Lisbon: The best free attractions and things to do
Lisbon is a fantastic city in which to eat, sleep and be entertained on a budget. Prices are generally lower than other European capitals, and even visiting the most popular attractions, it’s hard to break the bank.
However, to make your budget stretch even further, check out these tips on Lisbon’s finest free attractions.
Wander around the Alfama
The Alfama is the oldest part of the city — it was one of the few areas to survive the city’s huge earthquake in 1755. It contains sights such as the cathedral that do charge an entry fee, but there is a huge amount of pleasure to be had purely wandering around the neighborhood’s charming streets. Still largely a residential area, it’s got something of a village feel, with washing hanging out and residents stopping to chat to each other. Do pack comfy shoes to make the most of it, as the roads are steep and narrow.
Related: The best value hotels in Lisbon with doubles from $50/night
If you can afford to spare a euro, you could take part in the tradition of trying to land a coin in the book held by the statue of Saint Anthony outside the Igreja Santo Antonio. It could be a worthwhile investment — if you succeed, it’s said you’ll find a new or improved romantic partner!
Free walking tours in Lisbon
If you prefer to do your exploring in the company of a knowledgeable guide, book on one of Lisbon’s free walking tours. Discover Lisbon offer free tours of Alfama and Belém, or for a citywide introduction, join Lisbon Chill-Out — each tour guided by Lisbon natives.
Viewing the collection at Museu Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisbon. Photo: Pedro R
Take advantage of free entry to museums and galleries
Lisbon’s most popular attractions are ticketed, but there are a couple that offer free entry, such as MUDE (Museum of Design and Fashion). Many of the others have free hours, such as the Museu do Oriente (Museum of the Orient), which is free to enter on Friday from 6 pm to 10 pm. Sunday, however, is the day you should really channel your inner culture vulture — Belém’s 16th century Mosteiros dos Jerónimos and Torre de Belém are both free until 2 pm, as is the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art). The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian the impressively opulent collection of art and decorative arts amassed by a hugely wealthy oil magnate, meanwhile, is free all day.
Visit the markets
Perhaps the most famous of Lisbon’s markets is the historic Mercado da Ribeira, a daily affair selling fresh fish, flowers, fruit and vegetables and a place where you can explore and discover traditional Portuguese produce. Half of the market space is now given over to the Time Out market, lined with stalls by different chefs, food shops, and restaurants. It’s free and fun to explore, and while you’ll probably end up buying something, it’ll set you back considerably less than eating in a restaurant.
Flea market lovers should make a beeline for the Feira da Ladra, which takes place in the Campo do Santa Clara in the Alfama each Tuesday and Saturday. It’s far more reputable than its name suggests (it translates roughly as “thieves market”), selling homemade goods and souvenirs alongside secondhand and collectables.
For more artisan and vintage wares, visit the Sunday market in the fashionable LX Factory. A complex of former industrial units, it’s now home to artists and creatives alongside small shops and cafes making it the perfect spot for a weekend mooch. Well worth a look is the impressive bookstore Ler Devagar — although bibliophiles will find it hard to leave without a purchase.
Pick up a few pastry tips
You can’t leave Lisbon without sampling some — or several — of the famous pasteis de nata (custard tarts). You’ll find them in cafes and bakeries all over the city, available to eat in or take away. The guidebooks will probably point you in the direction of those available at Belém, but we recommend picking yours up at Manteigaria in the Baixa / Chiado area of the city. The free bonus is that you can watch the staff at work making this local delicacy through the day until midnight, hopefully picking up a few tips in the process. Wait for the bell to ring to know a fresh batch is coming out of the oven.
Hike up one of the hills for a spectacular view over Lisbon. Photo: Alessandro G.
See the city from another view
Make the most of those comfy shoes we told you to wear earlier and seek out some of Lisbon’s “miradouros”, or viewpoints. Being a city based around seven hills makes for plenty of picturesque spots to stop and admire the view. These viewpoints are an inbuilt part of city life, and you’ll find locals as well as tourists resting together. This list pulls together 30 of the best stops, although part of the fun is stumbling across them yourself.
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