2 Days in Lisbon: Must-See Spots & Vegan Food Picks

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Only have two days in Lisbon? With the right plan, that’s enough time to see the city’s most iconic sights, explore its oldest neighborhoods, and soak in its unique atmosphere.

I’ve been to Lisbon several times, including a week-long visit where I explored the city in-depth, and I created this itinerary to help you experience as much as possible in just 48 hours.

From wandering the narrow streets of Alfama to visiting the historic landmarks of Belém and the shops and cafés at LX Factory, this guide will help you make every moment count.

Quick Look

Day 1: Historic Lisbon & Iconic Views

Morning
✅ Lisbon Cathedral
✅ Explore Alfama’s charming alleys
✅ Miradouro de Santa Luzia
✅ São Jorge Castle

Afternoon
✅ Snack: Scoop ‘n Dough
✅ Rossio Square
✅ Santa Justa Lift (view from the top!)
✅ Carmo Convent
✅ Livraria Bertrand (oldest bookstore)

Evening
✅ Rua Augusta & Praça do Comércio
✅ Dinner: Kong

Day 2: Belém & Creative Lisbon

Morning
✅ Belém Tower
✅ Jerónimos Monastery

Afternoon
✅ LX Factory (boutiques, art, culture)
✅ Lunch & Snack: Oakberry Açaí bowls

Evening
✅ Return to city center: visit what you missed or wander
✅ Dinner: Ao 26 (elegant) or Plant Base (relaxed)
✅ Dessert: Vegan Nata Chiado (Pastel de Nata!)

Table of Contents

Day 1: Historic Lisbon & Iconic Views

Morning: Alfama (Lisbon’s Oldest Neighborhood)

Start your Lisbon adventure in Alfama, the city’s oldest and most atmospheric neighborhood. This area feels like a living museum, a maze of cobbled alleys and colorful facades. The best way to explore it? Just wander aimlessly. That said, don’t miss these key stops:

🤩 The easiest way not to miss any sights in Alfama is on a guided walking tour: Book your walking tour here!

📍 Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa)

Lisbon Cathedral from the outside in the Alfama district in Lisbon, it has two towers — It’s not worth paying the entrance ticket in my opinion

Your first stop is the Lisbon Cathedral, just a short walk or tram ride from the city center. This 12th-century Romanesque church is the oldest in Lisbon.

The exterior is striking, and while the interior is nice, I personally don’t think it’s worth the entrance fee. You can sneak a peek of the main hall by veering left past the ticket booths if you’re curious.

📍 Miradouro de Santa Luzia

Tina sitting on a wall looking over the Lisbon skyline — Miradouro de Santa Luiza: The best views of the city and Tagus River

This is one of my favorite viewpoints in Lisbon. The Miradouro de Santa Luzia overlooks Alfama and the Tagus River and is framed by flowering vines and beautiful blue tiles.

It’s super picturesque and always a hit with visitors. And since there are so many tourists, you’ll easily find someone to take your picture if you’re visiting on your own, like I was.

📍 Castelo de São Jorge (St. George’s Castle)

The castle in Lisbon, you can see castle walls and a stone bridge over a grass field leading to the castle — Castelo de São Jorge: one of the top attractions in Lisbon

Expansive view of Lisbon's cityscape under a dramatic sky, showcasing colorful buildings, terracotta roofs, and the distant 25 de Abril Bridge over the Tagus River. — Castelo de São Jorge: one of the top attractions in Lisbon

Wrap up the morning with a visit to Lisbon’s iconic castle. There’s not that much left of the original structure, it’s mostly just the outer walls and towers, but the real reason to visit is the incredible view over the red rooftops and river.

Tip: Buy your ticket online (even while standing outside the entrance, like I did) to skip the long queue.

Afternoon: Baixa, Chiado & Sweet Breaks

🍩 Snack Stop: Scoop ‘n Dough

A hand holding a doughnut with jam filling and panna cotta on top — Such amazing vegan doughnuts, this one was blueberry and panna cotta

Head toward Praça Dom Pedro IV (Rossio Square) and make a quick stop at Scoop ‘n Dough, one of Lisbon’s best dessert places. Everything is vegan and their doughnuts are amazing. If you want the best selection, go before 3pm.

