Enjoy your time in Lisbon to the full with our list of the best things to do for every budget. Whether you like discovering hidden corners, trying delicious food or absorbing history, you can have a great time in the Portuguese capital, no matter how much you have to spend.
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The Best Free Things To Do in Lisbon
That’s right, there are some activities that don’t require you to spend a penny to soak up the atmosphere of this amazing city. Follow our tips below to have a good time for free!
Discover a neighbourhood on a self-guided tour
A big part of Lisbon’s draw is its patchwork of neighbourhoods, each with its own vibe. There are so many different areas to explore that getting lost is an activity in itself!
Need a helping hand? Try searching for a neighbourhood along with ‘self-guided tour’ to see what pops up, and here’s a list of some of our favourite areas to do this in:
Alfama
Historic Alfama – one of the oldest parts of Lisbon – is full of winding streets and staircases, and epic views like the one from Portas do Sol viewpoint. This district on the eastern side is where the music tradition of Fado comes from, a kind of folk song with musical accompaniment.
Bairro Alto
Bairro Alto is a hip and happening central part of town, where artists and cool kids have been hanging out since the 1980s.
Baixa and Chiado
Baixa – a flatter area with a grid layout, rebuilt after an earthquake in the 18th century – and Chiado, slightly smaller, more elegant and on a hill – are in the heart of the city, full of culture and history.
Principe Real
Roughly north of Bairro Alto, Príncipe Real is a fashionable and flashy part of town with great shopping and fancy bars as well as fancy mansions and antique stores.
Graça
Graça – just north of Alfama – has more of a local feel, and it’s also popular with the younger crowd – head here to get a bit off the beaten track.
Alcântara
On the western side of the city you’ll find Alcântara district, where popular shopping and eating destination LX Factory – a former industrial complex – is located.
Belém
Belém – a little further west – is famous for being home of the custard tart, or pastel de nata. Here you can take a walk along the Tagus river, check out the Monument to the Discoveries sculpture and see the impressive Tower of Belém.
Parque das Nações
A new, modern neighbourhood in the northeastern part of the city, close to the airport. You’ll find bars, theatres, parks, a large shopping mall and an ocenarium here.
Take a walk in Monsanto forest
Lisbon has some wonderful parks to discover – great for getting a different view of the city and enjoying some shade in the hotter months.
Check out Monsanto Forest Park (Parque Florestal Monsanto) a huge park with scenic walking trails and a kids playground. There’s also Jardim do Torel, a quiet spot that tourists generally overlook but it promises some green space and good views.
Browse Fiera da Ladra flea market
Fiera da Ladra is the city’s popular flea market that happens every Tuesday and Saturday in Campo de Santa Clara. You’ve got everything here, from trinkets and ceramics to antiques and second hand clothes. It’s a good place for a mooch if you have a spare hour or two. Sure, you could spend money here but why not think of this as a very vibrant, real life museum if you’re not wanting to part with your cash!
Check out Portas do Sol viewpoint
Whilst the hills and steep streets of Lisbon can be hard on the legs, the views are a treat for the eyes. To find them, search for spots with the word miradouro – which means viewpoint.
Some of our favourites include Miradouro das Portas do Sol in Alfama, which has a huge terrace with fab views out over terracotta rooftops and pastel buildings to the Tagus river. Over in Graça, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte and nearby Miradouro da Graça are other great spots for a view.
Do an underground art tour
The metro stations have some epic artworks – yes you’re paying for a metro ticket (single fare €1.80 / £1.50) but you’re also getting a free art tour while you move around the city! I love Olaias (red line) with its big red columns and multi-coloured ceiling panels, and Pontinha (also on the red line) with contrasting white and colourful tiles.
Explore the Lisbon of over 2000 years ago
Beneath the streets of Baixa Chiado, you can see evidence of the many different ages and stories of Lisbon’s past. Entry is free to Núcleo Arqueológico da Rua dos Correeiros, under the Millennium Bank, where you can soak up over 2,500 years of history. Look out for ancient roads, wells and even sardine tanks! To help bring it all to life, you can even sign up to a 45-minute guided tour for no extra charge.
Check out the money museum
The fascinating – and free – money museum takes you on a journey through the history of money in society, in both eastern and western cultures. There are even interactive exhibits where you can mint a digital coin or even print a note with your face on it!
Gaze at priceless treasures
The Gulbenkian Museum is a huge private art collection which usually charges a fee to enter (14€ / £11.70) but is free on Sundays after 2pm. If you can believe it, all this once belonged to one collector, Calouste Gulbenkian, and you can see everything from artworks by artists like Turner and Rembrandt to Persian wall hangings and antique furniture. You can enjoy the museum’s grounds for free at any time, and they’re a lovely spot to have a picnic in summer, or just people watch.
The museum is closed March 2025-July 2026 for renovations. Between April and September 2025 you can view a collection of around 200 artefacts on the gallery’s ground floor.
Watch a Fado show
Fado is a music style that originated in Lisbon and comes from a blend of various inspirations including folk songs and even Afro-Brazilian dances. A male or female vocal performer will be accompanied by stringed instruments and sing expressive songs about the struggles of daily life (fado means fate).
