A full day in Lisbon

9 AM: Start the day with a delicious breakfast.

Start your day off right with a quality breakfast at Café Benard (104 Rua Garret). Established in 1912, Café Benard is steeped in local culture and renowned for its delicious croissants.

10:00 AM: Enjoy panoramic city views from the Santa Justa Elevator.

After leaving the café, a five-minute walk will take you to the Santa Justa Elevator (located at the end of Rua de Santa Justa), also known as the Carmo Elevator, built by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard – a student of the famous engineer Gustave Eiffel. Although Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard's work is not as famous as his teacher's Eiffel Tower, if you're in Lisbon, you shouldn't miss this place, where you can admire a panoramic view of the entire city.

10:30 AM: Take a walk from Rua Augusta to Praca do Comercio

This marble-paved street, Rua Augusta, is the main artery of central Lisbon and is home to a number of famous designer shops as well as cafes, tobacco shops, and street vendors. At the end of the street is the Rua Augusta Arch; pass through it and you will reach Praca do Comercio (Trade Square).

11:00 AM: Take tram 28 past Lisbon Cathedral to São Jorge Castle.

In other cities, you can visit the main attractions by double-decker bus. But in Lisbon, you can only do so by taking tram number 28, at 28 Rua da Conceicão. The tram will take you through Barrio Alto – the city center, Lisbon Cathedral, and to the historic São Jorge Castle.

11:30 AM: Explore Lisbon's castle.

The historic São Jorge Castle in Lisbon was officially founded in the 11th century, but the site itself had been used as a fortress as early as the 7th century BC. Visit the castle and you'll learn about its rich history as well as admire the spectacular views of the surrounding area.

1 PM: Walk back to the city center for lunch.

After exploring the castle, take a leisurely stroll down to the city center instead of taking the tram to admire the red-roofed houses in the Alfama district and visit the famous cathedral. Then, find your way to Rua dos Sapateiros and look for Bacalhoeiro restaurant (near Rossio Plaza) to enjoy lunch with delicious fish dishes.

3 PM: Enjoy the famous pastries in the suburbs of Belem.

From the Augusta Arch, it only takes 15 minutes to reach the suburbs of Belem by tram. This suburb is famous for the Jeronimos Monastery and the renowned Pasteis de Belem pastry. The Jeronimos Monastery is a magnificent structure that took over 40 years to build, while Pasteis de Belem is a delicious custard pastry whose authentic recipe is known only to three people.

4:30 PM: leisurely sipping coffee.

Now is the perfect time to slip into a cozy café and sip a cup of coffee while watching the world go by. Head to Rossio Square, home to many wonderful cafés with views of the magnificent fountain, to relax and get a glimpse of Lisbon's city life.

6:30 PM: Enjoying wine

After a relaxing time in Rossio Square, head back to Barrio Alto, where you'll find plenty of small bars, cafes, and restaurants to start your evening at BA Wine Bar do Barrio Alto on Rua Rosa. This is the ideal place to sip Portuguese wine with a light snack before your main dinner.

8 PM: Dinner with steak.

It would be a shame to visit Portugal without trying steak grilled on volcanic rock. This dish is unique because raw beef is placed on a rock with various spices, allowing you to grill it yourself. Visit the Cabacas restaurant on Rua das Gaveas to enjoy this delicious dish along with many other specialties.

9 PM: Experience Lisbon's nightlife at the bars.

End your day exploring Lisbon by experiencing its vibrant nightlife at bars like the strikingly designed Pavilhao Chines (on Rua dom Pedro), or Mezcal (20 Rua Travessa Agua de Flor), a Mexican bar serving top-notch cocktails.

Hai Anh