Ultimate 1 Day Lisbon Itinerary: A Local’s Guide for 2025

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Portugal’s capital city has seriously blown up in the last five years, whether talking from an expat or tourist point of view. In fact, my bestie lives here and I visited her not so long ago. 

I love the city’s eclectic mix of cultures, from Portuguese to South American, and with that, an outpouring of trendy cafes, restaurants, shopping boutiques, and nightlife. All this, coupled with traditional Portuguese heritage, it’s a no-brainer as to why it’s booming at present! 

For those considering Portugal as part of your next Travel Bucket List, here’s the perfect 1 day Lisbon itinerary to get you pointed in the right direction. It includes quintessential sightseeing, historical landmarks, and some of my top places to wine and dine! 

Getting around Lisbon

Trams

One of the easiest ways to get around Lisbon (and save your legs from dying from all the uphills during your 1 day Lisbon itinerary) is by utilizing the city’s tram system. It’s affordable, cheaper than taxis, and is a really fun experience. If you’re not on the trams, just watch out for them whilst you’re walking around.  

Taxis 

Taxis are the more expensive option, but let me just tell you, after a few days of trekking, I really didn’t care about the prices. Uber is easy to use. The only downfall was that there are often delays as roads are suddenly closed, and there are lots of one-ways. So just bear this in mind when booking a taxi. 

Walk

Honestly, in a city like Lisbon, the best way to actually sightsee is on foot. Sure, there are SO MANY HILLS (and cobbled ones at that), but you’re in the buzz of it all. If you love snapping pics like me, this is also an ideal option. I stumbled upon so many cute cafes, restaurants, bars, and beautiful buildings whilst walking the streets of Lisboa. But be careful, some of the cobbled roads (especially downhill) are slippery!  

Best area to stay in Lisbon

This depends on your preference. If you enjoy being in the center of things and don’t mind the heave of crowds, Santa Catarina is a popular option. 

For our fancy travelers, the area around Avenida da Liberdade is full of upmarket hotels and Airbnbs. If budget is less of a concern, you’ll love the Hotel Tivoli or the Sofitel.

At the bottom of the actual Avenida da Liberdade road is Baixa. It’s a “central” area to stay in with loads of local vibes around you, from restaurants to landmarks. The Behotelisboa is a great central and popular option here.

Chiado is a little similar to Baixa, but more upmarket. Another one of my favorite areas in Lisbon is Príncipe Real. It’s not as crazy busy, you won’t see backpackers around, but it still has plenty to do and caters to all diverse identities.

Morning 

A lot is planned for today, so I always say start your morning with a big breakfast. (Lisbon’s brunch scene is next-level, but if we only began our day then, it would be too late for all the things to do during our 1 day Lisbon itinerary.)

Here are some of my favorite breakfast spots in Lisbon.

• Augusto Lisboa with locations in Belem and Alfama 
• For the coffee snobs: The Folks
• I adore the pops of pink everything at Mila 
• Quest for a red South African cappuccino (brewed with rooibos) 

Next up on the agenda is historic Belem — 20 minutes from the city center. The 16th-century UNESCO-listed Jerónimos Monastery is unmissable, as well as Belém Tower. Whilst you’re here, you cannot leave without trying a famous pastel de nata in Belem. After all, the world-famous custard tart originates from the Monastery! Grab yours from Pastéis de Belém and tick off this iconic street food. I generally recommend setting aside about three hours for Belem.

Travel tip: Another day-trip option instead of a morning trip to Belem, discover Quinta da Regaleira as part of your 1 day Lisbon itinerary instead. 

Upon returning to the city, if you consider yourself a culture vulture, I also love some of these institutions: Neoclassical Palácio Nacional da Ajuda; the Berardo Museu Art Deco; or Fundação Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva (for all things Portuguese arts and crafts, you can see artisans at work here). Or, head straight into the city for some meandering instead!

Midday

Ask your taxi to drop you off at the top of glistening Avenida de Liberdade, which totally reminds me of Paris‘ Champs-Élysées. Designer stores line either side, from YSL to more affordable Mango, as well as a handful of restaurants and cafes. Walk down the middle tree-lined center, and if here on weekends, there’s a cute market that sets up. 

