Like any capital city, Lisbon is a bustling place filled with loads of things to do. Not everyone has the luxury of spending more than 1 day in Lisbon though. Since Lisbon has an international airport, it is not uncommon for people to stop by for a quick stop over too. Luckily, there is a lot that can be seen within just 24 hours in Lisbon.
It also gives you a chance to take in the vibe that is so characteristic of the city. My recommendation is to do as much as you can but leave some time to enjoy the laid back lifestyle that is so well known. Enjoy the food, the scenery and the music.
Take a trip down the Tagus river. See the city in all its splendor. If you know just the right parts of the city to head to, you will find that Lisbon will leave its impression on you and will make you want to return to the Portuguese coast.
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Where To Stay In Lisbon
There are a lot of great hotels and places to stay in the city. If you have just 1 day in Lisbon, I would recommend staying as centrally as possible. This would reduce your commute time a lot and give you much more time to explore the city.
Verride Palácio Santa Catarina – Luxury
⭐️ Rating: 9.6/10 (235 Reviews) Price: $637 per night 📍Location: Rua de Santa Catarina 1, Misericordia, Lisbon Details: Read more on booking.com now!
Now if you wan to truly indulge in luxury then head to Verride Palácio Santa Catarina. The hotel is located in Lisbon’s historic center and is a sort walk away from most of the attractions in the city. Just make sure to wear your walking shoes because almost everything in Lisbon is either up or down a slope.
The reason why this particular hotel ranks high on people’s bucket list is because of the stellar view that it has of the Tagus river. You don’t have to go far to watch the stunning Lisbon sunsets.
You can enjoy them from either you balcony or from the pool or a variety of other locations in the hotel itself. You can also catch the view every morning when you enjoy your breakfast at the outdoor esplanade.
“Absolutely everything! The rooms were clean and comfortable. The breakfast was exceptional and very convenient that it finished at midday. The staff were superb and the food available at the rooftop bar and restaurant was excellent, the daily complimentary cake was a very nice touch.”
Sebastian (read more reviews now!)
Another pretty iconic part of the hotel is the amount of natural light that you will find in every room. This is because the windows are large and are designed to make the rooms feel bright and airy. That brings us to the large and well decorated common areas with silks and chandeliers that make you feel like royalty.
Don’t feel like heading out to Chaido that is a mere 300m away or to Bairro Alt for the night life? Then just stay in and enjoy the rich Portuguese food at the in house Suba restaurant. There’s even a rooftop bar where you can mingle with your fellow guests. It does sound like the perfect way to spend a day in Lisbon doesn’t it?
Palacio Ludovice Wine Experience Hotel – Mid Range
⭐️ Rating: 9.3/10 (530 Reviews) Price: $302 per night 📍Location: Rua de São Pedro de Alcântara 39-49, Misericórdia, Lissabon Details: Read more on booking.com now!
One of the things that I love about the hotels in Lisbon is that they don’t look very grandiose from the outside.
“They are all about the little details to make you feel like a valued guest. Every night a sweet treat is waiting for you to enjoy. I looked forward to it every evening after a long day of sight seeing. Every staff member is there to assist you with anything you need. I had some bumps in the road on this holiday (nothing to do with this establishment)and they were there with suggestions to help.”
Karen (read more reviews now!)
In fact, often they merge with the surroundings and this blending in makes it feel as if you are immersed in the Portuguese culture. That however is from the outside. The moment you step in, you are walk into a whole world of luxury. The Palacio Ludovice Wine Experience hotel is one very good example.
This hotel is located pretty close to the city and is just a stone’s throw away from one of the best viewpoints in the city aka the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. This was one of my favorite places in the city because the trees provided the shade during the hot days and the street performers enthralled the crowd while they took in the view.
Anyways, if you want to spend just 1 day in Portugal and want to be situated central-ish (its still a bit of a walk to some of the locations but doable) and want to enjoy the best of the Portuguese hospitality, then this the hotel for you.
The rooms are very tasteful done up and the best part is that they are soundproof. This means a lot because since the hotel is central, you can often hear a lot of partying gone on in the streets. That noise does not make its way inside.
The hotel is also known for its wine tasting. So make sure you ask about it at the reception when you check in. Alternatively you can try one of their impressive array at the Frederico restaurant that is in house.
Oh and if you are driving here you can park your car at the parking garage for an additional fee. This is generally cheaper than street parking which is pretty hard to come by in Lisbon and can get expensive especially in the area where you are staying.
