my boyfriend in i will be in lisbon for 3 days (sept 4-7) and then we are going to the island of madeira for a week. with only 3 days in lisbon, i was wondering what things we should put on the must-see list. could any of you who have been to lisbon make any suggestions? we enjoy pretty much everything: especially art, culture/history and restaurants. we would appreciate any reccommendations.

*also, do you think a trip to sintra (which we heard is amazing) would make sense in the short amount of time we have in lisbon?

thanks so much!
sarah

When we were in Portugal two years ago, we actually stayed outside Lisboa in Estoril. The train in is very cheap, fast and frequent. The Lisboa things we found most interesting were the market near the waterfront where the locals shop (I think it is only open on weekends), the Alfama district, the Torre de Belem and visiting a Port Club and dining in a Fado restaurant.

Not sure how you are travelling but if you want to see some amazing scenary take a drive to Cabo de Roca. Take your time and stop often. It was the most amazing stretch of road we travel on our road trip of Spain and Portugal (with the possible exception of the scariest ride between Rhonda Spain and Gibraltar).

We did not stop at Sintra (only a drive past). We were getting a little castled-out by the time we reach there having stopped at a large number on our way from Madrid.

Have a wonderful time. We LOVED Portugal.

I posted 2.5 years ago this is the list of my favorites in Lisbon:

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Dinner in a Fado House (I recommend Parreirinha in Alfama). You should stay there between 8:00pm and at least 11:00 pm, otherwise you lost most of fun.

Check in your to do list if you included:

Belem area:
- Jeronimos
- Tower
- Pasteis (custard pies) - factory and shop close early, by 7 pm.
- Museu dos Coches

Former Expo98
- Oceanario
- Vasco da Gama shopping center
- Oriente train station
- Vasco da Gama tower
Tipycal districts
- Alfama
- Castle
- Bairro Alto

From Restauradores (south end of Avenida da Liberdade) there is a funicular leading just to the heart of Bairro Alto. In the upper end of funicular there's Port Wine Institute, where you may sample 1 or 2 out of a few hundred of samples. (cost aprox 1 $USD for a small glass).

Downtown Lisbon, Cathedral, Castle and Alfama are all close to each other.

The stations in the Metro system are beautiful. In particular, the line going to the Expo area is great (line Oriente and Oriente station).

The ride in the tram line 28 is a must. Bairro Alto, downtown, Cathedral and Alfama are all crossed by this line.

Rossio Square and Rua Augusta are nice places to have a coffee and observe the people passing by.

There is a cafe shop on the top of Elevador Santa Justa with the best view of downtown Lisbon.

If you are more interested in the cultural area, check:

- Gulbenkian foundation
- Pavilhao Atlantico
- CCB (Centro Cultural de Belem)

All of them have websites with English version.

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Sintra is worth a visit, take a train from Rossio railways station (downtown Lisbon) and you'll be there in 30 minutes.

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enjoy your time

thank you dj_canada and lobo mau for your wonderful suggestions! they all sound wonderful and i can't wait for my trip.

thanks so much!!!!

I think Sintra well justifies a trip and if you e-mail me [[email protected] I'll send you an Url for a possible extension.
Also try to use some elevadors - the Santa Justa lift and the Elevador de Gloria are best and the viewpoint at the top of the latter, looking over to the castle, is great when the sun is setting.