🧭 Day 3 – Discovering Belém Area
My third day in Lisbon was dedicated to exploring the historic Belém area, once the launching point for many of Portugal’s maritime expeditions. I started at the iconic Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that represents Portugal’s Age of Discovery.
Next, I visited the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline architecture where the tomb of the famous explorer Vasco da Gama rests. ⛪ Continuing along the riverside, I reached the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoveries), which was built to commemorate Portugal’s explorers.
No visit to Belém would be complete without tasting the famous Pastéis de Nata (Portuguese custard tart) at Pastéis de Belém bakery, allegedly the inventor of the egg tart – confirmed this is the best egg tart I’ve had in Lisbon. It’s not sweet and you can clearly taste egg from the inside, unlike the other two shops I’ve tried that only filled with overly sweet custard. 🥧
After trying the famous Bacalhau à Brás at Restaurante Adega de Belém, I continued my exploration and visited the National Coach Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of royal carriages. Then came the adventure at the Pilar 7 Bridge Experience – would you believe I climbed 26 floors of stairs to reach the top because the elevator wasn’t working that day! But the unique views of the 25 de Abril Bridge made it worth every step. 🌉
I concluded my Belém exploration at LX Factory, a creative hub that showcases how Lisbon transforms its industrial factories into creative modern spaces. The mix of shops, cafes, and street art made the perfect ending to a day.
Travel Tip: Make sure you vsit Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery early in the morning to avoid the crowds. The area can get quite busy, especially during peak tourist season!
🧭 Day 4 – Historic Streets & Soulful Fado
Started my day 4 with an early ride on the iconic Tram 28, which took me through the city’s historic neighborhoods and shared unique views of the city’s daily life. 🚋
The morning followed with:
- Breathtaking views from Miradouro de Santa Luzia, where the sun painted the terracotta roofs in golden light. 🌅
- Exploring the mighty Castelo de S. Jorge, wandering through its ancient walls and enjoying panoramic views of Lisbon.
- Strolling through the charming Alfama District, soaking myself in its narrow streets and colorful houses.
- Visiting the National Tile Museum, hosted in a former monastery. The intricate azulejos (Portuguese tiles) tell stories of Portugal’s rich history through their detailed designs and patterns.
In the evening, I appreciated a traditional Fado performance in Bairro Alto. The soulful Portuguese folk music, accompanied by traditional Portuguese guitar, captured the essence of saudade – a feeling of melancholy. The lively Lisbon nightlife in Chiado and Bairro Alto was a perfect way to end my day.
Travel Tip: For the most authentic Fado experience, look for smaller, local venues rather than tourist-focused shows, and make sure you make reservations in advance.
🧭 Day 5 – Souvenir Shopping and Goodbye
On my final day in Lisbon, I spent the morning shopping for souvenirs, picking up some special memories to remember this special journey.
Looking back at my 5 days spent with Lisbon, the city has shown so many faces. Its iconic color palette – the yellow trams, blue-and-white tiles, terracotta roofs, and pastel-colored buildings – painted through the winding streets sitting on the mountain, making everything feel laid back and encouraging you to start appreciating life at a slower pace.
The local’s love for cod was beyond imagination – almost all dishes had something to do with bacalhau, and each restaurant seemed to have its own special way of celebrating this beloved fish.I was also impressed by how Lisbon embraces both its past and present. Whether it’s preserving centuries-old traditions like Fado music or showcasing the modern areas of the city, Lisbon maintains a perfect balance between honoring its rich heritage and moving forward into the future
Lisbon, thank you for sharing all your perspectives with me.
👛 Expense Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of my expenses during the trip:
| Category | Activity | Date | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation | Toronto – Lisbon | 5/8 – 5/17 | CA$678.86 |
| Stay | Stay in Lisbon | 5/13 – 5/17 | CA$457.64 |
| Activity | Lisbon Card 3-Day | 5/14-5/16 | CA$79.24 |
| Transportation | Lisbon Metro | 5/9 | CA$7.00 |
| Network | eSIM Portugal | 5/14 – 5/17 | CA$6.97 |
| Eat | Meals and snacks | 5/14 – 5/17 | CA$150.00 |
| Shopping | Souvenirs | 5/16 | CA$7.50 |
| TOTAL | CA$1,387.21 |
📚 Related Posts
- 🇵🇹 Taste of Portugal: Must-Try Local Eats in Lisbon 🐟
- 🇵🇹 Lisbon Travel Guide – Things to Know Before You Go
- 🇵🇹 5-Day Solo Travel in Lisbon, Portugal (Part 2)
- 🇵🇹 5-Day Solo Travel in Lisbon, Portugal (Part 1)
- 🇪🇸 Solo Travel in Spain – 9-Day Itinerary for Barcelona and Madrid (Part 3)
📍 Plan Your Own Lisbon Adventure!
I’ve created a detailed Notion travel planner template that includes everything you need to explore this charming city! Inside you’ll find:
✈️ Flight tracker
📝 Customizable packing lists
🏰 City must-see spots
🍽️ Local food & restaurant recommendations
💰 Expense tracker (with dirham conversion)
🗺️ Interactive Google Maps with all locations
Get Your Planner Here: 🚃 Lisbon, Portugal 5-Day Travel Itinerary Planner