📍 Rossio Square (Praça Dom Pedro IV)

A big square in Lisbon with black and white tiles on the ground, a fountain and people walking around

After your snack, explore Rossio Square, one of Lisbon’s liveliest squares. It’s surrounded by beautiful architecture, and the wavy black-and-white pavement pattern is classic Lisbon.

📍 Santa Justa Lift

A lift shaft on the outside between two buildings, with a lot of people queuing up in front of it — The Santa Justa Lift in central Lisbon

Aerial view of a bustling street in Lisbon, with terracotta rooftops stretching towards the historic castle on the hill, capturing the essence of things to do in Lisbon on a Spain and Portugal itinerary. — The Santa Justa Lift in central Lisbon

Just a few minutes away is the Santa Justa Lift, a neo-Gothic iron elevator that connects the lower city to the higher Carmo district. It’s beautiful to look at, but I don’t recommend actually using it due to the long wait times.

Instead, just walk up, you’ll reach the same viewpoint without the queue.

📍 Carmo Convent

Once at the top, head to Carmo Convent, a hauntingly beautiful gothic church left roofless after the 1755 earthquake. It’s one of the most atmospheric places in Lisbon. There’s also a small archaeological museum inside.

📚 Livraria Bertrand

An old bookshop from the inside with dark wooden shelves and a lot of books — Inside the oldest bookshop in the world

On your way toward Rua Augusta, stop by Livraria Bertrand, officially the oldest operating bookstore in the world. Btw, that’s just one of the interesting facts I learned about Portugal.

Even if you’re not planning to buy a book, it’s worth a quick visit to admire the history. They even have a small English section if you want a unique souvenir.

Evening: River Views & Dinner

📍 Rua Augusta & Arco da Rua Augusta

A big arch next to yellow buildings in Lisbon, in the back you can see a small statue straight behind the arch — Rua Augusta Arch next to the Commerce Square

Stroll down Rua Augusta, a lively pedestrian street filled with shops and cafés, until you reach the Arco da Rua Augusta. This grand archway opens up to Praça do Comércio, a massive riverfront square framed by yellow buildings.

As golden hour hits, the whole area lights up in a soft glow. It’s a beautiful spot to take a breather, snap a few photos, and just enjoy being in Lisbon.

🍽️ Dinner at Kong

A plate with vegan fish, rice and salad, next to it is another plate with a sandwich and fries; at Kong, one of my favourite vegan restaurants in Lisbon Portugal — Traditional Portuguese food: Fish with rice and salad, and a Franceshina in the back

End your day with dinner at Kong, a fully vegan restaurant in Lisbon just a short walk from the arch. It’s the perfect place to try vegan takes on traditional Portuguese dishes.

I had the vegan fish with rice and salad, and my boyfriend had a Francesinha, a classic Portuguese sandwich topped with melted cheese and sauce.

The location also makes it ideal for dinner after a long sightseeing day.

Day 2: Belém & Creative Side of Lisbon

Morning: Historic Highlights in Belém

Start your second day by heading west to the Belém District, home to some of Lisbon’s most important historical sights. You can get there by tram, bus, or Uber.

🛺 Don’t want to take the tram or bus? This epic Tuk Tuk Tour takes you to the best tourist attractions in Belem!

📍 Belém Tower (Torre de Belém)

A small fortress just off the shoreline in Belem, you can see it if you spend 2 days in Lisbon; how many days in Lisbon? — Belem Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site outside the city centre

Begin with Belém Tower, a 16th-century fortress that once guarded the city’s harbor. It’s one of Lisbon’s most iconic landmarks, with its ornate Manueline architecture and location right at the edge of the Tagus River.

There’s a small exhibit inside, but to be honest, the best part is the view from the outside. I wouldn’t recommend waiting in line to go in unless you’re a big fan of naval history.

