Lisbon, Sintra and Cascais: How to Plan the Perfect First Few Days

Lisbon, Sintra and Cascais sit within an hour of each other, which makes them the perfect start to any trip to Portugal. Here is a simple way to plan your first few days.

## Day 1: Lisbon's historic heart Begin in Baixa and Chiado, then walk up to the viewpoints over Alfama, such as Miradouro de Santa Luzia. End the afternoon at Parque Eduardo VII for a wide view down to the river. Keep the first day light, especially after a long flight.

## Day 2: Belém and the riverside Head west along the river to Belém. Admire the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery from outside, stop by the Monument to the Discoveries and taste a warm pastel de Belém, still made from a recipe kept secret since the 1800s.

## Day 3: Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais Sintra's Pena Palace, with its bright colours and forest gardens, is the highlight. Continue to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, then finish in Cascais, an old fisherman village with a small beach and a lively centre.

## Day 4 (optional) Use a fourth day for a slower Sintra visit including Quinta da Regaleira, or for a day trip south to the Arrábida coast.

## Practical tips - Sintra is busiest late morning. Starting early makes a real difference. - Lisbon is hilly. Comfortable shoes matter more than anything else you pack. - Staying in one Lisbon hotel for all of these days means no packing and unpacking.

These first days set the tone for the rest of a Portugal journey, and they connect easily with Porto, the Douro or the Algarve afterwards.