3 Ways to Spend a Weekend in Lisbon

Boasting warm, sunny weather year-round, excellent food and wine and a wide array of things to see and do, Lisbon is quickly becoming a hot European travel destination. If you only have a weekend for your trip, take a look at this travel itinerary and ideas for spending 2 or 3 days in Lisbon and experiencing the highlights of the city. Each day highlights a different way to see one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals.

Friday Evening

When you arrive on Friday, you’ll have 72 hours in Lisbon. After settling in to your hotel, head to Feitoria for traditional Portuguese foods like fish and seafood from the coast in a contemporary setting. After dinner, you can head to Tasca do Chico to experience Lisbon’s musical soul with wine and singing. If you want to dance, Jardim de Lisboa Antiga has Brazilian dance parties that last until midnight.

Many of Lisbon’s neighbourhoods have trendy rooftop bars that give you spectacular views of the city while you sip wine or cocktails, such as Park, a restaurant and bar on top of a parking garage. If you prefer to bar hop, your best options are Bairro Alto, a hilly neighborhood with energetic bars, or Principe Real, a bohemian area with trendy cocktail bars and tapas restaurants. You could also book a moonlit tour to see Lisbon’s most popular landmarks illuminated at night.

Saturday Morning

On Saturday morning, you’ll have 48 hours remaining in Lisbon. Have breakfast at Heim Cafe, a delicious restaurant in the Santos neighbourhood that serves innovative egg dishes with salad, fruit, yogurt, and waffles or pancakes.

After eating, you can spend some time strolling through the city to see some of its famous landmarks, such as the imposing Belém Tower medieval defence fortification and the Jerónimos Monastery. There’s also Castelo de S. Jorge, a hilltop Moorish castle and palace ruins.

If you’re bringing the kids, you could visit Oceanario de Lisboa, a waterside aquarium with ocean ecosystems. The aquarium has many beautiful marine species, including seahorses, sharks, rays, starfish, corals, octopus, sea urchins, jellyfish, barracudas and eels. There’s also a vast collection of birds, such as seagulls and penguins.

For lunch, stop in Coelho da Rocha for traditional Portuguese cuisine and small plates and entrees, such as battered and fried John Dory fillets and partridge pie.

Saturday Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, visit the Carmo Convent, a medieval convent that was ruined during the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. It’s now home to a unique archaeological museum with artefacts spanning all periods of Portuguese history, including architectural relics. Some of its notable exhibits include a group of gothic tombs with elaborate decoration, a statue of a 12th-century king, Moorish azulejos (ceramic tiles) and artefacts from the Visigoth period.

On Saturday night in Lisbon, you can take part in some of the city’s best nightlife. Start with dinner at O Galito, an elegant restaurant that merges traditional soul food with Mediterranean flavours, complete with some of the best wine in the region.

After dinner, head to Lisbon’s former ‘red-light district’, which is now Pink Street. Locally known as Rua Cor-de-Rosa, the street has been redesigned with bars and clubs, all painted pink. You could find a range of unique venues, such as the Europa dance club, MusicBox and Pensão Amor, a bar in a former brothel.

Sunday Morning

On Sunday morning in Lisbon, you’ll have 24 hours left for sightseeing. Start with breakfast at Fauna and Flora, a vegan restaurant with smoothie bowls, pancakes, toast and decor that features lush plants and succulents.

After breakfast, take some time to see Lisbon’s notable landmarks, such as the 12th-century Lisbon Cathedral and its unique Latin cross shape and the National Sanctuary of Christ the King, a monument and shrine overlooking the city.

You could also see Ponte 25 de Abril, a massive suspension bridge with views of the city. You’ll also like the National Museum of the Azulejo, a museum within an opulent church that holds a massive collection of ceramic artefacts, and the National Pantheon, a 17th-century church that’s home to celebrity tombs.

For lunch, indulge a little with a meal at Varanda, a diverse restaurant with a full menu, an all-you-can-eat buffet and a tranquil view of Eduardo VII Park.

Sunday Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, you could work off your meal with a walk around Eduardo VII Park. The beautiful green space has formal gardens and elaborate landscaping with walking paths for a tranquil afternoon in nature. The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, a museum with a global art collection from a private collector, is another great place to spend the afternoon.

On Sunday night in Lisbon, you can take in any experiences you may have missed. Start with dinner at Attla Restaurante, a modern restaurant with an easygoing atmosphere and seasonal dishes inspired by travels, such as coglioni sausage with Thai spice and Basque cod with garlic sauce.

Before you head home, you can party for one last night in one of Lisbon’s unforgettable nightclubs. There are many to choose from, including Lux Frágile, a legendary club inside a former warehouse with a rooftop bar, the waterfront K Urban Beach Club, and Barrio Latino with its African and Latin music.

Ready for your trip?

Now that you have some ideas and a recommended itinerary for a fun-filled weekend in Lisbon, it’s time to get ready for your trip. Take a look at deals on Lisbon hotels on Expedia to save on your trip!