Weekend in Lisbon - city guide

The capital of Portugal is the perfect place to spend a weekend. Packed with culture, great places to eat, sleep and party (and still affordable!), there's a lot to see in the city. And most importantly, it is believed that three days are enough to fully explore the city - ideal for a weekend trip!

For a comfortable trip, many tourists prefer to use car rental services in Portugal. The average cost of renting a car at Faro airport is 20 euros per day, at Lisbon airport 18 euros per day.

Here are some of the must-see attractions in Lisbon.

Castle of Sao Jorge
Rising above the center of Lisbon, São Jorge Castle (Castle of Lisbon) was the ancient seat of power in Portugal for over 400 years. With over 1000 years of history, the castle is a must-see for any tourist.
Tip: don't forget to take your camera, the castle grounds offer a 360-degree view of the city.

Ride the tram
Since the city is hilly, it is not surprising that your feet may start to hurt. Use this to your advantage and ride one of Lisbon's iconic trams.
Tip: use the trams to get around the hillier areas of Lisbon.

Stroll through the Alfama area
Take a break from the tourist trails and spend time wandering the cobbled lanes of Lisbon's oldest district, Alfama.
Tip: Look out for street art, azulejo tiles, and quaint little bars and cafes.

Belem Tower
Belem Tower is located along the river bank in the Belem district. Once the tower stood in the center of the mouth of the Tagus River to protect the city from attacks, but the waters have shifted, now it stands on the banks of the river.
Tip: try to visit the tower at the beginning of the day, queues quickly accumulate here at a later time.

Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT)
Whether you love museums or not, enjoy the modern Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT). If you're interested, you can go inside and spend a few hours wandering around the exhibits. If museums aren't your thing, you can admire the building itself and climb the stairs to the roof for a view of the river.
Tip: grab a bite to eat at the Pastis de Belm bakery across the street, or take your muffin to the rooftop of MAAT for a river view and snack.

Visit the world's oldest bookstore
Lisbon has the oldest working bookstore! Bertrand's bookstore, located at 73 Rue Garrett, was built in 1732, but in 1755, after the Great Earthquake, it underwent reconstruction along with the whole city. Here you can find Portuguese classics and English-language literature.