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Three days, Five bairros

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If you have just a few days in Lisbon, it's best to be out on the streets getting a feel for the city sidewalks and sights from the outside. You can go light on museums, while not missing out on history and city life.

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Author: Jennifer

Day 1 - Lisbon

Initiate your day in Belém, (in English Bethlehem). Enjoy the grassy area surrounding the Tower of Belém, and look out to the point where the Tagus meets the Atlantic. The tower of Belém is most interesting from the outside, and it's an introduction to Manueline architecture. Think about the sailors who entered through these waters, then go see some of them at the Monument to the Discoveries. As you get close to the monument, study the large map on the ground, the Rosa dos Ventos. Follow the routes of the explorers by foot, they're marked with the years they arrived to each point. (They were the first Europeans in Japan in 1542!) For a bird's eye view of the map, and a better view of the Ponte de 25 de abril and the Cristo Rei, go up the elevator of the Monument of Discoveries. Spot Mosteiro dos Jéronimos from across the way, it's your next stop. The sailors would pray here before setting sail and after touching shore, which at that time almost reached the monastery. For lunch you can fill up on scrumptious "pasteis de Belém", or scope out some eats along the row of restaurants on the same street. For your evening plans, see what's on at the Centro Cultural de Belém.

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Torre de Belém

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Avenida da India
Belém
1400-206 Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

+351 (0)21 362 0034

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

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Avenida de Brasília
Belém
1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

+351 (0)21 303 1950

Rosa dos Ventos

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Avenida de Brasília
Belém
Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

+351 (0)21 303 1950

Map of discoveries

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Avenida de Brasilia
1400-206 Lisbon, Portugal

Ponte 25 de Abril

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Ponte 25 de Abril
Rio do Tagus
Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

+351 21 031 2700(Tourist Information)

Cristo Rei

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Alto do Pragal
2800 Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

351 21 275 1000

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

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Praça do Império
1400-206 Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

+351 (0)21 362 0034

Antiga Confeitaria de Belém

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Rua de Belém 84-92
1300 Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

351 213 637 423

Centro Cultural de Belém

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Centro Cultural de Belém
Praça do Império
1449-003 Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

351 21 361 2400

Pensao Praca da Figueira

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Travessa Nova de Sao Domingos Nº9 3º ESQ
1100-372 Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

+351 (0)21 342 6757 / +351 (0)21 342 4323

Day 2 - Lisbon

Wear shoes with good traction for the calzadas in Chiado and the Bairro Alto, the hilly stone sidewalks and streets can be slippery. To save your calves the hike, go up the Elevador Santa Justa for the views and quick trip up to the Bairro Alto. Visit the little cafe above the elevator, or continue over the short bridge to the Largo do Carmo, which is a square that is a nice spot for a shady drink in an outdoor cafe. You'll find the Igreja do Carmo here whose empty arches, a product of the 1755 earthquake, you can see from several points in the Baixa neighborhood you'll be in tomorrow. Continue along Rua da Trindade to the Rua Nova which takes you to the Igreja de São Roque. Peek inside at the churches elaborate interior. Exiting the church, you're on the Largo Trindade Coelho, a square spotted with lottery ticket kiosks. Find the statue of the ticket seller for a picture if you don't want to try your luck. Cross the Rua da Misoricordi to delve into a grid of streets lined with restaurants and bars. Try the O Cantinho das Gáveas for lunch, or follow your nose to one of the restaurants grilling fresh fish. Once you've seen this area's intriguing mix of old world and hipster, carry on to the Praça Luis de Camoes, dedicated to one of the most important Portuguese literary figures, then walk down the Largo do Chiado to visit two other great poets' statues, O Chiado (António Ribeiro) and Fernando Pessoa. Walk down Rua Garrett. If you want a little art, go down Rua Serpa Pinto to the Museu do Chiado. If you want to find some gifts to bring back home continue down Rua Garrett to the Armazéns do Chiado. Then call it a day!

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Elevador de Santa Justa

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Rua da Santa Justa & Largo do Carmo
1100-483 Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

+351 (0)21 361 3054

Convento do Carmo

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Largo do Carmo
1200-092 Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

+351 (0)21 347 8629

Igreja de São Roque

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Largo da Trindade Coelho
1200 Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

351 213 235 381

O Cantinho das Gáveas

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Rua das Gáveas, 82
1200 Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

351 21342 6460

Museu do Chiado

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Rua Serpa Pinto 4
1200-444 Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

+351 (0)21 343 2148

Armazéns do Chiado

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2 Rua do Carmo
1200-094 Lisbon, Portugal

Phone:

351 21 321 0600

Day 3 - Lisbon

The 1755 earthquake produced huge waves which crashed through Lisbon's Baixa neighborhood almost completely destroying it. Baixa, meaning low, is at the foot of the city hills. After the disaster Marques de Pombal built this neighborhood back up with earthquake proof architecture. Walk through the Praca do Comercio, the arch of Rua da Augusta, and the grid of streets. In this commercial area, you'll find large chains of clothing shops, banks, shops for locals, and several bakery cafes where you can try the delicious variety of Portuguese pastries. Take the #28 trolley up to the Alfama neighborhood where you have the best views of the city from several "miradouros" and from the Sao Jorge castle. Eat some Indian food before getting lost on the way back down to the Baixa. If you end up along the river, pass the Casa dos Bicos en route to the Praca do Comerico.

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