If You Have 1 Day

Take a stroll through the Alfama, the most interesting district of Lisbon. Visit the 12th-century Sé (cathedral), and take in a view of the city and the river Tagus from the Santa Luzia Belvedere. Climb up to the Castelo de São Jorge (St. George's Castle). Take a taxi or bus to Belém to see the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery) and the Torre de Belém. While at Belém, explore one of the major sights of Lisbon, the Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum).

If You Have 2 Days

On Day 2, head for Sintra, the single most visited sight in the environs of Lisbon -- Byron called it "glorious Eden." You can spend the day exploring the castle and other palaces in the stunning area. Try at least to visit the Palácio Nacional de Sintra and the Palácio Nacional da Pena. Return to Lisbon for a night at a fado cafe.

Up, Up & Away -- For a splendid rooftop view of Lisbon, take the Santa Justa elevator on Rua de Santa Justa. The ornate concoction was built by a Portuguese engineer, Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard, born to French immigrants in Porto in 1849. The elevator goes from Rua Aurea, in the center of the shopping district near Rossio Square, to the panoramic viewing platform. It operates daily from 7am to 11pm. A ticket costs 1€ ($1.15), and children under 4 ride free (Metro: Rossio).

If You Have 3 Days

On Day 3, spend a morning at the Museu da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, one of Europe's artistic treasure troves. Have lunch in the Bairro Alto. In the afternoon, see the Fundação Ricardo Espírito Santo (Museum of Decorative Art) and the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art). At the day's end, wander through Parque Eduardo VII.

If You Have 4 Days

On Day 4, take an excursion from Lisbon. Visit the fishing village of Nazaré and the walled city of Óbidos. Those interested in Roman Catholic sights might also want to include a visit to the shrine at Fátima, although seeing this on the same day would be hectic.

If You Have 5 Days

On the final day, slow your pace a bit with a morning at the beach at Estoril on Portugal's Costa do Sol. Then continue along the coast to Cascais for lunch. After lunch, wander around the old fishing village, now a major resort. Go to Guincho, 6.5km (4 miles) along the coast from Cascais, which is near the westernmost point on the European continent and has panoramic views.