9 Hotel Mercy – Budget
⭐️ Rating: 8.2/10 (1,176 Reviews) Price: $166 per night 📍Location: Rua da Misericórdia 76, Santa Maria Maior, Lisbon Details: Read more on booking.com now!
9 Hotel Mercy is as central as it gets and it has tons of great reviews. The building is pretty iconic and its glittering blue tiled façade will catch your attention as you walk down the street. No matter which room you pick in this hotel, you are bound to have a view. Some of the rooms have a view of the active street below. Its a pretty one and a busy one since a lot of people and tourists walk through the lane every day.
The more expensive and bigger rooms have an even better view. From these rooms you can catch a glimpse of the Tagus river.
Something that you would not have guessed if you were just walking down the street. The height at which this hotel is located at gives you one of the best bird’s eye views of the city.
“Excellent location, the room was comfortable and nicely decorated, hotel staff left a nice surprise birthday card, champagne and pastel da nata for my girlfriend, Hotel Mercy won her heart”
Stephen (read more reviews now!)
The terrace bar is called ‘In Heaven’ and is pretty accurate if you ask me. This is located on the 6th floor and is another place where you can enjoy views of the Tagus river. In fact, you can even see the Castelo de São Jorge from here. It’s also a great place to mingle with the other guests and be a bit social.
Did I mention that it also has a breakfast buffet? A pretty sweet deal if you consider the location and the price you are paying per room.
1 Day In Lisbon Itinerary
When it comes to spending 24 hours in Lisbon, I would recommend heading out to Cascais and Belem unless you have already visited the city before. This is because the commute will take time and it is kind of a waste if you are already short on time.
Praça do Comércio
Start off at the most photographed spot in Lisbon namely Praça do Comércio. It is situated along the banks of the river Tagus and the best time to visit it is either early morning or late evening. During the early morning hours, the area is pretty empty.
In the evening, the crowds set in and it is crowded. The evening sunlight bathes the square and makes it look really picturesque.
At the Praça do Comércio you will find a very pretty statue at the center of the square and the Arco da Rua Augusta located on one side of the square. Both of which are one of the prettiest monuments in Lisbon.
Pink Street
If you are a fan of colored streets with cool decorations, head to the Pink street of Lisbon. This street is painted pink and has rows of colorful umbrellas suspended on the top. Not only do the umbrellas look super cute against the pink backdrop, they also provide shade during the hot summer days.
This street is also known for its cute bars and restaurants. It comes alive in the night and is pretty bustling but it is pretty in the day too. It is one of the well known Instagram spots in Lisbon so expect other people to be around clicking photographs too.
Funicular Da Bica
Even if you have just 1 day in Lisbon, make sure you checkout the Funicular da Bica.
After visiting Pink street wander on to the Funicular Da Bica. This iconic yellow funicular is another one of the Instagram spots in Lisbon but it also is intricately tied to the history of the city.
The Funicular serves as an elevator between two of the most popular parts of Lisbon namely the Cais de Sodre and Bairo Alto.
Once you start walking in the city you will realize that everything is at an incline. This means that you need to expend a lot of energy to get from spot to spot and it can get tiring.
This was especially true because we were carrying the kids whenever their little feet gave out. This makes it one of the many practical modes of transportation in Lisbon.
The best photographs of the Funicular are taken from below because it is so much easier to get a good pic when the funicular is at a higher location.
Once you’ve clicked the pics you want, you can choose to either hike up to Bairo Alto or you can even take the funicular up. You pay for the ticket inside the funicular itself. This is one of the quintessential experiences that you should have during your 1 day in Lisbon.
Stop At Manteigaria For Pasteis
Your 1 day in Lisbon won’t be complete without pasteis de nata!
Now you can’t leave the area without stopping for a bit at Manteigaria. This is a pretty bustling pastry shop that serves up hot pasteis de nata alongside a cup of coffee.
You can choose to stand eat it in the shop or you can ask them for a parcel. They pack it up pretty neatly inside a box so that nothing gets crushed.
My recommendation is to get some coffee to go too. The sweetness of the pasties de nata pairs so well with the bitterness of the coffee.
You can stop for a bit at Praça Luís de Camões while you have it. That’s what we did but if you are short on time like many people, just enjoy your meal on the go.
