We know that organizing an end-of-year trip requires a lot of work. At Natuaventura we want to help you with planning, that’s why we propose a 3-day plan in Lisbon to get to know the best of the Capital – With extra excursions included!
When traveling in large groups it is very important to be clear (very clear) about the itinerary to be followed. If the route is uncertain or if there are unnecessary detours, the students can get bored and tired, and this does not benefit the end-of-year trip at all. If you follow our itinerary, your visit to Lisbon will be a guaranteed success.
Day 1. Lisbon neighborhoods
The tour begins in the traditional neighborhood of Alfama. The most authentic and oldest neighborhood of the whole city. If you want a real experience, you will have to take streetcar 28 to go up there. Once there, there are viewpoints such as Santa Lucia, the Cathedral of Lisbon (Sé) and the famous St. George’s Castle. The Casa dos Bicos and the National Pantheon are also located at the top of the city.
If you visit the neighborhood on Tuesday or Saturday, don’t forget to check out the Feira da Ladra, the largest flea market in the city. The Alfama is a fishermen’s neighborhood, with peeling facades and a magical and charming atmosphere, so we recommend a leisurely stroll and wander aimlessly to enjoy it to the fullest. For lunch, it is best to stay in the area and eat in one of the typical (and inexpensive) restaurants in this neighborhood.
In the afternoon, change the atmosphere and move to La Baixa. This is the most commercial and touristic area of the city. A good place to start is Restauradores Square where the magnificent building of the Eden Hotel is located. In this square begins the Avenida da Liberdade, the most important of Lisbon, which ends at the Marques de Pombal Square, where the historic center ends and the modern Lisbon begins. Next to it is the Rossio Square with the National Theater; it is one of the most vibrant squares in the city. Later, take the pedestrian street Rua Augusta to enter the famous Plaza del Comercio, through the Triumphal Arch.
Night in Chiado and Bairro Alto
To get to these neighborhoods it is best to take the Elevador de Santa Justa or the Elevador Da Gloria which is in the same Restauradores Square. First visit the bohemian neighborhood of Chiado, rebuilt after the famous fire of 1988, with cafes and museums, and the famous Carmo square. One of the most famous places is the Café A Brasileira, on whose terrace a sculpture depicts Fernando Pessoa.
Our last stop is the Barrio Alto, reached by Rua Misericordia. Here visitors will find the liveliest atmosphere of the city, with its many bars and restaurants, as well as antique stores. It is the trendiest district of the city and probably, along with Alfama, the best place to listen to the traditional fados.
Day 2. Visit to Belém and Park of the Nations
Continuing with the 3-day itinerary of your end-of-course trip in Lisbon. On this day, it is best to take the Lisbon daily transport ticket, because you will move out of the historic center. First stop: the neighborhood of Belém, the most spectacular of Lisbon, with two of the treasures of the city: the Jeronimos Monastery, with a visit to its Church and Cloister and the Belém Tower, monuments that worth a trip to Lisbon. The advantage of visiting Belém on a Sunday morning is that many of its visits are free. You can get to Belém from Praça do Comercio by streetcar 15.
After this visit, visit the Parque das Nações, the Lisbon Casino and the area where the 1998 Exhibition was held. There you can also admire the monumental Vasco da Gama Bridge and, if there is enough time, visit the Oceanarium. The Lisbon Oceanarium is the largest indoor aquarium in Europe. It was built by the architect Peter Chermayeff as part of Expo 98.
Day 3. Excursion to Sintra
The 3-day Lisbon itinerary continues in Sintra. It is one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal. It is a World Heritage Site and is located within a natural park, just half an hour from Lisbon. This town, full of palaces and gardens, is a must if you spend more than 48 hours in the capital, so we recommend that you plan your time in advance so as not to leave anything out.
The most visited and acclaimed monument of this small city is the Palacio da Pena, located on top of a hill and whose varied architecture is reminiscent of a fairy tale. Columns, chimneys, colorful facades… If you want it to be one of your visits on your end-of-year trip, buy tickets in advance, as they tend to run out quickly. After seeing its interior, walk through its exterior gardens until you reach the Vale dos Lagos, and enjoy the natural landscape. Other important sights when visiting Sintra are: the Monserrate Palace, the Capuchin Convent and the National Palace of Sintra.
You cannot close the 3-day itinerary in Lisbon without visiting the Quinta da Regaleira. A wonderful place, where lush vegetation, fairytale towers and numerous hiding places are the protagonists. The history, secrets and mysteries that are hidden in Quinta da Regaleira make it an exciting and unique monument.
Extra! Lisbon Coastal Excursion: Cascais
With this itinerary, your 3-day end-of-year trip to Lisbon would be complete… except that you would be missing an important element: a visit to the coast. Schoolchildren love to spend some time on the beach, taking pictures, swimming, relaxing with their friends and classmates. For this reason, and as an extra point, we recommend a visit to the fishing village of Cascais, less than half an hour by train from Lisbon.
It is a stately village, where palaces and luxury hotels abound. Its urban beach and port are two of the most atmospheric places in the small town. Perfect for a walk and spend a relaxing day in the coastal area. Even, if you dare, you can rent bicycles in some of the establishments and ride along the promenade. The most touristic places to visit in Cascais are:
- The old fortress Pousada de Cascais
- Port of Cascais
- Carlos I Statue
- Santa Marta Lighthouse
- Palace Condes Castro de Guimaraes
- Town Hall Square
- Cascais Village Market
- Guincho Beach
Guide to organize your school trip to Lisbon
If you are thinking of organizing your school trip to Lisbon, you have come to the perfect place because in this guide is all the information you need before and during the trip: accommodation, gastronomy, transportation, possible itineraries, excursions…
Plan your school trip to Lisbon with Natuaventura, we offer you as many possibilities as you can imagine, and a team of instructors with more than 15 years of experience in school trips. Do not miss any detail!
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