Lisbon, Portugal | 10 Affordable Activities
Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal. It’s characterized by its sunny weather, delicious seafood, and the sight of tram cars running along its colorful, hilly streets. There are many affordable or budget-friendly activities in Lisbon, Portugal for those who are traveling on a budget. I slow traveled Lisbon and Portugal for about a month and I was able to (for the most part) stick to my budget of €30 per day.
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10 Affordable or Budget-Friendly Activities in Lisbon, Portugal
Go on a free walking tour with a local guide
I went on a walking tour with GuruWalk on my first day in Lisbon and I highly recommend it! You get to learn more about the history of the city from a local and you also get to hear their recommendations for things to do or places to eat. Additionally, you can meet other travelers on the tour which is great for solo travelers looking to make friends. While the tour is free, don’t forget to leave a tip for the guide.
Visit the beautiful miradouros
Miradouro means viewpoint in Portuguese and there are many beautiful viewpoints in Lisbon. Some popular ones include Miradouro das Portas do Sol and Miradouro de Santa Luzia, which are located next to each other. My favorites are Miradouro de Graça, which has a panoramic view of the whole city (you can see Castelo de São Jorge and Ponte 25 de Abril), and Miradouro de Santa Catarina, which sometimes has live music playing. Most of these are a bit of a climb to get to so be ready for some uphill walking!
Indulge in a pastel de nata
Pastéis de nata are Portuguese egg custards that are optionally sprinkled with cinnamon. They are flaky on the outside with creamy filling on the inside. They are called pastel de nata (singular) or pastéis de nata (plural) everywhere except in Belém, which is where they originated. In Belém, they are called pastel de belém or pastéis de belém. This pastry reminds me of home because we often indulge in 蛋挞, a Hong Kong-style egg tart.
My favorite place to grab a pastel de nata in Lisbon is Pasteleria Santo António. If you go to Belém, you have to go to Pastéis de Belém, which is where the original Portuguese egg custards were created. I paid €1.30 for one pastel de nata in January of 2023, so it’s a rather affordable treat!
Pictured in the rightmost photo are pastéis de nata that my friend (a solo traveler I befriended on a walking tour in Porto) gifted to me as leftovers from the cooking class she attended. They were delicious!
Watch the sunset from the Tagus River
Take advantage of Lisbon’s sunny weather, which receives an average of more than 300 sunny days per year. I watched the sunset along the Tagus River quite often during my time here. There are many spots to relax and watch the sunset across from Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square), the main historical square in the city. Alternatively, you could take a sunset cruise on the Tagus River. While I didn’t do this, I found one on Tripadvisor that has great reviews and is pretty affordable.
Hike to Cristo Rei and take in the panoramic views
Lisbon’s Cristo Rei is located in Almada, a neighborhood across the Tagus River, and reachable by a quick 10-minute ferry from Cais do Sodré. You’ll take the ferry to the Cacilhas station and use your Via Viagem card, which is the same card you use if you take the Metro. Click here for the ferry schedule.
Once in Almada, you can type in ‘Santuário de Cristo Rei’ into your GPS and start trekking. The walk was mostly uphill but wasn’t bad, and took my friends and me about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can stop at the famous Ponto Final restaurant for lunch before making the hike, which is what we did. Make sure you book a reservation for the restaurant ahead of time since they are very popular!
Visit the oldest bookstore in the world
Did you know that the oldest bookstore in the world is in Lisbon? Located in Chiado, Livraria Bertrand opened in 1732 and has held the record for the oldest bookstore still in operation. While the bookstore doesn’t physically appear old, it is cool to pop in and check it out. If you purchase a book from them, you can get a stamp saying that it was bought at the world’s oldest bookstore.
Wander around the Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Alfama neighborhoods
The best way to explore any place is to wander… and it’s a very affordable activity! Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Alfama are all picturesque neighborhoods to wander and get lost in. Bairro Alto comes to life at night but during the day it’s quieter and has many antique shops and bookstores to explore. Chiado is home to many elegant boutiques and shops, from local jewelry shops to brand-name stores. Lastly, Alfama is the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon and is home to many locals. During the month of June, locals open up their homes to celebrate St. Anthony and the streets are filled with festivities. In the rightmost photo above, you can see some decorations from previous celebrations. On any regular day, you can hear fado, traditional Portuguese music, from cozy restaurants after dark. Alfama is also home to many of the famous miradouros.
Visit Convento do Carmo
The Carmo church has existed since 1389; however, in 1755, an earthquake and fire destroyed the building. It was reconstructed in 1756 and now serves as a memorial to the 1755 earthquake (source).
The ticket to visit the ruins is €5 for adults. Many of the museums or historical sites in Lisbon are very affordable.
Check out the street art at LX Factory
LX Factory is a trendy and artsy converted factory complex featuring unique shops and restaurants. It is located in the far-west Alcântara neighborhood. I spent a couple of afternoons browsing through the Ler Devagar bookstore, art studios, and galleries. Also, there is plenty of street art to admire. I visited LX Factory and the Belém area in one area since they are both in the same direction.
Take in the views at Castelo de São Jorge
Saint George’s castle sits on top of Lisbon’s highest hill. Thus, the views from here are beautiful and rewarding — you can truly see so much of the city. The castle was founded back in the 10th and 11th centuries when Lisbon served as a Moorish port (source). There is plenty of history associated with the castle. Currently, it serves as a popular leisure spot for all who visit.
The admission ticket was €7.50 for those between 13 and 25 years old and adult tickets cost €15. Although this is pricier than most museums and historical sites in Lisbon, I thought it was still affordable and worth it to visit an important monument and see the panoramic views.
