72 Hours In Lisbon: What To See & Do

This post will share all the details on how to spend 72 hours in Lisbon.

I returned to Portugal for the second time in October after visiting Porto in March.

Lisbon is one of those major cities I’ve always wanted to tick off my bucket list, and I’m finally glad I got the chance to go there because the trip was nothing short of amazing.

I flew in on a Sunday morning with an itinerary to cover a bit of Lisbon and Sintra in 72 hours.

But the weather had other plans.

I had to spend all three days in Lisbon, which was worth it.

So much that I came home with fatigue and had to call into work sick to rest and recover with iron supplements.

Honestly, I would do it all over again if given a chance.

Aside from making my first Latino friend, the vibes in Lisbon were simply immaculate.

I felt immediately at home on arrival.

This may or may not be attributed to the abundance of Black people in Lisbon.

Whenever I travel to a city with a high population of black people, I feel more at ease because the people are usually more welcoming due to the exposure to diversity.

So, if you’re a person of colour and want to take your first solo trip, I highly recommend Lisbon.

It is diverse, there’s so much to see and do to keep you busy, and the locals are friendly.

It is also quite affordable as long as you stay away from overpriced tourist traps.

I had such a swell time in Lisbon and am ready to share all the details.

Here’s A Useful Lisbon Travel Guide For Solo Travellers

Lisbon is the capital and the largest coastal city in Portugal.

I usually avoid coastal cities in the autumn/winter because they tend to be much colder and windier.

But the temperatures are still mild in October with lots of sunshine, so it was a perfect mix.

Perhaps the most exciting fact about Lisbon is how incredibly hilly it is, which I’m sure contributed significantly to my fatigue when I returned.

According to history, Lisbon was built on seven hills, which explains why the city is continuously on a slope.

It is a charming and unique city combining the hills, stunning terracotta architecture, and impressive landmarks.

Lisbon is a gem.

Flights

Cost: £77/€90 – return

My favourite thing about searching for flights on Skyscanner is that it offers different options.

Sometimes, it is cheaper to get a return flight with two other airlines than with the same airline, which is what I did.

So, I flew into Lisbon Airport with Easyjet, and I flew out with Ryanair because it was the cheapest option for my dates.

It is also essential to know that Terminal 2 of Lisbon Airport, which most budget airlines use, is about ten minutes away.

So, you’ll be transported free from a shuttle bus to and from the main terminal, where you can catch the Metro to your accommodation.

The journey took almost three hours from Manchester Airport, my longest flight.

Airport Transfer

Cost: £13.30/€15.50

I wish all airports could create different terminals for budget airlines like Lisbon.

It just makes airport transfer much more accessible, especially for airports that have train stations.

Just outside Terminal 1 of Lisbon Aiport, you’ll find the entrance to the Metro.

A single metro journey costs about €1.60.

Unfortunately, you can’t tap in and out with your contactless.

It would be best to buy the Lisbon transport pass, the Viva Viagem, for €0.50, where you can load between €3 – 40 depending on how much you’ll need for your trip.

It’s cheaper than loading a 24/48/72-hour ticket.

You’ll find the queue to buy the transport pass at the entrance of the Metro, so don’t worry about it.

This is the only point you’ll be able to pay with contactless.

Altogether, I loaded €15 on my Viva Viagem card, which lasted for all four days I was in Lisbon.

I took two metros and was at my hostel in about thirty minutes.

Accommodation

Cost: £124/€144 for four nights

I stayed at Yes Hostels, in the middle of the city centre.

I don’t like staying in hostels close to tourist attractions because they tend to be overpriced.

But after searching high and low for a spacious hostel where I could stay for four nights, I had to settle for this one.

At €144 in total, it comes down to €36 per night, which is £31, which is not bad.

It has the four most essential facilities I don’t compromise on: a private bathroom, privacy curtains, bedside sockets and free cancellation.

To top it up, it was well furnished with a central communal table and a tiny balcony.