Bairo Alto
Walk along the streets of Bairo Alto towards Chiado. Don’t forget to turn back and look at the street behind you. This is another popular street in Lisbon. Not only is it picturesque, it also has a number of interesting buildings, souvenir shops and is bustling with people.
Praça Luís de Camões
Praça Luís de Camões is one of my favorite spots in Lisbon.
Your walk will end at Praça Luís de Camões. This iconic square has a statue of Luis Camoes in the center. The famous poet is credited with leaving a mark in Portuguese literature. The square is lively and no matter which end of the square you look at you will see something gorgeous. I’m not kidding. I spent a good 15 minutes just walking around here and clicking photographs.
Generally speaking you will find street performers here. Their music really fills the air. We walked through the square at night too. This was when a lot of the chaos had subsided and we loved listening to the fados being sung here.
Carmo Convent
Carmo convent is one of the most iconic monuments in the area. Don’t expect to see a fully functional church here though because the convent was destroyed by the earthquake that hit Lisbon in 1755. The roof of the building collapsed inwards.
There were people in the church when this happened as they were celebrating mass for All Saints day. The roof was never restored and today we can see the roofless structure which has a pretty charm especially during summer when the light floods into the church.
Often, the Carmo Convent is used as a venue for different activities. While we were there, a light and sound show was being conducted at night. During the day, you can enter and check out the ruins. Just book your ticket in advance though.
The queues are insane and we did not feel like standing in the heat to get in. That’s one the reasons why I skipped this particular monument. With just 1 day in Lisbon, I did not want to spend time in the queue.
Catch Lunch
There are a number of different restaurants in the area here that you can catch lunch at. Most of them offer what is called ‘menu do dia’ or menu of the day. This usually has a starter, a main course, a dessert, bread and a glass of wine. The price range however changes depending on the restaurant you pick but generally speaking the menu of the day is the most economically priced.
Wondering what to eat? Well… Most of people (both locals and tourists) love the grilled seafood. But there are an assortment of stews and meats that are cooked to perfection here. They go extremely well with the Portuguese bread. The desserts however were what we loved the most.
In my humble opinion, one of the biggest downsides to having just 1 day in Portugal is not being able to eat an insane amount of the Portuguese pasteis de nata. They are super delicious and we ate them every single day but even I could barely eat more than 3 in a day.
A couple of good restaurants in the area are:
- Duque
- Faca & Garfo
- Grelha do Carmo
- Plant Base (vegan)
- Mat ao Carmo
Lisbon Cathedral
The Lisbon cathedral is one of the main monuments that you should visit during your 1 day in Lisbon.
The Lisbon Cathedral is one of the landmarks in the city that you should not miss. The dome of the cathedral can be easily spotted especially when you are walking along the river Tagus. The cathedral is also known as Sé de Lisboa which pretty much means Cathedral of Lisbon. It is the oldest church in the city and was built in the 12th century.
If you walk around the cathedral, you will notice that it was built in the Romanesque style. This is apparent from the dome of the cathedral itself and its pillars. Its very different from most of the churches in the area.
Aside from the importance of the cathedral itself, there is a link to the popular St. Anthony here. The saint was baptized in this very church. It s believed that he was also tempted by the devil here. You can see the spot marked while you take your tour. The legend says that he repelled the devil by making the sign of the cross.
The cathedral is generally very crowded with lots of people visiting it through the day. Make sure that you maintain silence though because it is still a religious place of worship.
Take A Sunset Tour Down The Tagus
⭐️ Rating: 4.1/5 (1,380 Reviews) Price: $28 per person Duration: 2 hours 📍Meeting Point: ticket booth Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Once you are done wandering around Lisbon, your feet are going to scream for a bit of a rest. After all you will be trying to cram a lot into your 1 day in Lisbon. I know that we were very tired at the end of the day and just needed a little bit of a downtime. The best way to do this is to take a sunset cruise down the Tagus.
Now just so you know, the sunset cruises tend to be a bit more costly that the regular day cruises. This is because they are insanely popular as you get to see the Lisbon skyline during both the day and the night.
“Great to sit on the boat and see Lisbon at sunset.”
Mireille (read more reviews now!)
The sunset tours are pretty lively. They include music that is manned by a DJ and an open bar. Its pretty much like a party on the boat and you get to take in the views along the way. There are a couple of cheaper options where you get a glass of wine too.
