All of Portugal
Lisbon
Portugal / Lisbon, Sintra & Cascais / Lisbon

Lisbon

Hills, Trams and the Monastery Where Vasco da Gama Lies

Plan this trip
3 daysIdeal stay₹10,120From / night₹2,340Food / day₹1,920Entry

Portugal's hilly capital on the Tagus estuary, and its main arrival airport from India (there is no non-stop: one stop via the Gulf, Istanbul or a European hub). Belém has the Jerónimos Monastery, where Vasco da Gama, who reached Calicut in 1498, is buried, with the Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries beside the river; Alfama's lanes climb to São Jorge Castle, and the yellow Tram 28, the miradouros (viewpoints), fado houses, the Oceanário and the LX Factory fill the rest. The metro's red line runs from the airport. Lisbon has Portugal's largest Indian community, with Goan restaurants, the Hindu Community of Portugal's Radha Krishna temple in Lumiar, and South Asian grocers round Martim Moniz. Many national monuments close on Mondays. The city tourist tax (€4 a person a night) is in the stay prices.

Highlights

  • Jerónimos Monastery and Vasco da Gama's tomb
  • Belém Tower and pastéis de Belém
  • Alfama lanes and São Jorge Castle
  • Tram 28 through the old quarters
  • Fado in Alfama or Bairro Alto
  • Sunset from a miradouro
  • Oceanário de Lisboa
  • Radha Krishna temple in Lumiar

Things to do

  • Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and the Monument to the DiscoveriesMorning · 3h 30m
  • Alfama walk up to São Jorge CastleMorning · 3h
  • Tram 28 and the miradourosAfternoon · 2h
  • Fado dinner in Alfama or Bairro AltoEvening · 2h 30m
  • Oceanário de Lisboa at Parque das NaçõesAfternoon · 2h 30m
  • LX Factory and pastéis de nata in BelémAfternoon · 2h
  • Radha Krishna temple of the Hindu Community of Portugal (Lumiar)Morning · 1h 30m
  • Calouste Gulbenkian Museum (reopened July 2026) and its gardenAfternoon · 2h 30m
  • Carmo Convent ruins and the ChiadoAfternoon · 1h 30m
  • Ferry to Cacilhas and the Cristo Rei viewpointAfternoon · 2h 30m
  • Time Out Market lunch at the Mercado da RibeiraAfternoon · 1h 30m

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Lisbonvia GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Lisbonvia Klook

Tourisma may earn a small commission if you book — it never changes your price.

When to go

Best time: March – June, September – October

Heads up

Summer Heatwaves

Heatwaves of 35-40 °C reach Lisbon, Porto and the centre in July and August, a few days at a time. Lisbon's and Porto's hills are hard work in the afternoon heat: start early and keep the middle of the day for museums.

Heads up

Santo António: Lisbon's June Festival

All June, and above all on the night of 12 June, Alfama, Mouraria and Bica fill with street parties, sardine grills and music until dawn. Wonderful to see, but rooms cost more and the old quarters are loud: sleep elsewhere if you need quiet.

  • Santo António (Lisbon's Popular Saints) — Lisbon's biggest party: on the night of 12 June the neighbourhood marching groups (marchas populares) parade down the Avenida da Liberdade, and Alfama, Mouraria and Bica fill with street stalls of grilled sardines, music and paper garlands all June. Book rooms early; Alfama is loud until dawn. The 13th is a city holiday.
  • Diwali at Lisbon's Hindu temple · 8 Nov — The Hindu Community of Portugal celebrates Diwali, as it does Navratri and Janmashtami, at its Radha Krishna temple in Lumiar, in the north of Lisbon. A good evening for travellers far from home: check the community's programme before you go.

Part of a longer route

Lisbon is a stop on a curated circuit through Portugal.

💃

Madrid, Seville & Lisbon

Stop 3 of 3 · 9 days · easy