19 ultimate things to do in 2 days in Lisbon, Portugal

1. Go on a sunrise mission at Miradouro de Santa Luzia!

Lisbon, Portugal is often regarded as the City of the Seven Hills so walking around Lisbon and hiking up those steep hills will be a challenge! However, the best view comes after the hardest climb, right?

Lisbon has an abundance of the most incredible viewpoints overlooking the typical red terracotta rooftops of Lisbon’s downtown as well as the scenic Tagus River! During your 2 days in Lisbon, you must visit Miradouro de Santa Luzia viewpoint!

When we stayed in Lisbon, waking up early to see that golden sunrise over Lisbon was one of my favorite things to do! So I really recommend going on a sunrise mission to the most beautiful viewpoint in Lisbon – Miradouro de Santa Luzia.

The viewpoint is especially beautiful because it has a charming pergola roof covered with vines and blooming flower bushes and it has walls decorated with the famous Portuguese ceramic tiles – azulejos. Best way to start the day!

Tip! Just a few meters away from the Miradouro de Santa Luzia viewpoint you will find a hidden gem in Lisbon – the Tunnel of the History of Lisbon. The tunnel features comic-style illustrations that depict important moments in the history of Lisbon.

Right next to the tunnel, you will find the second most famous viewpoint in Lisbon – Miradouro das Portas do Sol. It offers panoramic views over the popular Alfama district with the distinct towers of the National Pantheon and the São Vicente de Fora Church.

Location: Miradouro de Santa Luzia – Tunnel of the History of Lisbon – Miradouro das Portas do Sol

2. Stop by Lisbon Cathedral, the oldest church in Lisbon!

After visiting the Miradouro de Santa Luzia viewpoint, head downhill to one of the most famous landmarks in Lisbon – the Lisbon Cathedral which is the oldest church in Lisbon.

Built in 1147, it has survived multiple earthquakes and has been rebuilt and redesigned multiple times over the centuries. This means that the Lisbon Cathedral features many different architectural styles like Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical, and Rococo.

You can observe the big hall from the back for free but there is an entrance fee to see the rest of the building. However, I don’t think it is really worth a visit – your time is better spent elsewhere. Take a photo and continue exploring!

Location: Lisbon Cathedral

3. Admire the Arco da Rua Augusta at Praça do Comércio!

Arco da Rua Augusta arch is one of the main attractions in Lisbon! Just like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris or the Colosseum in Rome, this arch is one of the symbols of Portugal’s capital and the whole country!

This glorious structure is a triumphal arch that was built to commemorate the reconstruction of Lisbon after the devastating 1755 earthquake (it also caused a tsunami and a firestorm) that destroyed about 85% of all the buildings in Lisbon.

The arch is more than 30 meters/100 ft high and is a must-see place during your 2 days in Lisbon! Because this is such a central place, I recommend visiting the arch in the morning hours before it gets overly crowded (because it will!).

Arco da Rua Augusta is located in the city center next to Praça do Comércio or the Commerce Square – a massive public plaza facing the Tagus River and lined with restaurants and shops and features the statue of King José I of Portugal in the middle.

Location: Arco da Rua Augusta – Praça do Comércio

4. Grab pastel de nata on Rua Augusta!

Rua Augusta is the main pedestrian street where you will find many shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars. If you continue walking on Rua Augusta, you will reach Manteigaria – the famous pastel de nata factory where they sell the best pastel de nata in Lisbon!

Pastel de nata is a Portuguese egg custard tart pastry that was invented before the 18th century by Catholic monks at Lisbon’s Jerónimos Monastery in the Belém district. it has become world-famous so you definitely must try them!

We spent a couple of weeks in Lisbon and managed to try about a dozen places where they sell the best pastel de nata in Lisbon. My top 2 places are Manteigaria and Castro – Atelier de Pastéis de Nata. I recommend stopping by any of these pastry shops!

Both places specialize in baking the most perfect pastel de nata and you won’t be disappointed. Plus they make pastel de nata right in front of your eyes behind a glass wall so you can see the process (if you happen to be there at the right time).

Grab a coffee and a pastel de nata and enjoy a small breakfast the Portuguese way! Or you can buy them for takeaway. They pack them in really cute boxes. We sometimes bought some and then went to one of Lisbon’s viewpoints to enjoy them with a view!

