Lisbon Portugal, top 7 things to do in 48 Hours
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So you’ve decided to travel to Portugal, in particular Lisbon, the capitol! This coastal city is known for it’s cool architecture, art, music, and colonial history. If you have 48 hours or even 24 there’s a number of cool things that are easy to check out, all within close proximity. What was nice about Lisbon is the city isn’t too big or crowded which makes it easy to get around and maximize your time while you your there.
Although it would’ve been nice to have just an extra day or two to hang out in the city, I felt like two days was enough time to get feel of Lisbon and see a lot that the city has to offer. In this blog post I’ll be going over where the city is, ways of transportation, what to pack, where to stay, and seven activities I recommend when spending time here. Alright lets do this!
Where is Lisbon
Lisbon will be towards the southern end of Portugal in Europe, right on the Atlantic Coast and is the largest city in the country. With a population close to 3 million people (New York City is almost 9 million), Lisbon is 39 square miles. The Tagus river runs along the capitol which is part of the Iberian peninsula. If you fly, the airport isn’t too far from the downtown area, depending on traffic.
What is the history behind the City
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in western Europe and has been the capital since 1252! From the 15th to the 18th Century the city was a main port for overseas trade and Portuguese expeditions. Discovering places like South America and Africa, Lisbon was given the nick name, “the enchanted port.” The city has a colonialist history, as different groups of people have taken control over different centuries. In 1640 the country regained independence as the largest colony at the time, Brazil, transformed the country into a wealthy city.
The city has gone through some tough times such as a serious earthquake in 1755 and in the 19th Century, buildings were destroyed again after being captured by Napoleon Bonaparte. However, each time the city rebuilt itself and what you see today is modern architecture and buildings.
Pretty interesting, During World War II Lisbon remained a neutral country and became a refuge for many people fleeing axis power countries. From Lisbon they would sail to Great Britain or the United States.
Where to Stay
There’s a lot of nice apartments that are rented out all over the city that are not too expensive! You can find nice 1 or 2 bedroom flats for under $100 USD a night. I personally liked staying close to the city center, because I liked to walk around this part of the city.
Popular neighborhoods to stay in are Alfama, Bairro Alto, and Baixa de Lisboa. I booked my reservation through VRBO, as there were many options and the booking process was easy and smooth.
What are the best modes of Transportation
Lisbon is a very walkable city, which was one of my favorite parts about it. Just make sure to wear some good comfortable footwear. If you need to get somewhere farther away, such as LX Factory, you can take an Uber. I found taking an Uber was one of the cheapest modes of transportation other then taking the Metro Bus after spending too much money on a taxi.
The Metro Bus is also a great way to get around, especially from the airport. You can purchase a bus ticket in the airport or at the Campo Grande bus station. From the station use the Moovit app, and it will tell you exactly what bus you need to take, the time it leaves, and the cost based on the destination you enter. You can get a full day pass for six and a half Euros.
The two other common modes of transportation are a Tuk Tuk and the Tram. A Tuk Tuk will be more expensive because most give a tour of the city. However, if you have a group or a family it looked like a cool way to get around. Lastly there is the tram, which covers most areas of the city. There’s the historic yellow Trams and also your modern day tram. Again, use the Moovit app for schedules, tram stops, and fares.
What is the Currency in Portugal
One of the first countries to transfer over to the European Euro, Portugal has been using this currency since 1999. They’ve also been part of the European Union since 1986.
What to Pack
Rain Jacket- The occasional rain shower does pop up in Portugal. So make sure to pack one of these for your trip! I think Burton makes some of the best rain jackets to keep you dry while walking around the city.
Great Footwear- I would wear a good pair of comfortable athletic shoes, especially if you plan on walking all day. The VANS ultra range series has been my go to shoe. Lightweight with amazing cushion.
Sunglasses- Often overlooked, throw these in the suitcase or carry on for your trip. I personally like Dragon Shades because the designs have a classic look and the lens technology (Luma Lens) reduces glare and increases depth perception.
Small bag or backpack- If your trekking around in the city all day, you’ll want something to carry all your stuff. Burton Has some great daypacks worth checking out to store your camera, water bottle, room key, and anything else you might need.
