Traveling to Portugal is not exactly cheap. In addition to the cost of airfare and accommodation, you will have to pay for food, internal transport and tickets (all in euros, of course!), but there is no need to despair. To the general happiness of travelers, Lisbon has many free attractions that you can enjoy without spending anything! Get to know 14 free tours in Lisbon which will help you save a lot on your trip.
1 – Discover Praça do Comércio
Our free tour of Lisbon starts at Praça do Comércio. Also known as Terreiro do Paço, it is the most famous square in Lisbon, it is in the city center and very close to the Tagus River. It is one of the largest squares in Europe, a place full of history where you can walk around and take lots of photos without having to take your international card out of your wallet. It is worth crossing the imposing Arco da Augusta and also walking along Rua Augusta, a busy promenade, full of restaurants and shops.
2 – Walk around Belém
You also won't spend anything (apart from the sole of your shoes, obviously) to walk around Belém, the neighborhood where one of Lisbon's main postcards is located: the famous Torre de Belém.
The region also has other attractions, such as the Jerónimos Monastery and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos. It's worth taking advantage of the savings and investing a few bucks to taste the famous (and original) pastel de Belém, one of the most traditional sweets in Portugal. It's still worth doing a free guided walking tour of Belém.
The only pastel de nata that can be called “Pastel de Belém”
3 – Enjoy an afternoon on the banks of the Tagus
During your visit to Lisbon, the Tagus River will be a constant presence. You will have incredible views of it from all the important points of the city. You can walk along its banks or enjoy a pleasant afternoon on one of the “esplanades” (as they call the spaces with chairs along the river) without spending anything or take the opportunity to relax while spending very little, just ordering a coffee or a water.
4 – Discover the oldest bookstore in the world
Another free activity you can do in the Chiado neighborhood is to visit the Bertrand bookstore, considered by the Guinness Book to be the oldest bookstore in operation in the world. It opened in 1732 and is still operating! Even if you're not a reading lover, it's worth the experience.
Have you already booked a hotel for your trip? Check out our tips on where to stay in Lisbon
5 – Enjoy the view from the viewpoints (or viewpoints)
To appreciate Lisbon from different angles, it's worth taking advantage of the various viewpoints spread across the Portuguese capital. Most of them can be accessed free of charge, such as Miradouro da Graça, Miradouro Portas do Sol, Miradouro Santa Luzia, Miradouro Senhora do Monte and Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. Therefore, it is worth visiting more than one!
To make planning your itinerary easier, we made a video showing the main viewpoints to see Lisbon from above. The difficult part will be choosing your favorite.
6 – Take a free walking tour
Taking a free walking tour can be a great way to explore the city and learn more about Lisbon's secrets and curiosities. I personally love this type of program and think it's a great way to get to know cities when I travel. And believe me, there are free walking tour options for all tastes there.
Free walking tour of the Alfama neighborhood
You can take the opportunity to get to know more central regions, such as Baixa and Chiado, take an immersive tour of the Alfama neighborhood; a night tour to see the city lit up (complete with legends and mysteries); and even take a foray into more alternative Lisbon.
Check out the complete list of free walking tours around Lisbon, choose the one (or ones) that best suit your style and make a reservation:
| Free walking tour of Lisbon | Link to reservation |
| Free Tour of Lisbon | Book here |
| Free fado tour of Lisbon | Book here |
| Free tour of Bairro Alto and Chiado | Book here |
| Free tour of the Alfama neighborhood | Book here |
| Free tour of Belém | Book here |
| Free tour through unknown Lisbon | Book here |
| Free night tour of Lisbon | Book here |
| Free tour of Mouraria and Graça | Book here |
| Free tour of the illustrious women of Lisbon | Book here |
| Free tour of alternative Lisbon | Book here |
| Free tour of Lisbon's mysteries and legends | Book here |
| Free tour of the Inquisition and slavery | Book here |
It is worth noting that although the tours are free, it is good form to give the guide a contribution at the end. The value is your discretion.