Location: Manteigaria – Castro – Atelier de Pastéis de Nata

5. Take a photo on the famous Pink Street!

Pink Street is one of the most famous Instagram photo spots in Lisbon! It is also a bit of a controversial place because your experience will wholly depend on the time you visit the Pink Street!

Want to know my opinion? The best time to visit this place is between 8 AM and 9 AM! It is after the street has been cleaned of trash from the party the night before and it is right before the street gets overrun with tourists and stuffed full with chairs and tables!

We made the mistake of arriving too early (at 7:30-ish AM) and the whole street was full of trash, plastic cups, and bottles and it was sticky because of the spilled sugary drinks. Luckily a small patch was already washed so I got to take a nice photo after all, haha!

Because this street is such a ‘chameleon’ many tourists visiting Lisbon don’t get a nice experience when visiting Pink Street. But if you know the situation and the facts, you can make a much better decision when to visit it!

Location: Lisbon Pink Street

6. Hop inside the yellow Elevador da Bica!

Lisbon is famous for the yellow Tram 28 – a wooden tram that dates back to the 1930s – that travels from one end of Lisbon to the other along a very long route, however, I don’t think it is worth the hype.

The tram is almost always crowded (locals also use them for commuting) so you don’t get any seats plus the trams are not yellow anymore but are covered with colorful advertisements.

So here’s my tip! Skip the yellow tram and head to one of the historic funiculars – Bica Elevator. It is a similar-looking tram that connects two streets on different levels transporting people along a railway with a sharp incline.

The elevator began functioning in the 19th century and has been redesigned over time. Now it features the famous yellow color and looks similar to Lisbon’s famous yellow Tram 28 which makes it a popular tourist attraction.

Bica elevator operates along a short route and stops for a longer while at the top where you can very easily take a photo. You can check the Bica Elevator timetable here. It should run every 10 to 15 minutes but that is not guaranteed from what I saw.

Location: Elevador da Bica – Photo location

7. Stop for a snack at one of the oldest cafés in Lisbon – A Brasileira!

A Brasileira is a place of history – being opened in 1905 it is one of the oldest cafés in Lisbon! Back in the day, it became a popular meeting place for such intellectuals as lawyers, doctors, teachers, writers, and artists.

The fame of the café continues today – although it is a bit more pricey, this place is a popular breakfast stop for locals and tourists alike. We also stopped by for some breakfast toasts, orange juice, coffee, and, croissants!

Right outside of the establishment, you will notice a bronze statue of a well-known Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa. It was put there to commemorate the artist who paid regular visits to the café.

The architecture of the café is luxurious, especially the Parisian-style facade. If possible I highly recommend coming here for breakfast during your 2 days in Lisbon! Even if you only take one of their exquisite cakes and enjoy it with a cup of coffee.

We had breakfast outside on the street but we did go inside to buy some extra cakes and to visit the bathroom. Once I entered the cafe, I immediately regretted our decision to have a meal outside. The interior is so stunning!

Tip! Just a few steps away from A Brasileira you will find Livraria Bertrand. It is the oldest operating bookstore in the world according to the Guinness World Records (more than 300 years!). They also have a café however it is very small.

Location: A Brasileira

8. Admire the iron masterpiece – Elevador de Santa Justa!

Moving around the city has always caused problems because of the hills. So different solutions to that problem have been introduced in Lisbon over time like the yellow Tram 28 or Bica Elevator. Another one of them is Elevador de Santa Justa.

Santa Justa lift was built in 1902 to connect different levels of the city. It is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Lisbon! The iron elevator is 45 meters high and was built in a Neo-Gothic architectural style.

Although taking the famous elevator and driving up to the observation deck on top of it is a popular touristy thing to do, the process is veeery slow and there are usually long lines in front of the elevator.

So here’s one of my Lisbon secrets – you can visit the top of the elevator for free without waiting in line! Navigate to the Carmo Convent building behind the elevator and climb the stairs to the upper floor! It is located next to a bar and is open to everyone.

Those who buy tickets and drive up with the Santa Justa elevator are allowed to climb up a few meters higher and see a rooftop view but it doesn’t differ too much from the one you get for free. If you see no line, go for the elevator, otherwise – just skip it!

