How Many Days Do You Need To Fully Enjoy Your Trip To Lisbon?

by GoWithGuide travel specialist:Ajitsa K.

Last updated : Jan 30, 20237 min read

Lisbon Tours - GoWithGuide

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy Lisbon, the historic capital city of Portugal, through our Lisbon private tours.

 

A rich mix of old world heritage and modern advancement presents Lisbon as the jewel of the Atlantic. From Moorish architecture and decadent desserts, to relics of the Roman Empire - there's never a dull moment when exploring the White City. If you had all the time in the world, getting lost in Lisbon's charm would be the perfect way to spend it. For those on a schedule however, planning for such a diverse and layered trip can be quite the task. 

GoWithGuide takes your travel plans into consideration, breaking down the destinations that would best suit your time in the city. Whether you have a day, a weekend, or a week to enjoy the sights and sounds of Lisbon, our experienced local guides will provide you with a custom private tour that matches your personal program. 

Day Trip 

If you only have a day in Lisbon, start at the world-famous Jerónimos Monastery. A stone's throw from the grand Tagus River, this monastery stands as a tribute to Portugal's exploration triumphs. Thousands of monks prayed here for the King and for safe travels during Portugal's age of maritime domination. You'll feel like you've stepped into a 16th-century period film full of imposing Gothic architecture, manicured courtyards, and masterfully carved pillars. From the outside, the limestone carvings give off a bright light when reflected against the Tagus. The monastery was 100 years in the making and even survived the catastrophic earthquake of 1755 with little damage.

 

Lisbon Tours - GoWithGuide

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy Lisbon, the historic capital city of Portugal, through our Lisbon private tours.

 

Thankfully, Lisbon’s major attractions are close to one another, so our next destination is only a few steps away from the Jeronimos. Overlooking the western coastline is the Belem Tower, a witness to Portugal's meteoric rise in power. Designed by Francisco de Arruda, the tower shares visual similarities with Jeronimos, as both were modelled under the Manueline style. Originally built as a defensive tower, Belem underwent dramatic changes after the 1775 earthquake. It has since been a logistics center, prison, and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. As one of the most visited structures in Lisbon, the Belem Tower is packed during the day. If you want a crowd-free experience, try an afternoon or evening tour

As the sun sets, you'll find yourself at the Praça do Comércio, or commerce square. What once was a palace fit for a king became the pulse of Lisbon's growing economy during the 1700s, after the earthquake reduced the harbor to rubble. Reimagined by Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo who commissioned its reconstruction, the square features large, airy corridors where vendors and artists sell their goods throughout the day. The straight lines and symmetrical buildings celebrate 18th century architecture while housing government offices. You can enjoy a cup of coffee and Pasteis De Nata while watching boats speed past King Jose I's statue. A day well spent.  

2 Day (Weekend) Trip 

If you have two days to explore Lisbon, you’re in luck! Not only can you see the sights listed above, but you can coast along the Tagus River with an exclusive boat trip. Also known as the Rio Tejo, this natural landmark runs across central Portugal and is often credited for the country's historic expansion. It feeds into the Atlantic Ocean, making it the perfect launch point for explorers like Vasco De Gama and Henry the Navigator.  Using a modern catamaran boat, float along the river that brought in riches from Brazil and India. If you pay close attention, you'll catch the pride and joy of Portugal’s coastline, bottlenose dolphins. These intelligent marine mammals had disappeared from the coast for a while due to pollution. With continued conservation efforts, they’ve made a comeback, jumping out of the water every so often to greet the White City. 

Lisbon's land is just as adventurous, thanks to the seven hills the city was built on. Nowhere highlights that more than the Alfama district. Full of high and low stops along the way, riding the tram is a must. Trekking through Alfama's hilly terrain can be tiring, so a food tour of the town's best cuisine will keep you energized. Alfama is known for top-notch seafood, and the Restaurante Farol de Santa Luzia features traditional meals such as mussels in tomato sauce, salted grilled cod fish, and fish stew cooked in a copper pot. You can also head to Travessa Do Fado, where music meets fantastic flavor. Have your fill of garlic sautéed shrimp and tempura as you sway to the sounds of live Fado music. 

Finish off with Lisbon’s latest attraction, the Earthquake Center. This exhibit is dedicated to the tragic past and hopeful future surrounding Lisbon’s greatest natural disaster. This isn’t just any old museum. It’s an immersive experience complete with simulators that mimic the events of 1775, along with special stations that allow you to interact with the elements that brought on the quake.  

