How To Spend One Day in Lisbon Before Your Cruise

You have one day in Lisbon before your cruise. What should you see? Where should you stay? And how can you experience the city in a short amount of time?

Let me start by saying Lisbon is full of things to do, and one day is nearly not enough time to see everything, but you can still see a lot.

You could easily spend several days here and still leave with a list of places you missed. That said, this itinerary will hit the highlights.

I recently returned from a Mediterranean cruise that began in Lisbon. As a frequent traveler, I have learned that the best pre-cruise plan is not about seeing everything. It is about seeing the right things.

The Portuguese capital has historic neighborhoods, beautiful viewpoints, grand plazas, colorful streets, famous trams, incredible food, and the Tagus River running through it all.

For my visit, I had limited time in Lisbon before boarding my ship. I wanted to experience the city’s history, neighborhoods, viewpoints, food, and personality.

My solution?

I booked a hotel in a convenient location, then took a tuk-tuk tour.

It turned out to be one of the best ways to experience Lisbon in one day.

Here is exactly how I spent my time in the city, where I stayed, what I would do again, and how I would plan 1 day in Lisbon before a cruise.

My Best Tip for Seeing Lisbon in One Day

There are plenty of ways to explore Lisbon. You can use public transportation, take a traditional tram, walk, hire a private guide, or create your own sightseeing route.

However, the best tip I can give you for seeing Lisbon in a short amount of time is to take one of the city’s tuk-tuk tours.

The Lisbon tuk-tuk tour I chose picked me up directly at my hotel, which was a huge plus because I didn’t have a car.

I also did not have to figure out where to meet the tour. I simply stepped outside and climbed aboard.

The tuk-tuk was also a great way to see more of Lisbon without spending the entire day walking the hills.

And trust me, Lisbon has hills. They are beautiful and historic, but will also make you rethink your cute travel sandals.

The tuk-tuk took me all over Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest and most traditional neighborhood. I could see several popular sights, enjoy the views, and still have time to explore on foot later.

My tuk-tuk tour gave me a wonderful introduction to the most scenic part of the city.

Save This Map for Your Trip

I’ve pinned every major stop from my one-day Lisbon itinerary so you can easily follow the same route before your cruise.

The Best One Day Lisbon Itinerary

After visiting Lisbon for several days, here is the itinerary I think works the best for someone who has a limited amount of time.

Morning: Explore Lisbon by Tuk-Tuk

You’ll definitely want to see Alfama, one of Lisbon’s most famous historic neighborhoods, and as I mentioned above, a tuk-tuk tour is the best way to do that.

This is the Lisbon you probably picture when you imagine the city, with narrow streets, colorful buildings, cobblestones, and laundry hanging from balconies.

Alfama is also home to some of the city’s most famous sights and viewpoints.

Your first stop should be the Lisbon Cathedral, also known as Sé de Lisboa.

Built in 1147, it is the oldest church in the city and one of Lisbon’s most recognizable landmarks. The cathedral has survived earthquakes, renovations, and centuries of history, making it a must-see for first-time visitors.

After exploring the cathedral, walk around the corner to the Museum of Saint Anthony. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s worth taking a few minutes to explore the small square outside.

One of my favorite discoveries was the beautiful entry wall covered in colorful flowers.

It made the perfect backdrop for photos and is one of those hidden spots that many visitors walk right past.

I always enjoy finding little surprises like this because they make a destination feel more personal than simply checking famous landmarks off a list.

From there, continue to Miradouro de Santa Luzia.

The word miradouro means viewpoint, and Lisbon has plenty of them. Each seems to offer a slightly different view of the city.

This was one of my favorite stops. Santa Luzia is especially beautiful with giant bougainvillea trees and gorgeous blue-and-white tiles.

You can look across the rooftops of Alfama toward the Tagus River. It is an easy place to pause, take photos, and simply enjoy being in Lisbon.

