Lisbon itinerary: what to see, what to do and what to feel in a weekend

Any time of year is good for a weekend trip to the city of the seven hills. Is it time to make yours? Discover the best travel tips and find out what to see, what to do and what to feel in this Lisbon itinerary during a weekend.

With its many centuries of history, the city of Lisbon takes you through the past of Portugal's history at the same time as it is a European capital that is trendy, full of future and with unique traces of contemporaneity.

Feel astonished by its charismatic neighbourhoods, the way it embraces the Tejo, its labyrinthine alleys... Feel refreshed in the countless "miradouros” all over the city where you can see the typical red roofs get more colour and the houses glowing in pastel golden tones feel overwhelmed with all the dream and desire  that will make your trip truly unforgettable.

The capital of our country which, in 2018, received the award of World's Leading City Destination welcomes you with the monumentality of its history and, at the same time, with the  open hospitality of one of the most creative and pulsating European capitals.

Lisbon Itinerary for a weekend

Day 1 of the Lisbon itinerary: saturday

On your first day in Lisbon, whether it is your first visit or a new one, be fascinated by Belém, by the Tejo River. From the modernity of the Centro Cultural de Belém -a must-see - to the "feeling" of history that the Torre de Belém or the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos allow, get to know these beautiful revelations of Lisbon up close.

This is where you'll find, right next to Jerónimos, the vibrant Museu da Marinha, which evokes a whole world connected to Portugal's nautical adventures. The Santa Cruz hydroplane, used by Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral in the crossing of the South Atlantic, is one of the pieces you can see in the numerous collections of this impressive museum.

Belém offers a beautiful morning of discovery and you cannot fail to include in your Lisbon itinerary the authentic Pastel de Belém and a peek at the Palácio de Belém, the official residence of the President of the Republic.

Leave Belém on your way to Cais de Sodré, passing under the majestic Ponte 25 de Abril and look for one of the many restaurants in the Docas de Lisboa for lunch, with fabulous views over the Tejo River and the south bank, including the Cristo-Rei in Almada.

You are already very close to Praça do Comércio, the ideal place to start your afternoon discovering downtown Lisbon and its many sights.

Martinho da Arcada, a mythical café celebrating its 240 years of existence and a meeting point for personalities such as Fernando Pessoa, is an obligatory stop for an invigorating coffee or something else.

The Arco da Rua Augusta and the entire "Baixa” area, with its shops, churches, lifts and city life, opens up before you for a stroll of discovery, made easier because it is in one of the few flat areas in the centre of Lisbon. And the following steps, on foot or with the help of the Santa Justa lift, will take you to Chiado, Bairro Alto or Príncipe Real, where you can start looking for a restaurant for dinner and then choose between the more traditional or more modern style of bars that mark the "movida” of the city for a drink.

Day 2 of the Lisbon itinerary: sunday

On your second day you still have almost everything to do in Lisbon, because this is a city that never runs out of things to do!

A good suggestion is to start your morning with a visit to the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation which, besides its extraordinary art collection, always has many high quality activities. A visit to the Gulbenkian is always justified by its fantastic garden, a space of unique beauty and tranquillity.

You can have lunch at the Foundation or, if you need to do some shopping, take the opportunity to go to El Corte Inglés, where you can also have lunch.

In the afternoon, you can drive a few kilometres to Parque das Nações, the newest area of Lisbon, which was created to the Universal Exposition of 1998 (Expo98).

The Lisbon Oceanarium is an imperative stop to learn more about the oceans and their biodiversity, but also to feel the unique experiences that await you.

At Parque das Nações you can visit the Pavilhão do Conhecimento - Ciência Viva Centre, where learning is really fun and for all ages.

You can also take a ride in the Parque das Nações cable car or even by boat from the marina.

 Lisbon itinerary: what to see, do and feel in an extra day?

For those who can add an extra day to their Lisbon itinerary we recommend a visit to Sintra or Cascais or even crossing the Tejo River to the south bank and the beaches of Costa de Caparica...

 The best Lisbon itinerary starts at Guerin

To make this Lisbon itinerary for a weekend with an extra day to visit Cascais, Sintra or even Costa da Caparica, the ideal is to rent an economic car at Guerin. You can also rent that car you've been waiting for some time to test. Make your ckeck-in online and don't waste time in queues!

As your Lisbon itinerary starts with a tour in the Belém area, you may rent your car atGuerin Alfragide Station. If you are arriving by air, you will find Guerin at Lisbon airport.

Lisbon's attractions are endless and our Lisbon itinerary recommendations only serve to whet your appetite for the adventures and stories that you will discover on your own in this fabulous city.

We wish you the best adventures in the city of Lisbon !