Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a place you will never forget. There is so much to see in this unique and beautiful city in just two days. But fear not, we are here as your knight in shining armor to give you the perfect itinerary for 2 days in Lisbon. So, let’s get started. Shall we?
What is the Best Time to Visit Lisbon?
Lisbon has a pleasant spring and autumn. Weather-wise, it is best to travel in late spring or autumn (May-October) when the weather is bright and sunny and the temperature is not too hot to burn your skin. This is, however, the busiest, crowded and costly time of the year to visit.
However, if you want to save some money and travel on a budget, the offseason is the best option. Winters in Lisbon are usually less crowded and hence much cheaper than the rest of the year. The weather can be a little cold and wet, but that doesn’t affect Lisbon’s beauty. From early January through mid-March, the accommodations and flights are cheaper than the rest of the year.
We spent 2 days in Lisbon in December, and we had fantastic and comfortable weather. It was sunny but a little windy, a typical winter in Portugal.
Planning your whole Portugal trip? then don’t miss This ultimate Portugal Itinerary.
Getting Around during your 2 Days in Lisbon
Transportation in Lisbon is quite affordable and very easy to access. Moreover, its beautiful streets can be covered by foot to enjoy the scenic beauty and take aesthetic Instagram pictures.
The best and most affordable form of transport is the metro. You can buy a travel ticket that will allow you to quickly get around the city. These tickets (Viva Viagem) are sold for 50 cents at metro ticket offices, and they can be used in different means of public transport like trams, buses, and elevators.
Trams are the most unique and convenient forms of transportation in Lisbon. Getting on a tram to go somewhere is a must to get the whole traveler vibe. However, trams are more costly and crowded most of the time and cannot be relied on.
The four funicular elevators are the most exciting and unique way of getting around Lisbon and accessing some of the historical parts of the city.
Where to Stay for 2 Days in Lisbon?
Being a famous holiday destination, Lisbon has a wide range of hotels, resorts, and Airbnb. The prices fluctuate according to the seasons and are relatively cheaper in the offseason. Here is a list of recommended hotels in Lisbon based on your budget:
Budget
Lisbon offers several hostels as an affordable and cheap means of living. These are best for a solo or budget traveler as they are cheaper and yet quite comfortable. Some recommended hostels to stay in are:
We love F Hostels
This hostel is located near the iconic Sao Jorge Castle. Hostellers can view the iconic Sao Jorge Castle from the comfort of their beds.
Lisbon Poets Hostel
Among the cobblestone streets and beautifully colored tiled buildings, you will find Lisbon Poets Hostel in the eclectic neighborhood of Graça.
Lisbon Lounge Hostel
The Lisbon Lounge Hostel is just around the corner from the iconic ‘Rua Augusta.’ All forms of public transport, including the airport shuttle, are within a very short walking distance from the hostel.
Mid-Range
Some recommended hotels with an affordable price range are:
Hotel Convento do Salvador
The Hotel just steps away from the city’s main tourist attractions like St. George’s Castle, Sé Cathedral, and the famous Tram 28, which passes right outside the Hotel’s door.
Jupiter Lisboa Hotel
Jupiter Lisboa Hotel is located in the heart of Lisbon. It is close to the airport, metro, and train stations.
Vincci Liberdade
The hotel is located at 16 Rua Rosa Araujo and is only a few meters away from Avenida da Liberdade, an elegant central part of the city.
Luxurious
Lisbon has a range of luxurious hotels and resorts. They are best suited for travelers who like it a little posh. Following are some recommended hotels to consider to stay in:
The Lumiares
The Lumiares is a stylish boutique hotel & spa in the heart of Lisbon. The rooms are beautifully designed and apartment-style, making the perfect home away from home.
Corpo Santo Hotel
It is a 5-star superior hotel located next to the riverside area, in one of the prime areas of the Lisbon Center. The Hotel is 2 steps away from the Tagus River, the Commerce square, and the Rossio, where you will find the leading shops, restaurants, bars, theaters, and museums of the city.
Hotel Avenida Palace
The hotel has a characteristic romanticism to it. Actually, the Palace is a jewel among Portuguese hotels. It combines regal and elegant architecture with modern furnishing and comfort.
In general, the capital of Portugal is such a great. It is really tourist-friendly, and you have many choices regarding where to stay in Lisbon. If you are running out of options, don’t forget to check some options on Airbnb for Lisbon,
2 Days in Lisbon: Itinerary
Lisbon is a beautiful place with beautiful architecture, scenic views, colorful buildings, and lip-smacking food. Trams and funicular elevators are unique to Lisbon, and we love them! So, with all the necessary information in hand, let’s finally start our 2 days in Lisbon.
