48 Hours in Lisbon: Colour, Culture and Custard Tarts

In summer 2024 I spent two nights in Lisbon and completely fell for Portugal’s vibrant capital. With its pastel buildings, rattling trams and sweeping river views, Lisbon is one of those cities that feels instantly welcoming yet full of surprises.

Pink Street & the famous umbrellas:

We started in one of Lisbon’s most photographed spots: Pink Street. Once the city’s red-light district, it is now a buzzy little strip of bars and cafés with a candyfloss-pink pavement. Above it, the colourful umbrella installation adds a playful burst of shade and makes it feel almost like walking through an art installation. It is a fun place to wander, grab a drink and soak up the atmosphere, especially in the early evening.

Tuk Tuk Tour: the perfect Lisbon overview:

A real highlight of our stay was a tuk tuk tour of the city. Lisbon is famously hilly, and the tuk tuk made it so easy to cover a lot of ground in a short time. Our driver zipped us through the narrow streets of Alfama, up to viewpoints with incredible panoramas over the terracotta rooftops and the Tagus River, and past landmarks like São Jorge Castle, Sé Cathedral and the elegant squares of Baixa and Chiado.

It was the perfect orientation: we got the stories behind the sights, discovered little corners we might have missed on our own and could hop out at the miradouros (viewpoints) for those must-have photos.

LX Factory: industrial cool and great food:

One evening we headed to LX Factory, a former industrial complex that has been reinvented as one of Lisbon’s coolest creative hubs. Think street art, independent boutiques, concept stores and a fantastic choice of bars and restaurants. We ate here and loved the relaxed, urban vibe: twinkling lights overhead, music drifting through the courtyards and plenty of outdoor seating. It is a brilliant spot if you like somewhere a bit more local and creative than the main tourist streets.

Belém by tram & the original pastéis de nata:

No trip to Lisbon is complete without visiting Belém. We took the tram along the riverside out to this historic district, passing the 25 de Abril Bridge and getting a lovely glimpse of life along the waterfront.

In Belém we ticked off some of Lisbon’s most iconic sights: the Jerónimos Monastery with its beautiful cloisters, the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belém Tower standing proudly by the river. Most importantly, we made a pilgrimage to Pastéis de Belém, home of Lisbon’s most famous custard tarts. Warm, flaky, creamy and dusted with cinnamon, they are every bit as good as their reputation. Grabbing a box to share is an absolute must.

Getting around Lisbon:

For a capital city, Lisbon is surprisingly easy to get around. Many of the main sights are walkable if you do not mind a few hills, and there is an excellent network of trams, metro and buses to connect the rest. Tuk tuks are fantastic if you are short on time or prefer not to tackle the climbs, and there are plenty of taxis and ride-hailing options too. Over just two days we managed to see:

Pink Street and the umbrella installation

Alfama’s winding streets and viewpoints

São Jorge Castle and the historic city centre

Chiado and Bairro Alto

LX Factory

Belém, including the monastery, Belém Tower and riverside promenade

Lisbon is a brilliant choice for a short break: full of character, great food and sunshine, and easy to explore in a couple of days or to combine with nearby beaches or a trip to Sintra.

If you would like help planning your own Lisbon escape, from handpicked hotels to private tours and transfers, I would love to create a tailor-made city break just for you.