Lisbon is a city best experienced slowly. One moment you are wandering through quiet tiled streets, the next you discover a hidden Miradouro with sweeping river views, a tiny bakery serving the perfect pastel de nata, or a rooftop glowing in the evening sun.
My sister and I visited my niece (her daughter) and spent five wonderfully relaxed days exploring Lisbon through food, neighbourhood walks, art, shopping and one glorious beach day on the Atlantic coast. Here is how we spent our time.
This article contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps us keep Travelling Cooks alive and sharing more recipes and travel tips.
Day 1: historic Lisbon and sunset viewpoints
We started our first day with brunch at Marquise da Mobler, a lovely hidden spot with a peaceful outdoor courtyard atmosphere, with excellent coffee and beautiful pastries.
From there we spent the day wandering through some of Lisbon’s most beautiful neighbourhoods. Starting around Praça do Comércio, Lisbon’s grand riverside square, we slowly explored the surrounding streets heading towards Largo do Carmo and Misericórdia.
This part of Lisbon is exactly what you imagine the city to be: elegant tiled facades, old trams rattling uphill, tiny cafés, colourful buildings and endless viewpoints.
As evening approached we headed to Miradouro de Santa Catarina, also known as Adamastor. The atmosphere here at sunset was magical. Locals gathered with drinks, musicians played quietly in the background, and the golden light spread across the Tagus River.
We continued into the peaceful Jardim do Alto de Santa Catarina before dinner at Familjen, one of our favourite evenings in the city.
Day 2: art, shopping and rooftop cocktails
The next morning started with brunch at Do Beco Santos, a beautifully designed café serving excellent breakfast dishes, pastries and coffee.
After brunch, we visited the stunning Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian (CAM) and its gardens. The museum is modern, calm and thoughtfully curated, while the gardens feel like a hidden oasis in the middle of the city.
In the afternoon, we headed back towards Misericórdia for shopping and wandering through the small independent boutiques and design stores.
One of the highlights was hopping aboard the beautiful old Lisbon Tram 24, which slowly climbs through some of Lisbon’s most charming streets.
As the sun started setting, we went for cocktails on the rooftop at Mama Shelter Lisbon. Lisbon rooftops truly have some of the best evening views.
Dinner that night was at Trinca, a lively modern restaurant with creative dishes and a fun atmosphere.
Day 3: beach day at Costa da Caparica
One of the best things about Lisbon is how easy it is to escape to the beach.
We spent a full relaxing day at Costa da Caparica at Praia da Princesa.
An Uber from Lisbon costs around €20 maximum and takes you from the city streets to wide Atlantic beaches in under an hour.
We hired lounge chairs, spent the afternoon in the sun listening to the waves, and enjoyed a long lazy lunch by the sea.
Day 4: Alfama, markets and Lisbon street art
Breakfast was at Piena Libri People & Pizza, a cosy café-bookshop hybrid with a wonderfully relaxed local atmosphere.
From there we walked uphill towards the magnificent National Pantheon before continuing to the famous Saturday flea market at Mercado de Santa Clara.
The market was full of antiques, vintage treasures, books, ceramics and local life.
Afterwards we wandered down through Miradouro da Graça, one of our favourite areas in Lisbon. The staircase streets covered in colourful graffiti and murals gave this part of the city such a creative energy.
Day 5: riverside walks and LX Factory
For our final full day we had brunch at Magnolia, perfectly located on a beautiful square.
We then walked through the lovely neighbourhood around Praça da Estrela and the nearby park before following the river towards LX Factory.
LX Factory became one of our favourite shopping spots in Lisbon. The former industrial complex is now filled with independent boutiques, bookstores, cafés, restaurants and street art.
After shopping we took the tram back into the centre and finished the afternoon with drinks at the kiosk at Ribeira das Naus, one of the best places to sit by the river and watch Lisbon slowly transition into evening.
The next morning we left Lisbon feeling completely charmed by the city.
Shopping in Lisbon
Lisbon is also a fantastic city for shopping, especially if you love independent brands and creative concepts rather than big luxury labels.
For stylish women’s swimwear, we discovered 38 Graus Studio, a beautiful boutique with elegant beachwear and swimwear that perfectly suits Lisbon’s relaxed coastal style.
R. do Poço dos Negros 124, 1200-350 Lisboa
We also loved Flabelus Lisboa, known for its colourful velvet shoes and slippers inspired by traditional Spanish styles. Comfortable, chic and impossible to resist.
R. Dom Pedro V 101, 1250-094 Lisboa
And of course, no Lisbon shopping guide is complete without LX Factory. This former industrial complex has been transformed into one of the city’s coolest creative hubs, filled with independent shops, bookstores, cafés, restaurants and street art. It is the perfect place to spend an afternoon browsing and soaking up Lisbon’s creative energy.
R. Rodrigues de Faria 103 Piso 3, 1300-501 Lisboa
Where to stay
For a first visit to Lisbon, I would highly recommend staying in either Chiado, Príncipe Real or Misericórdia. These neighbourhoods felt central, beautiful and full of character, while still allowing us to walk almost everywhere. You are close to cafés, restaurants, viewpoints, shopping streets and many of Lisbon’s prettiest areas, without feeling stuck in the most touristy part of the city. Chiado is perfect if you want to be right in the heart of Lisbon, while Príncipe Real has a slightly more local, boutique and relaxed atmosphere with lovely independent shops and great restaurants.
Boutique & luxury stays
- Memmo Príncipe Real
R. Dom Pedro V 56 J, 1250-094 Lisbon
Approximate price: from €450–500 per night
One of Lisbon’s most stylish boutique hotels with incredible city views, elegant interiors and a beautiful pool in the heart of Príncipe Real. - Dear Lisbon – Palace Chiado
R. Ivens 35, 1200-226 Lisbon
Approximate price: from €250–300 per night
Beautiful boutique suites perfectly located in Chiado, ideal if you want to stay in the centre while still having a refined and intimate atmosphere. - Hotel do Chiado
R. Nova do Almada 114, 1200-290 Lisbon
Approximate price: from €300 per night
A fantastic central location with rooftop views and easy walking access to many of Lisbon’s main attractions.
Mid-range boutique hotels
- LX Boutique Hotel
R. do Alecrim 12, 1200-017 Lisbon
Approximate price: from €140–170 per night
Great location between Chiado and Cais do Sodré, ideal for restaurants, nightlife and walking around the city. - Hotel da Baixa
Rua da Prata 231, 1100-417 Lisbon
Approximate price: from €170–200 per night
Elegant, comfortable and extremely central, perfect for a first stay in Lisbon. - Maxime Hotel
Praça da Alegria 58, 1250-004 Lisbon
Approximate price: from €160 per night
A fun and stylish boutique hotel with theatrical interiors near Príncipe Real and Avenida da Liberdade.
More affordable but stylish options
- Independente Principe Real
R. de São Pedro de Alcântara 83, 1250-238 Lisbon
Approximate price: from €80–120 per night
One of the best affordable stylish stays in Lisbon with a fantastic location and beautiful terrace views. - 1869 Principe Real
Tv. do Abarracamento de Peniche 14, 1200-002 Lisbon
Approximate price: from €120–140 per night
Small, charming and beautifully located in one of Lisbon’s prettiest neighbourhoods.
