Here’s the 13 amazing free attractions in Lisbon. We’ve listed places you can visit and leisure activities that won’t cost you anything during your trip. Check them out:
1.Taking lots of photos in Lisbon’s Praça do Comércio
This beautiful postcard of the Portuguese capital is the most famous square in downtown Lisbon. Praça do Comércio, also known as Praça Terreiro do Paço, is located right next to the River Tagus.
The place tells a piece of the country’s history, since it was here that the former palace of the kings of Portugal, including King Manuel I, was located. The square is also one of the largest in Europe, measuring 180m x 200m. In other words, it is undoubtedly one of the 13 amazing free attractions in Lisbon.
2. Visit the Belém Tower in Lisbon
Another tip among the 13 amazing free attractions in Lisbon is to visit the Belém Tower, which was built over 500 years ago and is located on the banks of the River Tagus. It has served as a fort, prison, customs house and lighthouse, making it one of the most visited tourist attractions in Portugal.
Our tip for those who don’t want to spend the money to visit the Tower is to go on the first Sunday of every month, as admission is free. Be aware, however, that you need to arrive early as the place is very crowded on that day.
You can also take the opportunity to visit the Jerónimos Monastery. There is a entrance fee, but it is beautiful on the outside and houses a lovely little church (Igreja de Santa Maria), which is free to enter.
Important tip: To make the most of your trip is to stay in the best region. If you want, see our article here that explains the best area, hotels and how to save a lot on accommodation.
3. Going to Lisbon’s viewpoints
Lisbon is full of belvederes, which are the highest points in the city where you can enjoy beautiful views. Even if your travel time is short, it’s worth visiting at least one of them.
The most popular in Lisbon are the Miradouro de Santa Luzia and the Miradouro de Santa Catarina. They are always crowded, but you can look for other options such as the Senhora do Monte viewpoint and the many others in the Alfama area.
You can also visit the Monsanto Panoramic Viewpoint, a lookout point that has become very popular in the city. It has a 360º view of the region and is located in Alto da Serafina. The place is an old abandoned restaurant and therefore has a very street aesthetic, full of graffiti.
4. Walking around Parque Eduardo VII in Lisbon
Parque Eduardo VII was built in 1903 as a tribute to King Edward VII of England, who visited Lisbon to create an alliance between the two countries. As well as being very beautiful, this is one of the most famous parks in Lisbon. In other words, it’s one of the 13 amazing free attractions in Lisbon.
At the top, there is a viewpoint from where most of the photographs of the park are taken and where you can see the Portuguese flag.
5. Go to the Chiado district in Lisbon
On your trip to Lisbon, be sure to set aside some time to stroll through the beautiful Chiado district, considered one of the most bohemian neighborhoods in the Portuguese capital. This fame is due to its reputation as a stronghold for artists, poets, writers and intellectuals. It is also full of bars, restaurants, cafés, historical sites and beautiful buildings.
Chiado is located between the Baixa Pombalina and Bairro Alto neighborhoods, right in the heart of Lisbon.
6. Walking around the LX Factory in Lisbon
This tour will appeal to everyone, especially those who like to be in touch with different cultural spaces. The Lx Factory is located in the Alcântara area and was once an industrial complex. However, nowadays, even with its structure maintained, the place has become a large open-air leisure area, receiving many tourists, especially for the incredible view of the Tagus River.
What’s more, while you’re there, you can take advantage of the many markets, craft shops, bookstores and many places to eat and drink. That’s why it also deserves to be included in this list of the 13 amazing free attractions in Lisbon.
7. Step inside Casa do Alentejo in Lisbon
The place that blends Arab and Portuguese culture will give you a beautiful and unforgettable experience. Visiting the Casa do Alentejo in Lisbon will give you memorable photos of the place’s stunning architecture.
Inside, there is also a very chic restaurant and a more relaxed tavern serving the best of Alentejo food.
8. Going to Parque das Nações in Lisbon
This other tip among the 13 amazing free attractions in Lisbon is Parque das Nações. It was a former industrial area that ended up being modernized to become the site of the great 1998 World Expo, which took place in the city that year.
Today, Parque das Nações is one of the most visited places in the Portuguese capital. Walking there, you’ll find Oriente Station, the Lisbon Oceanarium and the cable car. Not to mention a variety of bars, restaurants and stores to check out.
9. Walking down Rua Cor-de-Rosa at night in Lisbon
This street was once famous for being a street of “red light houses”. Pink Street had a lot of brothels and was therefore often avoided by people because it involved a lot of drugs.
However, Lisbon City Hall wanted to change this image of the place and made a major artistic intervention in the area, turning it into Pink Street. Today, the place is a major tourist attraction and one of the coolest streets in the city for nightlife, full of trendy bars and people enjoying a relaxed atmosphere.
10. Going to museums for free in Lisbon
In Lisbon, the vast majority of museums have paid admission. However, they are usually free on a single day of the week. So, if you want to check out the museums there, go to the official websites of the ones you like best and check their free day – it’s usually on Sundays.
But be careful and arrive at the museum’s opening time, which is most often at 10am.
11. Visit the town of Sintra near Lisbon
The town of Sintra is one of the most beautiful in Portugal and is full of sights that transport us to another time in history. Here you’ll find splendid palaces and castles, which are worth the price of admission. You’ll also find a friendly tourist center with lots of old houses.
As it is located close to the Portuguese capital, it is very easy to take a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra.
12. Strolling along Cascais beach near Lisbon
This place is another option among the 13 amazing free attractions in Lisbon. It’s only a 30-minute drive from the city and has a beautiful center with wonderful beaches. As well as having been visited by the Portuguese royal family, it’s great for playing sports, seeing beautiful old buildings and fortifications and, of course, enjoying the beach.
13. Take a free tour of Lisbon
One of our top tips for doing something for free in Lisbon is the Free Tour. On these tours, offered by some companies, a guide takes you around the city and explains everything about the capital.
Although the tour is free, at the end almost everyone gives the guide a tip. We always use a website to buy Lisbon tours and tickets and there are more than 10 free tours on it. See some of them below and click here to book yours.
- Free tour of Lisbon (2h45, which is the most general tour).
- Free night tour of Lisbon (2h30).
- Free tour of Belém (2h30, which focuses on the Belém region).
- Free tour of Mouraria and Graça (2h30, which focuses on two super charming and unusual neighborhoods in Lisbon).
- Free tour of the Alfama neighborhood (2h30).
- Free tour of Bairro Alto and Chiado (2h30).
- Free fado tour of Lisbon (2h30).
- Free tour of alternative Lisbon (2h).
- Free tour of Lisbon’s illustrious women (2h30).
- Free tour of the Inquisition and slavery (2h15).
- Free tour of Lisbon’s mysteries and legends (2h30).
Save money on tickets to paid attractions in Lisbon
There are incredible tours that take you to see the best of Lisbon and several other Portuguese cities. We’ve traveled the world and found a great company that offers all these guided tours at very good prices. On our last trips, it was precisely this Lisbon Tickets website that we used.
As well as being one of the biggest ticket sellers in the world, the site is very secure and you can buy all your tickets in one place. By the way, it’s always cheaper to buy your tickets in advance, online, to avoid queues and to avoid wasting your travel time.
Save money on your trip to Lisbon:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Lisbon cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Lisbon. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
