Lisbon-Belem-Sintra

Yikes. Looks like too much to me.

Although most of what you have listed here is doable in terms of getting from one place to another, you're not realy allowing any time at any of these places. Really, you have one day there. On your "Day 1" you arrive at the airport at noon. You have things scheduled to hop in a taxi 15 minutes after your flight is scheduled to arrive, and you're off to sightsee? This seems unrealistic. Where is your flight coming from? The US? What kind of shape are you going to be in that afternoon? Are you planning to lug your bag(s) along with you on that afternoon's sightseeing? You allocate roughly 3 hours, from your arrival (flight not on time? what happens then?) and in that 3 hours you have multiple places to see in Belem, then you jump in a cab and zoom off to a museum for 3 more hours. Then finally, at 6 pm you check into your hotel, and eat and sleep. That sounds like too much in too little time to me.

Your Thursday in Sintra looks perfect, though. I am hoping the previous day you did not fly halfway around the world and arrive jet-lagged though.

An hour is enough time to wander the castle. I'd steal a little of that time and use it to wander downhill through the Alfama.

These are all great attractions (I was there in September and loved it), but I think realistically you really have just one full day there. Your arrival day doesn't look realistic to me. Your departure day is probably doable, but get up early (consider the short days in the winter). Don't forget to factor in some time for basic tasks like checking in/out of your hotel, finding your way, eating, sleeping, etc. That stuff does consume some of your time, and it doesn't look to me like you've realistically accounted for that (at least not on your arrival day).

I any case I think you will probably love Lisbon (and wish you had more time there). Good luck!

Thanks for the reply David. I will arrive in Brussels from the US on Mon, so will have some time to rest before taking a short trip to Lisbon on Wed.(husband's in Brussels on business.This is a "day trip" for me). I'm only taking a small backpack w/toothbrush, t-shirt kind of thing and purposely keep it light for "day-tripping". That way, I can go straight to Belem ( hotel check-in not ready yet anyway),from airport. I'll probably only get 2 hours in Gelbekian, but ce la vie.
I thought I'd at least have opporunity on last day to see some of Alfama from public transport and the view from St Jorges. Afraid to get too "lost"that last morning, though. I have read horror tales on the RS new book update section from other travelers re how crazy crowded #28 has become, and I can just imagine. I am somewhat limited with the walking thing due to a physical issue. I'll need to be where I can find a taxi back to airport, though. Do you know if there is a taxi stand at St Jorges Castle?
Many thanks! I appreciate your help.
Sybil

Just two comments. The Gulbenkian collection is (in my view) nothing special; in any case it is small. I think you will have a hard time spending three hours there unless of course those particular materials hold special interest for you.

Sintra is very vertical so if you have difficulties getting around please do factor that in. Consider buying a sandwich or picnic fixings in the morning and eating your lunch at the wonderful Castle dos Mouros.

I think you've thought thing through pretty well, good luck, and good weather!

Thanks Adam for the reply.I'm planning on using bus # 434 to get to the sites in Sintra.
I appreciaate the time frame for the Gulbekian . I'll probably end up with more like two hours for that and I'm glad to hear that that may do it.
I'm excited and I'm sure what ever I have time to do will be worthwhile.

Thanks for your help, and I'll pack that umbrella!
Sybil