7 Days in Lisbon: Azulejos, Pastéis de Nata & the Tejo
Lisbon is a city of sudden vistas, hand-painted azulejo tiles and unhurried meals by the river. This week balances Alfama's winding alleyways and Tejo's waterfront with day trips to Sintra's fairy-tale palaces and the wild beaches of Costa Caparica.
What to expect
- Climb narrow Alfama lanes to Miradouro de Santa Luzia for postcard-perfect sunset views
- Eat warm pastéis de nata fresh from the oven at Pastéis de Belém since 1837
- Ride the iconic yellow Tram 28 through Graça and Baixa's steep, tiled streets
- Tour the pink walls and Moorish architecture of Sintra's Pena Palace
- Explore Belém's tile-fronted buildings and the Tower overlooking the Tejo estuary
Day by day
Arrive and settle into a mid-range hotel in Baixa or Graça. Walk through Rossio Square.
Explore Baixa's grid of streets (Rua Augusta), stop at a traditional tascaria for sardines.
Sunset climb to Miradouro de Santa Luzia in Alfama; dinner in a backstreet tasca.
Board yellow Tram 28 from Praça Martim Moniz; ride to the end, hopping off to explore Graça.
Walk uphill to São Jorge Castle; tour the battlements for 360° city and river views.
Dinner in Mouraria district (multicultural, lots of small eateries); fado performance if you book ahead.
Train to Sintra (30 min). Head straight to Pena Palace's pink and yellow Neo-Romantic walls.
Walk through misty forest trails to Quinta da Regaleira's initiation wells and secret gardens.
Return to Lisbon; light dinner and early night.
Tram 15 to Belém. Join the queue at Pastéis de Belém for the original recipe (since 1837).
Tour the Jerónimos Monastery's cloisters; walk along the Tejo waterfront to Belém Tower.
Return to central Lisbon; sunset drinks at a rooftop bar in Príncipe Real.
Train and then tram south to Costa Caparica's long sandy beaches. Swim or sunbathe.
Walk the beach promenade; have a late lunch of grilled sardines and fish at a beachfront restaurant.
Return to Lisbon; casual dinner in Cais do Sodré's food stalls and bars.
Browse boutiques and vintage shops in tree-lined Príncipe Real; coffee at Wish Slow Coffee House.
Visit Campo de Ourique market; picnic lunch of local cheese, cured ham and wine in nearby park.
Aperitif and tapas in Príncipe Real; explore the neighbourhood's cool design and vintage scene.
Revisit a favourite neighbourhood or browse São Bento railway station's iconic azulejo panels.
Relax with a final pastéis de nata and espresso; pack any souvenir tiles or cork goods.
Walk the Tejo waterfront at sunset; farewell dinner with a view.
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