Lisbon is big, vibrant, and absolutely beautiful. You’ll need more than just a few days to truly experience it, and it’s completely worth it.

This part of my Portugal trip was supposed to be fully solo… but it turned into something even better.

Lisbon Old Town Walk

I arrived in Lisbon by FlixBus from Lagos and took public transport to my hostel. It was my first time staying in a hostel by myself, and I genuinely loved the experience. It’s such an easy way to meet other travellers.

After checking in, I headed out to explore the city using Google Maps. That’s how I discovered the Carmo Archaeological Museum. The visit was short, mainly the roofless church ruins, but for €5, it was worth it.

I walked past the famous Santa Justa Lift (didn’t go up), then wandered through the Arco da Rua Augusta into Praça do Comércio and near Cais das Colunas.

For lunch, I stopped at Castro, Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata for a pastel de nata, and it was incredible.

One thing to know: Lisbon is very hilly. Be ready to walk. A lot.

Girls’ Night in Lisbon: Bairro Alto

Before travelling, I realized that an old friend from the USA was also in Lisbon. We met for dinner, such a random but happy coincidence.

She introduced me to a Facebook group for female travellers, "Host a sister", and that same evening we joined a few girls for a night out in Bairro Alto.

This is where Lisbon’s nightlife comes alive, packed bars, music everywhere, and people filling the streets.

Sintra Day Trip

The next day, I visited Sintra, one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon. This UNESCO-listed town is known for its fairytale palaces, and romantic architecture, once a summer retreat for Portuguese royalty.

I explored Pena Palace, famous for its colourful towers and panoramic views; Quinta da Regaleira, with its gothic details and hidden tunnels; and the iconic Initiation Well, a spiral staircase built for symbolic ceremonies rather than water.

But honestly, I didn’t plan it well. Between the train, Uber, and lots of walking, it was more exhausting than expected, so if you don’t have a car, a guided tour might be easier. I’d recommend booking a guided tour. I wanted to save money and have flexibility, but it ended up being more exhausting than expected.

Lisbon Views

Back in Lisbon, I watched sunset at Miradouro de Santa Luzia, one of the best viewpoints in the city. The atmosphere there is just special.

The following day, me and my friend took the tram to see Belém Tower, key symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery, and walked to Jerónimos Monastery (we didn’t go inside).

Of course, we had to try the original pastel de nata from Pastéis de Belém, the original creator of the Portuguese pastel de nata, so good!!

We also explored LX Factory, had lunch at Time Out Market Lisboa, walked past the famous Pink Street, saw the funicular, and ended the day with rooftop drinks near the centre.

The next morning, we both had early flights, so we called it a night.

Final Thoughts

There’s still so much more to see in Lisbon and beyond.

Overall, I found the trip surprisingly budget-friendly. Staying in hostels helped a lot, and I spent around €30 per day on food and drinks, without really restricting myself.

Writing this makes me want to return to Portugal, maybe to Porto next time, or even for a full coastal road trip.

If you’ve been to Lisbon, would you go again?

And if you’re planning a Portugal itinerary, I highly recommend starting in the Algarve. You can read about my Lagos experience here: Lagos, Portugal: Solo Travel & Friends in the Algarve Coast