There are some places where you can listen to fado music for free – yes you might have to pay for a meal or snacks, but if you were going to eat anyway then it’s a nice way of adding something extra. Try Ai Nini or Tasca do Jamie for an authentic experience.
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The Best Cheap Things To Do in Lisbon
For a handful of euros you can try the local delicacies and get a hit of culture at some museums.
Try an oyster
Lisbon is known for having great oysters, so if you haven’t tried them before, this is a great place to – literally – test the waters. Head to Vila Bica to sample some local ones – they even run Oyster Weeks when you can get oysters for €1 each.
- Oysters from €1 / £0.85
Ride a historic tram
Lisbon is famous for its old-fashioned trams, that twist and turn through the winding streets in a quite frankly impressive way. No.28 is probably the most famous line, which goes through Graça, Baixa Chiado and Estrela.
Now these tiny museums-on-wheels are so popular it can be a bit of a squeeze to get on board, but it’s a fun journey to experience at least once. If you can hop on board at the top of the line at Martim Moniz early in the morning (the first one leaves at 5.40am – just saying!), you’ll maximise your chances of a more enjoyable ride. If you can’t squeeze on, head to Alfama and find a good spot to watch them pass – you can take cute photos that way too!
- Tram ride from €1.50 / £1.25
Pick your favourite Pastel de Nata
Everyone’s favourite tart, the pastel de nata, is a delicious custard tart originating from Belém, a district on the west side of town by the river, but you can pick up delicious offerings all over the city. At less than a couple of euros each, you can afford to keep tasting until you find your favourite. James and I did our own pastel de nata tasting tour which you can check out for inspiration.
As far as local snacks go, you can also try bifana, a local pork sandwich that makes a cheap lunch when you’re out and about. And you’ll definitely come across ginjinha, a local sour cherry liqueur that packs a (sweet) punch. Find a spot like Ginginha do Carmo that serves it up in a dark chocolate cup for the ultimate flavour sensation.
Time Out Market Lisboa is great if you want to find many dishes in one place, but for an authentic experience you may want to venture out to find where the locals eat!
- Pastel de nata from €1.40 / £1.15
- Ginjinha from €1.95 / £1.65
- Bifana from €3 / £2.50
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Check out our pastel de nata-focused walking tour
Sip sundowners on a rooftop
One of the great things about Lisbon is its many rooftop bars and restaurants, especially in the height of summer. Head to a spot and for the price of a drink – or two – you can spend a few hours admiring the view.
Try laid-back Park in Bairro Alto, which is on the top floor of a car park, or head to nearby Lumi rooftop, which is on top of Hotel Lumiere. Check opening times before you go as rooftops might have seasonal opening times.
If you’re on a budget, check out Honest Greens in Principe Real. It’s a healthy food chain that sells salads and juices, but what you won’t find in other stores is an incredible rooftop terrace with amazing views! What’s more, you can get refillable drinks here for less than €3 / £2.50 so it’s the perfect place to chill, rehydrate and not feel too guilty about overstaying your welcome…
- Drinks from €2.65/ £2.20
Get up close to Portugal’s azulejos
For lovers of the tiles (azulejos) covering so many of Lisbon’s buildings, there’s a whole museum where you can learn more about the origins of this art. The National Tile Museum is in an old convent which makes for some pretty impressive architecture too.
- Tile museum ticket from €8 / £6.70
Try authentic grilled chicken at Frangasqueria Nacional
Forget Nandos (in fact, you won’t find that chain in Portugal anyway!!!) there are loads of places you can try Portuguese grilled chicken and the great news is it won’t cost a fortune either.
You could head to Bonjardim for their piri piri chicken, but my choice would be Frangasqueria Nacional. It only has a few tiny tables so you’ll have to be lucky to get a seat! Fortunately, you can take the food to go and pitch up in a local park to eat it up.
Now, something should be said about the chef we had… She is a CHARACTER. When we went, she made out that she’d only just started the job, but the reviews told us otherwise! Haha. What she says goes – including the queue skips she gives to the locals. My advice? Just go with the flow and enjoy the chaos! The affordable chicken more than makes up for it!
- Half-chicken, sauce and a side from €8.50 / £7.10
Geek out at the Museum of Art Architecture and Technology
The Museum of Art Architecture and Technology is made up of a cool spaceship-like gallery building – which shows a rotating programme of art exhibitions – and an old power station where you can see restored machinery.
Another one to check out is the Coach Museum – now you know I love a National Express but this place actually displays a range of vehicles back to the 17th century, so more horse and cart than horsepower.
- MAAT ticket from €8 / £6.70
The Best Affordable Things To Do in Lisbon
Soak up the vibes in some of the city’s best bars, try an activity or explore attractive spots nearby.
Find tranquility in Jerónimos Monastery
Combine a visit to Belém Tower with a stop at Jerónimos Monastery. It’s an impressive gothic building made from beautiful white limestone that gives serious wedding cake vibes. I found it really peaceful here and a nice contrast to the busyness of town. My tip is to go just before closing time to experience a little dose of peace and tranquility.
