Lisbon Tourist Cards

Lisbon is a city with a lot to see and do. But you won't always be lucky enough to have several days to visit it. If you only have 24 hours to get to know the Portuguese capital, don't worry. If you organise yourself well , you can visit the most important monuments in just one day.

With this itinerary designed to make the most of your visit, you'll see the historic centre of the city and the Belém district in just a few hours. These two areas are home to most of Lisbon's must-see sights and will even give you the chance to enjoy some of the country's traditions.

Lisbon is known as "the city of seven hills". The city itself grows around them. Thanks to this orography we have the possibility of contemplating several panoramic views of the whole city. The best view, in my opinion, is the one offered by the Portas do Sol viewpoint. You can find out all the details with a tour of the Alfama district.

This viewpoint offers beautiful views of the old part of the city with the Tagus River in the background and is the best place to start the day. Near this point there are several terraces where you can have a good breakfast while you enjoy the views and recharge your batteries to start the day. Very close to it we also have the Santa Lucia viewpoint.

Another way to get to know the basics of Lisbon is with a guided tour, some of them offer you the best things to see and do in the city centre. Just be aware of the times and check the itinerary of each tour beforehand so you don't miss anything.

Both the Portas do Sol and Santa Lucia viewpoints are located in Alfama, a neighbourhood that grows in the east of Lisbon on the slopes of the hill below St. George's Castle, and a stroll through its streets is a must in the Portuguese capital. If you don't want to miss a thing, you have the option of booking a guided tour of the Alfama neighbourhood.

Enjoy the architecture and admire some of its monuments such as St. George's Castle or the National Pantheon. Unfortunately, as we only have 24 hours, we won't stop to visit the inside of these two and many other sites. But the views outside and the walk are attractive enough to enjoy the area.

Of all the monuments in the Alfama district, there is one that stands out above the rest and deserves a more leisurely visit. This is the Lisbon Cathedral, known as the Sé Cathedral.

It is one of the oldest buildings in Lisbon, as it is one of the few that has survived the numerous earthquakes and fires that have ravaged the city throughout its history. Romanesque in style, it houses the remains of Lisbon's patron saint, St. Vincent, as well as a beautiful cloister and a treasure of great value. It can be visited free of charge and by paying an extra €2.5 you can add the cloister and the treasure to the visit.

A fun way to get to know the Cathedral is with a tuk tuk express tour of Lisbon. One of its stops is here, where the guide will tell you, in Spanish, the most important part of its history.

After visiting the Cathedral we will head to the historic centre of Lisbon. There is a lot to see here, but we will prioritise one of the most famous sights of the city, the Elevador de Santa Justa. Located on the street of the same name, about 20 minutes from the Cathedral, this particular lift links the Baixa Pombalina and Chiado districts. It is 45 metres high, which also gives us a good view of the centre of Lisbon.

If you are on time, the ruins of the Convento do Carmo and Pedro IV Square are both worth a visit, but only if the clock permits.

After visiting the Elevador de Santa Justa, it's time to visit Lisbon's most famous street. Rua Augusta is the main artery of the Baixa district in the heart of Lisbon. It is a long pedestrian street that is home to countless shops and restaurants.

The historic Praça do Comércio is accessed through the Arco da Rua Augusta and leads to an expanse crowned at its centre by the equestrian statue of José I and directly on to the banks of the Tagus River. A key stop if you book a tour of Lisbon.

Here we can go up to the Mirador do Arco and contemplate its architecture, photograph the equestrian statue of José I and approach the Cais das Colunas jetty on the banks of the Tagus.

This square is also a hub for transport, both maritime and tram, which passes very frequently and which we will use to approach another area that we will visit in the afternoon.

If the morning has gone smoothly, you will arrive at the Praça do Comércio at midday and it is time to stop for lunch. At this point you have two options:

• Find a restaurant near the square.
• Take a tourist tram that will take you to the Belém neighbourhood and eat there.
• Take a gastronomic tour of Lisbon to get to know the local products and make the most of your lunch.