What are seven top things to do in Lisbon
Praça de Luís de Camões
In the middle of the square in between Chiado and Bairro Alto you’ll see a statue of the 16th century poet, Luis de Camoes with other well known Portuguese authors below. It’s a historical landmark and one of the oldest monuments in the city. It’s a quick thing to check out and take a couple photos of while walking around the city. Also not a bad place to sit down and rest your feet if you’ve been walking all day!
2. LX Factory
If you like food, art, and unique shops all in one place, this is something you should really check out while in Lisbon, especially on Sundays!. It was probably my favorite thing to do while I was in the city. It’s a 15 minute drive from the city center on the east side of Lisbon. The quickest and cheapest way to get there would be by Uber or if your up for a stroll through the city, it takes a little under an hour to walk there.
There are no entrance fees for LX factory and on Sundays there is the LX market that has vendors for food, clothing, art, and vintage items. This area has been around since 1846 as the warehouses were used for weaving and textiles at one point. If you’re looking for a healthy place for lunch check out The Therapist. It’s vegan spot that has some cool options for breakfast or lunch.
3. Tram 28
Usually a pretty popular attraction for most tourists, therefore it’s best to go late in the evening or early in the morning. The cost is 3 euros as you get on or you can buy an all day transportation pass at the metro station for around 6 and a half euros. The ride will be somewhat shaky as you head through the narrow streets in historic parts of Lisbon, with stops along the way.
The tram runs from 6am-10:30pm and 11pm on weekdays taking just under an hour for the entire route. The starting point is Martim Moniz, which will usually have a line mid day. Try to grab a seat if you can and watch out for pick pick-pocketers.
4. Stop at a Pastel de Nata Shop
The name Pastel De Nata means cream pastries in Portuguese and you will find these sweet deserts at just about any bakery or desert shop in Portugal. These deserts were first made over 300 years ago in Portugal and are a baked custard filling, surrounded by a light outside crust. They are somewhat addicting and my favorite shop for these in Lisbon was Manteigaria.
5. Eat at Time Out Market
If you’re looking for a place to grab lunch or dinner, Time Out Market is great. Lot’s of different food options with a food court style seating area. It’s open from 10am to as late as 1am on certain days of the week! They have options across the board for food including seafood, sushi, pizza, and traditional Portuguese food. There’s also vendors for beer and wine and even desert. It’s a fun place to walk around, just make sure to have a credit or debit card on you as most places don’t take cash.
6. Walk through the Alfama District
Alfama is the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon with most of the district being on a steep hill.. It even survived the Earthquake in 1755 that destroyed a lot of the cities buildings. As you stroll through the streets and alleys you’ll notice the white wash buildings with tile roofs and even a few restaurants and cafes. It’s a step back in time as you walk down the cobble streets with tight alleys, weather worn buildings, and laundry hanging from windows. On Saturdays and Tuesdays, there is a large Flea Market called, Feira da Ladra.
7. Catch a Sunset at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
Although it was cloudy when I visited this overlook, I can imagine a sunset here would be pretty amazing. Not far from the Lisbon center, this spot gives you a panoramic view of the city including Saint Georgia’s castle off in the distance and Miradouro da Igreja da Graça, one of the oldest churches in Lisbon.
If you go down the stairs there will be a landscaped area with benches and an area to walk around. I liked the upper viewing area tho because you could really see the city from above. If you want to grab a beer while you catch the sunset, there’s also a beer stand up top too.
What else would you recommend doing in Lisbon
Other things that I wanted to check out, but ran out of time and were recommended are..
Jerónimos Monastery- Built in 1502 this monastery has incredible Portuguese architecture and is open from 10am-5pm Tuesday through Saturday.
Castelo de São Jorge- A historic Castle located on the highest hill in Lisbon and found around the 10th and 11th centuries, this castle is open everyday from 9am-7pm.
Museu Coleção Berardo - A contemporary art museum located in Belém, a district of Portugal. For more info on exhibits and visitor pricing visit the musuems website.
Belem Tower- Used as a gateway to the city and fortress against possible attacks, the Tower was built between 1515-1521. Open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-5:30 pm tickets can be purchased online with the first Sunday of each month being free.
That’s it for a two day trip in Lisbon Portugal and if your interested in more outdoor/travel content, subscribe to our email list below! Thanks for reading and I’ll see you on the next blog post.
