From the airport, take the Metro's red line directly to Baixa-Chiado station for about 20 minutes. Pick up a Viva Viagem card at the station for unlimited travel.

The square sits at the heart of downtown with its iconic wave-patterned cobblestones. Look for the D Maria II National Theatre and the two fountains; the surrounding streets are full of small shops.

This neo-Gothic elevator connects Baixa to the Bairro Alto district. For a shorter wait, use your Viva Viagem card; alternatively walk up Rua do Carmo for a free view from the top platform.

Search along Rua da Prata or Rua Augusta for tascas (small taverns) serving grilled fish and petiscos (small plates). Look for places with handwritten menus and a queue of locals.

Head here right at opening to beat the crowds. Climb the tower stairs for views of the Tagus River and the 25 de Abril Bridge. Entry is about 6 EUR.

A 10 minute walk along the waterfront from the tower. The outdoor viewing platform gives a great panorama of Belém. Look for the map of Portuguese explorers inlaid on the plaza below.

The ornate Manueline architecture in the church and cloisters is the main draw. Buy your ticket at the side entrance and budget around 10 EUR entry. Combine with a quick look inside the nearby Museu de Marinha if time allows.

This is the original bakery where Pastéis de Nata were invented. Expect a line but it moves fast. Order at least two tarts with cinnamon and powdered sugar on top, plus a coffee.

Walk west along the Tagus riverfront promenade from the monastery towards the Belém Cultural Centre. Search for 'Jardim da Praça do Império' (the large garden with fountains) and follow the path. Quiet afternoon light makes for good photos.

Start at Largo das Portas do Sol for the view, then wander the narrow alleys downhill toward the Sé de Lisboa. Follow Rua de São Pedro and Rua dos Remedios to find the oldest houses and hidden courtyards.

Walk up Calçada de São Vicente to reach the entrance. Climb the towers for panoramic views over the city and the Tagus River. Arrive before noon to avoid peak crowds.

Located on Largo Monte, a 10 minute uphill walk from the castle. Bring water and sit on the stone ledge facing south for the best photo angle of the castle and river below.

Search for a tasca in Alfama off Rua do Diário de Notícias. Look for a small venue with a single guitarist and singer. Avoid tourist trap places on the main square. Expect a 15 EUR minimum cover charge.

Arrive via Rua Augusta Arch. Walk the full length of the plaza toward the Tagus River. Look for the equestrian statue of King José I in the center and the yellow Pombaline-style buildings that frame the square.

Head to the far end of Praça do Comércio and walk 5 minutes along Rua do Arsenal. Go upstairs to the mezzanine for a better view before choosing stalls. Try a bifana sandwich or a seafood plate from one of the chef stalls.

Walk uphill from the market through Rua do Alecrim into Chiado. Browse the bookshops on Rua Garrett including Livraria Bertrand, the oldest operating bookstore in the world. Duck into Igreja de São Roque on Largo Trindade Coelho to see its gilded woodwork.

Search for a wine bar along Rua das Portas de Santo Antão or Rua da Rosa in Bairro Alto. Ask for a flight of Portuguese wines by the glass. Order a plate of queijo da serra (serra cheese) with marmelada to pair.

Buy tickets online the night before to skip queues. Located in Parque das Nações, it is one of Europe's largest indoor aquariums with a central four-million-liter tank. Allow 2.5 to 3 hours to see the penguins, sea otters, and the massive sunfish.

Board at the Martim Moniz terminus to secure a seat for the full scenic climb through Graça, Alfama, and Estrela. It gets packed after 11am, so go midday for fewer crowds. Hold onto your valuables inside the crowded car.

Walk up to Miradouro da Ponte (near Alcântara) for an unobstructed view of the bridge and Cristo Rei statue across the river. Alternatively, head to the Docas area underneath for a close-up look at the massive suspension structure. Late afternoon light makes for the best photos.

