Lisbon was one of the places I wanted to visit and finally during the weekend of December 8th I was able to spend three days in this wonderful city. I must say that three days are very few, so if you don’t want to miss any of the beautiful things to see, find out in this post what to see in Lisbon in a weekend!
How to plan a fantastic weekend in Lisbon
Is a really big city, much bigger than I expected. The things to see are sometimes far from each other so organizing your travels well is essential! So let’s see together How to plan a fantastic weekend in Lisbon!
Contents
The first thing you must do without hesitation is buy a Lisboa Card! Most of the things to see will be included in the purchase price of the Card, plus any public transport will be free!
Buying the Card online will allow you to collect it directly at the airport upon your arrival. In any case, if you want to take it directly in the city – go to ask me lisboa – you can do it at the tourist information centers but standing in line!
How to arrange transfers
I would start by telling you that you won’t need a car as you can essentially get around by public transport. Also I can say, despite were included in Lisboa Card, I never used the Metro! If you like walking, the hotel in the right place will allow you to move on foot, elevator and the way I love the most! Huber! Yes in Lisbon you can use Huber so don’t forget to download the app and set it!
Where to sleep in Lisbon
In my opinion the most comfortable area to stay is undoubtedly near the “Elevador de Santa Justa”. It is practically possible to reach any place in the historic center on foot.
The Hotel is perfect! Clean and really confortable. The metro station Chiado is few minuets away and Praça do Comércio is really close. Also the elevador is really close the Hotel!
Check the hotel
Despite the volue for money of this hotel, the beakfast price is really high but just downstairs there is a bar. I strongly suggest the place where my love for “Pastel de Nata” has begun!
Itinerary for a whole day
This itinerary will take you a whole day, trust me it is not easy but you will be able to see many places and taste the local specialties! I have dedicated a paragraph to this itinerary because I think it is worth choosing a whole day to devote to this beautiful walk! If you don’t want to waste time, follow the itinerary in the order you find it in the post!
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
It was designed in 1940 to commemorate the “Exposition of the Portuguese World”, promoted by the Salazar government. This is your fist place in the morning, so take your Huber and come here!
Belém Tower officially the Tower of Saint Vincent is a 16th-century fortification located in Lisbon that served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation. Reach this place on foot, it is five minutes far from “Padrão Dos Descobrimentos”. Your Lisboa Card includes admission so step inside and take a look back two hundred years!
Head to the opposite side of the road, there is a metal bridge to cross it and go keeping the road to the right! You will find many things to see, perhaps too many so decide which attractions to prioritize also based on the time you have!
I leave the history of this place to other websites, what I can tell you is that you must not miss it! A beauty and an atmosphere that will leave you breathless! Pay attention, it close at 5.30pm so don’t risk having to go back!
The best pastel de nata: Pasteis de Belem
You are close this fantastic place: click here to go! Do not miss it!
At the beginning of the Nineteenth Century, in Belém, next to Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (the Heironymite Monastery) there was a sugar cane refinery attached to a small general store. As a result of the 1820 liberal revolution, all convents and monasteries in Portugal were shut down in 1834, the clergy and labourers expelled. In 1837, the baking of the “Pastéis de Belém”began in the buildings attached to the refinery, following the ancient ‘secret recipe` from the monastery. Passed on and known exclusively to the master confectioners who hand-crafted the pastries in the ‘secret room’, this recipe remained unchanged to the present day. In fact, the only true ‘Pasteis de Belém’ contrive, by means of a scrupulous selection of ingredients, to offer even today the flavour of the time-honoured Portuguese sweetmaking.
Sanctuary of Christ the King
At this point let’s move to the Almada district to visit the Cristo Rei. Huber will take around 25 minutes but it depends on the traffic so this visit will take you at least a couple of hours! The view at the top of Cristo Rei was stunning. You could see Lisbon, Tagus river and the 25 April bridge. Do take note that the lift only brings you to a certain level. You will need to climb some stairs in order to reach the top. The price is 5 euros and it is not included in Lisboa Card.
The view of the 25th of April bridge is truly unique from here but it is even more impressive to cross it to get to Cristo Rei!
The 25 de Abril Bridge is a suspension bridge connecting the city of Lisbon, capital of Portugal, to the municipality of Almada on the left bank of the Tagus river. It has a total length of 2,277 metres, making it the 46th longest suspension bridge in the world
At this point, if you wish, you can go back to the hotel for a little rest and get ready for a nice walk in the oldtown.
What to do in the downtown
Walking in the downtown is truly a pleasure and the list of places included in the Lisboa Card will be a valid help in choosing what to see simply while walking.
Chiado
This district offers plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars where you can stop for a cafe or cocktail, after exploring its streets, shops, art galleries, theaters, museums and viewpoints.
Praça do Comércio
Arco da Rua Augusta
A beautiful monument to the reconstruction of Lisbon.
Sé de Lisboa
Visiting this place is not included in Lisboa card and the price is 8 euro. It’s worth it for the oldest cathedral in Lisbon. A small museum upstairs has interesting relics.
Castelo de S. Jorge
To reach this place you have two possibilities. Use the dedicated lift or walk. Honestly, the walk is pretty tough but it’s worth it!
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
In lisbon there are many “miradouro” but this one is really fascinating!
Have you planned your weekend in Lisbon?
As I told you before, there are so many things to see. In this article I have not talked about one of the most famous attractions in Lisbon: Tram 28. I will write an article about this because in my opinion, in addition to being something to see and use, it represents a very useful means of visiting the historic center!