This is how I planned 4 days in Lisbon, Portugal including one day trip to Porto.
My friends and I have an agreement: one girls’ trip every year, no excuses.
Last year, we chose Tromsø for winter adventures, frozen fingers and the chance to see the Northern Lights.
This year, we decided to go for something a little warmer and sunnier — or at least that was the plan.
We chose Portugal, specifically Lisbon.
There wasn’t any particular reason behind it. We found cheap flights, we had all been wanting to visit Portugal for a while, and suddenly the decision was made.
What we didn’t realize at the time was that our trip would also include a hidden gem: Porto.
The original plan was simple: three days in Lisbon, one day trip to Porto.
Of course, the weather had other ideas.
Despite visiting in March, we experienced some of the heaviest rain I’ve ever seen while travelling.
But if you’ve read any of my other articles, you’ll know that I have a special kind of travel luck:
not good luck, not bad luck, just unlucky lucky.
Luckily, nothing could ruin this trip.
So, how did we actually plan our four days in Portugal?
Where We Stayed
First things first, we booked our flights separately.
Since I live in Norway, I didn’t need an eSIM for this trip because my regular mobile plan worked throughout Portugal. For destinations outside Europe, though, I usually activate an Airalo eSIM before departure so I can use Google Maps, book transport and stay connected from the moment I land.
I flew from Oslo, while my friends flew from Athens, and we all met at Lisbon Airport. We then booked our transfer from the airport to the accommodation from Get Your Guide here.
The plan for the 4 days in Lisbon was simple: spend three days exploring Lisbon, take a day trip to Porto, and then return to Lisbon for one final night before flying home.
For our Airbnb, we chose the Graça area, very close to Anjos and just above Martim Moniz.
It turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip.
Graça is one of Lisbon’s most authentic and scenic neighborhoods, known for its local atmosphere, steep streets and beautiful viewpoints.
We wanted all the things Lisbon is famous for: miradouros, old-city charm, historic trams and a more local feel.
Baixa and Chiado are also great areas to stay, but Graça stayed in our minds long after the trip ended.
I would absolutely stay there again.
How We Got Around the City
I always joke that I have a special kind of travel luck as I told you before.
Not good luck. Not bad luck. Unlucky lucky.
Something always seems to happen.
I lose my phone in Costa Rica and somehow find it again.
I travel to Tromsø to chase the Northern Lights and end up with fog covering the sky all night.
Lisbon was no exception.
Despite visiting during what should have been sunny spring weather, we experienced some of the heaviest rain I’ve ever seen while travelling.
At times it felt like the city was being washed away.
But that’s the thing about being unlucky lucky: somehow it never ruins the trip.
We still had sunny moments between the storms, we adjusted our plans when needed, and in the end the weather became part of the story rather than a problem.
To get around Lisbon, we mostly relied on two things: our feet and Bolt.
Strong feet, because Lisbon is steep. Very steep.
And Bolt because it was cheap, reliable and incredibly convenient.
The historic trams are beautiful and definitely part of the Lisbon experience, but they are also extremely crowded. When a Bolt ride costs only a few euros, it’s hard to justify standing packed inside a tram like a sardine.
So, how did we split our four days in Lisbon?
Day 1: Exploring the Historic Center
Santa Maria Maior: charming and historic neighborhood.
We started our first day in Lisbon by wandering through the streets of Santa Maria Maior, one of the city’s most charming and historic neighborhoods.
The narrow streets were absolutely beautiful, with colorful buildings, traditional tiles and hidden corners around every turn.
It felt like the kind of place where you could spend hours simply walking without a plan.
One thing that immediately stood out was how hilly Lisbon is.
We found ourselves constantly walking uphill, so comfortable shoes are definitely a must.
Thankfully, the views along the way made every climb worth it.
Praça do Comércio
and
Rua Augusta
From there, we made our way to Praça do Comércio, one of Lisbon’s most famous squares.
