Lisbon in 2 days: viewpoints, narrow lanes and a good excuse for another custard tart

Day 1 · Start with the view, then get a little lost

Lisbon feels especially inviting when your first commitment is simply to look around. Start at Miradouro de Santa Luzia: the tiles and views over Alfama and the Tagus give you plenty to enjoy on your first pause. Instead of rushing to the next sight, take in the rooftops and decide at your own pace which way to go next.

Then explore a section of Alfama. Its appeal lies in the narrow lanes, façades and small changes of perspective; you do not need to collect every street. The area has hills and paved walkways, so reach the viewpoint by whichever transport suits you best and adjust your walk from there. A short distance on the map can demand more effort than it seems.

We suggest keeping this part of the day for walking and stopping, without a tightly timed reservation immediately afterwards. If the climb does not suit your group, replace Alfama with Praça do Comércio and Cais das Colunas. You will still be close to the Tagus and can save the viewpoint for another time.

End the afternoon with room to breathe beside the Tagus

After Alfama’s streets, change the scene at Praça do Comércio. Walk to Cais das Colunas, look back at the square from the riverbank and enjoy the contrast: the city that seemed like a maze now opens up before you. It is a good place to end your outing, sit for a while and decide where to have dinner.

Want to add an attraction? Arco da Rua Augusta features among Turismo de Lisboa’s suggestions and can be an extra visit once you have checked tickets and access. If you are already happy with your day, stay with the square. There is no prize for turning every façade into another queue.

To get from Alfama to the square, check the route from whichever street you finish your walk on. You do not have to retrace your entire outward route: choose a path that makes sense for your group or use transport for this change of scene.

Day 2 · Jerónimos and a date with a custard tart

Belém deserves a day of its own. Start by choosing your main attraction: if you enjoy architecture, make Mosteiro dos Jerónimos the centrepiece of your outing. Consult Museus e Monumentos de Portugal to organise the visit and allow extra time for entry and travel. The façade alone draws attention, but a decision to visit inside deserves a proper slot in your day.

Now for a stop that fits this outing beautifully: Pastéis de Belém, at Rua de Belém, 84 to 92. The establishment traces its history back to 1837. Order a custard tart and a drink you enjoy, sit down if a seat is available and value this pause as much as the monument. Food is part of the trip too, not just a gap between two photographs.

Our advice is to resist adding every monument in Belém on impulse. Jerónimos, a custard tart and a stretch of waterfront already make a lovely day. If the monastery’s queue or tickets do not fit your plans, keep your food stop and choose the MAAT exhibition introduced below. You will need to travel between these places, so organise the sequence before setting out.

A worthwhile swap in Belém: art at MAAT

Prefer art to a second monument visit? According to the programme checked on 1 October 2026, “Turn Around. A Look at the EDP Foundation Art Collection” runs at MAAT Central until 11 January 2027. The exhibition brings together around 90 works and offers a selection of Portuguese art that can give your day in Belém a different flavour.

Use the exhibition as an alternative to Jerónimos if the subject appeals to you more, rather than an extra obligation after a packed day. MAAT is on Avenida Brasília, in the Belém area. Check visiting days and tickets through the exhibition link. If you are travelling after the announced period, consult the new programme before keeping this stop.

Where to stay and what to pack

Choose accommodation with the start and end of these two days in mind. If Alfama is part of the appeal, check access to the address with luggage and ask about stairs. For this itinerary, it is also worth comparing addresses near Baixa and Praça do Comércio, considering transport to Belém. Do not choose by neighbourhood name alone.

In Mala Inteligente, start your checklist with comfortable walking shoes, a layer for pauses near the river and room for whatever the forecast requires. Paving and hills deserve more attention than a second pair of attractive shoes. Check the weather close to your trip and adjust the list to your style of sightseeing.

To work out your budget, separate accommodation, transport, meals and the paid attraction you have actually chosen. Check these costs for your dates and in euros. If money is tight, keep your walks around the square and along the riverbank and choose just one paid visit. A custard tart does not need an impossible schedule alongside it.

Which option suits you?

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Before you go

• Jerónimos: check access, tickets and opening arrangements through the official channel.
• MAAT: check the programme for your travel dates; the exhibition mentioned ends in January 2027.
• Alfama: check the route with luggage and the accommodation’s features, especially stairs.
• Belém: plan transport there and back without relying on a short queue or a perfect connection.

Questions to help you decide