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The best free and affordable things to do in Lisbon
If a Lisbon city break is on your agenda for one of this year's holidays, you'll be delighted to hear how much there is to do in the Portuguese capital. Aside from impressive day trip options like Sintra and Cascais, there's a lot going on in the city itself too.
And the best part? Some of these activities are either super cheap or - even better - completely free!
From the archways and sweeping plazas of Baixa to the cobblestone alleyways of Alfama, there's something special about Lisbon - no matter what time of year you decide to visit. While it's inevitable that you will need to shell out some cash for memorable experiences like a fado performance or to taste the best pasteis de nata in Portugal, there are so many ways to keep your Lisbon city break budget friendly too.
Here are our favourite affordable and free things to do in Lisbon.
1. Visit Lisbon Cathedral
Often simply referred to as Lisbon's Se, this is the oldest church in Lisbon and, fortunately, most of it is free to visit (apart from Sundays, when there are services). Built in 1147 and surviving multiple earthquakes, the cathedral has been renovated and modified countless times.
It's definitely worth a visit, and if you want to see more of the cathedral, like the choir and treasury museum, then it only costs 5 euros to do so.
2. Hop on Tram 28
This tram line is a must for all holidaymakers! Known as the tourist tram, Tram 28 runs from Martim Moniz tram stop to Campo Ourique, taking in some of the city's most beautiful neighbourhoods and sights along the way.
Plus, it's kind on your legs, since the tram traverses gradients of 13.5% in some places! For the price of 3 euros (when purchasing a ticket on board), you'll have a cheap and leisurely scenic tour through Lisbon.
3. Take in the view
Apart from the flat terrain in Baixa, Lisbon is actually quite a hilly city. Not only will you get a great leg workout, but this also means that the city is home to a number of excellent viewpoints - all of which are free to visit.
Known as a miradouro, it's a popular practice to head up to one of these viewpoints around sunset, often with a drink in hand. You'll also find that the most popular viewpoints have a bar nearby, all the better to while away the time as the sun starts to set. Some of our favourite Lisbon viewpoints are Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Miradouro das Portas do Sol and Miradouro da Graca.
4. Eat your fill at the Time Out Market
Like most food markets, entry is free and you'll find that the dishes will be cheaper than having a sit-down restaurant meal. And, with about 50 stalls operating within the Time Out Market, it's a chance to try out all the delicacies that Portugal is known for, like pasteis de nata, bifana and bacalhau.
The market is open every day from 10AM to midnight, with an extended closing time of 2AM from Thursday to Saturday.
5. Marvel at Parque das Nacoes
Created for an event called Expo 1998, Parque das Nacoes is now a redeveloped urban park that's filled with green spaces and otherworldly architecture. Like most of the places on this list, it's free to visit.
There are attractions that are based here, including an aquarium and casino, which do have fees attached, but much of Parque das Nacoes is free to explore. Gare do Oriente, the train station, is a marvel within itself, with delicate-looking archways that remind us of those at Carmo Convent.
6. Check out the street art at Galeria de Arte Urbana
If you're happy to walk up the steep streets of upper Lisbon, head to Calcada da Gloria to see some of the city's best street art. Of course, since it only depends on you walking to see it, this activity is free for everyone.
Consisting of numerous panels that are pre-approved but change on a regular basis, Galeria de Arte Urbana is the place to see up-and-coming and established street artists from Lisbon and beyond.
7. Go on a free walking tour
We love a good walking tour - especially when they're free*. They're always a great way to start your holiday so that you can get acquainted with the main landmarks, as well as getting a quickfire intro to Lisbon's history.
The Sandemans tour is the most highly rated in Lisbon; so much so that they actually run two different walking tours. One is in central Lisbon while the other focuses on the main sights in Belem. *Remember: while the tour itself is free, you should tip your guide at the end of the walk.
8. Explore Belem
Speaking of Belem, this neighbourhood is located on the west side of Lisbon, and you could easily spend a half-day or full day here - all for the price for a public transport ticket (3 euros if bought on board). Belem is home to sights like Belem Tower, Monument to the Discoveries, Jeronimos Monastery and one of the most famous bakeries, Pasteis de Belem.
Keep in mind that an entry fee applies if you want to enter any of the attractions, but you could easily just wander around and take in the sights from the outside. The only thing that's unacceptable to skip is getting a still-warm pastel de nata from Pasteis de Belem!
9. Catch a fado performance
Seeing a live fado performance is usually at the top of most Lisbon bucket lists. While there are plenty of places that offer fado performances, you usually have to book well in advance and it's usually quite expensive.
Luckily, there's Tasca do Chico, a fado venue that's located in Bairro Alto. There's no booking required here and there's no cover charge either, making it one of the best places for an inexpensive fado experience. However, the cat is out of the bag about how affordable it is, so you can expect queues and should get there early if you plan on seeing a performance.
10. See a bookshop like no other
One for the bibliophiles, Portugal is home to many beauitful bookshops; Porto's Livraria Lello is one such example and it's become so popular that you need to pay an entrance fee! Luckily, Lisbon's bookshops remain free to peruse and Ler Devagar has to be one of our favourites.
With its quirky decor and shelves that run over two levels, Ler Devagar can be found in the Alcantara neighbourhood, very close to the Alcantara - Mar station. If you're happy to simply admire and not buy the books, you can take in your unique surroundings from Ler Devagar's on-site coffee shop.