As I mentioned before, these sunset tours are very popular. If you are traveling in off peak season, you probably could reserve your spot a couple of hours before hand but if its in the peak season, it is in your best interests to book the tour well in advance. This is especially true if you have just 1 day in Lisbon. Don’t take the risk that may make you miss the experience.
Experience A Portuguese Fado
⭐️ Rating: 4/5 (221 Reviews) Price: $49 per person Duration: 2 hours 📍Meeting Point: Praça Luis de Camões, in front of the statue Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
One of the quintessential experiences that you should have during your 1 day in Lisbon is listening to the soul stirring music that the Portuguese compose. For us, these songs took us back the the sounds of Goa which is probably what heightened our experience even more. One of the places that you can enjoy a Fado is at the Chiado concert hall. You have to book your tickets in advance and arrive at the specific time.
Generally speaking the best way to enjoy a Fado is alongside your dinner. You can book these experiences way in advance and I highly recommend that you do because they are popular.
“Antonio was very kind and helpful. He made our trip more memorable! One of the songs from the Fado show is still stuck in my brothers head :)”
Rachel (read more reviews now!)
This particular option that I’m talking about starts out with a short nighttime tour of the city. You get to see the historical sites uncrowded by tourists and hear about the history of the city from a local perpective.
Once you are done with the night tour, you head to a traditional Portuguese restaurant where you are served up delicacies from the region. While you eat, you will enjoy the numerous fados or Portuguese songs that are sung live. Its a very vibrant and if I dare say emotional performance. Its an experience well worth having. Just book it in advance as it sells out quickly.
Other Optional Places To Visit During Your 24 Hours In Lisbon
Visit Castelo de São Jorge
⭐️ Rating: 4.4/5 (881 Reviews) Price: $35 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day 📍Meeting Point: Sao Jorge Ticket Office Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
I’m actually adding this in as an optional stop during your 1 day in Lisbon because it all depends on how fast you breeze through the above itinerary. Castelo de São Jorge is a bit away from the city, so if you’ve spent time slowly walking through the streets you’ll have to skip it much like we did.
We wandered Lisbon at a slower pace because our toddlers couldn’t keep up with the slopes all the time. Not that its a bad thing mind you. We got a chance to really savor the city and I enjoyed that.
One thing that I will really recommend is booking your tickets in advance. The lines for this monument are long and if you have just 1 day in Lisbon, it would be a waste of time to stand in line.
Castelo de São Jorge was built by the Visigoths in the 5th century and is located on the highest hill in Lisbon. This makes it one of the best spots if you want to catch a panoramic view of the Lisbon skyline.
“I visited Lisbon with my boyfriend and had a Castle Tour with our guide Joao (John). He taught us so much about the history, told many interesting stories. Honestly saying it was a great kick off for our holiday. We felt so lucky to have him as our guide. All I can say is it was the best decision to pay for this tour. Joao really doing an amazing job!”
Szandra (read more reviews now!)
Note: The site is pretty large which means you can take about 2-4 hours here depending on your personal preference. So I would recommend visiting this if it is your second or third time in the city and not if this is your first visit.
Head To Belem For Breakfast
This may sound a little crazy but if you’ve have some spare time in the morning, head to Belem. I would pick the early morning hours such that you can head to Pastéis de Belém which is the pastry shop that started making the famed pasteis de nata. The shop opens as early as 8 am and while many people just stand to get a takeaway batch of pasteis, I would recommend heading inside to enjoy one of the best breakfasts in the area.
We loved the place so much that we drove back on multiple days just to enjoy it. The shop is also very reasonably priced if you don’t over order like us. We always had our tables stacked up with food. Once you are done with it you can also visit some of the attractions in Belem. One of the top places to visit is the Jerónimos Monastery but note that the lines are huge here.
Visit Cascais
I love Cascais. The seaside town has an amazing amount of things to do in the area. What Cascais is well known for its beaches and its seafood. Its vibe is pretty chill and you can easily just relax. There are loads of great hotels in Cascais that are close to the beaches or even some with cliff face views. If you do visit make sure that you check out some of the restaurants in the area. The grilled sardines here are divine and are usually served up as starters alongside some beer or wine.
And there you have it. This is a pretty fluid itinerary if you have just 1 day in Lisbon. It will take you through the city and it incorporates some unforgettable experiences in the city. 1 day in Lisbon is definitely not enough to see the whole city but if it is all you have you can certainly make the best of it, even if it isn’t your first time in the city. There’s just so much to see!
Have you been to Lisbon before? Is there something that you would add to this itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.
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