Lisbon in three days, around Boom
Three days in Lisbon: Belém on day one, the old town by tram on day two, and Sintra or the beach on day three. Here is the plan, with opening times, transport and the Lisboa Card checked.
When you are in Lisbon on our Boom journey
On our Boom 2027 packages, flight travellers land in Lisbon on 17 July and are met on arrival. The coach leaves for the festival on 18 July.
After the festival you are back in Lisbon from 25 July, with a day on the Atlantic at Costa da Caparica, before Istanbul or the flight home. That gives you an evening before Boom and a couple of days after.
If you want three full days in the city before the festival, ask for a custom package from your traveller portal. Either way, the plan below works in three days, in any order.
If you only have the evening of 17 July
Keep it light. The flight from Mauritius is an overnight one with a connection in Istanbul, and the coach to the festival leaves the next day. A walk near the hotel and an early night will serve you better than a museum. Save the plan below for after Boom.
Day 1: Belém
Start west of the centre at Belém. The Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. Work on the monastery began in 1502, and the tower was built around 1514 by Francisco de Arruda.
Times and tickets
The tower opens from 09:30 to 17:30, with last entry at 17:00, and closes on Mondays. With a Lisboa Card, entry to the tower and the monastery is free, but the tower needs a timed slot booked online. Hours change, so check on the day.
Day 2: the old town by tram
Tram 28E runs from Martim Moniz to Campo de Ourique (Prazeres), through the old quarters. Its route is often diverted for works, as it was in spring 2026, so check Carris service alerts before you set out.
Add the Castelo de São Jorge above the old town. It is one of the free entries on the Lisboa Card.
Is the Lisboa Card worth it?
The card gives free entry to 51 museums and monuments, fast-track entry at 12 places, free public transport in Lisbon and discounts of 5% to 50%. Some venues on the list close for renovation from time to time, so check before you plan around one. Prices are on Visit Lisboa's shop.
Day 3: Sintra or the beach
Sintra
For history, go to Sintra. Its cultural landscape has been on UNESCO's list since 1995, and UNESCO describes it as the first centre of European Romantic architecture in the 19th century.
Costa da Caparica
For the sea, go to Costa da Caparica: about 15 km of beaches a short way from Lisbon, with buses from Praça de Espanha or Campo Grande and a small train along the beaches south of the centre. On our packages, the Costa da Caparica day is already included after the festival.
Getting around
The metro is the simplest way in from the airport: the red line was extended from Oriente to the airport in July 2012, with new stations at Moscavide, Encarnação and Aeroporto. Public transport in Lisbon is free with a Lisboa Card, which also covers tram 28E.
For Costa da Caparica on your own, buses leave from Praça de Espanha or Campo Grande, and a small train runs along the beaches south of the centre. On our packages, the coach transfers and the Costa da Caparica day are arranged for you.
Practical Lisbon
- Airport: 7 km from the centre. The red metro line has served it since 2012.
- Metro hours: about 06:30 to 01:00, last trains from the terminal stations.
- Money: Portugal uses the euro.
- Emergencies: call 112.
- Power: 230 V with European sockets, so bring an adapter.
Heading on to Türkiye after Lisbon? Read Istanbul and Cappadocia after Boom.
Questions
Is three days enough for Lisbon?
For a first visit, three days covers Belém, the old town and either Sintra or the beach, as in this plan.
How do I get from Lisbon airport to the city?
The red metro line has run to the airport since 2012, and the airport is 7 km from the centre. On our flight packages you are met on arrival.
What does the Lisboa Card include?
Free entry to 51 museums and monuments, including the Jerónimos Monastery, the Tower of Belém and the Castelo de São Jorge, plus free public transport in Lisbon.
Is the Costa da Caparica day included in your Boom packages?
Yes. After the festival, our Boom journey includes a day on the Atlantic at Costa da Caparica before the next leg or the flight home.
Can I spend three full days in Lisbon before Boom?
Yes, with a custom package. Ask from your traveller portal; nothing is booked until you accept a separate offer.
Sintra or Costa da Caparica for the third day?
On our Boom packages the Costa da Caparica day is already included, so Sintra is the better use of a free day. On your own, choose history (Sintra) or the sea (Caparica).
When is the Tower of Belém closed?
On Mondays, and on 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 13 June and 25 December. Check the hours before you go.