Location: Elevador de Santa Justa

9. Stop by the roofless Carmo Convent!

There is one event in Lisbon’s history that shaped Lisbon as we see it today and that is the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. The earthquake and the following tsunami as well as the firestorm destroyed about 85% of all buildings in Lisbon and changed the city forever.

Only a couple of places in Lisbon remind us of the past horrific events and Carmo Convent is one of them. It is a 14th-century convent that suffered damage in the earthquake – the roof collapsed and part of the building complex was destroyed.

Today you can visit the ruins and see what is left of the Gothic church – it is completely roofless with high arches crossing the sky. The visit also includes a museum behind the church with artifacts and two mummies.

This place is not large so it won’t be a long visit. I think we managed to explore everything in 30 to 45 minutes. It was absolutely unique and beautiful but also quite sad because of its tragic past.

Location: Carmo Convent

10. Have lunch at the buzzing Time Out Market Lisboa!

One of my favorite things to do in Lisbon was visiting the famous Time Out Market! I’m a fan of markets, especially this one! If you recognize the brand, you’ll know there are a couple of Time Out Markets around the world and one of them is in Lisbon!

The Time Out Market is an indoor food court with numerous vendors and restaurants around the perimeter and a common dining area in the middle with seats and tables. This place is full of buzz and is great for socializing while eating and drinking!

Time Out Market is one of the best spots for having lunch. As you enter the market, I recommend walking around and exploring all possible options for meals and desserts. They truly have many options!

My husband is a fan of burgers so we went to Ground Burger serving American-style burgers. Check out all their restaurants and bars online if you are not sure if they truly have something for you!

Location: Time Out Market Lisboa

11. Buy Portuguese canned fish as souvenirs!

Canned fish is a part of the Portuguese identity. This industry was born in the middle of the 19th century and since then has been an integral part of the Portuguese culinary heritage. Canned fish is one of the top souvenirs to take home from Portugal!

There are two well-known cannery shops to stop by in Lisbon. Conserveira de Lisboa is one of the most iconic family-owned stores selling canned fish since the 1930s. They have plenty of different fish in beautiful packaging. Great value for money!

Just a few meters from them you will find the ‘Silva e Feijoo’ cannery shop that belongs to the Comur brand. They have the most attractive-looking stores ever and their packaging is the best. However, the prices are significantly higher than in other shops.

Tip! Before buying, ask the salesperson about restrictions on planes and explain how you are planning to fly back home. They will tell you all about it so you can be sure you’ll be able to take these gifts back home with you!

Location: Conserveira de Lisboa – Silva e Feijoo

12. Admire the iconic Portuguese tiles at São Vicente de Fora monastery!

When in Lisbon, visiting Igreja de São Vicente de Fora church and the monastery right next to it is a must! It is an absolutely massive complex that consists of a large church, a monastery that features the royal pantheon, and a courtyard.

The most important thing about this place is that they have a large collection of the iconic Portuguese ceramic tiles ‘azulejos’. Azulejos are painted ceramic tiles often used to decorate the interior and exterior of the buildings in Portugal.

São Vicente de Fora church is one of the most beautiful places in Lisbon! The monastery and church complex was built in the 17th century in the Mannerist style. An unforgettable place for sure!

One of the best things about it is that you can climb up to the roof of it and see Lisbon and the nearby National Pantheon from above. We happened to be there right before it closed so we got to enjoy the roof all for ourselves!

The inside of the monastery features a famous sacristy covered by different types of marble. There are courtyards lined with arches and walls decorated with illustrations on painted tiles. The church hall ceiling is covered by beautiful barrel vaulting.

The whole building is a piece of art and is one of the most important monasteries in the country as it hosts the royal pantheon of tombs from the Portuguese monarchs from the Braganza dynasty.

Entrance to the monastery and church complex costs 8 EUR per person. Definitely take your time to explore it all! We arrived one hour before it closed and barely got through – you will need more than 1 hour to see everything!

Tip! There is another cool place where you can see Portuguese azulejos tiles (for free!) – Convento da Graça located next to the Miradouro da Graça viewpoint. Although it is much smaller, you can walk around the ground floor of the convent and church for free.

