The Ultimate 3 Days in Lisbon Itinerary: A Budget-Friendly Guide for Adventure-Seeking Couples
- Lindsay & Justin
- 5 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
ALL GUIDES / EUROPE / PORTUGAL
Planning a trip to Lisbon can be overwhelming, but don't worry - we've done all the hard work for you! After spending countless hours researching, exploring, and fine-tuning this 3 days in Lisbon itinerary, we're excited to share our tested and proven guide. As meticulous planners who've personally walked every street and tried every recommendation, we'll help you maximize your time in Portugal's captivating capital. In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover the perfect blend of must-see attractions, hidden gems, and authentic local experiences, all while keeping your budget in check.
Table of Contents: 3 days in Lisbon itinerary
Day 1: Exploring Historic Alfama & City Center
On our first day of our 3 days in Lisbon itinerary, we started our morning exploring the historic heart of Portugal's capital city.
Morning: São Jorge Castle & Views
We kicked off at São Jorge Castle (pinned in our Portugal Google Map), an 11th-century Moorish fortress with incredible city views. Pro tip: Included in your admission price is a guided tour giving a fascinating historical context, which happens three times daily at 10:30am, 1pm, and 4pm. The Ulysses Tower offered our favorite panoramic shots of the city. Want minimal crowds? Get there right when it opens at 9am.
Advertisement
Afternoon: Alfama District Adventures
After the castle, we wandered down to Miradouro de Santa Luzia, our favorite viewpoint in Alfama. This stunning terrace features traditional blue tiles (azulejos) and gorgeous views.
For lunch, we had two amazing options in the area (both pinned in our map):
🍽️ Pateo 13 (€€): Incredible grilled seafood and meats
🍽️ Nova Pombalina (€): Budget-friendly pork sandwiches (bifana) that locals love
Next up was Sé de Lisboa (€5/person), Lisbon's oldest cathedral dating back to the 12th century. The entry ticket includes access to the upper balcony and Treasury Museum - definitely worth checking out!
For our afternoon sugar fix, we stopped at Confeitaria Nacional for their famous pastries:
🥐 Croissant brioche: Perfect French-Portuguese fusion
🥮 Pastel de feijão: Sweet bean tarts (trust us!)
🍫 Salame de chocolate: Perfect with espresso
Evening: Sunset & Local Vibes
A local secret we discovered? The hidden back entrance to Elevador de Santa Justa (check our Portugal pinned google map for exact location). This saved us from the typical hour-long wait!
For dinner, we hit up Time Out Market, a foodie paradise with tons of local options. Quick tip: avoid peak hours (7-9pm) unless you love crowds. We found 6pm perfect for sampling multiple dishes without the chaos.
Advertisement
To cap off our first day exploring Europe's most underrated city, we hopped on Tram 28E (€1,85 per journey and you can pay on the tram, get on at R. Vitor Cordon / R. Serpa Pinto heading towards Martim Moniz and get off at Graca) to Miradouro da Graça. Sitting on the right side of the tram gave us the best views during the 22-minute ride.
We ended our night at 8a Graça micro-brewery, sipping local craft beers while watching the sun set over the city. The perfect way to wrap up day one of our Lisbon adventure!
Advertisement
Day 2: Enchanting Sintra Day Trip
On our day trip to Sintra from Lisbon, we discovered one of Portugal's most enchanting destinations. Here's exactly how we planned our perfect day exploring this fairytale city
Getting there was a breeze - we caught the 7:30am train from Lisboa Rossio station to make the most of our day (we have pinned this location in our Portugal Google Map). The journey took about 40 minutes and cost €4.90 round-trip per person. Pro tip: buy your return ticket right away to save time later!
Our first stop was the stunning Pena Palace, a magical castle perched on a hilltop with its iconic pastel colors. We arrived right when it opened to avoid the crowds. While tickets were €20 per person, booking in advance online saved us from the notoriously long ticket lines.
Next up was Castelo dos Mouros, just a 5-minute walk down the road. At €12 per person, this ancient fortress offered different vibes from Pena Palace. The ticket lines here were shorter, but we still recommend booking ahead to maximize your time exploring Europe's most stunning castles.
