Three Days in Lisbon, Portgual
Lisbon is the capital and largest city in Portugal. Making it the largest city, and so close to nearby Spain and Northern Africa, it’s become a hotbed of expats, making it very diverse.
Portugal, which is located in southern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, is known for cod and grilled sardines, wine, beautiful beaches and historic castles.
Lisbon is the place you go to in Southern Europe where you can get a good mix of old and new world. The people are extremely friendly, the food is amazing and it’s super chill.
If you only have three days, you have to make the best of it, so here are my top picks.
DAY ONE
Stay
Rua do Pau de Bandeira 4, 1249-021 Lisboa, Portugal
This beautiful 19-century palace with it’s lush garden made for the perfect place to unwind while taking in amazing views of the Tagus river. The palace once was home to the first Baron of Porto Covo, Jacinto Fernandes Bandeira. It’s conveniently located in Central Lisbon, in the diplomatic quarter. a short drive to everything. The suites will make you feel like royalty. I did!
Things to See & Do
Praça do Comércio
Praça do Comércio, 1100-148 Lisboa, Portugal
Rua Augusta Arch
R. Augusta 2, 1100-053 Lisboa, Portugal
Lisbon Cathedral
Largo da Sé, 1100-585 Lisboa, Portugal
The oldest church in the city is the see of the Archdiocese of Lisbon. Since the beginning of the construction of the cathedral, in the year 1147, the building has been modified several times and survived many earthquakes. It is nowadays a mix of different architectural styles. It has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.
São Jorge Castle
R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisboa, Portugal
This moorish castle on a hilltop was once home to Afonso III, in his role as governor. It was extensively renovated around 1300 by King Denis I, transforming the Moorish alcáçova into the Royal Palace of the Alcáçova. Between 1373 and 1375, King Ferdinand I ordered the building of the Cerca Nova or Cerca Fernandina, the walled compound that enclosed the entirety of the castle.
Santa Justa Lift
R. do Ouro, 1150-060 Lisboa, Portugal
Carmo Convent
Largo do Carmo, 1200-092 Lisboa, Portugal
Estrela Basilica
Praça da Estrela, 1200-667 Lisboa, Portugal
Miradouro da Graça – Lookout point
Calçada da Graça, 1100-265 Lisboa, Portugal
Dinner
Leopold Restaurant
Pátio de Dom Fradique 12, 1100-261 Lisboa, Portugal
Words can not explain the experience that my friends and I had at Leopold, but I will try. This restaurant gets it! The restaurant is very small and intimate, about seven tables or so. WHat makes this restaurant so great is that no oven is used in their cooking. Everything is done in sous-vide or by using other cooking techniques that don’t require heat.
Nightlife
Pensão Amor
R. do Alecrim 19, 1200-014 Lisboa, Portugal
Rated one of the best bars in Lisbon, my friends and I had to visit. This former brothel turned party house did not let us down. We danced, toasted with strangers and saw interesting memorabilia. The drinks are little more expensive than most bars, but you are paying for the history and the experience. Don’t expect many locals, it’s an expat bar through and through. Pro Tip: Try to go before the peak time of 12am.
Espumantaria do Cais
R. Nova do Carvalho 39, 1200-291 Lisboa, Portugal
Looking for current hip-hop and R&B, this is the place to go!
DAY TWO
Things To See & Do
Belém Tower
Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
You can not visit Belém without visiting the Belém Tower. Its a stable in the parish. Also known as the Tower of St Vincent, the tower played a major role in the Portuguese maritime discoveries of the era of the Age of Discoveries.
Jerónimos Monastery
Praça do Império 1400-206 Lisboa, Portugal
The Jerónimos Monastery or Hieronymites Monastery is a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome near the Tagus river in the parish of Belém. This massive monastery is a must see in Belem.
National Archaeology Museum
Praça do Império, 1400-026 Lisboa, Portugal
Navy Museum
Praça do Império, 1400-206 Lisboa, Portugal
Cultural Centre of Belém
Praça do Império, 1449-003 Lisboa, Portugal
Berardo Collection Museum
Praça do Império, 1449-003 Lisboa, Portugal
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
Talk about massive structures. This is it! Standing at 171 ft tall, its absolutely breathtaking. The intricate detail in the statues are stunning. In addition to the main statue of Henry the Navigator, holding a model of a carrack, on either side of the ramps of the monument are a total of 33 figures from the history of the Discoveries. The sqaure in front of the monument was gifted by South Africa.
Lunch
Pasteis de Belém
R. Belém 84-92, 1300-085 Lisboa, Portugal
Restaurante Rosa dos Mares
R. de Belém 2-8, 1300-085 Lisboa, Portugal
Dinner
Sunset before dinner: Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen
Calçada da Graça, 1100-265 Lisboa, Portugal
O Pitéu da Graça
Largo da Graça 95-96, 1170-165 Lisboa, Portugal
Do you want authentic Portuguese food? Then you have to stop by O Pitéu da Graça! It may not be the most extravagant looking restaurant, but the food portions are large and extremely tasty. The place fills up pretty quickly, so I recommend going right when the doors open.
Opens at 7pm
Nightlife
Entretanto Rooftop Bar – Hotel do Chiado
R. Nova do Almada 114, 04015-070 Lisboa, Portugal
10:30AM–12AM
Tasca Do Chico
R. do Diário de Notícias 39, 1200-108 Lisboa, Portugal
Got to Tasca Do Chico for traditional style Portuguese bar experience and free live Fado music.
7PM–3AM
DAY THREE
Things To See & Do
Church of Santa Engrácia
Campo de Santa Clara, 1100-471 Lisboa, Portugal
Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
Largo de São Vicente, 1100-572 Lisboa, Portugal
Fundação Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva
Largo Portas do Sol 2, 1100-160 Lisboa, Portugal
Museum of Lisbon – Roman Theater
A, Rua de São Mamede 3 A, 1100-532 Lisboa, Portugal
Santo António Church
Largo de Santo António da Sé, 1100-401 Lisboa, Portugal
José Saramago Foundation
Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, 1100-135 Lisboa, Portugal
Dinner + Nightlife
Park Bar
Calçada do Combro 58
This bar is perfect if you want a chill vibe, rooftop and DJ performances. It’s hipster heaven. The really neat part about the bar is that it’s actually on the top of a parking garage. It took my friends and I over 10 mins to figure out that it was on top of the parking garage that the Uber driver dropped us off at. We were looking for an actual park, like a bar by a park. There are no signs, and I’m pretty sure Park wants to keep it that way.
Other Nightlife Options
Music Box
Rua Nova do Carvalho, 24, 1249-002 Lisboa
Lux Fragil
Av. Infante D. Henrique, Armazém A, Cais da Pedra a Sta Apolónia, 1950-376 Lisboa, Portugal
LGBT Friendly Bars
Bar TR3S Lisboa
R. Ruben A. Leitão 2, 1200-165 Lisboa, Portugal
WoofLx
Portugal, R. da Palmeira 44A, 1200-311 Lisboa, Portugal
10pm – 4am (except Sunday)
Finalmente
R. da Palmeira 38, 1200-313 Lisboa, Portugal
Go here for the drag show.
12am – 6am
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