To visit the upper floors, see the exhibitions, and climb up to the roof to see Lisbon from above, you have to pay a 5 EUR entrance fee. But it comes with a drink of choice – a glass of wine or a glass of orange juice to enjoy on the roof. It was fun!

Location: Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora

13. Enjoy a mesmerizing sunset from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte!

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is among the most popular viewpoints in Lisbon. If you are looking for the perfect place to watch the sunset in Lisbon, this is probably one of the most well-known spots of all! The views are fantastic!

This viewpoint is located in a churchyard on the highest point on one of the hills in Lisbon. It will definitely be a decent hike up to the viewpoint however you can always rent a tuk-tuk to get around Lisbon without constantly battling the hills, haha!

We visited this viewpoint in the morning and during the day. It offers sweeping views over the whole city. It will definitely be full of buzz during the day and evening, but the views are worth it!

Grab some snacks and drinks and head up there! What better way to end one of your 2 days in Lisbon than by watching the sunset from one of the highest Lisbon hills? Seems like a perfect ending to a perfect day to me!

Tip! If you want something closer to São Vicente de Fora monastery then head to Miradouro da Graça – a beautiful viewpoint on the highest hill in Lisbon! Views from there will be just as beautiful!

Location: Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

14. Try Pastéis de Belém – pastel de nata made by the original monk recipe!

For the second of your 2 days in Lisbon, take a morning trip to the famous Belém district in Lisbon and start your day with pastel de nata from the popular Pastéis de Belém factory!

This pastel de nata pastry fabric which has been operating since 1837 is the only place you can buy pastel de nata baked according to the original recipe developed by the monks right here in Belém district.

The factory bought the recipe back in the 19th century from the monks of the Order of Saint Jerome who lived in the nearby Jerónimos Monastery. And the family who owns Pastéis de Belém fabric still have the original recipe and keep it a secret!

Although it is the original recipe, they were NOT my favorite egg tarts we tasted in Lisbon. They were very quite tasty but the puff pastry was super flaky with layers falling off before I even touched them. But they are a must-try anyway!

Location: Pastéis de Belém

15. Explore the iconic Jerónimos Monastery!

Located in the Belém district in Lisbon, the iconic Jerónimos Monastery deservedly fits among the must-see places in Lisbon. Plus it has been voted by the Portuguese as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, as they say in Portuguese, is also a prominent example of the Portuguese late Gothic architectural style – Manueline. It was, without a doubt, one of my favorite places to visit in Lisbon and Portugal.

The monastery is a 16th-century masterpiece listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is definitely a must-see place in Lisbon! Although the only place you will see during your visit is the big courtyard and some rooms connected to it, it is still well worth it!

Once you get to the courtyard you can walk around the ground floor and admire the architecture as well as some of the rooms that are connected to it and house tombs of some important figures in Portugal’s history.

Once you finish circling around, you can then climb up to the upper floor. The upper floor of the courtyard was my favorite. You get a nice overview of the whole area from above and the intricate architectural details up close.

Imagining all the work that was put into creating this masterpiece is mindboggling. In terms of architecture, it will be hard to find a more beautiful place in Lisbon than Jerónimos Monastery! One of the most incredible historical monuments for sure!

The monastery is connected to a church (the entrance to the church is next to the monastery, and has its own opening hours) which is the final resting place for King Manuel I, King John III, and the famous Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama.

Location: Jerónimos Monastery – Entrance to the monastery

16. Hang out by the glorious Belém Tower!

Now head to the riverside and hang out by the glorious Belém Tower! It is one of the most famous landmarks in Lisbon and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal – a special list of cultural monuments voted by people as the most important sights in Portugal.

The unique Torre de Belém is a 16th-century fortification that served as the launching point for the many sea voyages of the Portuguese explorers so it is often considered as the symbol of Europe’s Age of Discoveries.

The tower is one of the most prominent examples of the Manueline architectural style in Portugal – also called the Portuguese late Gothic that incorporated marine symbols and elements as well as representations of the discoveries during sea voyages.

The tower is open to visitors and for an entrance fee, you can explore the inside of it and climb up to the upper level of the tower. If you have time, then go for it! However, it is quite narrow so you should arm yourself with patience!

Only a short walk along the riverside from the Belém Tower you will find a very unique place – the Monument of the Discoveries. This massive formation was constructed in the middle of the 20th century.