7 – Stroll through Eduardo VII Park
Another beautiful and completely free place worth visiting is Eduardo VII Park, which was built in 1903 in honor of King Edward VII of England. It is one of the largest and most famous parks in the city. In the highest part of the park, there is a viewpoint from which you can have a great view! It is also a perfect place for a picnic.
8 – Visit Parque das Nações
Walking around Parque das Nações doesn’t cost anything either. The most modern neighborhood in Lisbon is easily accessible via Estação Oriente and brings together several interesting attractions. The region was revitalized for a fair in 1998 and it is precisely there that the Oceanarium, the Knowledge Pavilion and the Lisbon cable car are located. There are areas with gardens where you can walk freely, without paying anything. You will only have to pay if you want to access some of the museums or the cable car.
9 – Walk along Pink Street
Pink Street (or Rua Cor-de-Rosa for those close to you), is a famous street located in the Cais do Sodré neighborhood. It earned its nickname due to its vibrant pink pavement. Over the years, this street has undergone a significant transformation, becoming a popular nightlife hotspot in the city. With a variety of bars, clubs and restaurants, Pink Street attracts both locals and tourists looking for fun.
It's a lively place, especially at night when the neon lights come on and music fills the air, creating a vibrant, festive atmosphere.
10 – Take advantage of free days at the city’s museums
When you are in Lisbon you can (and should!) take advantage of the free admission days to visit some of the most popular museums in the Portuguese capital. Most offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month, but there is also free entry on other dates, so it's worth paying attention.
11 – Discover the Archaeological Center of Rua dos Correeiros
One of the coolest free tours in Lisbon for those who enjoy history is the Núcleo Arqueológico dos Correeiros. There you will have the opportunity to explore archaeological excavations beneath the city's buildings, with augmented reality simulations. It is possible to see artifacts, skeletons and other traces of civilizations that passed through the Lisbon region over time and understand how the city was formed; since before Christ, through the occupation of the Arabs and Romans. For those who like history and archeology, this is an unmissable program! Better than many paid tours in Lisbon.
The visit to the Archaeological Center of Rua dos Correeiros needs to be booked in advance, schedule your visit clicking here.
12 – Visit the Santa Justa Elevator
Another postcard that you can see for free is the Santa Justa Elevator. But calm down! To go up it you have to pay, there are always long queues and you can't see anything inside, besides it being hot and cramped (I'm sorry to disappoint you!). The tip is to go around the street to see the elevator from below and above, access is very easy and you also pass by the Ruins of Convento do Carmo, which are part of Lisbon's landscape and history.
13 – Walk (and get lost) through the alleys of Alfama
A free program that cannot be left out of your itinerary is a tour of the Alfama neighborhood, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Lisbon, located on the slopes that descend towards the Tagus River. Known for its narrow, winding streets, colorful houses, flower-filled balconies and steep staircases, this neighborhood is famous for preserving Lisbon's authentic atmosphere, with its traditional houses, small shops, taverns and fado restaurants. Furthermore, emblematic sites such as São Jorge Castle and Lisbon Cathedral are located nearby.
Alfama is a true labyrinth of charm and history, it's worth taking a trip free walking tour with a guide there (so there’s no danger of getting really lost, huh).
14 – Take a walk around the LX Factory
And to complete the free tour of Lisbon, don't miss a stroll around the LX Factory. A cultural and creative space that was once an abandoned industrial area and now houses a variety of companies, studios, shops, restaurants, art galleries, coworking spaces and cultural events. It is a meeting point for artists, designers, entrepreneurs and culture enthusiasts. LX Factory's unique and vibrant atmosphere makes it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
So, which of these attractions made you most interested? Tell us we want to know. Of course, these are just a few suggestions, you will certainly come across other free attractions in Lisbon if you pay attention while you are there.
If you have any other tips, leave them in the comments so that more travelers can get to know Lisbon without spending so much.
