A 3-Day Itinerary for an Amazing Solo Adventure in Lisbon

Where to stay for a 3-Day Lisbon Itinerary

Lisbon has several neighborhoods with distinctly different atmospheres and where to stay depends on what you are looking for.  Baixa or Chiado are great places to stay for your first time in Lisbon as they are centrally located and great areas from which to explore the rest of the city – they would also make sense for a 3-day itinerary.  I stayed at the Lisbon Home Hostel which was about a 5 minute walk from the Baixa/Chiado metro station.  If you are looking for some more old world then Alfama would be a great choice.  It is a charming neighborhood of cobblestone streets that notably survived the earthquake of 1755.  Lastly, there is Bairro Alto which is known for its great nightlight.

How to get around Lisbon

Lisbon has an easy to use metro system that makes traversing the city a breeze.  The easiest way to travel that I found was to pick up a Viva Viagem card, which can be done at any of the metro stations around the city.  The card itself costs €0.50 and is good for a year.  The card can be loaded with individual rides for buses or the metro, ‘zapping’ money, or you can add 24-hour unlimited rides on public transport for €6.54 for each 24-hour period.  The zapping option allows you to add funds to the card and then use the money to pay for each individual ticket. I opted for the unlimited option because it offered more flexibility.  There are also reasonably priced cabs and of course Uber.

3-Day Lisbon Itinerary Day 1: 

I arrived in Lisbon on a Thursday afternoon and after a snafu at the airport with my checked luggage (word of advice always strategically pack your carry on) I was wandering the streets.  I was able to quickly figure out the metro system and make my way towards the Praça do Comércio.

Praco do comercialWander around the Praça do Comércio

The Praça do Comércio is widely considered to be the most famous square in Lisbon.  It faces the bank of the Tagus River, and is built where the old royal palace was located prior to the earthquake of 1755.

Enjoy a Pastel de Nata at the Time Out Market

Definitely make the time to check out the Time Out Market.  This is a cafeteria style food market with all different types of gourmet cuisine.  It’s a bustling hub of activity and a great place to check out some Portuguese classics.  It’s also a comfortable place to eat alone.  I ate here more than once as there are more than two dozen different booths.  It’s also the place where I had my first (but not last!) pastel de nata (famous Portuguese egg tart pastry).

FadoTake in a Fado Show

 Fado is a type of Portuguese folk music that can be traced back to the 1820s and 1830s.  It is mournfully beautiful and often contains lyrics of loss, fate, and destiny.  I took in a Fado show during a group experience and the music was amazing.  We enjoyed Tapas while various vocalists sang along to a 12-string Portuguese guitar.  During the singing no food was served and everyone ate in silence as as a sign of respect to the musicians and the tradition of Fado.

3-Day Lisbon Itinerary Day 2: Take a Day Trip Outside of the City

I took a guided tour for half a day to Quinta Regaleira, the beach at Praia Grande, and Cabo de Roca.  As a solo traveler the group tour was a great option to see multiple places at once with fellow travelers.

Sintra

Sintra is a beautiful town and UNESCO world heritage site located approximately 20 minutes by car outside of Lisbon.  It originally was the location of vacation homes for Lisbon’s rich and royal and thus there are several palaces to visit as well as an old Moorish castle.  It’s a great place to take a day trip from Lisbon and enjoy some the countryside.  Sintra can be reached via train, bus, or touring trip from the city proper.  

Praia GrandePraia Grande

Praia grande is the largest of Sintra’s beaches.  It has changing facilites, a hotel, a beautiful sandy coastline, and blue water.  This a popular beach for tourists and locals and can get busy in the summer but there is ample space and parking.  It’s also a popular locale for surfers.

Cabo de Roca

Cabo de Roca (Cape Roca) is the Western most point of continental Europe.  It was believed to be the edge of the world up until the 14th century. The area itself is breathtaking a remote with a lighthouse and a small gift store.

Afl3 Day Lisbon Itinerary Day 3: Take a Walking Tour of the City

Lisbon is a beautiful and safe city to wander on foot, but be prepared to walk on cobblestones and up and down hilly streets.  Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water.  There are a number of tour companies, books, apps, and websites that have walking tour recommendations.  I used the GPSmyCITY app which had a number of different walking routes to choose from, and opted to take a tour of the Alfama neighborhood.

sailing on the River TagusEnjoy a Relaxing Sail on the Tagus River

There are many different companies and individuals that offer the chance to explore the Tagus River by sailboat.  I booked one from Airbnb experiences that had a bunch of great reviews.  It was an evening cruise and it offered a great chance to see Lisbon from a different vantage point.  We ate snacks, drank wine, and learned about the history of Lisbon as we cruised along the river.

grilled sardineIndulge in a Food Tour

Lisbon has a fantastic food culture and a food tour is a great way to experience it.  During the tour we traveled to three different neighborhoods and four different restaurants.  I tried a bunch of different foods that I otherwise probably wouldn’t have ordered and learned a lot about Portuguese culture in the process.  My favorites were sardines (I was super surprised!), grilled octopus, and cchorizo. 

Lisbon is a beautiful city along the water with amazing food, friendly people, and great music.  You can spend time in the city, at the beach, or on the water.  I would absolutely recommend spending a few days or more here on your next European adventure!

– read more –

Related stories

Follow me:

Youtube Instagram

Copyright 2023 · All rights reserved