It’s been a while since I’ve been to Lisbon and I feel like I’m the only person in the world that is not completely on board with the Lisbon hype. It’s beautiful and cheap (my favorite combination) and is easily bus-able from Spain, but I still can’t convince myself to return when I could instead visit somewhere new. If you ask me why I’m not completely obsessed with Lisbon, I couldn’t quite give you an answer. Maybe it’s the conservative vibe, or maybe it’s the similarity to its neighboring country Spain. Maybe, just maybe I didn’t spend enough time there to truly capture the essence that is Lisbon. However, if you instead ask me where is a pretty place to visit when you’re short on time, Lisbon would be my first answer. While I don’t see myself spending more than two weeks in Lisbon in the foreseeable future (and I really want something or someone to change my mind), Lisbon is the perfect location for a quick and inexpensive weekend getaway.

Lisbon and the surrounding areas, including Sintra and Cascais, have plenty to offer to travelers pressed on time looking to maximize their experiences. What I enjoyed about Lisbon– you’re able to to discover the country’s colorful capital without feeling completely rushed. Here are some must-see locations to visit while staying in Lisbon for three days or less.

1.) Climb the Tower of Belém

Tickets to the Tower of Belém are 6 euros on spot. The wait in line can be long if you go in the afternoon, so it’s better to get there in the morning. Despite Lisbon’s frequent cloudy weather, the Tower of Belém gives you a beautiful view of both the city and sea. Claustrophobes be warned, climbing up the stairs with little space and many people is a trigger. 

2.) Catch the Tram 28

Welcome to Lisbon! If the first thing you don’t do is catch the Tram 28, the super famous and iconic tram of Lisbon, you’ve done Lisbon wrong. I’m sorry, but I didn’t do this whatsoever (maybe that’s why I’m still ehhhh about Lisbon). I try to avoid tourist traps when I can, and honestly I’d rather spend my money on the local cuisine. But I suppose riding the tram would come in handy if you’re looking to give your feet a rest from walking all day.

3.) Ride the Santa Justa lift

For about 6 euros, you can catch Lisbon’s most historical and famous elevator, the Santa Justa Lift, at 150 feet in the air. Another tourist trap, but worth it if wanting to see the city from above. This is perfect for Instagram girls who want to let the world know they’re in Lisbon.

4.) Swim the beaches of Cascais

Unfortunately Lisbon’s weather was extremely bipolar, even in the middle of July, with on and off again clouds and drizzle, so I did not do any swimming. Though, that should not stop you from visiting the costal town of Cascais, which is a little over an hour away from Lisbon by train. With all of the the easily-accessible beaches near Lisbon, it is easy to transform your visit to the capital into a beach vacation.

5.) Visit the Boca do Inferno

Located near Cascais, the Boca do Inferno, otherwise known as “Hell’s Mouth”, is a super cool rock formation that gives visitors a peaceful spot to watch the waves of the Atlantic. I tend to gravitate more towards the natural spots of a city as opposed to museums and cathedrals, so I enjoyed navigating the rocky cliffs of Boca do Inferno for an hour.

6.) Take a day trip to Sintra

Sintra was definitely my favorite part of my weekend trip to Lisbon. A 30-minute train ride from Lisbon, Sintra makes the perfect half-day trip outside of the capital. Here you can visit the colorful Pena Palace and take a soothing hike through its accompanying national park. The best thing about Sintra, the city, the palace, and the park– it can be visited in under 6 hours, so it’s a great way to fill your day before the sun sets.

7.) Discover the Lisbon nightlife

I’m terrible at reviewing nightlife because I’m always blacked, but Lisbon is known for being one of southern Europe’s best party capitals. While it has nothing on party hubs nearby like Barcelona and Madrid (TIP: try not to compare Portugal and Spain, the Portuguese hate that), partying the Portuguese way means beginning your night at a bustling bar at around midnight and ending it at a nightclub in the wee hours of the morning. If you like to do drugs, cocaine is very easy to get from the drug dealers peddling you at 10 AM if that’s the type of shit you’re on. 

Check out my Youtube VLOGS on Lisbon, Cascais, and Sintra!