5-Day (Week Long) Trip

Five days in Lisbon is the traveler's dream. You’ll be able to comfortably visit key sites like the Jeronimos and take long walks through Alfama. Even with all that activity, Lisbon has more to offer. If you have a week or more to spare, Sintra is the place to be. A mere 40-minute drive from the city center, this magical town with thick forests, towering castles, and rolling hills is an oasis of peace. The romantic architecture and greenery create a fairytale setting that takes days to fully uncover. As you walk through the foliage, you'll realize that the greenery is a blend of local and foreign trees. While restoring Sintra, King Ferdinand II invested in forestry, planting a blend of native oaks, hazels, box, and umbrella pines, hollies, and laurels. 

At the center of this storybook is the vibrantly colored Pena Palace. The eye-catching color is only upstaged by the elaborate designs. Be sure to stop by the Valley of lakes where wonderful stone structures are surrounded by still pools of cool waters and clusters of trees. The palace and its park are around 83 hectares in size including the Chalet of the Countess of Edla and the Moorish Castle. With a lot of ground to cover, a full tour should take a day. 

Just as breathtaking is the Palacio Nacional de Sintra, a white palatial residence contrasting Pena's lively colors. The cone-shaped chimneys are a well-known feature that acts as a beacon for the town's center. It was the home of Portugal's monarchy for eight centuries and displays both Manueline and Gothic styles in its architecture. You can visit Sintra's monuments throughout the year, but take note of the forest's changing elements. 

 

Lisbon Tours - GoWithGuide

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy Lisbon, the historic capital city of Portugal, through our Lisbon private tours.

 

Conclusion 

Your time in Lisbon should be a smooth and relaxed one, so be sure to get in contact with our local guides who know the city’s ins and outs. With us, you can get a private, customizable tour that caters to the Lisbon adventure you've been dreaming of!

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Duarte P.

5.00 / 5
(2 reviews)
Portugal

Hello my Friends, My name is Duarte and it's with great pleasure that I have been working in the tourism industry in Portugal for over 10 years. I´m specialized in organizing and executing private and exclusive tours for small groups. Take a look at my proposals for private tours and select the one or those that interest you most. Since all my tours are customizable, feel free to ask me about possible changes you would like to make to the original itinerary. On the tours, there is total flexibility within the time and itineraries planned. ALL MY TOURS INCLUDE FREE OF CHARGE: * Mercedes-Benz Van, V Class Model VIP Extra Long up to 7 passengers. * Pick up and drop off at your hotel / flat. * Free Wi-Fi in the vehicle. * Bottled water.                                                                                                                                  

Jude A.

Portugal

Hello-:) My name is Jude. Here’re two things that make me a great guide for you. First, I’ve studied architecture for 4 years, so I try to go beyond just retelling well-known facts. I try to create a holistic picture of the period - it’s history, technology, schools of thought, etc - a story that you’ll recall every time you re-visit the place or see it in a picture. But second, I’m a fun guy who likes exploring the city in a less academic way. So if you are interested in architecture, restaurants, view points or nightlife - I’m your man.                                                                                                                                 

Luis P.

5.00 / 5
(2 reviews)
Portugal

Hello My name is Luis and I'm your local guide from Lisbon. Welcome to my city and I will very happy to be your next GPS on your journey to Portugal. My curiosity for traveling and getting to know new cultures in the world was always evident. My life in tourism has already taken me to travel and get to know different realities, I started by going to the Highlands, where I worked in the various departments of Marriot Dalmahoy in Edinburgh, I also had the possibility to check out the madness of the Balearic Islands as a hotel animator for some seasons. But it was my country that I fell in love with, its history, traditions, gastronomy, the relaxed way we always find solutions to problems. I think the main feature on my tours is the enthusiasm. I am a local guide in the city of Lisbon, but I know Portugal and islands well and for this reason, if you need a guide and want to get to know Portugal in a more exciting, curious and historical way. Getting to know Lisbon in a relaxed way and telling you travel story. Storytellers, is one of the main objectives was Tour Guide. I make the difference because of my experience and knowledge of 11 years in this market of tour guiding. Unfortunately, the profession of official guide is not accredited in Portugal, making anyone who has historical knowledge, tour guides. There are only two entities accredited in Portugal Snatti and Agic. I am a member of Snatti. My business is due to 3 big sections: Walk Tours, Daytrips and multi days tours. I have a variety of themes in my tours: Cultural, gastronomic, historical, street art, nature, wineries, etc.                                                                                                                                  

Attila S.

Portugal

There are lucky ones who were born and grew up in Portugal, and there are those who chose this amazing country later as their home. I still consider myself lucky to be the latter one. I'm sure there are a lot of things that I see differently from a deep-rooted local, just as there are certain things that I notice and appreciate so that I can tell you about cultural differences and show you those little things that local people could take for granted but are indeed a valuable part of their lives. I have been working as a tour guide and guidebook writer for more than 15 years. I have always had a passion to explore cities and landscapes and then show the most interesting parts of the world to others.                                                                                                                                 

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