EXPLORING LISBON
It’s great fun travelling around Lisbon, especially by tram or bus, which will take you to most of the city’s historical buildings, parks and museums. Whether you’re coming for a weekend, or want to get to know the city better, these two- and four-day itineraries will help you to make the most of your visit.
Two Days in Lisbon
Day 1
From the Baixa district, take the famous tram 28 to the Sé Catedral. After exploring its ancient interior, continue to the hilltop Castelo de São Jorge, a Moorish castle offering fantastic views over the city.
The views from the Castelo de São Jorge are some of Lisbon’s finest.
Head north to the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian. Housed in a modern cultural centre in attractive grounds, the museum displays an astonishing array of art – from ancient times to the 20th century.
Day 2
Head west along the riverfront to the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga. Set in a former palace, the museum contains paintings, furniture and other works of decorative art, much of it from Portugal’s colonial days.
Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga displays an exquisite collection of Portuguese art.
Travel west to the riverside suburb of Belém. Close to the stunning Mosteiro dos Jerónimos stands the Torre de Belém, built in the ornate Manueline style.
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos features an elaborate façade.
Four Days in Lisbon
Day 1
The best place to get an idea of Lisbon’s layout is from the hilltop Castelo de São Jorge. The ruined walls offer amazing views. From here, it’s downhill to the Sé Catedral, one of the city’s oldest structures. Take time to explore the warren of streets below.
Take a bus east to the Museu Nacional do Azulejo to appreciate the amazing diversity of ceramic tiles (azulejos) that you’ll see on many of the city’s buildings. The museum is located inside the exquisite Madre de Deus convent.
Day 2
Take tram 15 to the riverside suburb of Belém, packed with museums and monuments. Highlights include the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, and the nearby Torre de Belém, built to defend the Tejo estuary.
From Belém, walk back along the river to Lisbon’s docks. From here, it’s a short bus ride to the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, which contains sumptuous furniture and historic works of art.
Day 3
Take the metro to Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, which houses an internationally acclaimed collection of artworks spanning 4,000 years of art history. Then head to the sloping Parque Eduardo VII for fine views over the city.
Travel northeast on the metro to the Parque das Nações, a district built for Lisbon’s Expo 98. It offers a cable car, a science museum, riverside walks and one of Europe’s largest oceanariums.
Day 4
Take a train from the city to the Palácio Nacional de Queluz, where the gardens and interiors show the lavish lifestyle enjoyed by the Portuguese royals.
Continue on the train to the village of Sintra, a summer hideaway for artists, monarchs and the wealthy. Much of it is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site; its highlights include the Palácio Nacional da Pena and Castelo dos Mouros.
