Portugal · 5-day itinerary
5 days in Lisbon
Sunlit hills, tiled facades and the Atlantic. Here's a 5-day plan that clusters each day by neighbourhood, with real times, so you walk less and see more.
Day 1
Arrive & settle into Lisbon
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Arrive in Lisbon
Check in at your stay in Chiado / Baixa.
- 12:15 p.m. Lunch
Day 2
Layers of history
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. · Alfama · ~$21
Alfama and São Jorge Castle
Maze-like lanes up to the Moorish castle with views over the river.
- 12:45 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. · Cais do Sodré · ~$36
Time Out Market
Lisbon's top chefs under one roof.
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Bifana pork sandwiches
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. · Graça
Sunset at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
Lisbon's highest viewpoint at golden hour.
Day 3
Adventure day
- 12:15 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. · Alcântara
LX Factory
A converted industrial complex with bookshops, street art and Sunday markets.
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Grilled sardines in Alfama (June is festa season)
7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. · Bairro Alto · ~$43
Bairro Alto night
Street-drinking culture, miradouros and late bars.
Day 4
Art & design
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. · Avenidas Novas · ~$21
Gulbenkian Museum and gardens
A world-class private art collection in modernist gardens.
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. · Cascais · ~$14
Cascais beaches
Take the coastal train to sandy coves and the Boca do Inferno cliffs.
6:55 p.m. – 8:55 p.m.
Evening at leisure
Dinner somewhere that catches your eye, then a stroll or an early night.
Day 5
Farewell, Lisbon
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Depart Lisbon
Check out and head to the airport or station, allowing plenty of time.
- 7:00 p.m. Dinner · Seafood feast at a cervejaria
Where to stay in Lisbon
Shoestring
Intendente / Arroios
Up-and-coming, multicultural and well priced.
Hotels in Intendente / ArroiosComfort
Chiado / Baixa
Central, flat by Lisbon standards, and steps from trams and the river.
Hotels in Chiado / BaixaLuxury
Príncipe Real
Leafy squares, design boutiques and palace hotels.
Hotels in Príncipe Real
What to eat in Lisbon
Pastel de nata
Custard tart with blistered top; dust with cinnamon and eat warm.
Bacalhau à Brás
Salt cod scrambled with onions, egg and matchstick potatoes.
Bifana
Garlicky marinated pork in a soft roll, the city's favourite snack.
Grilled sardines
The taste of June's Santo António festival, charred on street grills.
Polvo à lagareiro
Roast octopus drenched in olive oil and garlic.
Ginjinha
Sour-cherry liqueur served in a shot glass at tiny bars in Rossio.
Where locals send visitors
Pastéis de Belém $
Bakery · Belém · Best for breakfast
Baking its secret-recipe custard tarts since 1837. Sit inside to skip the takeaway queue.
ReviewsManteigaria $
Bakery · Chiado · Best for breakfast
Many locals' favourite pastel de nata, warm from the oven.
ReviewsCervejaria Ramiro $$$
Seafood beer hall · Intendente · Best for dinner
Garlic prawns, clams and crab, finished with a steak sandwich for dessert, Lisbon-style.
ReviewsTime Out Market $$
Food hall · Cais do Sodré · Best for lunch
Stalls from well-known Lisbon chefs under one roof in the Mercado da Ribeira.
ReviewsTaberna da Rua das Flores $$
Petiscos · Chiado · Best for dinner
Small plates from a chalkboard menu in a tiny tavern. No bookings, so arrive early.
ReviewsO Trevo $
Bifana counter · Praça Luís de Camões · Best for lunch
A no-frills counter for a classic bifana and a beer.
Reviews
Heads-up: what to steer clear of
- Scam: In Baixa, Rossio and Bairro Alto, men quietly offer drugs to tourists. These are usually fake, and buying is still illegal. Just say no and walk on.
- Pickpockets: Tram 28 is a pickpocket favourite. Keep your bag in front, or ride early in the morning.
- Safety: Cobbled hills get slippery when wet; wear shoes with grip.
Giro's notes, reviewed October 2026. Things change, so check current advice before you go: Government of Canada travel advisories .
Good to know
- Wear grippy shoes because the limestone pavements are slippery.
- Tram 28 is iconic but packed; ride it early or walk the route.
- The couvert (bread, olives) on the table isn't free; send it back if you don't want it.
Daily budget per person
| Shoestring | ~$101 |
| Comfort | ~$221 |
| Luxury | ~$605 |
A shared double room, meals and local transport. Flights and tickets not included.
Make this Lisbon trip yours
Giro rebuilds this plan for your dates, your group and your budget. Swap stops, drag them between days, add your flights and hotel, and share it with everyone coming.
Plan this tripTimes and prices are estimates (prices in CAD at the latest ECB rate). Check opening hours before you go. Place descriptions and photos from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, credited on each photo. Giro may earn a commission on bookings, at no extra cost to you.