4 Days in Lisbon: Neighbourhoods, Sintra and the Coast
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is hilly, compact and best walked downhill. Group each day around one or two neighbourhoods, take the tram uphill and your legs will last the whole trip.
Opens the planner with this trip pre-filled — change the dates, budget or pace and get your own version in about a minute.
March to May and September to October have warm days, cool evenings and manageable crowds. August is hot and packed; winter is mild and by far the cheapest.
€150–€250 per day for two: €80–€150 for a central hotel, €50–€70 for food and wine, and around €15 for transport. Sintra adds roughly €40 including train and palace tickets.
Walk, plus the metro and the funiculars. Tram 28 is a sightseeing ride, not transport — take it early or late. A rechargeable Viva Viagem card covers everything.
Day-by-day itinerary
Baixa, Chiado and Bairro Alto
- Morning
- Praça do Comércio, then up through Baixa to the Santa Justa lift viewpoint.
- Afternoon
- Chiado's bookshops and cafés; Carmo Convent ruins.
- Evening
- Sunset at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, dinner in Bairro Alto.
Alfama and the castle
- Morning
- São Jorge Castle at opening, then walk down through Alfama's lanes.
- Afternoon
- Lisbon Cathedral and the Miradouro das Portas do Sol.
- Evening
- A small fado house — book, and go for one that serves dinner late.
Belém
- Morning
- Jerónimos Monastery early, then the Belém Tower and Padrão dos Descobrimentos.
- Afternoon
- Pastéis de Belém, then MAAT along the river.
- Evening
- Time Out Market or the LX Factory in Alcântara.
Sintra day trip
- Morning
- Early train from Rossio; Pena Palace first with a pre-booked slot.
- Afternoon
- Quinta da Regaleira's initiation well and gardens.
- Evening
- Back to Lisbon, final dinner in Príncipe Real.
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Frequently asked questions
Is 4 days enough for Lisbon?
Yes — four days covers the central neighbourhoods, Belém and a Sintra day trip. Add a fifth for Cascais or the Arrábida coast.
Do you need a car in Lisbon?
No. The city is walkable, the metro is good, and Sintra and Cascais are on direct trains. A car is only useful for the Alentejo or the far coast.
What is the best month to visit Lisbon?
May and September: warm sea, long days, and hotel prices below the July–August peak.