What to See in Lisbon in One Day: An Amazing Itinerary
- Emily Anne
- Jun 1
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 9
SUMMARY
This guide of what to see in Lisbon in one day includes some of the city's most iconic landmarks, viewpoints, and local gems. From pastries and waterfront walks to castle views and modern art, here's how to make the most of 24 hours in Portugal's capital!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Your Guide to the Best Things to See in Lisbon in One Day: Views, History, and Local Gems
If you only have one day to explore Lisbon, it helps to have a game plan. This post shares our itinerary with stops that highlight Lisbon's history, food, views, and neighborhoods. It's not everything Lisbon has to offer, but it'll give you a solid feel for the city without needing to rush every moment. With public transportation, it's totally doable, but be prepared to walk a lot!
If you're looking for more information about things to do and see during your trip to Portugal, check out the following posts:
MIRADOURO DE SÃO PEDRO DE ALCÂNTARA
We stumbled upon this spot while exploring the night we arrived, and it ended up being one of our favorite views in Lisbon. It's a terraced lookout point with sweeping city views, including Castelo de São Jorge perched on the opposite hill. What made it even better? A little pop-up market was going on when we were there—think food stalls, drinks, and a relaxed vibe with locals hanging out. We grabbed a cold beer and found a spot near the railing to take it all in. If you're looking for a laid-back way to kick off your time in Lisbon and want a good photo op without a crowd, this is a great first place to land.

PASTEL DE NATA FROM MANTEIGARIA
You can't visit Lisbon without trying a pastel de nata, and Mateigaria is an ideal place to do it (don't fall for the tourist stands in the neighborhood markets selling pastel de nata; you'll just be disappointed). These little custard tarts are served warm, with perfectly crisp, flaky crusts and creamy centers that aren't overly sweet. The Mateigaria location near the Time Out Market is super convenient, and you can see the bakers making them fresh behind the counter. Sprinkle on a little cinnamon or powdered sugar if you want, but they're just as good on their own!
BELÉM DISTRICT
Belém Tower
This part of Lisbon is outside the city center, so grouping a few stops together is best. Despite being a bit outside of the city, it's easily accessible via the metro train. We started by heading to the iconic Belém Tower. It's a historic fortress built in the early 1500s as part of the city's defense system and was also a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. When we arrived, the line to go inside was super long, so we opted to admire it from the outside and enjoy a stroll along the waterfront instead.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
A ways down the waterfront, the Monument to the Discoveries honors Portuguese explorers and the Age of Exploration. Its scale is impressive, and the views over the river are beautiful. There are plenty of cafes and food/drink carts between the Belém Tower and the monument to grab a quick drink or snack as you walk along the river. We wandered with an espresso in hand and enjoyed the people-watching.
Jerónimos Monastery
If you want to visit this UNESCO-listed site, buy your tickets in advance. The line to get in was huge, even with timed entries. It's worth seeing, though. This monastery was built in the early 1500s and is a great example of Manueline architecture, filled with intricate carvings and impressive cloisters. Even if you just admire it from the outside, it's worth stopping by.
MAAT Museum
Unfortunately, MAAT (the Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology) was closed when we went, but we still walked around the building. It's right along the waterfront and has a sleek, modern design that really stands out in contrast to the older buildings nearby. The rooftop is walkable and gives a unique perspective over the river. If it had been open, we would've 100% gone inside. If you decide to visit, make sure to check their hours ahead of time.
LX FACTORY
This spot is such a fun find. LX Factory is a former industrial complex turned creative space packed with local boutiques, bookstores, cafes, and design studios. You can easily spend an hour or two just wandering through the shops, many of which carry handmade goods, unique gifts, and cool clothing from Portuguese designers. It's the kind of place where you want to take your time and pop into every shop to see what they have to offer. There's also a great selection of restaurants if you need a lunch break.
CARMO ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Tucked into the ruins of a 14th-century church, this museum gives you a glimpse of Lisbon's past in a setting that's honestly pretty haunting in the best way. The church was mostly destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, and instead of rebuilding it fully, they preserved the skeleton of the structure. You walk through open-air arches and partial walls, with sunlight filtering through as you explore the small collection of artifacts and historical displays. We bought our tickets online ahead of time, but from what we saw, they can also be bought onsite.

COCKTAILS AT 18.68 COCKTAIL BOUTIQUE
This place was a highlight of our time in Lisbon! We sat at the bar and had the best time chatting with the mixologists, who were super friendly and made some of the best cocktails we'd ever had. The service was top-notch: When I went to the restroom before finishing my drink, one of the mixologists put it in the bar fridge to keep it cold until I returned. The other even shared his handwritten list of things to do in Porto with us, knowing that's where we were headed next. If you love cocktails like we do, you should definitely go.

SANTA JUSTA LIFT
The Santa Justa lift was built in the early 1900s and has a cool wrought-iron design, but the real draw is the lookout point at the top, with views over the Baixa neighborhood. You'll probably see a long line forming at the bottom of this historic elevator, but honestly, you can skip it. You can walk to the top for free, allowing you to take in the same view without the wait or the cost.
CASTELO DE SÃO JORGE
Castelo de São Jorge is one of Lisbon's most iconic spots, and it lives up to the hype. The castle sits at the top of a hill in the Alfama neighborhood and has sweeping views of the city and river. Walking the ramparts is a fun way to explore, and you'll find peacocks wandering around the grounds. Getting there is a bit of a climb, but the views alone make it worth the effort. If you're short on time, prioritize this! We bought our tickets upon arrival, but you can also purchase them online ahead of time.
ALFAMA NEIGHBORHOOD
Wandering the narrow, winding streets of Alfama is one of the best parts of visiting Lisbon. This is the oldest neighborhood in the city, and it still has that lived-in, local feel. You'll pass laundry hanging from windows, hear music echoing from doorways, and stumble upon little shops and cafes that feel frozen in time.
Miss Can
If you're looking for a unique souvenir, stop at Miss Can. They sell gourmet canned fish in beautiful packaging. I brought a few back, and they were each delicious! The shop itself is tiny and charming, and it's a quick stop worth making.
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
This viewpoint has an expansive terrace and one of the best panoramic views of Alfama and the river beyond. It's a great place to pause, snap a photo, or grab a coffee at one of the cafes nearby and sit and soak it all in.
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
A short walk from Portas do Sol, this viewpoint is smaller but has a beautiful tiled wall and a more intimate feel. We found a bench and just hung out for a bit. It's a peaceful spot and a nice break from the crowds.
Lisbon Cathedral
Right at the edge of Alfama, this is the oldest church in the city, dating back to the 1100s. Due to earthquakes, it's been rebuilt and modified over the centuries, so you'll see a mix of styles. It's free to enter and worth popping into, even briefly!
One day in Lisbon goes by fast, but with a bit of planning, you can cover a lot of ground! This itinerary gave us a well-rounded glimpse of the city, from sweeping viewpoints and historic sites to great cocktails and neighborhood markets. If you only have 24 hours there, I hope this helps you enjoy it as much as we did.
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