Welcome to the coastal capital of Portugal, Lisbon. Today we are going to guide you through the ultimate Lisbon one-day itinerary and show you the best of what this city has to offer in just one day.
If you are staying longer in Lisbon, be sure to check out our other blog posts 48 hours in Lisbon, where to stay in Lisbon and the best day trips from Lisbon. But now let’s start with 1 day in Lisbon.
Full-day itinerary in Lisbon
The first burning question that needs to be answered is this: can you see Lisbon in just one day? Although it is much more difficult to see everything in Lisbon than, say, Porto, it is possible to enjoy its highlights and main attractions in just 24 hours. So we are going to show you the path that we think you should take.
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Belem tower
Start your day trip to Lisbon in the Belem district with an early morning sunrise at the Belem Tower. You can enter the Belem Tower, but it doesn’t open until 10 in the morning and the crowds are fierce. This attraction can be enjoyed from the outside and you will feel fulfilled. If you choose sunrise, only you and a few photographers will capture this UNESCO World Heritage site, one of the seven wonders of Portugal.
It is located directly on the Tagus River. This beautiful tower was built in 1515 to protect Lisbon from the invaders who came along the Tagus River.
Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos)
Leaving the Belem Tower, it remains only a short walk along the waterfront to the Monument of Discoveries. Portugal was a land of explorers; the Padrão dos Descobrimentos pays to the legendary explorers of Portugal. You cannot miss this monument because it dominates the Tagus River.
With a height of 52 meters, it is an impressive sight. It was built in the twentieth century, but it is no less impressive. For a small fee, you can take the elevator to enjoy the view of the Tagus River or climb the stairs. It doesn’t open until 10 in the morning, so let’s just say enjoy the view.
Be sure to stop and take a look at the compass rose that adorns the square in front of the Monument of Discoveries. It was a gift from South Africa and pays to the travels of Portugal in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In the design, look for a mermaid, Neptune, favorite compass roses and waving faces.
Jerónimos Monastery
Going up from the seafront, you will meet the Jerónimos Monastery. This is the first stop we suggest you enter. Book your entrance ticket for the first entrance of the day. After seeing the Belem Tower and Padrão dos Descobrimentos, it should be the perfect time to enter the Jerónimos Monastery, which opens at 10 a.m.
Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Jerónimos Monastery is also one of the seven wonders of Porugal, as it is a masterpiece of Manueline architecture. Its beautiful marble design is not to be missed. Inside you will want to find the cloisters, courtyards and gardens, as well as the chapel. The monastery also houses the tomb of Vasco da Gama, who was the first European to reach India by boat.