3 days in Lisbon is enough for the essentials without rushing, provided you anchor each day to one major sight and book it before you arrive. The plan below does exactly that: one anchor per day, a free alternative beside it, and an evening in a neighbourhood worth the walk. Admission for the 3 booked sights comes to about €40 per person, on top of a typical €60–€140/day.
Day 1 — Belém Tower, then Alfama
Day 2 — Jerónimos Monastery, then Belém
Day 3 — National Palace of Pena & Park, then Chiado & Bairro Alto
Day 1 — Belém Tower
Morning. Climb spiral stairs, visit old cannons, and see city views. — Entry from €10 — rated 4.2/5 by 28,946 Tiqets customers. Check tickets and times.
Evening. Alfama — Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood — a labyrinth of Moorish-era alleyways, miradouros with sweeping river views, and the city's finest fado houses. Visit São Jorge Castle for panoramic views over the city and Tagus River.
Day 2 — Jerónimos Monastery
Morning. Walk around the UNESCO World Heritage Site and enjoy the Manueline architectural style. — Entry from €20 — rated 4.2/5 by 31,969 Tiqets customers. Check tickets and times.
Evening. Belém — A riverside district steeped in Portugal's Age of Discovery — the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, Monument to the Discoveries, and the legendary Pastéis de Belém bakery (pastel de nata, the original since 1837).
Day 3 — National Palace of Pena & Park
Morning. Book Pena Palace tickets online to secure mandatory timed entry, skip long onsite queues, and explore the pinnacle of 19th-century Romanticism stress-free. — Entry from €11 — rated 4.1/5 by 11,058 Tiqets customers. Check tickets and times.
Evening. Chiado & Bairro Alto — Chiado is elegant — independent bookshops, the historic Bertrand bookstore (world's oldest), boutiques and café culture. Adjacent Bairro Alto transforms at night into Lisbon's most lively bar district.
What it costs
| Day | Booked sight | From |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Belém Tower | €10 |
| Day 2 | Jerónimos Monastery | €20 |
| Day 3 | National Palace of Pena & Park | €11 |
| Total | 3 booked sights | €40 |
Prices are Tiqets “from” rates in euro at the time of writing and move with date and demand; the live figures are on our Lisbon guide. Meals, transport and accommodation are not included.
Best Time to Visit
March–May Spring is Lisbon at its most beautiful — jacaranda trees in full purple bloom, mild temperatures (16–22°C) and manageable crowds before the summer rush. Ideal for exploring Sintra's lush gardens.
Getting Around
Trams & Metro The historic trams (especially Line 28) are iconic but extremely crowded — consider them a tourist attraction rather than practical transport. The modern Metro covers 4 lines and is efficient for longer distances. Day pass: €6.45.
Best window for this trip: Mar – May, Sep – Oct.
Staying a different length? See 2 days, 5 days in Lisbon. To reshape this plan around your own dates, budget and interests, run it through the AI planner.