Before the wine, the cork forests, and the medieval hilltop towns of the Alentejo, give yourself a day in Lisbon, the city that started it all.
If you’re booked on BRAG International’s Portugal Bike Tour through the Alentejo, you already know the ride ahead is something special: wineries, converted convents, and a night under Dark Sky Reserve stars near Monsaraz. But before any of that begins, your trip technically starts in Lisbon. And here’s the truth every seasoned BRAG traveler will tell you: spending 24 hours in Lisbon before your tour departs is one of the smartest moves you can make.
On Day One of the BRAG itinerary, your flight lands in the morning, a driver whisks you to Évora for exploration and dinner. That’s not nearly enough time in Lisbon, and it comes right after a transatlantic flight. Arriving a day early means you land, you rest, and you actually get to experience Lisbon before jumping straight into cycling.
Why Arrive Early? (The BRAG Philosophy)
Crossing time zones and hopping into a full day of sightseeing, let alone a week of cycling through rolling Alentejo hills, asks a lot of a body still running on Eastern Time. Consequently, BRAG always recommends building in a buffer day before an international departure. Arriving 24 hours ahead of schedule means you can:
- Sleep off the jet lag in a real bed, on your own schedule
- Wander Lisbon’s steep, tile-covered streets without watching the clock
- Sample a proper Portuguese dinner before the group’s welcome meal in Évora
- Start the Alentejo adventure alert, rested, and genuinely excited
Think of it as a gift to the cyclist you’ll be a few days from now, coasting along the Ecopista do Ramal de Mora with clear eyes and steady legs.
Must-Do in Lisbon in 24 Hours
Alfama: Lisbon’s Oldest Soul
Start in Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood and the one part of the city that survived the great earthquake of 1755 largely intact. Its maze of narrow lanes, whitewashed houses, and hidden courtyards rewards aimless wandering more than any guidebook route. Climb toward São Jorge Castle for sweeping rooftop views over the Tagus River, then let the historic Tram 28 carry you back down through the neighborhood’s steepest curves. Fado music drifts from open doorways here most evenings, and a quick stop at a local tasca for a glass of vinho verde is the perfect introduction to Portuguese hospitality, the same warmth you’ll find waiting in Évora and beyond.
Belém: Where Portugal’s Age of Discovery Lives On
A short tram or taxi ride west brings you to Belém, the riverside district where Portuguese explorers once set sail for Africa, India, and Brazil. The Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a masterpiece of Manueline architecture and well worth an hour of quiet exploration. Just down the road, the Belém Tower guards the river’s edge, a fortified reminder of Lisbon’s maritime past. No visit is complete, though, without a stop at Pastéis de Belém, the original home of the pastel de nata since 1837. Order two, since one is never enough, and eat them warm with a dusting of cinnamon.
Baixa and Chiado: The Beating Heart of the City
Downtown Lisbon unfolds across Baixa and Chiado, rebuilt on a grand, orderly grid after the 1755 earthquake. Walk the length of Rua Augusta toward its triumphal arch, then climb into Chiado for boutique shopping, historic cafés, and grand plazas like Rossio Square. This is also prime territory for people-watching with a coffee in hand, good practice for the slower, savoring pace you’ll adopt once the Alentejo’s vineyards and cork forests come into view.
Catch a Miradouro at Sunset
Lisbon is famously built across seven hills, and its miradouros, or viewpoints, are where locals gather each evening with a drink to watch the sky change color over the rooftops. Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Miradouro da Graça are two of the best, both within easy walking distance of Alfama. Arrive early enough to grab a bench, order a chilled glass of white port, and simply watch the city glow gold. It’s an unhurried moment you’ll be glad you didn’t rush.