Located right by the river, it felt like the perfect place to take in the city’s atmosphere before continuing our walk through Rua Augusta.
Rua Augusta was full of life, with shops, restaurants and cafés lining both sides of the street. It was also the perfect place to stop for a pastel de nata while watching the city go by.
If you enjoy shopping, this area offers plenty of opportunities to browse local stores as well as international brands.
At the end of the street stands the impressive Arco da Rua Augusta.
Even if you don’t go up to the viewpoint, it is one of Lisbon’s most recognizable landmarks and a great spot for photos.
São Vicente, Largo das Portas do Sol and Jardim Júlio de Castilho
As we continued towards São Vicente, the city started to feel a little quieter and more local.
One of the highlights of the day was Largo das Portas do Sol, which offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Lisbon.
From here, we could admire the red rooftops, church domes and the Tagus River stretching into the distance.
Nearby, Jardim Júlio de Castilho provided another lovely stop with more fantastic views over the city. T
his entire area quickly became one of my favorite parts of Lisbon.
Throughout the day, the iconic yellow tram seemed to appear everywhere.Seeing it climb the steep streets and pass through the narrow alleys made Lisbon feel exactly like the postcards and travel photos you see online.
The city had a lively atmosphere, with small shops, local businesses and markets around almost every corner.
It was the kind of place where simply walking around felt like an activity in itself.
Misericórdia:
Lisbon’s liveliest neighborhoods
We finished our day in Misericórdia, one of Lisbon’s liveliest neighborhoods after sunset.
The evening atmosphere was wonderful, with busy restaurants, bars and people filling the streets.
After a full day of exploring, it was the perfect place to relax and enjoy Lisbon’s nightlife and Fado.
One of the highlights of our trip was experiencing a traditional Fado performance.
Even if you don’t understand Portuguese, the emotion behind the music is impossible to miss.
The atmosphere was intimate, the performers were incredibly talented and it felt like one of the most authentic cultural experiences we had in Lisbon.
Between the traditional music, local food and the historic surroundings, it was one of those travel moments that stays with you long after the trip ends.
I would recommend adding a Fado evening to any Lisbon itinerary.
Day 2: Belém, Shopping and More Time in Misericórdia
Misericórdia for Breakfast
After spending our first evening in Misericórdia, we enjoyed the neighborhood so much that we decided to return the following morning.
Seeing the area during daylight gave us a completely different perspective.
The streets felt calmer, the cafés were busy with locals and it quickly became one of our favorite parts of Lisbon.
Belém
No trip to Lisbon would feel complete without a visit to Belém.
This is where we stopped for one of Portugal’s most famous treats: the iconic Pastéis de Belém.
The queue was long, but it moved surprisingly fast and the pastries were absolutely worth it.
Freshly baked, warm and crispy on the outside, they were easily some of the best pastéis de nata we had during our trip.
Shopping at Colombo
Later in the day, we headed to Colombo Shopping Centre.
While Lisbon is best known for its historic neighborhoods and viewpoints, Colombo offered a completely different side of the city.
It was a great place to escape the rain for a while, browse the shops and take a break from walking up and down Lisbon’s hills.
Misericórdia for dinner
As the sun started to set, we found ourselves returning to Misericórdia once again.
The atmosphere after dark was one of our favorite things about Lisbon.
The restaurants, bars and lively streets created the perfect setting for another relaxed evening in the city.
Day 3: A Day Trip to Porto
Taking the Train from Lisbon to Porto
On our third day, we took the train from Santa Apolónia Station to Porto.
The journey itself was comfortable and easy, making Porto one of the simplest day trips you can take from Lisbon.The moment we arrived, Porto immediately impressed us.
Even the arrival station, São Bento, felt like an attraction in itself.
The historic architecture and beautiful interior made it one of the most memorable train stations I have ever seen.Before we had even started exploring the city, Porto had already made a fantastic first impression.
