Lisbon is the coastal capital of Portugal and one of the first stops on most people’s itinerary in Portugal. We spent an unforgettable 48 hours in Lisbon, packing as much as possible. In this article we will explain the best neighborhoods and the main attractions, as well as insider tips on where to stay and what to eat to help you plan your trip when visiting Lisbon. If you have two days in the city, follow this 48-hour Lisbon itinerary to see the main sights and enjoy some of their culture, food and architecture.
Two-day itinerary in Lisbon
If you are visiting Lisbon, be sure to book a hotel with breakfast. Usually breakfast in European hotels is fantastic, with pastries, eggs, gourmet coffee and tea. We stayed at The Turim Boulevard Hotel in the heart of Lisbon on Avenida da Liberdada. You can read our full article on where to stay in Lisbon here.
We found a lot on Booking.com staying at this 5 star hotel which was within walking distance of the old town and many of Lisbon’s main attractions.
To get around Lisbon, we used Uber. The app was affordable and easy to use. We strongly recommend that you download Uber before traveling to Portugal.
With a Lisbon map you can enter many of the most important sites in Lisbon and avoid the queues. The details can be found here. If you want to see a lot of things quickly, this is a great Option to buy in advance. The Lisbon map also includes public transport. Order it here. Are you ready to explore one of the most exciting cities in Europe in two days? Let’s dive in!
After breakfast, we called an Uber to take us to the Belém neighborhood, where we would start our itinerary in Lisbon in two of the main tourist attractions of the city.
The Belém district is located on the Tagus River, a few minutes by tram or Uber from downtown Lisbon. Cradle of the Age of Discovery, Belém is home to some of Lisbon’s most famous sites.
Belém Tower
The Belem Tower is one of the few monuments that survived the 1755 earthquake and should not be missed during a visit to Lisbon. It is one of the seven wonders of Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located right next to the Tagus River, it is a great way to start your adventure in Lisbon.
We did not go to the Belém Tower, but admired it from the outside. The cost of admission to the Belém Tower is few euros and the opening hours are from 10 am to 6:30 am from May to September, with an earlier closure of 5:30 am From October to April. Here you can book your timed entry in advance.
Jerónimos Monastery
A few steps from the Belém Tower is the Jerónimos Monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage site not to be missed.
The Jerónimos Monastery was built in the sixteenth century to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s journey to India; he was the first European to reach India by sea.
A masterpiece of Manueline architecture, the monastery presents elaborate sculptures that pay tribute to the era of the discoveries of Portugal. Visitors can expect to be fascinated by the monastery’s superb cloisters, each richly decorated with columns richly adorned with maritime motifs and symbols of exploration.
The Church of Santa Maria, which houses the tomb of Vasco da Gama, offers a poignant link with the sailing achievements of Portugal. Open to the public, Jerónimos Monastery invites tourists to step back in time and marvel at its breathtaking beauty, its sprawling dimensions and its historical importance.