How to spend 4 days in Lisbon
Spend your first two days exploring the historic Alfama and Baixa districts, one day in Belém for monuments, and your final day in Sintra. Use the yellow trams and funiculars for the hills, but stick to walking to avoid the worst of the tourist traffic.
- Master the public transport. Buy a Viva Viagem card at any metro station and load it with 'zapping' credit. It works on the metro, buses, trams, and the funiculars, saving you about 50% compared to buying single tickets on board.
- Beat the crowds at landmarks. Arrive at popular spots like the Jerónimos Monastery or the Santa Justa Lift by 8:30 AM. By 10:00 AM, queues can easily exceed 60 minutes.
- Navigate the hills. Lisbon is famously steep. Wear shoes with excellent grip. If you’re tired, don't wait for the overcrowded Tram 28; look for the local bus routes that cover the same neighborhoods.
- Is Lisbon safe at night?
- Generally, yes. Stick to well-lit main streets in Baixa and Chiado. Use common sense in Bairro Alto as the bars get very crowded late at night.
- Do I need to tip at restaurants?
- Tipping isn't mandatory like in the US. Rounding up to the nearest few Euros or leaving 5-10% for exceptional service is appreciated but not expected.