Day 1
A great day should always start with a fantastic brunch in Lisbon. There are lots of cafes and restaurants around Praça do Comércio. So if you haven’t already had your breakfast where you are staying, you should try this place:
Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square)
Our first stop of the day is Praça Do Comércio, also known as the Commerce square. You can get there by tram (tram 15) or by the metro.
It is full of life with tourists and locals bustling around. However, you can just walk around the square, appreciating the beautiful architecture and taking aesthetic photos. You can also find lots of shops and cafes here. In fact, the oldest restaurant in Lisbon – Café-Restaurante Martinho da Arcada is located in this square!
Santa Justa Lift
Our next stop is the Santa Justa Lift. It takes around 14 minutes on foot from Commerce Square. Also known as the Elevador de Santa Justa, it is open every day between 7:30 and 23:00. There is always a long queue going up the lift. So, a good route is to head up the hill and come down by the Elevador de Santa Justa.
Rossio Square
Rossio Square is the liveliest square in the city. You can just walk around the square visiting cafes or admiring the beautiful architecture. It is a hub of shops, restaurants, and activities.
Time Out Market
Time Out Square brings together the best of the city under one roof. Its best restaurants, bars, and cultural experience. After getting your tummies filled, the next stop is Sao Jorge Castle.
Sao Jorge Castle
It takes about 15 minutes by car or taxi to get to Sao Jorge from Time Out Market. The castle is in the center of Lisbon on a hill. The cost of entry here was €8.50 for adults, €5 for students, and free for under 10’s. Since the castle is on top of a hill, you’ll get breathtaking views of the city.
Chiado
Chiado is known for its luxury shopping, historic landmarks, and numerous theatres and museums. It takes about 14 minutes by car to get to Chiado from Sao Jorge Castle. It is a vibrant neighborhood in Lisbon.
When in Chiado, the first thing to visit is the São Carlos Theatre. It is host to world-known operas and breathtaking performances. In addition, the architectural beauty of the theatre is mind-blowing!
Next up, you can visit Convento do Carmo. For its history, symbolic importance, and its breathtaking beauty, this is one place you’ll love to see in Chiado!
Our final destination for the day is Rua Garrett. It is the central shopping hub in Lisbon. You can also just walk around watching the different street performers perform and taking in the city’s atmosphere.
Finally, you need to have a lip-smacking dinner in Cervejaria Trindade. It is walking disṭance from Rua Garrett and serves unique local Portuguese dishes.
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Day 2
Belem Tower
The Tower of Belém is a must in your 2 Days in Lisbon and a symbol of privileged exchange with other cultures and civilizations. You can go inside and explore this jewel of a tower. There are five floors in total. The water surrounding it makes the monument look heavenly. Tram 15 can be used to get to the Belem Tower. The entry fee is €6.
Jerónimos Monastery
Jeronimos Monastery is the most impressive symbol of Portugal’s power and wealth. The structures are beautiful, and the environment is peaceful. It is just a 7-minute drive from Belem tower and a 15 minutes walk from Belem tower. The entry fee is €10.
To power up, you need to have lunch before you stroll around Alfama. Restaurante O Cartacheiro is a restaurant that will provide you with authentic Portuguese food with fantastic service and a good ambiance.
Alfama
It takes around 25 minutes to get to Alfama by car. Alfama is the place where you can just get lost in the streets, and it wouldn’t matter because you’ll be enjoying it anyway. If you don’t want to stress too much on the last day or are tired, you can just roam the streets of Alfama, eat good food, take scenic pictures and chill for the rest of the day.
However, if you want to make the most of it and travel more, you can visit the Pena Palace.
Pena Palace
Pena Palace is not something you should be missing and one of the great day trips from Lisbon. Although it takes around 1 hour to reach Pena Palace from Alfama by car, it is worth it. It is beautifully located on the top of a hill in the Sintra Mountains. Since you’ll reach there around the evening, you can also enjoy the sunset from the palace. Alternatively, you could also over night and explore Sintra in one day, the day after.
When you finally go back to the city, you deserve to treat yourself to Floresta Das Escadinhas. And you can end this sweet trip with some desserts! Lisbon has some of the best bakeries. From croissants to tarts, everything tastes heavenly.
Must-try foods for 2 days in Lisbon
Lisbon is famous for its seafood. So in these 2 days in Lisbon, make sure you try as much seafood as you can. There’s honestly a lot to choose from! So to help you with this dilemma, here are some of the dishes you should try.
