A Week in Lisbon & Around: 6 Days
Six days of Lisbon hills, Belem monuments, fairy-tale Sintra, and coastal day trips to Cascais and Obidos.
6 days · March to June and September to October for warm, dry days without the peak-summer heat and crowds. · First-time visitors to Portugal who want a comfortable city base with easy rail day trips
Lisbon makes an ideal base for a relaxed week, combining a hilly, sun-washed capital with some of Portugal's best day trips. This six-day plan balances city time in Alfama, Baixa, and Belem with the palaces of Sintra and a pair of coastal and medieval escapes. Expect tiles, viewpoints, custard tarts, and a lot of cobblestones.
Day by day
- 1
Alfama and the Hills
Settle in and explore Lisbon's oldest quarter, its castle, and its sunset viewpoints.
- Wander the maze of Alfama up to Sao Jorge Castle for sweeping views over the Tagus
- Catch tram 28 early through Graca and Alfama before the crowds build
- Watch sunset from the Miradouro das Portas do Sol or Senhora do Monte
- 2
Baixa, Chiado, and Bairro Alto
Explore downtown's grand squares, the shopping streets, and the nightlife hill.
- Stroll Baixa's grid from Rossio to the riverside Praca do Comercio
- Ride the Santa Justa lift and browse Chiado's bookshops and cafes
- Sample petiscos and fado in the bars of Bairro Alto after dark
- 3
Belem and the Age of Discovery
Spend the day among Belem's riverside monuments, museums, and the original custard tarts.
- Tour the Manueline Jeronimos Monastery and the riverside Belem Tower
- See the Monument to the Discoveries and the modern MAAT museum
- Queue for warm pasteis de nata at the original Pasteis de Belem bakery
- 4
Sintra's Palaces
Take the train to the misty hills of Sintra for its fairy-tale palaces and gardens.
- Explore the colourful, hilltop Pena Palace and its sprawling park
- Descend the spiral Initiation Well and gardens of Quinta da Regaleira
- Visit the National Palace in the village and sample a travesseiro pastry
- 5
Coast to Cascais
Ride the coastal train to the seaside resort town of Cascais for beaches and harbour life.
- Take the scenic train along the Tagus and Atlantic to Cascais
- Relax on the town beaches and wander the marina and old centre
- Walk or cycle out to the dramatic Boca do Inferno sea cliffs
- 6
Medieval Obidos
Day-trip north to the walled medieval town of Obidos and its cherry liqueur.
- Take the express bus north to the fortified hilltop town of Obidos
- Walk the 13th-century castle walls and the whitewashed main street
- Sip ginjinha cherry liqueur from an edible chocolate cup
Plan your trip
Best time to go
March to June and September to October for warm, dry days without the peak-summer heat and crowds.
Getting around
Lisbon's metro, trams, buses, and funiculars run on a rechargeable Viva Viagem card; the historic trams and lifts are transport and sightseeing in one. Frequent trains reach Sintra and Cascais in under an hour from central stations, and an express bus serves Obidos, so no car is needed.
Where to stay
- Chiado — central, elegant, and walkable to Baixa, Bairro Alto, and Rossio station
- Baixa — flat, lively downtown grid with the best transport links and plenty of restaurants
- Alfama — the most atmospheric and view-rich quarter, though steep and hard with luggage
Budget
Lisbon is among Western Europe's more affordable capitals, with good-value food, wine, and transport. Day trips by train are cheap; the main costs are palace entry tickets in Sintra. Eat at local tascas, drink the house wine, and ride public transport to keep it lean.
Good to know
- Ride tram 28 before about 9am or in the evening; from mid-morning the queues and crush make it miserable.
- Book Pena Palace and Sintra train tickets ahead and go early, since the hilltop sites and the village get very busy by noon.
- Wear proper walking shoes for the steep, slippery cobblestone hills, and use the funiculars and the Santa Justa lift to save your legs.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Portugal?
This itinerary is built as a 6-day route for Portugal, with a day-by-day plan you can adapt in TripAlta.
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
For this TripAlta plan, the suggested timing is March to June and September to October for warm, dry days without the peak-summer heat and crowds..
How should I get around Portugal?
Lisbon's metro, trams, buses, and funiculars run on a rechargeable Viva Viagem card; the historic trams and lifts are transport and sightseeing in one. Frequent trains reach Sintra and Cascais in under an hour from central stations, and an express bus serves Obidos, so no car is needed.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
Consider Chiado — central, elegant, and walkable to Baixa, Bairro Alto, and Rossio station; Baixa — flat, lively downtown grid with the best transport links and plenty of restaurants; Alfama — the most atmospheric and view-rich quarter, though steep and hard with luggage.
How should I budget for Portugal?
Lisbon is among Western Europe's more affordable capitals, with good-value food, wine, and transport. Day trips by train are cheap; the main costs are palace entry tickets in Sintra. Eat at local tascas, drink the house wine, and ride public transport to keep it lean.
Can TripAlta personalize this itinerary?
Yes. Use TripAlta to turn the idea into a personalized plan with dates, travelers, bookings, budget notes, and day-by-day adjustments.