5-day itinerary

Lisbon

Most visitors to Sintra arrive by the first available train and still find themselves behind a crowd — the palaces are overwhelmed by 11am. Take the first Rossio departure and walk straight to Pena Palace before the tour buses reach the hilltop. This 5-day Lisbon itinerary builds the city outward: Alfama and Belém on day one, Chiado and Bairro Alto on day two, Sintra on day three, and then the parts of Lisbon that most visitors miss — Mouraria's Intendente square, the LX Factory Sunday market, and A Baiuca in Alfama for live fado that is not staged for tourists. Book the Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra online; the walk-up queue at peak season is brutal.

Day 1

Alfama, the castle, and Belém

Start in Alfama early — before 10am the tiled alleys are yours. Belém is a 25-minute tram west; go after lunch for shorter queues at the Tower and the Monastery.

Morning
AD

Alfama District

Established

Lisbon's oldest quarter on the hillside the Moors held longest. Arrive before 10am to have the alleyways to yourself. Follow the sound of fado from open windows and work your way up toward the castle.

Explore area
CD

Castelo de São Jorge

Established

The Moorish castle above Alfama. Skip the museum; the battlements and the view over the city and the Tagus are the reason to come. Go early before the tour buses arrive.

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Afternoon
JM

Jerónimos Monastery

Established

The finest Manueline architecture in Portugal, built to celebrate Vasco da Gama's return from India. The cloister is the centrepiece — two levels of carved limestone. Book tickets online to avoid the queue.

View on map
PD

Pastéis de Belém

Established

The original pastel de nata since 1837. Order at the counter with cinnamon and powdered sugar, take them to the tiled back rooms. Queue is shortest after 3pm.

View on map
Evening
TO

Time Out Market

Established

35+ food vendors under one roof — the best single stop for Lisbon's food scene. Arrive at 6pm before it fills. The bifanas and the ginjinha stall near the entrance are the starting points.

View on map

Days 2–5

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