Free things to do · Lisbon · Portugal
5 free things to do in Lisbon
Lisbon without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Lisbon without paying an entry fee: Praça do Comércio and Rua Augusta Arch, Alfama, the Sé and Santa Luzia, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte and LX Factory are all free. Use a rechargeable transport card instead of paying on board trams and funiculars, where tickets cost much more.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 5
- Low-cost extras
- 9
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Baixa
1.Praça do Comércio and Rua Augusta Arch
Sit on the Cais das Colunas steps at sunset, then walk west along the Ribeira das Naus riverfront to Cais do Sodré.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Architecture
Neighbourhood · Alfama
2.Alfama, the Sé and Santa Luzia
Start at Portas do Sol early in the morning and get deliberately lost on the way down; most lanes eventually lead to the river.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Views
Viewpoint · Graça
3.Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
Arrive about 30 minutes before sunset to find a spot on the low wall.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Alcântara
4.LX Factory
Visit on a Sunday for the LX Market stalls, and stop on the way between the centre and Belém.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Art
.jpg){kind=link}
Waterfront · Parque das Nações
5.Parque das Nações and the riverside cable car
Rent bikes or scooters to ride the flat promenade towards the Vasco da Gama Bridge.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Architecture
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Baixa | Praça do Comércio and Rua Augusta Arch | 1 hour |
| Alfama | Alfama, the Sé and Santa Luzia | Half a day |
| Graça | Miradouro da Senhora do Monte | 45 minutes |
| Alcântara | LX Factory | 1.5–2 hours |
| Parque das Nações | Parque das Nações and the riverside cable car | Half a day |
Worth a small ticket
Experience · Graça
Tram 28
Board at the Martim Moniz or Campo de Ourique terminus early in the morning for a seat, and keep valuables zipped away: the route is notorious for pickpockets.
- Time needed
- 40–50 minutes end to end
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Kids
- Views
- Photo spot
Landmark · Baixa
Santa Justa Lift
If the queue is long, walk up to Largo do Carmo through Chiado and reach the top-level walkway from there.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes plus queue
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Architecture
Museum · Avenidas Novas
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Bring a picnic for the garden, one of the calmest spaces in Lisbon, which is free to enter.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
- Outdoors
.jpg){kind=link}
Museum · Xabregas
National Tile Museum
It is east of the centre and away from the metro; take a bus or taxi and stay for lunch in the museum café's tiled courtyard.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
- Off the beaten path
Architecture · Belém
MAAT and the Tejo Power Station
Walk over the roof at sunset even if you skip the exhibitions, then continue along the river to Belém.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Art
- Views
- Rainy day
Historic site · Chiado
Carmo Convent
Combine it with Largo do Carmo, one of the prettiest squares in Chiado, and the upper walkway of the Santa Justa Lift next door.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Market · Cais do Sodré
Mercado da Ribeira and Time Out Market
Arrive before noon or after 3pm to get a seat; the traditional market side is best early in the morning.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Architecture · São Vicente
National Pantheon and Feira da Ladra
Time your visit for a Tuesday or Saturday morning to browse the flea market first.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Shopping
- Architecture
Viewpoint · Almada
Cristo Rei
Take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas for the river views, then a bus or taxi up to the monument.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours including the ferry
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- Use a rechargeable transport card instead of paying on board trams and funiculars, where tickets cost much more.
- Eat the prato do dia at lunchtime in tascas for the best-value meals in the city.
- Miradouros, the Alfama lanes, Praça do Comércio and the MAAT roof walkway are all free.
- Send back couvert starters you do not want; they are charged if eaten.
- The Lisboa Card pays off only if you combine several paid sights with transport, including the train to Sintra, on the same days.
- Visit between November and March, outside holidays and conferences, for the lowest hotel rates.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Lisbon expensive to visit?
Lisbon is moderately priced for most visitors, but 5 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Lisbon?
Praça do Comércio and Rua Augusta Arch: Sit on the Cais das Colunas steps at sunset, then walk west along the Ribeira das Naus riverfront to Cais do Sodré.