72 Hours in Lisbon, Portugal

There is something strangely familiar about Portugal. The warn red roofs mirror that of Prague’s. The colorful makeshift rowed storefronts resemble that of Cinque Terre’s. And the massive suspension bridge that crosses over the Tagus River put me right back in San Francisco. Lisbon felt like a cornucopia of different foreign cities that seem to cohesively mesh into something beautiful. Luckily I had a full three days to explore this unique melting pot and the surrounding area. So what would I recommend? This is how you should enjoy your 72 hours in Lisbon Portugal.

Day one: Lisbon

1. Start your day by grabbing some lunch at the Time Out Marcado da Ribeira: Here you can sample anything from seafood, to pizza, to Asian dishes, to some of Portugal’s most authentic cuisine.

2. Take a ride on tram 28, which is an old school cable car. This ride is quite the experience. Hold on while it chugs across the uneven cobblestone streets all the way to Belem.

3. In Belem, visit Mosteiro dos Jeronimos: Here you can see a beautiful church, monastery, and museum. Wander around the property while taking in all of the stunning and beautifully detailed architecture. The church is lit up with dancing colors from the light shining through their massive stained glass windows. Do not miss this breathtaking sanctuary.

4. Before leaving Belem, walk over to an iconic Portuguese landmark called Torre de Belem. This stoned fortress signifies a historical past time. It proudly sits right on the shore of the Tagus River welcoming visitors to step back in time with its weathered and worn stone façade.

5. Before heading to the other side of town, make sure to sample a pastel de nata. This traditional egg custard pastry is the perfect sweet treat to keep you going. Not only do they originate in Belem, but they are also incredibly delicious! I personally had to go back for seconds the first time I tried one.

 

6. To finish off your first day, take a stroll through the timeless and medieval St. George Castle. This fortress sits high above the city and showcases a panoramic view of the classic red tiled roofs and an endless Atlantic Ocean. This is the perfect spot to sit back and relax as faraway sailboats glide on into the horizon.

Day 2: Day trip to Sintra, Portugal

With its rolling lush mountains against its pastel painted estates, Sintra should be included on everyone’s bucket list when traveling to Lisbon. Start your day early! The train ride to Sintra is about 45 minutes, and costs less the 10 euros. Sintra is chalked full of some incredible gems. Here is a list of my favorites.

 

1. Quinta da Regaleira: wander past the main city center until you find yourself surrounded by enchanting villas hiding behind the dense brush of the woods. Then you will come across an extravagant estate that was once owned by wealthy merchants. This UNESCO world heritage site feels like a whimsical fairytale castle surrounded by natures preserved beauty. From Grottos, to fountains, to gardens, to vistas, explore all these small hidden highlights through out the property.

2. Castle of the Moors: Perched high on a hilltop, this medieval fortress features some of the best views Sintra has to offer. Enjoy this well-preserved castle while getting a 360-degree view of the surrounding villages.
3. Park and National Palace of Pena: Now if you’ve ever dreamt of living in a castle when you were younger like I did, this would definitely be the castle you would have chosen. High above on a guarded on a hilltop, surrounded by nothing but dense forest hides a romantic Moorish palace. Tour through each room to see what was once considered the most luxurious estate with the most high-class amenities. Notice the beautiful patterned tiles that can be found in and around the palace walls.

Day 3: Day trip to Cascais

Now I’m going to be completely honest, we really didn’t do too much in this quaint little beach town of Cascais. We hopped on the train in the opposite direction of Sintra for about 45 minutes until we arrived in this cute fishing village. Now I’m sure  there are plenty of restaurants and sight-seeing splendors, but for me, relaxing on the beach dozing off to the sound of waves crashing on the shore was all I really needed.

Although Lisbon was different than what I had anticipated, I still had an amazing 72 hours exploring this city and its surrounding area. What really stood out to me was my day trip to Sintra. I would go to Lisbon all over if it meant spending a few more hours walking through that hill top hideaway. Whether you spend your third day in Cascais or seeing more of Lisbon, three days is the perfect amount of time to get a feel for this area.