Then, head to A Cevicheria (one of my best restaurants in Lisbon) for lunch. Half the fun is discovering Lisbon on foot — even if it is a workout and a half trekking the cobbled uphills. But this is how you see the most exquisitely colorful buildings. And, of course, spaces decorated with the iconic Azulejo tiles.

If you prefer a more staggered lunch, we have prepared the ultimate Lisbon street bucket list featuring unique sandwiches, desserts and snacks-on-the-go.

Why not spend an hour trying to tick off as many of these quintessentially Lisbon dishes? (But seriously, please find time for a bifana when visiting Lisbon…)

Afternoon

If you’re a beach babe and visiting Lisbon in summer, spend the afternoon at Praia Princesa, crossing the famous red Ponte 25 de Abril bridge. You can always enjoy lunchtime for down here. I must say, I do adore the traditional fish BBQ on offer at Praia do Castelo. Service is slow, but the food is so worth the wait! 

Or, if you don’t care to spend cash on taxis and time getting to and from the beach, keep things to the city. After your ceviche and pisco sour lunch extravaganza, first make your way to the artsy Bairro Alto. You won’t stop taking photos (trust me), from the street art to the quintessentially Lisbon architecture. You’ll also find some super unique galleries and book stores as you poke around the side streets.

Perched on the hillside, from Bairro Alto, the Alfama beckons. It’s one of the oldest neighborhoods. Favored for its riverside vistas, you’ll find some of Lisbon’s best viewpoints (like Miradouro das Portas do Sol and Miradouro de Santa Luzia). It’s almost compulsory to check out a few during your 1 day Lisbon itinerary. 

In Alfama, it would be silly not to pop into the ancient Castelo de São Jorge. Built circa the 11th century, its gorgeous gardens also double as a viewpoint. 

Baixa is a sweet 15-minute stroll away, and this area is definitely your typical tourist hotspot. The roadsides are lined with traditional Portuguese restaurants and cafes, shops selling dried fish, as well as popular international brands and souvenir stores. It’s also an easy 5 minute walk down to the Rua Augusta Arch. Also, just up the road from the iconic lift is the best gelateria in Lisboa: Amorino Gelato.  

Evening

Save this next viewpoint for dusk during your 1 day Lisbon itinerary. Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is in a perfect position for evening plans. Live music often fills the air, adding much ambiance. 

Dinner plans for tonight are dependent on your mood. Whilst you’re in Portugal’s capital, it’s kind of a requirement to sample local Portuguese food, right? Lisbon’s latest food/restaurant trend is the huge array of South American-themed spots. Here are some of my personal favorites, as well as traditional options:

• Portuguese Pigmeu for all things pork 
• Small and intimate, Da Noi is one that I love (order the scallops) 
• Belcanto is a two-starred Michelin dream! 
• Try Ja Fumega’s Portuguese chicken, and it’s always packed
• EPUR is all your modern fine dining vibes, and owns one Michelin star 
• For flavors of the Alentejo region, feast at O Magano
• Seafood and oysters are the name of the game at Rosamar

Even if you’re not much of a “party” person, Lisbon’s nightlife scene is some of the best in Europe. From wine bars to jazz clubs to your typical dance-flooring pubs, it’s one city where you do want to mingle as part of your 1 day Lisbon itinerary. 

It almost reminds me of New York City…You know, when people come out to play after 10 PM. But on numerous occasions when I had a super early dinner, even the bars were buzzing from 7 PM, especially weekends, and in areas like Bairro Alto. 

Speaking of, there are endless cocktail bars, Irish pubs, and places for drinks in this part of Lisbon. It is rather touristy, and don’t be surprised to spot a Stag-Do or two ongoing, but it always guarantees a fun time (day and night). 

Places I would recommend for drinks around the city include BAZ (the DJs that play here are amazing, along with its cocktails); Magnolia for fabulous wines and a pretty setting; and Imprensa for cocktails, wine, and oysters. Jobim has a laid-back vibe and is great for a Spritz. 

Now that your 1 day Lisbon itinerary is over, what’s next on your travel radar? Just a 90-minute flight from Lisboa, consider the “Hawaii of Europe,” i.e., Madeira. Or, swap countries and catch a one-hour flight to romantic Seville in Spain. Alternatively, the bus from Lisbon to Seville is only six hours. For more travel inspiration, don’t miss our ultimate guide to the best places in Europe for solo travelers.

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