Day 1 · Wednesday — Baixa, Chiado and the castle hill
Easy arrival day with central squares, old lanes and sunset views
5 stops€56 in stops, for two
Morning
- 09:00
Transfer into central Lisbon
Make your way into Baixa or Chiado and get settled before starting the day on foot.
€10 per person
TIPA metro or airport bus is the cheapest option; a taxi or rideshare is easier with luggage.
- 10:15
Walk Praça do Comércio and the riverside arcades
This grand riverfront square opens Lisbon with broad views, yellow facades, and a strong sense of the city’s maritime scale. The surrounding arcades and open waterfront make it an easy first stop for orientation and photos.
Free
TIPStart under the arcades if the morning is breezy, then step out to the river edge for the widest views.
- 11:30
Stroll Rua Augusta and the Baixa grid
Baixa’s straight streets and tiled facades show Lisbon’s elegant rebuilt center at its most walkable. This is a good stretch for noticing shopfronts, small squares, and the rhythm of daily life between major landmarks.
Free
TIPPause in the side streets as well as the main pedestrian strip for a calmer feel.
Afternoon
- 13:15
Lunch around Chiado
Chiado’s sloping streets are a pleasant place for a first Lisbon meal, with cafes, traditional pastry counters, and casual restaurants tucked among historic buildings. The area feels lively through midday and links naturally to the next uphill walk.
€18 per person
TIPA set lunch menu often offers the best value at midday.
- 15:00
Explore Alfama lanes below the castle
Alfama’s narrow streets, stairways, and small lookouts reveal the older texture of Lisbon at a slow pace. The neighborhood is rewarding for wandering, with tiled walls, laundry lines, and changing river glimpses around each turn.
Free
TIPWear shoes with grip; the paving can be slick on polished stone slopes.
Evening
- 17:45
Sunset viewpoint at the castle hill
The higher terraces around the castle hill deliver one of the classic Lisbon panoramas across rooftops, domes, and the Tagus. Late afternoon light brings out the warm colors of the city and is a fine way to close the first day.
Free
TIPArrive a little before sunset to watch the light change and secure a good railing spot.