The breakfast wasn’t too bad for €5; checkout was at noon.

You could also see the cleansers coming in twice a day to clean.

It is an excellent hostel for long-term travel if you want to use Lisbon as your base.

My only problem is that they demanded cash for every other payment besides the booking.

It screams a red flag and tells me they’re trying to evade taxes.

Meals

As a non-adventurous picky eater, I try hard to try other foods when travelling.

I’m gradually getting there.

I need to give myself time.

For breakfast, there are many cafes nearby to get coffee and pastries.

I tried my hostel breakfast twice—the other times.

I chose a random cafe – on Google with good reviews.

But this Lisbon travel guide will not be complete without asking you to try some Portuguese meals, especially if you like seafood.

For my final night in Lisbon, I ate some authentic Peri-Peri meal in a cosy restaurant, O Sopinhas, near my hostel.

Can I say that I appreciate restaurants that make provisions for single people who want to eat alone?

It is honestly so thoughtful.

The owner was lovely, and the meal was filling and tasty.

Other than cosy restaurants and cafes, there are two must-visit places to visit for authentic Portuguese delicacies in Lisbon:

• Pasteis de Belem: While I wasn’t a fan of the iconic Portuguese custard tart and every other thing had been exhausted, this iconic bakery is a must-visit. You’ll probably pass by it and wonder why there’s an endless queue that’s moving. It is definitely worth stopping by for the experience.

• Time Out Market: I also couldn’t find anything to eat in this indoor market, but many people swear by it as a must-visit in Lisbon. So, check it out as well.

Transportation

It’s so easy getting around Lisbon because you only need one pass; the Viva Viagem card for all public transportation. This includes tram, bus, metro and trains to Sintra and Cascais. I honestly did not enjoy getting around Lisbon by tram and bus because it was almost always packed. So, I just walked where I could.

Now, Lisbon has this iconic yellow tram route called Tram 28, which goes from one end of the city to another.

It is, quite frankly, the cheapest way to see Lisbon in one day.

However, the problem is that the locals need to get to their destinations, and tourists want to enjoy journeys around Lisbon’s narrow and cobbled streets.

Hence, the trams are always packed.

After trying for three days, I finally got into Tram 28 with an excellent standing view.

Best believe, I took the tram back and forth twice until I started to get queasy.

I spent my last day taking as many videos as possible from the back and soaking in the experience.

It was so thrilling.

My advice is to keep trying and looking out for the tram stops until you see a half-empty one you can jump on.

Trust me, there’s no point getting on the tram if you can’t get a good view.

Attractions

There’s so much to do that I have decided to do a separate post detailing my three-day itinerary.

But for the sake of this Lisbon travel guide, I’ll briefly go over the attractions and landmarks so that you have an idea of what to expect.

Iconic Landmarks

• Belem Tower: 16th-century medieval defensive tower now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Jerónimos Monastery: A 14th-century former monastery now houses the Maritime Museum and the National Archaeological Museum. Also. a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Castelo de S. Jorge: Historic hilltop castle and palace ruins.
• Santa Justa Lift: a 19th-century iconic public elevator connecting two streets.
• Padrão dos Descobrimentos: Concrete monument dedicated to the Portuguese Maritime explorers of the 15th & 16th centuries.
• Lisbon Cathedral: This 12th-century Roman Catholic cathedral has survived many earthquakes.
• Carmo Convent: The remains of the Former Catholic convent destroyed by the 1755 Lisbon earthquakes.
• Arco da Rua Augusta: Triumphant arc building to commemorate the city’s rebuilding after the 1755 earthquake.

Shopping

Lisbon has quite several shopping centres with all the essential high street brands.

My favourite was the incredibly stunning Centro Colombo.

So make sure you have fun and indulge in some retail therapy.

In Conclusion

I hope you have found this guide on how to spend 72 hours in Lisbon valuable.

The city is a must-visit.

You can easily dedicate one whole week to it, and you’ll find plenty to keep you busy.