downhill through Alfama. Add Tram 28E if the queue and service work for your plans that day.
Baixa, Chiado and Praça do Comércio can go before or after either day. If you’re choosing a base, my Best Areas to Stay in Lisbon guide compares the central neighbourhoods.
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I love exploring new places and sharing the travel tips, food finds, and experiences that help you plan your next adventure.
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Great tips! TY!
Wow, so many great tips! I would love to visit Belém Riverfront 😍 and pretty much everything else on the list. Thanks for sharing!