The monument celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery during the 15th and 16th centuries. It is a massive 52 meters high with 33 statues of historic figures of the Age of Discovery including monarchs, explorers, scientists, and more.

Check out the compass rose right next to the monument – it covers the square next to the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument and was gifted by the South African government. These two amazing spots are worth a visit!

Location: Belém Tower – Monument of the Discoveries – Compass Rose

17. Take a walk along the river to the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge and MAAT!

Riverside in Lisbon was one of my favorite places to be. The scenic Tagus River and the iconic Ponte 25 de Abril bridge are a beautiful combination. There is one extra famous spot on the riverside where people love gathering and waiting for the sunset – MAAT.

MAAT is short for the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology. Although I can’t say a single word about the museum itself because I did not visit the inside, I can say that the MAAT building is one of the most futuristic, alien-like buildings in Lisbon!

MAAT building is located on the riverside in the district of Belém. You can not only admire the building from the outside or explore the events and exhibitions on the inside, but you can also climb up to the viewing platform on the roof (for free).

Tip! If you prefer to end your day here, I recommend having some lunch at the LX Factory (next spot) and then coming back to the Belém Tower and hopping on a luxurious yacht for a magical sunset cruise along the Tagus River!

Location: MAAT – Lisbon Sunset Cruise

18. Stop by for lunch or drinks at the trendy LX Factory!

LX Factory complex located right under the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge near Belém district was once an industrial textile complex but now it is turned into a creative hub hosting unique restaurants, artsy shops, and trendy cafés.

If you are looking for a cool spot to explore and sit down for lunch then definitely check out this area! It is the new trendy place in Lisbon open to everyone! For lunch or simply drinks, I recommend stopping by Ni Michi Cocina Latina located inside the LX Factory.

There are other cool places to explore in this former industrial complex like the famous Ler Devagar bookstore! It is a one-of-a-kind two-story bookstore with walls lined with bookshelves. It even has a coffee shop on the second level of the bookstore.

If you climb up to the upper level and then walk around the perimeter you can get this cool view of the book-filled shelves and the cyclist on the bike attached to the stairs. Exploring the bookstore brought back memories of Harry Potter movies!

Location: LX Factory – Ler Devagar

19. Watch the sunset at Castelo de São Jorge!

To end your 2 days in Lisbon with a bang, there is one more iconic place to visit in the charming capital of Portugal – the majestic São Jorge Castle sitting atop a hill. It is one of my favorite spots and also one of the best places to watch the sunset in Lisbon!

St. George’s Castle sits on the second-highest hill in Lisbon and offers some of the most incredible views over the entire city. When heading to the entrance of the castle walls, pay attention to the trees above – they are full of peacocks!

The fortifications of a castle that we see today date back a thousand years when they were built by the Moorish forces that had occupied the territory of Lisbon. However, there is evidence that humans lived on the castle hill as far back as the 8th century BC.

São Jorge Castle is one of the bucket list places to visit in Lisbon. During the Middle Ages, this site had a royal palace that was the residence of the kings of Portugal. As of today not much is left of the castle except the impressive defensive towers and walls.

Visit to the castle cost us 11 EUR per person which is a bit pricey to see the walls of a castle from the Middle Ages, but if you time it around sunset then you can get some magical golden views over the whole city. Plus there are smaller crowds in the evening!

Tip! If you are not into castles but want to watch the sunset, you can opt for the sunset cruise in the Tagus River or you can go to one of the amazing viewpoints in the city like Miradouro da Graça or Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.

Location: Castelo de São Jorge

Happy exploring!

Lisbon is a city like no other full of beautiful historic monuments, incredible artworks and architecture as well as colorful tiles – azulejos. It is the perfect city to go to for a fun-filled weekend getaway – there’s plenty to do in 2 days in Lisbon!

We enjoyed our time in Lisbon and Portugal very much, and I hope you do too. Lisbon also happens to be one of my favorite cities in Europe! Those steep hills, scenic viewpoints, cobblestone streets, and laid-back coffee shops just stole my heart!

I hope this blog post will give you some travel inspiration to make your trip to Lisbon, one of the oldest cities in the world, even more fun and exciting! And don’t forget to eat plenty of those tasty pastel de nata Portuguese egg tarts to keep you energized!

PIN FOR LATER!