You will also want to visit Portas do Sol, another popular viewpoint.

The view here is spectacular.

This is the kind of place where you should slow down for a minute.

Take the photo.

Then put your phone away and just look around.

The last viewpoint, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, offers even another wonderful perspective over Lisbon.

One of the things I loved about seeing the city this way was that I did not have to choose just one viewpoint.

I could see several.

And each one told a slightly different story.

That is one of the reasons I recommend a one-day tuk-tuk tour of Lisbon.

You get an overview of the city before deciding where you want to spend more time.

Church, History, and a Little Shopping

There are many churches and historic sites throughout Lisbon, such as the Church of São Vicente de Fora.

The church and monastery complex is an important historic site in Lisbon. The architecture is beautiful, and the area offers another glimpse into the city’s long history.

We also made our way toward Lisbon’s famous flea market, Feira da Ladra. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, this area is especially busy with travelers who enjoy vintage finds, antiques, and browsing local treasures.

I love places like this when I travel.

Another nearby stop is the umbrella lined Pink Street. This street, along with Bairro Alto just a ten-minute walk away, is mild during the day, but transforms into a trendy nightlife spot after dark.

The bright pink pavement has become one of Lisbon’s most recognizable photo spots.

It is located in the Cais do Sodré area and is surrounded by restaurants and nightlife.

It is certainly different from the historic charm of Alfama.

Lunch at Time Out Market

For lunch, I recommend stopping at Time Out Market Lisboa.

This is a great choice when you only have one day in Lisbon since the market brings together a wide range of food and drink options under one roof. It is a popular stop for visitors who want to sample different flavors of Lisbon.

For cruisers with limited time, places like this can be especially useful.

You get a taste of the local food scene without having to choose from just one, since there are plenty of restaurant choices here.

At Time Out Market, you can choose from seafood, burgers, pasta, pizza, and just about anything else you can imagine, all under one roof.

Time Out Market also gives you a chance to sit down and recharge.

You cannot spend every minute sightseeing.

Well, you can.

But you will probably regret it by dinner.

Afternoon: Walk Through Historic Lisbon

After lunch, continue to explore Lisbon on foot.

You can’t miss Rossio Square, one of Lisbon’s most famous public squares.

The beautiful black-and-white wave-patterned pavement with two elegant fountains at either end of the square will catch your attention.

Here, you can pop into one of the many shops, including The Fantastic World of Portuguese Sardines. The circus-themed store offers unique souvenirs and fun sardine cans to take home.

Just a short walk away is another one of Lisbon’s most recognizable landmarks, the Santa Justa Elevator Lift. Built in 1902, the wrought-iron elevator connects the lower streets of Baixa with Carmo Square above.

Even if you don’t ride to the top, it’s worth stopping to admire its architecture and snap a few photos with the oddly placed statue.

From there, wander along Rua Augusta, one of Lisbon’s busiest pedestrian streets, before arriving at the impressive Arco da Rua Augusta and Praça do Comércio, the grand waterfront square overlooking the Tagus River.

You may also want to visit Livraria Bertrand, the world’s oldest operating bookstore, and stop at the Lisbon city sign before heading back to your hotel.

Lisbon Foods You Can’t Miss

Portuguese food deserves some attention when you visit Lisbon.

After a full day of sightseeing, we had dinner at A Valenciana, a Portuguese restaurant within walking distance of our hotel, the InterContinental Lisbon.

This was the perfect way to end the day.

Lisbon is also famous for fado, the traditional Portuguese music often performed in intimate restaurants and venues.

I did not try to fit a full fado experience into my already busy day. But it would be a wonderful addition for you if you want a more traditional evening.

At a typical Portuguese restaurant, you will find plenty of seafood, grilled dishes, traditional stews, cod, and pastries. My husband had been told we needed to try the Portuguese chicken, and it was so delicious.

