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Example itinerary

3 days in Lisbon for two on about €640

Hills, viewpoints, tiles and grilled fish, with a half day in Belém and one evening of fado — western Europe at some of its best value.

Travellers who want a great city break without a capital-city price tag.

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Where to sleep

A mid-range hotel in Baixa or Príncipe Real — Baixa is flat and central; Príncipe Real is quieter and full of good restaurants. Budget around €90 per night for two.

Day by day

  1. Day 1 — Alfama and the castle

    ~€210
    Morning.
    Tram 28 or the walk up to São Jorge Castle, then down through Alfama's lanes.
    Afternoon.
    The cathedral, the Miradouro das Portas do Sol and a long coffee with the view.
    Evening.
    Fado dinner in Alfama — book a small house rather than a tourist show.

  2. Day 2 — Belém

    ~€220
    Morning.
    Jerónimos Monastery early, then the Tower of Belém along the river.
    Afternoon.
    A pastel de nata at the original bakery, then the MAAT or the riverside walk.
    Evening.
    Back to Cais do Sodré for dinner and a drink on Pink Street.

  3. Day 3 — Viewpoints and markets

    ~€210
    Morning.
    Time Out Market for brunch, then the Bairro Alto and Chiado on foot.
    Afternoon.
    Miradouro de Santa Catarina and the LX Factory for shops and street art.
    Evening.
    Seafood dinner in Príncipe Real before an early night.

What it costs

Accommodation (3 nights)
€270
Food and drink
€190
Sights and museums
€100
Local transport
€45
Buffer
€35
Total for 2 travellers
€640

Estimates for 3 nights in Lisbon, excluding flights. Always confirm live prices and opening hours before you book.

Best time to visit Lisbon

March to June and September to October: 20–26°C, clear light for the viewpoints and no August heat. Winter is mild and the cheapest time to fly, with occasional rain.

Getting in from the airport

Cheapest.
Metro red line from the airport to the centre, €1.80 plus €0.50 for the card, about 25 minutes.
Fastest.
Taxi or Bolt to Baixa, €12–€18, 20 minutes.

Where to stay in Lisbon

Alfama.
old lanes, fado, viewpoints — steep walking — around €90–130 a night for two.
Baixa / Chiado.
flat, central, everything on foot — around €100–140 a night for two.
Príncipe Real.
quieter streets, good restaurants, short walk down — around €110–150 a night for two.

Getting around

A 24-hour Carris/Metro ticket is €6.80 and includes the trams and the lifts. Buy a Viva Viagem card once and top it up; single tram tickets bought on board cost €3.

What to skip

  • Skip queueing for tram 28 at Martim Moniz — join it further along the route, or ride tram 12 for the same streets.
  • Skip the restaurants on Rua Augusta with menus in five languages; Mouraria and Graça do it better for less.

Staying longer?

With 5 days add Sintra (€5 by train, go early) and a beach afternoon in Cascais or Costa da Caparica.

Worth knowing

  • Lisbon is steep — the funiculars and the Santa Justa lift are covered by a day travel card.
  • Tram 28 is packed by mid-morning; ride it at opening or take the parallel walk instead.
  • A day trip to Sintra needs a full day and an early train, so keep it out of a three-day plan unless you skip something else.

Lisbon questions, answered

How much does 3 days in Lisbon cost for two people?
About €640 excluding flights: €270 for three nights, €190 on food and drink, €100 on sights, €45 on trams and metro and €35 of buffer.
Is 3 days enough for Lisbon?
Yes for the city itself — Alfama, Belém, Bairro Alto and the viewpoints. Adding Sintra properly means a fourth day.
Is Lisbon cheap for a city break?
It is among the best value capitals in western Europe. Meals, transport and museum tickets all cost noticeably less than Paris, London or Amsterdam.
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
March to June and September to October. Summer is hot on those hills, and the city fills up in August.
How do you get around Lisbon?
On foot plus trams, funiculars and the metro with a rechargeable Viva Viagem card. The hills make a day travel card worth the money.
How do I get from the airport into Lisbon?
Metro red line from the airport to the centre, €1.80 plus €0.50 for the card, about 25 minutes. If you would rather not carry bags on public transport: taxi or bolt to baixa, €12–€18, 20 minutes.
Is Lisbon walkable?
Largely, yes — this plan is built so each day is walkable with at most a couple of short transport hops. A 24-hour Carris/Metro ticket is €6.80 and includes the trams and the lifts. Buy a Viva Viagem card once and top it up; single tram tickets bought on board cost €3.
Where should I stay in Lisbon?
Alfama for old lanes, fado, viewpoints — steep walking (€90–130 a night); Baixa / Chiado for flat, central, everything on foot (€100–140 a night); Príncipe Real for quieter streets, good restaurants, short walk down (€110–150 a night). This plan budgets €90 a night for two.

Working to a fixed budget? Read our step-by-step guide to planning a trip on a budget.

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