Last week was my first time ever in the beautiful coastal, capital city of Lisbon, & I’ve fallen in love. From old heritage gems like the São Jorge Castle, the old city’s pastel-colored streets, to modern bridges and landscapes, and of course – the beaches, Lisbon has been a dreamy ride. Especially the innumerable scenic aerial views, given the mountainous landscapes. So, here’s me sharing my Lisbon Travel in Style Diary with you.

What

The capital & largest city of Portugal, Lisbon is a beautiful, lively, & everything you want in the coastal area. It is mainland Europe’s westernmost capital city and the only one along the Atlantic coast. It lies in the western Iberian Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean and the River Tagus. In fact, its westernmost areas also form the westernmost point of Continental Europe, which is known as Cabo da Roca, located in the Sintra Mountains.

A recognized global city, Lisbon is an alpha-level global city according to the Globalization and World Cities (GaWC) Study Group because of its importance in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, education, and Lisbon travel – tourism. Furthermore, it is also one of the oldest cities in Europe (& world), predating other modern European capitals such as London, Paris, and Rome by centuries. Julius Caesar made it a municipium called Felicitas Julia, adding to the name Olissipo.

When

The best time for your Lisbon travel can either be from March to May or September to October. The weather is warm enough during these months but the hotel rates are cheaper and there are fewer crowds than in summer. However, the beaches aren’t yet suitable to swim & untimely but expected rain can take away the fun.

The summer, as in any coastal city, sees hot temperatures and crowded shores.

3-days itinerary: Lisbon Travel

So, here’s my 3-day travel diary for a fun-filled time in Lisbon for you. The most important thing for me was to do as much as I could but still be able to relax & take in the ‘chill vibe’ of the city.

Day 1: Old Town (covering the city center)

The first day is to explore the best of what the city has to offer at its roots- the old town. Following are districts (more or less) that you must cover to quench your aesthetic thirst of seeing all the pastel buildings, having the authentic Portuguese food, more!

• Alfama

• Baixa districts

• Chiado

• Bairro Alto

• Cais do Sodre districts

Other than the beautiful character of the city, the major sites you’ll be covering here will be:

• Castelo de S. Jorge

• Praça do Comércio

• Lisbon Cathedral

• Queluz National Palace

• Príncipe Real (Shopping Market with colorful buildings & original style boutiques)

• Time Out Market (Food Hall)

Outfit:

Since today is all about exploring the beautiful old town districts, wearing comfortable clothes & shoes. However, you must always add a tropical flair to your outfit in a coastal city with a floral shrug &/or headband, as I did. (Get this shrug here; code ‘9ADITI’ for additional 15% off)

Day 2: Western Lisbon

The second day is dedicated to the western part of the city which has some beautiful old landmarks but in a very new & modernized shoreline & cityscape. Following are the must-visit sites when here:

• Tower of Belém

• Jerónimos Monastery

• Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Navigator Monument)

• Ponte 25 de Abril (Suspension Bridge)

Outfit:

Another day of a lot of walking around and exploring the western part of the city. Since you’ll find more modern landscapes & streets here (Except the Belem Tower), a contemporary outfit will suit you just right. Add a denim jacket on top to fend off the unforgiving sea winds. (Get a Denim jacket here; code ‘9ADITI’ for additional 15% off)

You must’ve noticed the super cute crochet white sling bag that I have carried throughout this trip because that just makes every outfit look so summary & coastal. (Get this crochet sling bag here; code ‘9ADITI’ for additional 15% off)

Day 3: Sintra

Now that you have done all the conventional & touristy things in the city, the third day is all about letting your hair down and immersing yourself in the scenic beauty that the beach metropolitan of the city has to offer. I recommend spending a full day here. Not only because there’s a lot to do & see here but also there some of the most scenic beaches in this ‘national park’ area.

Once you arrive in the Sintra center, using the train or a cab, here’s a check-list of the main sites for you here:

• Park and National Palace of Pena

• Castelo dos Mouros

• Azenhas do Mar

• Cabo da Roca – The westernmost part of the European Continent (Must Visit)

• Fervença waterfall

Most importantly, these are the beaches you want to be at:

• Praia das Maçãs (Apple beach: Popular)

• Praia Grande (closest, and certainly the most easily accessed)

• Praia da Adraga (Private & scenic):: where I was

• Praia do Magoito

• Praia da Ursa

• Praia do Abano

• Guincho

• Tamariz Beach

Outfit:

Day 3 is all about relaxing and experiencing the beach & nature up-close. So, don’t hold yourself back & go full bohemian with your outfit. I’m wearing a sheet crop-top with a sheer & lace black skirt, that has pockets! (Get this Skirt here; code ‘9ADITI’ for additional 15% off)

I also felt super beautiful pairing this outfit with a beautiful pair of platform tie-ups that worked amazingly on & off the beach. Although I did go to the São Jorge Castle wearing them, I recommend going to the castle on day 1 here, so it doesn’t count. (Get these tie-up platforms here; code ‘9ADITI’ for additional 15% off)

Other things to do:

Well, of course, Lisbon still has a lot more to offer. So, if you happen to have more time, the following places can be a great addition to your itinerary:

• Number 28 tram tour of Lisbon
• Parque das Nações
• Parque Eduardo and Av. da Liberdade or the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
• Alcântara, Santo Amaro Docks, and Lxfactory

So, that was my Lisbon travel diary. Do share with me if you think I missed out on something so I can cover that on my next trip to the beautiful city. I’d love to hear your thoughts on my travel in style diary & recommendations, so don’t forget to comment about that, too.

Big shoutout to my partner site Shein for all the featured outfits here & making this blog possible. Go show them some love, check out their daily updated collections, & get it all for an additional 15% off with code ‘9ADITI’.

For more of my travel in style adventures, keep following ERTSY. Till then, keep exploring, keep discovering!