Advertisement
Our favorite discovery was Quinta da Regaleira (€15 entry), a lesser-known gem that completely blew us away. Picture this: renaissance architecture, mysterious underground tunnels, and gorgeous gardens without the massive crowds you'll find at other spots. The hidden grottoes and winding pathways felt like something straight out of a storybook!
Before catching our train back to Lisbon, we wandered through Sintra's charming historic center. The streets are decorated with beautiful blue Portuguese azulejos tiles that add so much character. We couldn't resist stopping at Casa Piriquita for some traditional Portuguese pastries - the perfect sweet ending to our Sintra adventure!
If you're planning 3 days in Lisbon, we absolutely recommend dedicating one full day to exploring Sintra. The mix of incredible architecture, rich history, and fairytale vibes makes it an unforgettable addition to any Portugal itinerary. Just remember to start early and book your main attractions in advance to make the most of your time!
Advertisement
Day 3: Discovering Beautiful Belém
Here's our perfect day exploring Belém, a must-visit district during your 3 days in Lisbon itinerary!
We started our morning by hopping on tram 15E from Praca do Comercio to Lg. Princesa (we have pinned this location in our Portugal Google Map). Pro tip: if you plan to visit all three attractions outlined below, it is more economical to grab a 24-hour Lisboa Card which includes free transportation for the day.
Our first stop was Careca, a hidden gem pastry shop that's been serving incredible croissants since 1954. We couldn't resist trying their signature croissants and Duchesse pastries with our morning espresso.
Next up was the stunning Torre de Belém, a UNESCO World Heritage site along the Tagus River. This medieval tower offers amazing views of the city and waterfront. Book your €15 tickets in advance to skip the lines!
A 10-minute waterfront stroll led us to Padrão dos Descobrimentos, a impressive monument celebrating Portugal's seafaring legacy. Here you can climb the tower to a platform for some epic photo ops.
For lunch, we discovered the local favorite Pão Pão Queijo Queijo. Their shawarma baguettes are absolutely incredible, and the €10 meal deal with fries and a drink was perfect for sharing.
Advertisement
The highlight of our afternoon was visiting the famous Pastéis de Belém (we have pinned this location in our Portugal Google Map). These custard tarts are the best in Europe, made from a secret recipe dating back to 1837. Justin's top tip: skip the indoor seating line and grab them to go, then sprinkle with cinnamon and powdered sugar.
We couldn't leave Belém without exploring Jerónimos Monastery, another UNESCO site. This Gothic masterpiece took our breath away with its stunning architecture and rich history.
To end our day, we made an amazing discovery at LX Factory, a creative hub housed in old factory buildings under the Ponte 25 Abril Bridge. This industrial-turned-artsy district was perfect for dinner and drinks. We capped off our night with authentic fado music at A Tasca do Chico (free! just go early to grab a seat), where we enjoyed traditional Portuguese tapas while listening to incredible local performers.
Planning a trip to Portugal? This day in Belém was one of our favorites while exploring the city of Lisbon!
Advertisement
Where to Stay: Budget-Friendly Romantic Options
During our 3 days in Lisbon itinerary, we discovered some incredible neighborhoods perfect for couples visiting Portugal's vibrant capital city. Here are our top picks based on first-hand experience exploring Europe's most charming city:
Best neighborhoods for couples:
🛌 Baixa-Chiado (this area encompasses many of the pinned locations in our Portugal Google Map): We loved staying in this central area for its perfect blend of romantic vibes and convenience. The elegant architecture, cozy restaurants, and easy access to public transport made it ideal for our city adventures. Plus, the evening atmosphere with street musicians and twinkling lights created the perfect romantic ambiance.
🛌 Príncipe Real: This trendy yet peaceful neighborhood is a great if you are looking for a quieter home base. We found gorgeous gardens, fantastic boutiques, and some of the city's best cafes. The area felt authentically Portuguese while still being tourist-friendly.
🛌 Alfama: This historic district stole our hearts with its narrow cobblestone streets and stunning viewpoints. While accommodation here tends to be slightly pricier, you may find the romantic atmosphere worth every euro. Just keep in mind that the hills can be steep!
Advertisement
Tips for booking affordable accommodation:
📆 Book 3-4 months ahead: We saved about 30% on our stay by planning early. Many boutique hotels offer early bird discounts, especially during shoulder season (March-May and September-November).
🏡 Consider guesthouses: We found amazing local-run guesthouses that offered more character and better value than chain hotels. Our favorite was this one which has a balcony with stunning views of the water!