Pastel De Nata
If you leave Lisbon without trying this gem, you’re missing out on a lot. It is basically a sweet custard tart with egg yolks. It is really delicious, and it’s so cheap! You’ll get this basically anywhere in Lisbon, but the ones in A. Manteigaria will make you crave more.
Caldo Verde
It is often called Portugal’s national dish. It is a soup made from simple ingredients like kale, potatoes, olive oil, etc. When prepared well, it is so creamy and delicious.
Bacalhau
Bacalhau is a staple in every Portuguese household. Actually, it is a type of salted cod and is very delicious. There are several different recipes. The ones with potatoes, eggs, onions, and parsley are absolutely mouthwatering. A Casa do Bacalhau serves some amazing Becalhau in Lisbon.
Where to Eat in Lisbon in 2 days
For breakfast: Brunch Café
Brunch Café is located in Praça do Comércio and is famous for its fantastic food and even better ambiance. Their brunch platters are worth checking out, and they have the softest and tastiest pancakes ever! Although the space is small, the atmosphere there is pleasant.
For lunch
Time Out Market
Time Out Square brings together the best of the city under one roof: its best restaurants and cultural experiences. It is basically a hub of restaurants and cafes. Some recommended foods to try are Pastéis De Nata of Manteigaria and Sopa da Pedra of Crème de la Crème.
Restaurante O Cartacheiro
Restaurante O Cartacheiro is a restaurant that will provide you with authentic Portuguese food with fantastic service and a good ambiance. It is pretty famous for its Sardines. So keep a lookout for that. Restaurante O Cartacheiro is in Alfama and can be reached by walking around a little bit.
For dinner
Cervejaria Trindade
It is a walking disṭance from Rua Garrett and serves unique local Portuguese dishes. Portuguese cuisine mainly consists of seafood, so don’t miss out on that. However, if you like shellfish or want to try it, you should try their “Plateau De Mariscos.”
Floresta Das Escadinhas
Floresta Das Escadinhas is one of the best restaurants providing Portuguese cuisine. The price is also very reasonable and affordable. Any of their fish platters are recommended.
Instagram worthy spots in Lisbon
Instagram lovers will like this part of the post! While improving your bio with some Instagram quotes, have a look also at what I selected for you:
The pink street
It is precisely what it sounds like. The street here is bright pink, and that makes it very much Instagram-worthy. It is usually crowded, so you’ll have a lot of people photobombing your photo. But that’s okay!
Portas Do Sol Viewpoint
Portas Do Sol Viewpoint is another one of the most Instagrammable places in Lisbon. You can catch the sunset from up here. The atmosphere is fantastic, and you can get aesthetic pictures here that give you major tourist vibes.
Miradouro De Santa Luzia
This romantic terrace located by the church of Santa Luiza is undoubtedly one of the best photo spots in Lisbon. The gardens surrounding them are beautiful and are filled with tiled mosaic walls.
Elevador Da Gloria
Elevador Da Gloria is another excellent place that is Instagram-worthy. The thing that made it to the list is that the funicular is covered in graffiti, making it look very funky. The colorful homes in the background also add to the palette.
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My advice during your 2 days in Lisbon
Now let me bestow upon you some tips to make your journey more unforgettable:
Walk to places while you can
There is nothing like walking around in the streets of Lisbon. The city is such a lively and scenic place, so get lost in it. Find avenues that you might not find on maps. Walk to places and observe. That is the true essence of traveling.
Let loose a little
It’s okay if you woke up late or if you couldn’t follow your itinerary strictly. Never does a trip go all according to the plan. But that’s okay, you can still make the most of it!
Wake up early
Lisbon is a famous city, and it has so many visitors all year long. So to enjoy it to the fullest and take some good photos, wake up before most people do. Wandering around in the empty streets in the early morning is really worth it.
Go local
The only way you can understand a place is if you start looking it their way. The best way to start that is food. Ditch your comfort food and try out their local dishes. You don’t always have to like it, and that’s okay.
Visit neighboring beaches
There so many great beaches and hidden water gems near the capital of Portugal! If you have enough time, make sure you have a fresh swim in one of the best beaches near Lisbon!
Take a food tour
Many food tours are being conducted in Lisbon. If you are a foodie, taking one of them will not make you regret a thing. Lisbon is very rich in its food varieties. So to miss out on food would not be the best idea.
So, that’s all you need to know for a 2 day trip to Lisbon. Have a wholesome trip and eat loads! If you have any questions, let me know in the comments, and I will answer as soon as I can 🙂
This fantastic city is so alive and prosperous. That’s why planning your Lisbon itinerary is not as easy as it seems. But I am sure you will make it and enjoy it to the fullest 😉
