5 Hours in Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon will always be a significant place to me, not only because of its rich culture and brilliant architecture, but it was my first real taste of solo travel. I spent about 5 hours in the city during my layover, and because it’s relatively small and walkable, I was able to see a lot.
Here is my suggestion on
how to spend 5 hours in Lisbon:
TIP #1: It’s super easy and inexpensive to hold your luggage/bags at the airport. I checked my backpack in for the day and only took my tote into the city. The price is based on weight and I payed less than 4€ for the whole day.
TIP #2: Public transportation is super easy to use and I went ahead and bought the 24 hr pass for 6,40€, giving me unlimited rides on all buses, trams, and funiculars.
Miradouro da Graça: This was the perfect way to start my trip— a gorgeous lookout point by an old church. It was about a 20 minute metro ride + a 15 minute walk from the airport. Caution: the walk is uphill but the views are WORTH IT!
Alfama- After admiring the view, walk down through Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood and admire the stunning architecture and yellow trams that weave their way around the winding road.
TIP #3: Make sure to stop by Miradouro de Santa Luzia on your way down through Alfama for another lovely viewpoint of both Lisbon and the Tagus River.
Praça do Comércio- End your historic 20 minute stroll in this breathtaking public plaza with gorgeous yellow exteriors and the famous Arco da Rua Augusta.
Nicolau Lisboa- Grab a bite to eat in this Instagrammable hotspot with delicious brunch. Naturally, I ordered a cappuccino and a savory toast called the “Olivia” that did not disappoint.
Livraria Bertrand- Take an 8 minute walk to what is said to be the oldest operating bookstore in Europe, founded in 1732.
Praça Luís de Camões- Continue your journey to a lovely city square and admire the statue of Lisbon’s famous poet. You’ll find people lounging around on benches and outside of cafes— it was an enchanting atmosphere.
Manteigaria- When in Lisbon, you HAVE to try one of their famous custard pies, and this is the place to go. It’s situated just outside of Praça Luís de Camões and you can try this pastry for only 1€.
Praça do Rossio- End your day in one of Lisbon’s main squares, taking in one last look around before hopping on the metro to make your way back to the airport.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed :)
Xx,
Liv