10 Free Things To Do in Lisbon
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Andalucia’s neighbor to the west is Portugal, and there are many fascinating and gorgeous places to discover there. Lisbon is Portugal’s largest city and has a lot to offer the visitor.
Put on your comfortable shoes and let’s explore Lisboa!
10 Free Things To Do in Lisbon
- Although Lisbon is the city of seven hills it is easy to walk around if you can muster the energy. Wander up and down hills and through the small and crooked alleyways of the Alfama and Mouraria. If you love taking photos you’ll find a lot of great photo opportunities and gorgeous views. Wear comfy shoes, you’ll find a lot of steps and pretty but uneven mosaic stone sidewalks.
- Because of Lisbon’s famous hills you’ll find viewpoints called miradouros. These are fantastic spots to take a break and some photos. Some of my favorites include Portas do Sol, Elevador de Santa Justa, Miradouro de Santa Luzia, and Miradouro da Graça. Excellent any time of day and even better at sunset.
- See how many different colors and patterns of tiles you can spot on Lisbon’s beautiful buildings. Any neighborhood is good for this, perhaps start in Barrio Alto and head to the Alfama.
- Go for a bike ride! You probably won’t want to huff up Lisbon’s hills but the pedal toward the ocean is much flatter. Follow the river from Parque das Nações to Belem for a ride on a pedestrian/bike path, or head to Cascais and ride to the beach at Guincho. Cascais is known to have a free bike sharing system called BiCas, but you might want to rent a bike instead.
- Lisbon has an amazing variety of street art. Head out with your travel companions on a hunt for the coolest graffiti. Of course you could also join a guided street art tour to learn even more.
- If you want to go inside the Tower of Belem you will have to pay an entrance fee. Luckily you can see the beautiful building and get a view over the river from the outside as well. Take a break in a riverside cafe afterward for a drink in a gorgeous setting with water views and the famous 25 de Abril bridge.
- Adjacent to the fabulous Miradouro da Graça you’ll find the Igreja e Convento da Graça, a convent with a cloister. Inside the building you can view stunning hand painted azulejos that are undergoing restoration. The scenes on the tiles are fascinating. Well worth the free entry!
CHECK OUT THESE 10 FREE THINGS TO DO IN PORTO TOO!
- Take a guided tour of Núcleo Arqueológico, also known as the Archaeological Center of Rua dos Correeiros. An archaeologist will explain remains of Roman and Islamic ruins under the floors and some of the items found there. The tour is about one hour long and is free!
- Fiera da Ladra is a fascinating flea market that takes place every Sunday and Tuesday. Even if you don’t want to buy anything it’s a fun place to people watch and look around.
- If you are visiting Lisbon when the weather is nice you might see a lot of sailboats and other leisure boats on the water. Looks lovely! To get out on the river for less you can hop on the public ferry to Cacilhas for just a few euros. From there, explore the crumbling buildings along the river or head uphill to the Christo Rei statue for stunning views.
- Some of the museums and monuments have free entry on certain days, usually Sundays and holidays. However sometimes the free entry is limited to local residents and you must show ID, like at the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos and Museu Nacional do Azulejo.
If you are on a budget you can definitely take advantage of these free things to do in Lisbon. Enjoy your visit to this beautiful city!
For information about how to get to Lisbon and Portugal from Spain, check out our guide to transportation.