🚶♂️Location strategy: We discovered that staying just 5-10 minutes' walk from major attractions saved us significantly on accommodation while still keeping everything accessible. Look for places near metro stations and within close proximity to locations pinned in our Portugal Google Map for easy city exploration.
Getting Around: Transportation Tips
During our 3 days in Lisbon itinerary, we found the city's public transport system incredibly convenient and budget-friendly. The best value we discovered was the 24-hour unlimited ticket for €7, which gave us complete access to Lisbon's extensive network of metros, buses, trams, and those charming funiculars that helped us tackle the city's famous hills.
We purchased our tickets at Rossio Metro Station (we have pinned this location in our Portugal Google Map), though any metro station in Portugal's capital will have them available. The process was straightforward - just remember to plan ahead since the 24-hour countdown starts with your first validation. Speaking of validation, this is super important! We watched several tourists get fined for forgetting this crucial step.
One of our favorite discoveries while exploring Europe's most walkable city was that these tickets even covered the historic Tram 28E, which winds through the most picturesque parts of Lisbon. We found this particularly valuable since individual tram tickets can add up quickly when you're sightseeing.
Advertisement
Budget Breakdown
(2025 pricing)
Lodging
Budget hotel/Airbnb: €100-120/night (€300-360 total)
Transportation
Airport transfer (Tram to Rossio Square): €3.7 per person
Metro/Bus tickets: €4.90 (Sintra day trip) + €5.55 (Belem day trip) + €1.85 (tram 28)
Activities
Lisbon Explorations: €20 per person
Sintra Palaces: €47 per person
Belem Attractions: €0-33.95 (with 24-hour Lisboa Card). These attraction are equally beautiful from the outside! If you plan to do all 3 attractions in Belem, it is more affordable to get the Lisboa Card.
Food & Drink
Breakfast: €5-8 per person (local cafes and pastelerias)
Lunch: €10-15 per person (local restaurants, Time Out Market)
Dinner: €15-25 per person (traditional Portuguese restaurants)
Total estimated budget for 2 people over 3 days: €646-890, aligning with the suggested budget of €108-150 per person per day for budget-conscious couples.
Advertisement
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the minimum budget for 3 days in Lisbon as a couple?
A: Budget-conscious couples can enjoy Lisbon for €200-300 per day for two, including accommodation, meals, and activities.
Q: Is it worth getting the Lisboa Card?
A: Whether or not the Lisboa Card pays for itself depends on the attractions you plan to spend your time doing and how much you plan on using public transportation. Below is a breakdown of whether or not the Lisboa Card is worth the money in 2025:
🎟️ 48-Hour Lisboa Card: For the above itinerary, this card is more economical if you plan to do more than 3 major attractions (ex. São Jorge Castle, Torre de Belém, Jerónimos Monastery, & Padrão dos Descobrimentos)
🎟️ 72-Hour Lisboa Card: If instead of doing a day trip to Sintra, you plan to explore more attractions in & around Lisbon, the 72-Hour Lisboa Card is more economical after planning to do 4 or more major attractions.
Q: What are the most romantic free activities in Lisbon?
A: Sunset viewpoints (miradouros), walking the historic districts, and exploring gardens like Jardim da Estrela.
Q: How walkable is Lisbon for couples?
A: Very walkable between main areas, though hills can be challenging. Strategic use of public transport helps manage the terrain.
Lisbon captivated us with its perfect blend of history, culture, and romance. From wandering the charming streets of Alfama to exploring the fairytale castles of Sintra and discovering the maritime heritage of Belém, our 3-day adventure in Portugal's capital was unforgettable. Whether you're climbing to scenic miradouros, savoring pastéis de nata, or riding the historic trams, Lisbon offers countless experiences for couples seeking both adventure and romance on a budget.
Ready to plan your own Portuguese adventure? Download our free 35-page Planning Guide and check out our curated Portugal Google Map with all the locations mentioned in this post. For daily travel inspiration and behind-the-scenes moments from our adventures around Europe, follow us @Noms.Brews.Views on Instagram! We can't wait to see you create your own memories in this incredible city.
More Like This:
ALL GUIDES / EUROPE / PORTUGAL
Any questions on planning your trip to Portugal? Let us know in the comments below, we respond to every single one 👇
Comments