Head to a rooftop bar in the Bairro Alto or Príncipe Real neighborhood around 6pm to claim a good spot. Order a glass of Vinho Verde or a ginjinha sour and watch the sun dip over the Tagus. Most rooftop bars get busy by 7pm so arrive early.

Join a free walking tour starting at Praça do Comércio to get oriented with Lisbon's hills, alleyways, and key landmarks. Search for 'Lisbon Free Walking Tour' online to book a spot in advance.

Head to LX Factory under the Alcântara bridge a riverside complex of studios, shops, and street art. Browse the Ler Devagar bookstore and check the schedule for pop-up markets on Sundays.

Find a fado house in Alfama or Mouraria where dinner and live fado are included. Look for a casa de fado with no cover charge beyond the meal and order a glass of Port Wine to complete the experience.

Explore the town center and waterfront promenade from Praia da Rainha to the Marechal Carmona Park. Walk past the colorful houses along Rua Direita and the marina.

Take the coastal trail from Cascais to Boca do Inferno and further into the park. The clifftop paths offer ocean views and pass the abandoned Hotel do Farol near Cabo da Roca.

Look for a restaurant along Rua das Flores or near the marina. Order Caldeirada de Peixe, a traditional Portuguese fish stew with potatoes and tomatoes.

Head to the Time Out Market at Cais do Sodré for a self-guided street food walk. Sample Bifana (spiced pork sandwich) from the counters there and try a Ginjinha shot at a nearby kiosk.

Search for a cooking class in the Chiado or Príncipe Real area that focuses on Bacalhau à Brás (shredded cod with eggs and potatoes). Classes typically run 3-4 hours and include a market visit to Mercado da Ribeira.

Wander the narrow streets of Bairro Alto between Rua da Rosa and Rua do Diário de Notícias. Grab a glass of Port Wine at a small tasca and sit outside if the autumn weather allows.

Arrive when it opens to avoid crowds. The museum's main hall displays the stunning 36-meter panoramic panel of Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake. Don't miss the café terrace for a view of the monastery ruins.

Start at Largo da Graça and wander west along Rua da Graça toward the tram lines. Look for small tile panels on building walls. Stop at the Miradouro da Graça for a panoramic view over the Alfama district below.

Head to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, a 5-minute uphill walk from Largo da Graça. It sits higher than most viewpoints and faces the castle. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset to claim a spot on the stone wall.

Head to Mercado da Ribeira das Naus along the waterfront or the larger Mercado de Campo de Ourique. Browse for fresh produce, cheeses, and local cured meats like presunto.

Walk from Rua Garrett through the Chiado neighborhood to find Portuguese ceramics, cork products, and bookshops including the famous Bertrand store. The streets between Largo do Chiado and Praça Luís de Camões have the best mix of shops.

Book a table in the Bairro Alto or Cais do Sodré area for your last evening. Look for a restaurant with outdoor seating along Rua das Janelas Verdes or near the Time Out Market for a lively send off.

Take the direct train from Lisbon's Rossio Station to Sintra, which runs every 30 minutes and takes about 40 minutes. Buy a Viva Viagem card at any Metro station for easy tapping through the turnstiles.

Perched atop the hills, this colorful 19th-century Romanticist palace offers sweeping views over Sintra. Book your entry time online in advance to skip the long queues, and arrive early to explore the surrounding Pena Park for quiet trails and hidden follies.

A mystical estate with a Gothic-Renaissance mansion, elaborate gardens, and the famous Initiation Well a 27-meter spiral staircase descending underground. Set aside time to wander the grottoes, tunnels, and lakes a map at the entrance helps you find the key features.

Identified by its iconic twin chimney cones, this palace sits right in Sintra's town center and houses the largest collection of Mudéjar tilework in Portugal. Look for the swan and magpie rooms on the upper floor, each with painted ceilings depicting the noble families of the era.

Catch the return train from Sintra station back to Lisbon's Rossio Station, with direct departures until late evening. If your departure is from Lisbon Airport, take the Metro from Rossio to São Sebastião and change to the red line heading to Aeroporto about 40 minutes total.