The capital of Portugal will surprise you with its old world charm, beautiful architecture, and easy to explore districts. I had the privilege to explore Lisbon during one of my trips to Europe.
Read on to learn more about my trip to Lisbon.
Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Lisbon
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a vibrant city that blends the old and new seamlessly. It was the center of the country's Age of Discovery, wherein galleons and armies crossed oceans in search of supposedly unknown lands (unknown to them because other races already had their own civilizations before the Europeans' arrival). Their thirst for conquest led to colonization and the enrichment of Portugal's coffers. This led to a time of great wealth ad influence. The days of imperialism are long gone, but the country has retained some of its old world charm.
How to Get a Schengen visa
You might need a Schengen visa to enter Portugal. It depends on the passport you carry. For me (I'm a Filipino passport holder) I'll need to get a visa first. Portugal is one of the Schengen member states, which means once you get a visa from any member, you can enter any country in the region.
You can read more about my experience in getting a visa here: how to get a Schengen visa
How to Get to Lisbon
Lisbon is a convenient destination to get to. The city has an international airport that serves regional and intercontinental flights from other major cities around the world. I usually start browsing for flights through a third-party website first like www.skyscanner.com before booking directly with the airline. Buy your tickets ahead of schedule to get the lowest possible price. You can also travel by bus from Spain. There are overnight and day buses to get to Lisbon from its neighbor. ALSA and FlixBus provide you with bus options. I've tried both during my trips around this part of Europe.
Things to Do in Lisbon
These are some of the things you can do and places you can visit when you start planning your budget and itinerary for Lisbon.
Castelo de São Jorge
This castle perched on a hill is a prominent fixture of Lisbon's cityscape. It showcases the long and storied history of Portugal's capital. Afonso Henriques' Christian troops attacked the fort the Moors built until they overran them. After their successful campaign, Afonso had the Aláçova Palace built. Today, it's a museum/archaeological site where visitors can catch a glimpse of ancient history.
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Located in Lisbon's Belem neighborhood, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a noteworthy addition to your itinerary. This monastery is a vestige of the country's Age of Discovery. It commemorates the adventure of Vasco da Game to India. This era ushered in a time of great wealth and influence for Portugal at the expense of their colonies. Inside you'll find the tomb of Vasco da Gama.
Torre de Belem
When planning your budget and itinerary for Lisbon, make sure to include Torre de Belem. This tower is a fine example of Manueline architecture with its detailed exterior and maritime-influenced features. This attraction/monument is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Monument to the Discoveries
Belem neighborhood is home to monuments that commemorate Portugal's Age of Discovery, this includes the Padrão dos Descobrimentos or the Monument to the Discoveries. You'll see statues of Vasco da Gama, Ferdinand Magellan, Henry the Navigator and other prominent and influential people.
Igreja-Museu São Roque
This church dates to the 16th century. It's unassuming exterior may not draw you in, but once you enter, you'll be blow away by the religious art. The interior boasts exquisite chapels, gilded woodwork, elaborate decorations, and other details. The Baptism of Christ mosaic will grab your attention.
Palácio Nacional da Ajuda
This Neo-Classical influenced palace/museum is a possible addition to your budget and itinerary for Lisbon. King Luis I used it as a royal residence. During your visit, you'll catch a glimpse of how royalty used to live and the lavish furniture and art they furnish each room with.
Igreja do Carmo
Catastrophe struck Lisbon in the 18th century when an earthquake rocked the city to its core. It leveled several centuries old structures, one of the most heavily damaged was the Igreja do Carmo. What you see today are the remains of the church.
Arco da Rua Augusta
The riverfront square is a popular spot for both locals and visitors because of its expansive views. This is also the place where you'll find the Arco da Rua Augusta. It commemorates the resilience and fortitude of the Portuguese after the devasting earthquake of 1755 and Lisbon's subsequent reconstruction.
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The cathedral's history dates to the 12th century. However, the earthquake that ravaged the city in the 18th century destroyed the original structure. The church you see now mixes different styles with its two towers its most prominent feature. Inside you'll find a treasury, Gothic cloister, and foundations of ancient dwellings.
Elevador de Santa Justa
This Neo-Gothic elevator is a striking relic of the past with its wrought-iron frame and its old school style. More than a century go, commuters used this elevator connected Baixa and Bairro Alto. Today. it's a novel way to move between the two mentioned districts. Lines for the ride can take long, so if you're planning to ride the elevator, do it early.
Let's Eat!
Lisbon is a diverse city with plenty of dining options. As much as possible I try to sample the local delicacies. I tried a few dishes during my stay. I tried the bacalhau or codfish with bread and as a full dish in some random places in the city. One dish I couldn't get enough of is the francesinha. The latter is a Porto specialty but you can practically get it anywhere in Portugal. It's a sandwich with ingredients such as sausage, egg, cheese, ham, and steak. The difference maker (in my opinion) is the sauce. The sauce will taste different depending on the chef that makes it. I also tried the world famous Landeau chocolate cake. Its sweetness and texture were just right.
Other places you might want to include in your itinerary for Lisbon:
- Museo do Oriente
- Oceanário de Lisboa
- Museu Nacional do Azulejo
- Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira
- Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
- Day trip to Sintra
Getting around Lisbon
The best way to explore Lisbon is on foot. You have other options such as buses, trams, subway and taxis. You can buy a Lisbon (Lisboa) Card. You can use this card not just for public transportation, but it also includes entrance fees to some attractions. You can also get a top up card for public transportation. It's convenient to get around once you familiarize yourself with the routes.
Where to Stay in Lisbon
Lisbon is a relatively affordable destination for all types of travelers. You can find budget-friendly accommodation. I stay in hostel dorms because of their affordability. However, you can find fancier places to stay in. You can visit www.booking.com for more options.
Budget for Lisbon
Lisbon is an affordable city for travelers (relatively speaking). A budget of approximately €70 covers a bed in a hostel dorm, a few paid attractions, use of public transportation, budget or supermarket meals with the occasional trip to a nicer place to eat. I bought a Lisbon Card which allowed me to enter some attractions for free and use public transportation. You can get one depending on how many attractions you plan to enter. You can spend more or less depending on your travel style. If you have a bigger budget, you can eat at nicer places and stay in fancier accommodation all the time, sky's the limit.
You might want to check out my other posts:
Itinerary for Lisbon
Here's a sample itinerary for your trip to Lisbon.
Day 1
Castelo de São Jorge
Igreja-Museu São Roque
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Elevador de Santa Justa
Arco da Rua Augusta
Igreja do Carmo
Day 2
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Torre de Belem
Padrão dos Descobrimentos or the Monument to the Discoveries
Day 3
Palácio Nacional da Ajuda
Free time around the city
You can add or remove days depending on the length of your trip and interests.
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