The Best Lisbon Travel Guide: Must-See Places in Summer 2024

Planning to visit Lisbon this summer? This Lisbon travel guide will help you discover the city's must-see places, beaches, and best summer events for short stays in Portugal's vibrant capital.

The Best Lisbon Travel Guide & Plan Itinerary for Short Stays in Summer

Below you will find a list of must-see places in Lisbon for short stays in summer. For easier navigation, I organised the sections into daily itineraries. If you are staying longer than 3 days feel free to split the places as you wish and consider the day trips from Lisbon also detailed further below =).

Day 1 Travel Guide in Lisbon: Must-see Places in Central Lisbon

1. Panteão Nacional: Baroque monument and tomb of notable Portuguese figures.
2. Castelo de S. Jorge: Historic castle with panoramic city views (💰 €15 for adults and €7.50 for less than 25 years old).
3. Alfama & Miradouro de Santa Luzia: Oldest district with scenic city views.
4. Sé de Lisboa: Iconic cathedral with mixed architectural styles (💰€5 to enter)
5. Praça do Comércio & Arco da Rua Augusta: Grand square with a triumphal arch.
6. Time Out Market: Food hall with top local chefs.
7. Miradouro de Santa Catarina: Sunset viewpoint over the Tagus River.
8. Bairro Alto: Neighborhood known for nightlife and Fado music.
9. Chiado: Chic area with cafes, theaters, shops, and nice restaurants.
10. Museu Arqueológico do Carmo: Museum in Gothic church ruins (💰€7 to enter).
11. Elevador de Santa Justa: Historic elevator with city views. Note: You don't need to pay and get on it to go to see the top, just go around the streets to see its views from the top.
12. Rossio & Baixa Market: Central area with shops, cafes and ocasional markets. Also several rooftops near the area.

Day 2 Travel Guide in Lisbon: Must-visit Places in Historic Lisbon

1. Cristo Rei: Tall statue of Christ overlooking Lisbon, inspired by Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer.
2. Belém: Historic district known for its iconic landmarks and pastries.
3. Jerónimos Monastery: Magnificent Manueline-style monastery and UNESCO World Heritage site.
4. LX Factory: A trendy cultural and creative hub with shops, restaurants, and art spaces.
5. Pink Street: A lively nightlife spot known for its vibrant pink pavement and bustling bars.

Day 3 Travel Guide in Lisbon: Must-explore Places in Modern Lisbon

1. Parque das Nações: Modern waterfront area with contemporary architecture, attractions, and the Lisbon Oceanarium.
2. Avenida: Iconic boulevard lined with shops, theaters, and cafes.
3. TOPO Rooftop: Trendy rooftop bar offering panoramic views of Lisbon's skyline and arcade machines.

The Best Day Trips Near Lisbon in Summer (includes Travel Guides)

Cascais, the best beach town day-trip near Lisbon for summer

Located by Lisbon's coastline, Cascais is famed for its marina and historic Old Town where Portuguese noblemen used to spend their summers.

Distance from Lisbon: 45 min
Recommended visit length: 6h
Must-see places in Cascais: Paredao de Cascais, Praia de Rainha, Condes de Gastro Guimarães, Boca do inferno.

Sintra, the most beautiful day-trip near Libson for summer

Known as the 'land of palaces and forests' and a recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape just 40 min away from Lisbon.

Distance from Lisbon: 40 min
Recommended visit length: 7h+ (2 days)
Must-see places in Sintra: Pena Palace; Quinta da Regaleira; Monserrate Palace; Castle dos Moros; Cabo de Roca.

Costa de Caparica, the best beach day-trip near Lisbon for summer

Located across the river and south of Lisbon, Caparica is known for its expansive beaches, surf, and popular summer playground.

Distance from Lisbon: 30 min
Recommended visit length: 6h+
Must-see places in Caparica: Extensive beach; surf; Cristo Rei monument.

The Best Lisbon Summer Experiences (from a Local)

To end this Lisbon travel guide, here are some of the best experiences in Lisbon during summer that I personally enjoy the most as a resident in this city:

• Visiting Alfama, Belem, Cristo Rei, Parque das Nações, the city center, and nearby beaches such as Costa de Caparica.
• Eating Balcalhau, pasteis de belem and pasteis de nata, and Portuguese meat.
• Drinking house wine or red wine from Alentejo region.
• Going out in Bairro Alto, Pink Street, Lux and/or Lisboa Rio.
• Exploring Alfama neighbourhood.
• Admiring the view from Lisbon's miradouros (viewpoints). Especially Santa Catarina, Monte Agudo, and Santa Luzia.
• Viewing Sintra's palaces and gardens as well as Cabo de Roca.
• Traveling to Cascais and Boca do Inferno.

And a lot more including rooftops (like TOPO rooftop), socialising, language exchange... But this all depends on your preferences and how long your stay is in Lisbon =).

Visiting Lisbon FAQ

How long is it recommended to stay in Lisbon?

The recommended time to stay in Lisbon is at least 3 days. There is a lot to see around Lisbon and if you also are interested in any of the day trips near Lisbon (which you should!), then you should stay for at least 5 days.

How to get around Lisbon in Public Transport?

To know the best way to navigate Lisbon check out this very short travel guide on Getting Around Lisbon by Public Transport. In short, you can purchase a reusable Navegante card in any train/metro station ticket machine for €0.50 and top up the amount you need (€1.80 per journey), or purchase daily tickets for around €10.

What are the best summer events and festivals in Lisbon?

During the month of June, the best summer events and festivals are the Santos Populares Arraials (local festivities) all over Lisbon (i.e. Alfama, Bairro Alto, Bica, etc.). There are other events in June and the rest of the summer months so have a look at the Best Events and Festivals in Lisbon for the Summer.

The Best Summer Events and Festivals in Lisbon, Portugal 2024

List of the best Lisbon summer events and festivals in 2024. Includes calendar of 2024 events in Lisbon from music and film festivals, to traditional events and public holidays.

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Where to stay in Lisbon?

The best places to stay in Lisbon would be Baixa Chiado, Alfama or Bairro Alto which are the closest to the city center. Especially if you are looking for nightlife areas in Lisbon.

For larger places and more relaxed experiences you might consider Parque das Nações which is close to the airport and contains modern hotels.

For a more luxurious stay in Lisbon the best place would be in Avenida da Liberdade which has luxury hotels, shops and rooftops and is also very close to the city center.

A bit further away from the city center but also beautiful and peaceful stays in Lisbon would be areas like Belem or Caparica. These are also the closest to the beach.

Is Lisbon expensive?

Lisbon is not an expensive city to visit when compared to other European or neighbour cities. Here is a cost breakdown of popular things in Lisbon:

• One-way ticket on public transport: 1.80€
• Meal for 1: 10-14€
• Pint of beer: 2-4€
• Glass of wine: 3-5€
• Bolt (taxi/Uber competitor): 4-14€
• Entrance to museums or palaces: 5-12€

Is Lisbon accessible?

Due to the hilly nature of the city and some uneven roads, getting around the city might be difficult for those with reduced movility so avoid hilly areas and try to stay near the center (i.e. Chiado, Praca de Comercio) or in flatter areas such as Parque das Nações. Transport is fine as there are elevators in almost every station.

Should I rent a car in Lisbon?

You don't need to rent a car in Lisbon. Lisbon is well connected, you can walk to many places, it's hard to find parking spaces, and Ubers/Bolts are cheaper when compared to other cities in Europe.