Optional Bonus: If You Have 48 Hours Instead of 24
Two full days in Lisbon opens the door to a day trip that many travelers consider a highlight of Portugal entirely: Sintra. Roughly 40 minutes by train from Rossio Station, Sintra is a fairy-tale hill town dotted with pastel-colored palaces, most famously the whimsical Pena Palace and the mysterious, moss-covered Quinta da Regaleira. It’s a full day on its own, so plan accordingly, but for travelers with the extra time, it pairs beautifully with the palaces and castles waiting later in the Alentejo, like the 13th-century Pousada Castelo Estremoz on Day Three of your BRAG tour.
Where to Eat in Lisbon
Breakfast: Start simply with a galão (Portuguese milk coffee) and a fresh pastry at a neighborhood pastelaria. Locals do it standing at the counter, and so should you.
Lunch: Head to Time Out Market Lisboa, a lively food hall near Cais do Sodré where dozens of the city’s best chefs serve small plates under one roof. It’s an easy, flexible way to sample Portuguese cuisine without committing to a single restaurant.
Dinner: For a proper sit-down meal, look for a traditional tasca in Alfama or Bairro Alto serving grilled fish, bacalhau (salt cod), or hearty Alentejo-style stews, good preparation for the farm-to-table lunches and regional specialties waiting for you at wineries like Fitapreta and Mainova later in the week.
Don’t skip: A glass of Portuguese wine anywhere you can find it. The country’s wine culture runs deep, and the Alentejo region you’re about to cycle through produces some of its finest bottles.
Lisbon Neighborhoods: Where to Base Yourself
Baixa/Chiado: Central, walkable, and close to everything. Ideal if this is your only day in the city and you want to minimize transit time.
Alfama: Atmospheric and historic, with steep cobblestone streets and fewer crowds after dark. A romantic choice, though pack light, since the hills are real.
Príncipe Real: A trendier, leafier neighborhood with boutique shops, garden squares, and a strong café scene. A quieter home base with easy access downtown.
Belém: Riverside and slightly removed from the city center, but a peaceful choice if you want easy access to the monastery, the tower, and the water without the downtown bustle.
4-Star Hotel Recommendations
- Alma Lusa Baixa/Chiado: A boutique property in the heart of downtown, blending Portuguese design with a genuinely central location.
- Torel Palace Lisbon: A hillside boutique hotel with panoramic city views, just far enough from the crowds to feel like a retreat.
- Hotel Avenida Palace: A grand, historic property near Rossio Square with old-world elegance and a prime downtown address.
- As Janelas Verdes: A quiet, ivy-covered townhouse hotel near the National Museum of Ancient Art, perfect for travelers who want charm over flash.
Practical Tips for Your Early Arrival
Getting into the city: Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) sits just a 20-minute taxi or metro ride from central Lisbon, making an early arrival simple to arrange on your own.
Getting around: Lisbon’s hills are steep, so lean on the trams, funiculars, and rideshare apps rather than walking everywhere. Save your legs for the Alentejo.
Currency: Euros are standard, though most hotels and restaurants also accept credit cards without issue.
Weather: Expect warm, mild days similar to what you’ll find throughout the Alentejo leg of your trip, so pack layers for cooler evenings.
Language: English is widely spoken in tourist areas, though a simple “obrigado” (thank you) goes a long way with locals.
Tying It Back to Your BRAG Adventure
Once your 24 hours in Lisbon wrap up, you’ll meet the group for the official Day One kickoff: a scenic transfer to Évora, the gateway to the Alentejo. From there, the real adventure begins: cycling past ancient olive groves, tasting wine at centuries-old estates, sleeping in a restored 16th-century convent, and stargazing beneath a Dark Sky Reserve near Monsaraz.
Arriving in Lisbon a day early doesn’t just fight jet lag. It gives you a genuine first impression of Portugal, on foot, at your own pace, before the group itinerary takes over. And after a morning wandering Alfama’s alleys and an afternoon savoring pastéis de nata in Belém, you’ll step into Évora already a little bit in love with the country you’re about to explore by bike.
Whether you’re spending 24 hours in Lisbon or stretching it to a full 48, arrive early, rest well, and get ready for one of the most authentic cycling adventures in Europe.