📍 Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery)

A gothic monastery in Lisbon from the outside — Jerónimos Monastery in Belem

Just a short walk from the tower is the Jerónimos Monastery, another stunning example of Manueline architecture, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Make sure to go inside and explore the cloisters. The intricate stonework is absolutely stunning. Inside the church, you’ll also find Vasco da Gama’s tomb, a nod to Portugal’s age of exploration.

Afternoon: LX Factory & Creative Corners

After soaking in Belém’s history, make your way to LX Factory, a revitalized industrial complex turned creative hub. You can get there by bus or Uber.

🍓 Snack: Oakberry Açaí

A hand holding a cup of acai with peanut butter and some fresh fruit on it, in the background you can see a lively street

For a refreshing snack, grab an açaí bowl at Oakberry, located right within LX Factory. It’s a chain, but I love that you can pile on unlimited toppings. It’s the perfect light and energizing snack for a hot afternoon in Lisbon.

Afterward, take your time, this part of the day is more relaxed.

📍 Explore the LX Factory

A building from the outside with street art in pieces on it in the LX Factory Lisbon

A unique bookshop inside LX Factory in Lisbon, Portugal, featuring towering bookshelves filled with books from floor to ceiling. A white sculpture of a bicycle with wings hangs from the ceiling, adding an artistic touch to the industrial-style space. Two people walk down a metal staircase, surrounded by books and creative signage, contributing to the shop’s vibrant and eclectic atmosphere.

Wander through this funky space filled with indie boutiques, quirky art galleries, street art, and concept cafés, all housed in converted warehouses. It’s the kind of place where you can spend hours without realizing it.

One must-visit stop is Ler Devagar, a beautiful bookstore with towering shelves and an artsy atmosphere. There’s even a small English section if you’re looking for a souvenir from Portugal.

Browse the shops, enjoy the creative vibe, and head back to the city center whenever you’re ready.

Evening: Dinner & Dessert

After your laid-back afternoon at LX Factory, make your way back to the city center. Depending on how much energy you have left, you can either explore a few missed sights or just soak in the atmosphere with a final walk through your favorite neighborhood.

🍽️ Dinner: Ao 26 or Plant Base

A vegan cheese plate, next to it, is a bowl with fries, a bowl with bread and a plate with a vegan steak — AO26 felt very fancy

A plate with vegan fish'n'chips and a vegan pizza — AO26 felt very fancy

Tonight, you’ve got two great dinner options depending on your mood:

Ao 26 Vegan Food Project: A more upscale dining experience with beautifully plated dishes and a fancy atmosphere. Try the vegan cheese board or steak, and don’t skip dessert, the Portuguese coffee cake was my favorite.
Plant Base: For something more relaxed, this cozy vegan spot serves up burgers, pizzas, and my personal favorite: fish ‘n chips. The vegan fish tastes just like fish fingers and comes with delicious mashed peas and fries.

🥮 Dessert: Vegan Nata Chiado

A vegan pastel de nata on a plate in front of a poster of one — You have to try Pastel de Nata when you’re in Portugal

End your night with a vegan Pastel de Nata from Vegan Nata Chiado, Lisbon’s best spot for this iconic Portuguese pastry.

Even if you’re stuffed from dinner, it’s worth grabbing one (or a box!) to enjoy while strolling or to take back to your accommodation. It’s a small to-go spot near my restaurant recommendations.

Final Thoughts: Is 2 Days in Lisbon Enough?

Two days in Lisbon gives you just enough time to explore the highlights, soak up the atmosphere, and fall a little in love with the city.

From historic castles and tile-covered streets to waterfront sunsets and creative art spaces, this Lisbon 2 day itinerary helps you see the best of this beautiful city.

That said, there’s always more to discover. Lisbon has a way of pulling you back, with its charm, its viewpoints, and its endless neighborhoods waiting to be explored.

If you’re planning your trip and haven’t yet booked your stay, make sure to check out my post on where to stay in Lisbon for the best areas and accommodation tips.