- Ticket to Jerónimos Monastery €18 / £15
Get yourself a Lisboa card
If you’re in Lisbon for a short stint and you like to pack a lot into your stay, then the Lisboa card could work for you. You can visit most of the places in our list for free or discounted entry. And you get free public transport thrown in too! If you nab the card online before you arrive, you can get 5% off.
- Lisboa card from €25.65 / £21.40 for 24h
Savour the local Portuguese wine
Portugal is home to some delicious wines, so why not try a few at a wine tasting? You’ll get to learn about the history of wine-making in the country, the different regions that grow grapes and the many grape varieties. One of Portugal’s most famous wines is Moscatel de Setúbal, which comes from just southeast of Lisbon.
- Wine tasting from €16 / £13.35
Rent a sunlounger
Cascais is a popular beachside city near Lisbon with grand villas, top-tier beaches and a harbour that’s great for yacht-spotting. If you visit in summer, you’ll probably fancy escaping the city for a fresh sea breeze.
Get to Cascais on the train in about 45 minutes from Cais do Sodre. Popular spots for spending the day are Conceição beach and Tamariz beach, where you can rent sunloungers and parasols.
- Sunloungers from ~€15 / £12.50
Go on a bar crawl in Principe Real
The good thing about a night out is you can set your budget where you want, depending on which places you go to and what you drink.
Let me take you on a great night of food and drinks that James and I had in the area of Principe Real. We started at Oyster & Margarita for a few… oysters and margaritas, before heading on to Magnolia Bistrot & Winebar which also had amazing small plates. Next, we ticked off Jobim which had a great atmosphere as people had spilled onto the pavements, before finishing off with a few cocktails at The Bar.
Other areas known for great bars include Bairro Alto – head to The Old Pharmacy for some wine and cheese – and Cais do Sodre; you’ll find the popular Pink Street here, but if you prefer something a little more special check out 146 Bar in Corpo Santo Hotel.
See where the royals spent summer
Spend a half- or full-day trip visiting Sintra, a town just outside Lisbon where the royals once spent the summer months. There are a few grand spots to see, like the colourful red and yellow Pena Palace, which is a UNESCO world heritage site with lush gardens – don’t miss out on exploring these.
There are a bunch of other palaces too – those royals knew how to spend it – try the fantastical Quinta da Regaleira and its mysterious gardens, or the picturesque Palace of Monserrate. Catch the train from Rossio station and get to Sintra in about an hour, then catch a bus up to the castles – or jump on a guided tour. My tip is to visit on a weekday if you can, weekends get pretty busy!
- Entry to Pena Palace from €17 / £14.20
Discover Lisbon’s African connections
Lisbon has roots in African history, which date back to the time when Portugal had an empire and ruled parts of present-day Brazil and India, and some African countries including Mozambique and Angola. You can learn more about the African diaspora in Lisbon today, its history and its cultural legacy on a dedicated tour.
- African roots walking tour from €41 / £34.20
Make your own pastel de nata
If you’re itching to try your hands at making a delicious pastry, then get hands-on at a pastel de nata cooking class. Have fun trying to perfect the perfect flaky pastry as you learn the craft from an expert.
- Cooking class from €45 / £37.55
The Best Luxury Things To Do in Lisbon
Splash out on a fancy meal, take a memorable excursion or do some shopping to take back home.
Dine like Anthony Bourdain
Top restaurants are pretty well-priced in Lisbon compared to their European counterparts. You’re still splashing out, just not quite as much!
A couple of great spots here were on Anthony Bourdain’s hit list, and if they were good enough for him then they’re good enough for me! Try the octopus at Cantinho do Avillez (which was cash-only when we went) or splash out on the tasting menu at 2 Michelin-starred Alma, from famous chef Henrique Sá Pessoa (who also has a counter restaurant in Time Out Market).
- Mains at Cantinho do Avillez from €18.50 / £15.45
- Tasting menu at Alma €190 / £158.55
Take a helicopter ride
Adrenaline junkies can still scratch that itch on a city break – try a helicopter ride for a unique view of the city. This is definitely a cool way to escape the crowds! Opt for a private or group tour and get your phone ready for epic shots of the Tagus River and Lisbon’s most famous landmarks.
- Helicopter ride from €149.80 / £125.01pp
Set sail on a sunset cruise
Jump aboard an evening yacht cruise and watch the sun set. It’s a cool way to get a different view of Lisbon and makes for a pretty special moment – whether you’re with your mates or a date! Make sure you book one at the right time to best see the sky change from day to night.
- Sunset cruise from €38.20 / £31.88pp
Buy a dinner set
Lisbon is full of shops selling all kinds of ceramics, and there are some really nice dinner sets if you’ve got the cash for them. Get a whole matching set if you’re feeling flush, or perhaps a statement jug or bowl if not. Ceramicas na Linha is a good place to start.
- Plates from €7.90 / £6.60
Plan Your Trip With Our Best Things To Do in Lisbon for Every Budget
I hope our tips have given you some inspiration for planning your next Lisbon trip. Whether you’re counting your cents or blowing the budget, there’s planty to see and do at loads of different price points. Enjoy your time in Lisbon!
