Free things to do in Lisbon

Lisbon is a European capital whose value for money has been proven by several international rankings. Full of surprises for its visitors, the city has spaces of great historical, heritage, natural, and cultural value, and many of these plans can be made economically or even free of charge.

Open events, free admission monuments, and no cost activities take place all over the city, bringing the best of Lisbon’s culture to its residents and visitors.

Come and see some of the suggestions we have for you about free activities in Lisbon.

Visit museums without paying

In Portugal, a common expression for gratuitousness is that “it’s free” and the fun fact is that you can even visit museums for free in the city.

Although they are globally paid, almost all of the city’s museums have a free day, and you should check the official websites to find out what this day is. In most museums, the free option is on Sunday morning between opening and 2 pm. In this range you will find places as interesting as the Chiado Museum of Contemporary Art or the Tile Museum.

Do Geocaching in Lisbon

If you have never heard of Geocaching, you don’t know what you are missing. This worldwide activity consists of a real treasure hunt, which leads its practitioners to follow, based on the application of the same name, the clues and coordinates to find boxes hidden in key points of the cities.

Lisbon has hundreds of geocaches, which you can search for and which by themselves will create a magnificent route to the most emblematic places, the hidden treasures and the most amazing views of Lisbon, without you spending more than the sole of your shoe.

Walking side by side with the Tagus

The Tagus is the river that flows through Lisbon and also the bearer of some of its most beautiful views. The city’s riverside area is prepared for you to take magnificent walks by the river.

It also has benches and green spaces along its route, where you can sit to contemplate the landscape, take pictures, or even read a good book with unique surroundings.

Visit the viewpoints

The Lisbon viewpoints route is a must-see, and it’s a plan that integrates the list of things you can do in Lisbon without spending money. These high points of the city offer the best views of the capital and often feature prominent architectural and historical details, including statues and ancient tiles.

We highlight, among the various viewpoints in the city, the Miradouro de Santa Luzia and the Miradouro de Santa Catarina: two must-see sites for those visiting the city.

Enjoy the gardens of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

The Gulbenkian gardens are free to enter, but are no less worth the visit. Besides the intoxicating beauty of the garden, which extends an invitation for you to sit on the grass and enjoy the Lisbon sun and the small surrounding forest, it also houses artistic collections of great value.

A space of artistic confluence in the capital, you will probably also be invited to enjoy the artistic expressions of Portuguese and foreigners, who often bring theater, music, or declamation to this place, simply for the pleasure of sharing.

Visit the Casa do Alentejo

The Casa do Alentejo is also a place that you can visit for free in Lisbon and that will transport you from the Alentejo to the Alfacinha culture, from one second to the next, helping you to expand your cultural knowledge about our country.

Besides the beautiful architecture that makes it stand out (and that you can visit at no cost), it is worth mentioning the restaurant where you can taste the Alentejo gastronomy. Although the meal plan is no longer free, believe me it will be worth the investment!

Walking in the Monsanto National Forest

The green heart of the capital is the National Forest of Monsanto and, fortunately for nature lovers, this is one of the places that offers free things to do in Lisbon.

Take advantage of the urban parks, skate parks, and trails of this forest to combine your favorite activities (rollerblading, skateboarding, or biking) with an intoxicating green environment where pure air and harmony reign.

Strolling at LX Factory

It was an old industrial complex and today it is one of the free plans to do in Lisbon that we most recommend. So we are talking about LX Factory.

This space has been transformed into an urban and artistic space where you will have a fabulous view over the Tagus River and can enjoy various artistic and gastronomic expressions, while also seeing much of Lisbon’s urban art.

Visit alternative galleries

Many art galleries in Lisbon present new artists of contemporary art. These emerging artists offer an alternative route through Lisbon’s art, in places like Sokyo Lisbon gallery, Underdogs, Campo Pequeno Art Gallery or Galeria Vera Cortês, among others. This is an opportunity to see what has been done by new artists, and if you want to turn the free activity into an opportunity, maybe you can even buy a work of art.

Getting to know Feira da Ladra

Every Tuesday and Saturday, the city of Lisbon hosts the traditional Feira da Ladra (flea market) and, although the products sold are paid for, enjoying the energy, dynamics, tradition, and life of this fair is one of the free things you can only do in Lisbon.

If you like knickknacks and can’t resist the cultural immersion of the places you visit, Feira da Ladra is, without a doubt, a place you can’t refuse.