Exploring Porto’s Historic Center
From São Bento, we spent some time wandering through the historic center.The narrow streets, colorful buildings and relaxed atmosphere made Porto feel very different from Lisbon, yet equally charming.
Paço Episcopal do Porto
The weather was not entirely on our side, and at one point we decided to visit Paço Episcopal do Porto to escape the rain.What started as a practical decision ended up becoming one of the highlights of the day.
The building was stunning, and we were genuinely surprised by how much we enjoyed the visit.
Crossing the River to Vila Nova de Gaia
Afterwards, we crossed to Vila Nova de Gaia, located on the opposite side of the Douro River.The views back towards Porto were incredible and gave us some of our favorite photo opportunities of the entire trip.
Riding the Cable Car
One of the experiences we were most excited about was taking the cable car in Vila Nova de Gaia.The views over the river, the colorful houses and the famous Dom Luís I Bridge were absolutely spectacular.
Port Wine Tasting in Gaia
No visit to Porto would be complete without trying some Port wine.
We wandered through the historic wine cellars and tasting rooms, stopping for as many tastings as we could reasonably handle. I think we managed at least four.
Wine lovers will absolutely love this part of Porto, as tasting opportunities are literally everywhere.
Ponte Luís I
The iconic Dom Luís I Bridge was every bit as impressive as we expected.Whether viewed from above, below or while crossing it, it quickly became one of our favorite landmarks in Porto.
A Hot Chocolate Stop in Santo Ildefonso
Before heading back, we stopped in Santo Ildefonso for a warm hot chocolate.After a full day of walking, sightseeing and wine tasting, it was the perfect way to slow down and reflect on everything we had seen.
Porto ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the entire trip.
Day 4: Hidden Corners of Lisbon and a Local Market
Santa
Maria Maior
For our final day in Lisbon, we returned to Santa Maria Maior.
By this point, the neighborhood already felt familiar, and we were happy to spend more time exploring some of the streets we had missed during our first day.
São
Vicente
Rather than following a strict itinerary, we spent most of the morning wandering through the narrow streets of São Vicente.
This ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip.
The area felt quieter and more local than some of Lisbon’s busier neighborhoods, and simply walking around allowed us to discover beautiful viewpoints, colorful buildings and hidden corners that weren’t on our original list.
Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora
One of the highlights of the morning was visiting the impressive Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora.
The monastery is one of Lisbon’s most important historical landmarks, but what surprised me most was how peaceful it felt compared to some of the city’s more crowded attractions.
The architecture, courtyards and views over Lisbon made it well worth the visit.
Jardim
Botto Machado
Afterwards, we continued towards Jardim Botto Machado and stumbled upon one of the most enjoyable surprises of our trip: a large open-air market.
The market was full of local vendors, vintage treasures, handmade products, food stalls and unique finds.It felt much more authentic than a typical tourist attraction and gave us a glimpse into local life in Lisbon.
We spent far longer there than we originally planned, simply browsing the stalls and soaking up the atmosphere.
A Perfect Way to End Our Lisbon Trip
Looking back, our final day wasn’t about ticking off famous landmarks.
Instead, it was about slowing down, wandering through local neighborhoods and enjoying the parts of Lisbon that felt the most authentic.
Between the streets of São Vicente, the monastery and the lively market at Jardim Botto Machado, it was the perfect way to end our four days in Lisbon.
What I Would Change
Honestly, not much.
The weather definitely wasn’t on our side, but unfortunately that’s not something I can change.
If I could do one thing differently, I would spend at least one night in Porto instead of visiting it only as a day trip.
Porto completely exceeded my expectations and I would love to explore more of its hidden corners, viewpoints and wine cellars without feeling rushed.
As for Lisbon, I would probably add one extra day to the itinerary.
There are still places I didn’t get to see, including Cabo Raso and the famous Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra.
But maybe that’s just the perfect excuse to return.
And honestly, I wouldn’t mind coming back at all.