Oddly enough, it was served with a huge plate of fries and rice pilaf. I’m not complaining, but it was a ton of food.

And, of course, when in Lisbon, you should make room for a pastel de nata at some point during your visit. These egg custard tarts are super yummy, especially with cinnamon sprinkled on top.

We tried them at several places throughout Lisbon, including with our huge breakfast at Bread & Friends Bakery & Pastry Shop.

What I Would Skip With Only One Day in Lisbon

This might be controversial, but I would not try to visit every major attraction.

You may want to visit Belém, home to famous landmarks such as the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower. You may also want to see the Monument to the Discoveries and sample the famous pastéis de nata from the Belém area.

All are worthwhile.

But with only one day before a cruise, you have to make choices.

Belém is farther from the historic center than the sights I mentioned. You can certainly include it in a one-day itinerary, especially with a private driver or a well-planned tour.

I simply preferred to focus my day on the older neighborhoods and viewpoints.

That will give you more time to experience Lisbon rather than spend too much of the day moving between attractions.

My advice is simple.

Pick a few things you really want to see.

Then leave room for the unexpected.

That is often where the best travel memories happen.

What to See in Lisbon in One Day

Here is how I would structure your day based on my experience.

Morning

8:00 a.m. – Breakfast at your hotel

9:00 a.m. – Start a tuk-tuk or private sightseeing tour

9:30 a.m. – Explore Alfama

10:00 a.m. – Visit Lisbon Cathedral

10:30 a.m. – Stop at Miradouro de Santa Luzia

11:00 a.m. – Visit Portas do Sol

11:30 a.m. – Continue to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

Noon – See São Vicente de Fora, the National Pantheon, and the flea market area

Afternoon

1:00 p.m. – Lunch at Time Out Market

2:30 p.m. – Walk through the historic city center

3:00 p.m. – Visit Livraria Bertrand

3:30 p.m. – Explore Rua Augusta and Praça do Comércio

4:30 p.m. – Take photos at the Lisbon city sign

5:00 p.m. – Stop for coffee or a pastel de nata

Evening

6:00 p.m. – Return to your hotel and rest

7:30 p.m. – Enjoy a quintessential Lisbon Portuguese dinner

Optional: Add a fado performance if that is high on your list.

This itinerary gives you a taste of Lisbon without trying to conquer the entire city in one day.

One More Reason to Arrive Before Your Cruise

I always recommend arriving in your departure city one day before your cruise.

Before our Canada/New England cruise, my sister’s flight to Montreal had an unexpected mechanical delay. If she had tried to fly in the morning of, then she would have missed the cruise.

Also, especially in Europe, employee strikes happen often, and you never know how that will affect your trip.

Our Lisbon to Rome cruise was delayed by a day due to a strike by the dock workers.

The point is, lost luggage happens, weather happens, airline delays happen.

You get the idea.

Arriving at least one day early gives you a buffer before embarkation.

It also means your first impression of Lisbon does not have to be a mad dash from the airport to the cruise terminal.

You can arrive, settle in, explore, eat a wonderful dinner, sleep in a real bed, and then head to your ship the next day.

That is a much better way to begin a Mediterranean cruise.

What Will You Do With One Day in Lisbon?

My time in Lisbon was short, but it was full.

That is the beauty of planning 1 day in Lisbon well.

I saw Alfama, stood at beautiful viewpoints overlooking the city, visited historic churches and landmarks.

I wandered through the historic center and found a famous bookstore.

I enjoyed Portuguese food, and I saw enough of Lisbon to know I want to return.

That may be the biggest problem with visiting Lisbon for only one day.

You will leave wanting more.

For cruise travelers, I think Lisbon is the perfect place to begin a Mediterranean adventure.

You just need to make your one day count.

And when your cruise ship pulls away from Lisbon, you will have more than a boarding pass and a suitcase.

You will have a little taste of Portugal to take with you.

And, hopefully, a very long list of reasons to come back.