Two-day city guide of Lisbon

Lisbon is one of those cities that's a great idea any time of year. It's a city that has evolved while preserving its history, and it's never boring. We had a great time exploring it, and we've put together a Lisbon city guide for you so you don't miss a thing in 2 days.

Lisbon, the 11th most populous city within the European Union, is a city built on seven hills, much like Rome. Naturally, it has many slopes. The Tagus River, where you can witness peaceful sunsets far from the chaos, gives the city a unique atmosphere. One of the oldest cities in Western Europe, Lisbon's history dates back to the 1200s BC.

We will also suggest places you can visit on day trips from Lisbon. For now, though, here is a guide to help you explore the city properly over two days.

Lisbon city guide

I wanted to start exploring Lisbon from the center. Here's the first place you'll want to see.

Praça do Comércio

In the very center of Praça do Comercio, one of the monumental squares dating back to the 18th century, stands the statue of King Dom José I, which you cannot miss. One side of the square connects to the beautiful Tagus River, while the other side connects to Rua Augusta, one of the city's most beautiful pedestrian streets. If you want to sit down and have a drink or a bite to eat in a tourist spot, you'll definitely find a place to suit you around the square. If you wish, you can visit the Museu da Cerveja in this area and sip your beer on its terrace.

Castelo de São Jorge

São Jorge Castle is located at the highest point of the city. The path leading up to the castle, whose history dates back to the 200s BC, is a bit challenging. If you don't enjoy climbing hills, you can use the elevator. The city's most beautiful view can be seen from here, and if you time your visit for around sunset, we guarantee you'll witness unforgettable moments.

Alfama

After visiting São Jorge Castle, you can walk to Alfama, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. Following the historic Lisbon houses with their tiled walls and the yellow tram lines, you can also reach the city's oldest church, Se de Lisboa.

When you think of Spain, the first thing that comes to mind is flamenco, while when you think of Portugal, the first thing that comes to mind is, of course, fado music. Born in the early 19th century by the women of Alfama to express their longing, sadness and waiting for their loved ones who had gone to work at sea, you must visit a fado house to listen to this type of music. I would like to share a place that we loved and enjoyed as guests with you.

lisbon cathedral

If you want to listen to fado music while enjoying a delicious dinner and sipping famous Lisbon green wines, we recommend Parreirinha de Alfama, which has been serving since 1939.

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Santa Justa Lift

This lift, 45 meters long and built in the Neo-Gothic style, was intended to connect the Baixa and Bairro Alto districts. Does this lift remind you of the Eiffel Tower? If so, let me tell you why. Because the architect of this lift was Raul Messner, a student of Gustav Eiffel, who designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris. For 6 euros, you can use the lift and enjoy the magnificent view stretching from the São Jorge Tower to the beach.

Time Out Market

The heart of Lisbon beats gastronomically here. Known as the Time Out Market, the Mercado de Ribeira is a paradise for food lovers. One of the city's historic markets, it was renovated in 2014 in collaboration with Time Out magazine. You're sure to find something to suit your taste in this market, which features offerings from Portugal's finest chefs. From pastel de nata to exquisite seafood, local flavours to a wide variety of cheeses, this market offers a wide range of options.

Belém Tower, Monument of the Discoveries and Jerónimos Monastery

We've had our fill of exploring the city centre, and now it's time to venture a little further afield. Built on the banks of the Tagus River in the 16th century, the Belém Tower is one of Lisbon's iconic landmarks. Constructed for defence purposes during Portugal's era of maritime exploration, this tower is significant as it also symbolises the country's maritime supremacy and power. Also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the structure has been used over the years as a prison, customs house, and lighthouse. When you climb the tower, you can see the opposite bank of the river...

While visiting the Belém Tower, you mustn't miss the nearby Monument to the Discoveries. Originally named the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument, it was built in honour of Portugal's Age of Discovery in the 15th century. Made of limestone, concrete and steel, this monument stands at a height of 52 metres. It is a work worthy of reflecting Portugal's power at sea. This spot is also where the Portuguese caravels set sail to explore the world in the 15th century.

Also dating from the same period, the Jerónimos Monastery, built in the 15th century, is also located in this area. The monastery was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. Construction of this monastery, one of the finest examples of Portuguese Gothic architecture, began in 1501. Today, the monastery also houses an archaeology museum (Museu Nacional de Arqueologia) in one of its wings. You may wish to visit it as well.

LX Factory

Don't say, “What are we going to do at the factory?” LX Factory was a textile factory established in 1846 in Lisbon's Alcantara district under the name “Companhia de Fiação e Tecidos Lisbonense,” covering an area of 23,000 square meters. After closing down, this factory was revived in 2008 and turned into a cultural center. Today, the factory houses many cafes, restaurants, bars, yoga and tattoo studios.

But the one place we think you should definitely visit is the bookstore! Ler Devagar is a bookstore in Portugal that means “read slowly.” A paradise for book lovers, you can also participate in events held here frequently if you wish.

And that brings us to the end of our Lisbon recommendations. We hope our suggestions will help shape your trip to Lisbon. If you have any questions, please share them with us. Rest assured we will get back to you as soon as possible. Enjoy your travels!