Aug 28 – Sep 2, 2026 · 5nights

Lisbon

Hilltop castles, tram rides & pastéis de Belém

Overview

Lisbon at a glance

Attractions, hotels and restaurants — all on one map.

Attractions Hotels Restaurants
Day by Day

The itinerary

Day 6 Aug 28 (Fri)

Train to Lisbon & Chiado

  • Pre-9 AM Alfa Pendular Porto → Lisbon, arrive by lunch. Drop bags.
  • Walk to Praça do Comércio — the grand riverfront square Map
  • Tram up to Chiado, browse Livraria Bertrand — officially the world's oldest bookstore Map
  • Pastel de nata at Manteigaria Map
  • Light dinner at Time Out Market — everyone picks their own thing. It fills the south half of the historic 1892 Mercado da Ribeira; the north half is still a working morning fruit, veg & fish market (Lisbon's Bolhão equivalent) if you swing by earlier in the day. Map
Day 7 Aug 29 (Sat)

Old Lisbon climb

  • Morning: ride iconic Tram 28 end-to-end early (impossibly packed by 10 AM) Map
  • Castelo de São Jorge — Moorish hilltop fortress, panoramic views, and resident peacocks the teens will photograph endlessly ↗ Map
  • Lunch in Alfama's tangled lanes Map
  • Sé Cathedral, then wander down to Feira da Ladra flea market — Saturdays only, in Campo de Santa Clara Map
  • Evening: LX Factory — converted industrial complex turned creative quarter, with murals, indie shops, and great casual food Map
Day 8 Aug 30 (Sun)

Belém day + Fado

  • Train or tram 15 to Belém — the history-and-pastries day. Sunday works well: monastery is open (it's Mondays you must avoid).
  • Jerónimos Monastery — go early to skip queues; the cloister is the highlight ↗ Map
  • Pastéis de Belém — the original tart (skip the queue via the takeaway counter inside) ↗ Map
  • Belém Tower — check renovation status before going ↗ Map
  • MAAT museum — architecture + contemporary art (teens may enjoy this) Map
  • Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument ↗ Map
  • Evening Fado in Alfama: Mesa de Frades or Tasca do Chico (casual, no reservation needed) — even teens get into it Map
Day 9 Aug 31 (Mon)

Sintra day trip ⭐

  • Train from Rossio Station (~40 min). Buy palace tickets online in advance — Sintra sells out same-day in August.
  • Mondays are noticeably less crowded at Sintra than weekends — a real win for this slot
  • Pena Palace — the candy-coloured fairytale on the hill (morning) ↗ Map
  • Quinta da Regaleira — mystical gardens and the 9-storey spiral Initiation Well (afternoon). Teens think it's the coolest thing in Portugal. Map
  • Pro tip: a Lisbon-based driver for the day (~€180–220) avoids Sintra's parking nightmares and the long 434 bus queues
Day 10 Sep 1 (Tue)

Cascais & the Atlantic coast

  • Morning train from Cais do Sodré along the coast to Cascais (~40 min, frequent & cheap). Sit on the right for ocean views the whole way. Map
  • Wander Cascais old town — the marina, the fishing harbour, and tiny Praia da Rainha tucked between the buildings Map
  • Boca do Inferno — the dramatic "Hell's Mouth" sea cliffs and blowhole, a ~20-min walk or quick tuk-tuk west of the centre Map
  • Lunch on the cliffs at Mar do Inferno — pick your fish from the iced display and watch the Atlantic crash below Map
  • Afternoon beach time at the calm town beaches Praia da Conceição / Praia da Duquesa, or rent bikes on the seafront promenade toward Estoril Map
  • If energy allows: Uber/taxi out to Cabo da Roca for sunset — the westernmost point of mainland Europe, cliffs and Atlantic wind Map
  • Late train back to Lisbon — last full night. Pack tonight; Alfa Pendular to Aveiro in the morning.
🚆

Sep 2 — Alfa Pendular train to Aveiro (~2 hrs 20 min). Arrive mid-morning.