If you only have a few days in Lisbon, here are seven ultimate things to see and do in this beautiful city (and two things not to do).

1. Sintra

Sintra is only a short train ride away from Lisbon, and it makes a great day trip. It’s a fascinating town with castles, palaces, colorful buildings and historical monuments. When you got off the train, you will see a bus stop from where you can catch a tourist bus to the sights. They have two busses: 434 and 435. The bus 434 costs 5€ and takes you to Pena Palace and Castle of the Moors which are the most famous sights in Sintra. The bus 435 takes you to Quinta da Regaleira, Seteais Palace, and Monserrate Palace and the ticket costs 2,5€. I tried both of the busses, but personally, I think that the 434 bus offers better value.

2. São Jorge Castle

I recommend you to go to São Jorge Castle in the evening so that you can watch the sunset. It wasn’t crowded at all when I went there, but the sunset view was one of the best I’ve seen for awhile. Just look at the pictures above!

3. Belem Tower

You can take a tram to the Belem Tower (not those small, crowded trams full of tourists), and it takes about 40 minutes from the center. I recommend going there in the morning. They open at 10 am, and it’s better to be there earlier. I got my best shots when the place was still closed, and it wasn’t full of people.

4. Jerónimos Monastery

If you are already visiting Belem Tower, you can easily walk to the monastery which is located less than 2 km away.

5. National Pantheon of Santa Engracia

National Pantheon is definitely worth a visit. The building is probably the most beautiful and impressive one in Lisbon. Climb to the dome which offers a 360-degree view of the city!

6. Church of São Vicente of Fora

This church is located just on the way to National Pantheon, and it’s worth visiting as well. It’s an impressive church, and the architecture of the building is amazing.

7. Food and Drink

Lisbon is full of wonderful cafes and restaurants serving tasty food. And of course, you should try famous Portuguese port wine! Check out my previous post The Best Vegan Restaurants in Lisbon if you are a vegan or vegetarian!

And Things to Skip:

Tram 28

Believe me; you don’t want to wait for an hour to get in this crowded tram full of tourists. I saw a lot of notes in tram stops telling tourists that local people need to use these trams for their day-to-day life and that the trams are not for tourists’ entertainment. So skip the crowded trams and take a bus instead!

Santa Justa Elevator

This is another thing I don’t recommend to do. Here is why:
A. There’s probably a long line.
B. It’s crowded.
C. You get a much better view from São Jorge Castle.

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