How to Have an Awesome Time in Just 2 Days in Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

This whimsical city houses ornate palaces, gargantuan monasteries, and a patchwork of pastel hues in its cobbled streets, alleys and boulevards. Lemon, peach and pink renovated grand buildings sit side by side with crumbling hulks of dilapidated aristocratic housing. Trees and bushes sprout from decaying rooftops and modern boulevards intersect with uneven weathered cobbles. Frankly, 2 days in Lisbon will never be enough to see all this gorgeous city has to offer!

If that’s all you have, however, here are my top picks for a picture perfect weekend. Pack your trainers and a bottle of water and prepare to be wowed!

Jump on a hop on hop off bus for the chance to get your bearings and save your foot leather! There’s a selection of companies to choose from and each offers a number of routes so pick the one that best meets your needs. We took the Grey Line option and did the green line (historical) and the red line (Belém).

Start with the red line and jump off in Belém. First gaze in awe at the stunning UNESCO world heritage edifice of the Jerónimos Monastery (you can book a fast-track ticket if you want to jump the queues). The monastery was built in 1498 to celebrate Vasco Da Gama’s discovery of a sea route to India. Previously it housed monks whose role was to comfort sailors and pray for the king. What a job! In more recent years it has served as both an orphanage and school. The exterior is utterly exquisite with towers of gleaming white stone and fairytale turrets. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).