My advice is to first eat in a restaurant near the square to recharge your batteries and then take a tram to the Belém neighbourhood in time for dessert. The trip from Praça do Comércio to Belém takes 20 minutes and, once there, we can find a pastry shop to taste the typical Belém pastries with a cup of coffee.

Lisbon is a city with a strong gastronomic tradition. There are plenty of gastronomic tours in Lisbon and wine tastings that can be done all over the Portuguese capital

There is a lot to see and do in this Lisbon neighbourhood. So, to make sure you don't miss anything, I recommend you book a tour of the Belém neighbourhood. I assure you that you won't be disappointed.

To get to the Belém neighbourhood from Praça do Comércio, all you have to do is take tram line 15. The journey takes just 20 minutes. Technically, Belém is not a neighbourhood of Lisbon, but a city that was eventually annexed to the capital. It is, therefore, about 7 kilometres from the centre, but is home to many of Lisbon's most important sights.

The Jerónimos Monastery or the Belém Tower, two of the most representative symbols of Lisbon are located in this area. This area was one of the least affected by the 1755 earthquake that severely affected many parts of the city and, for this reason, its monuments are better preserved. Its origins date back to the 16th century, coinciding with the era of the conquistadors, which greatly influences the character of its buildings.

Lisbon is a city with a lot to see and a lot to do, and visiting the Jerónimos Monastery in the Belém neighbourhood is a must. To make the most of your day, I recommend that you book your tickets in advance.

This building was born out of the golden age of the great explorers who brought a wealth of riches to the Portuguese capital and built the monastery as a sign of grandeur. Such was the investment that it took more than 100 years to build it. Its façade, the interior of the church and its cloister are the highlights of this World Heritage Site since 1983.

It is not only the most visited monument in Lisbon, but also in the whole of Portugal, so I recommend you get your tickets in advance. It is open every day of the week except Mondays. It is a must-see if you are travelling to Lisbon.

Leaving the Jerónimos Monastery and very close to the Tagus coast you will find the Padrão dos Descobrimentos Monument or the Monument to the Discoveries. If you want to get to know it in depth, don't hesitate to book a tour of the Belém neighbourhood

This spectacular 52-metre high construction was erected in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator and as a tribute to all the adventurers and discoverers who marked the history of Portugal.

The very ground on which the building stands is also part of the ensemble, as it depicts a map of the world with the voyages and expeditions of the most famous explorers who set out from Portugal. Situated on the banks of the Tagus, this monument is worth a few minutes of contemplation before approaching the last stop on our itinerary.

To end our day in Lisbon we will visit another of the main symbols of the city, the Belém Tower. Despite its apparent simplicity, this small fort was also declared a World Heritage Site. It is a contemporary of the Jerónimos Monastery and was commissioned by King Manuel I to serve as a fort and lighthouse.

Although at first glance it is not very imposing due to its size, its charm lies in its shape and small details. It is when we look at its decoration that we appreciate the tower's charm. If you have time to spare, you can go inside to enjoy the views of the Tagus and the Belém district.

To do this, don't forget to book your tickets for the Belém Tower in advance to make the most of the day and the visit. This is the ideal place to end our day trip to Lisbon.

To make the most of your 24-hour visit to Lisbon, here are some tips that you may find useful:

• Much of the itinerary is on foot along steep cobbled streets, so choosing good footwear is of vital importance.
• Don't let the sheets stick to you. In this scenario it is best to start the day at first light. This way the views from the viewpoints in the Alfama district are more beautiful and you will have less difficulty finding a good spot on a terrace for breakfast.
• Lisbon is a city with a long gastronomic tradition. There are good value-for-money restaurants near the Praça do Comércio, as well as in the streets between the Santa Justa elevator and Praça do Comércio. Da Prata 52 or the Paludarium are two good places.
• Leave room for dessert and when you visit the Belém neighbourhood you can't miss the traditional Belém pastries. They are cream tarts that you can enjoy in any café, but the best ones can be found near the Jerónimos Monastery.
• Among the most visited monuments in Portugal is the Jerónimos Monastery, so book your tickets in advance
• The best way to get from Praça do Comércio to Belém is to book a tram. But you can also book a cruise along the coast along the Tagus, which is a good option if you want to relax.