11 Terrific Things to Do in Belém, Lisbon
When in Lisbon, you need to try the tarts at Pastéis de Belém, then afterwards, check out some of the places on this list of the best things to do in Belém!
Lisbon is one of my favorite places I got to visit last year.
The entire city is beautiful and historic, while still having plenty of hip neighborhoods to explore.
But like most cities, things can get expensive, especially if you’re traveling on a budget.
That’s why I always research to find at least one or two free activities to check out while I’m staying in cities.
Lisbon was no exception.
Read on to find out some of my favorite free things to do in Lisbon!
1. Check out the Stunning Views
One of my favorite things about Lisbon was all the amazing viewpoints around the city, especially when it came time for sunset.
While you’re in town, you’ve got to set aside at least one evening to sit with a glass of port or wine while enjoying the beauty of Lisbon’s landscape.
These are some of the best free viewpoints in Lisbon:
- Miradouro de Santa Luzia e Portas do Sol
- Panorâmico de Monsanto
- Miradouro de Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen
- Mirador de la Señora del Monte
- Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
- Miradouro de Santa Luzia
2. Visit Museu do Dinheiro
The Money Museum is totally free to visit, and a fascinating way to spend your afternoon.
You’ll learn all about banknote printing and coin making, plus get to check out tons of old currency from different countries.
The museum is inside an old Baroque church, so anyone who appreciates architecture will also love checking out the details of the building.
They also have a lot of interactive exhibits which adds to the entire experience, especially if you have kids with you.
Address: Largo de São Julião, 1100-150 Lisboa, Portugal
3. Take a Free Walking Tour
Every time I visit a new city, I try to sign up for at least one free walking tour.
There are normally tons of companies that offer walking tours with different themes, so find one that resonates with you and make it happen.
Fair warning though, you will probably want a bit of cash on hand to tip the guide at the end of the tour, assuming you enjoyed it.
4. Relax in a Park
Lisbon has a bunch of really beautiful parks, so if you’re in town during the warmer months, you absolutely should take a bit of time to grab a coffee and stroll around at least one of them.
My ex and I made a routine of hitting up a different park each morning.
We’d get our coffees and a pastry, then find a bench to sit and read or have a cuddle on before starting our day of sightseeing.
These are some of my favorite parks in Lisbon:
- Guerra Junqueiro Garden
- Parque Eduardo VII
- Parque Florestal de Monsanto
- Garden of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
5. Admire Sé de Lisboa
If you’re into old churches or architecture, then you’ve got swing by Sé de Lisboa.
Its construction dates back to the 12th century, making it the oldest church in the city.
I haven’t been yet, mainly because I’m not massively into churches, but I’d love to take a quick walk around it one day.
6. Explore the Neighborhoods
Like most big cities, Lisbon has a ton of really cool neighborhoods to check out.
These are some of my favorite neighborhoods that we saw:
- Belém
- Alfama
- Bairro Alto
- Madragoa
- Baixa and Rossio
- Alcântara
7. Shop the Feira da Ladra
The Lisbon Flea Market is a blast to walk around browsing, though with this many treasures, be ready, browsing may turn to buying.
This place has everything from artisanal goods, vintage clothing, to old comic books, CDs, and records.
The market runs Tuesdays and Saturdays, so plan accordingly.
Address: Campo de Santa Clara, 1100-472 Lisboa, Portugal
8. Admire the Igreja de São Roque
Okay, since Portugal has such a religious background, so it’s not totally shocking to see another fabulous church on this list.
Like the rest of the churches, Igreja de São Roque has an impressive interior, lots of history, and beautiful paintings by Francisco Venegas.
Fun Fact: In the 16th century, this church stood outside the walls of the city, so its cemetery was where they’d bury people who died from the plague.
Address: Largo Trindade Coelho, 1200-470 Lisboa, Portugal
9. Hang in the Largo do Intendente
Looking for a chill area to hang out and people watch for a few hours?
Head to Largo do Intendente in Mouraria.
This square has tons of cafes and restaurants, making it the perfect place to watch the world go by.
Obviously, you’ll spend a bit of money sitting at one of these spots, so if you want to keep your afternoon spending free, find a bench near here to hang out, or stroll around shooting photos.
10. Enjoy Art at Galeria de Arte Urbana
Lisbon has some of the best street art I’ve ever seen. In fact, graffiti is one of my favorite things about wandering around this city.
Galleria de Arte Urbana is an open air walkway that is home to some of the best street art in Lisbon.
You can either take a tram up the hill or walk it, depending on your preference.
When I was there, we stumbled upon this area right after arriving in the city, so we took the tram up and had some wine on the hilltop to enjoy the view.
Then strolled down the hill on our way to dinner to really check out the artwork up close.
Address: Calçada da Glória, 1250-096 Lisboa, Portugal
11. Check Out Some Roman Ruins
Did you know that it’s a popular belief that Lisbon is four centuries older than Rome?
Because its location is perfect for trading, the Phoenicians settled in Lisbon around 1200 B.C.
The cool thing is that there are still Roman ruins around the city today.
These are some of the most popular ones:
12. Check Out the Home of the Portuguese Inquisition
The grand church of St. Dominic is where Portuguese royal weddings used to take place, so you know it’s a special place.
It’s even classified as a national monument.
These days, it’s not as elegant after surviving both earthquakes and fires, but it’s still absolutely worth taking a peek at if you’re nearby.
Igreja de São Domingos, where those condemned during the Portuguese Inquisition were held before being burned alive.
Address: Largo São Domingos, 1150-320 Lisboa, Portugal
13. Walk the Cemitério dos Prazeres
I know strolling around a cemetery isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, but I have a little fact that might change your mind.
Cemitério dos Prazeres is often called one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world.
You’ll see beautiful old mausoleums, statues, and tombstones, plus lots of cute cemetery cats wandering around.
Not to mention, there are some incredible views of Lisbon.
14. People Watch at Praça do Martim Moniz
This square is perfect for watching the world go by.
You’ll see tons of tourists lining up to ride the famous Tram 28, plus lots of locals rushing to get to where they need to be.
The center of the square is the perfect spot to sit, or if you want to spend a small amount, hop in the line for the tram.
It’s always long and takes at least 20 minutes to get through most days.
This way you get to watch people and kill time in line to cross off riding the most beautiful tram ride across town.
Final Thoughts
I hope this list of free things to do in Lisbon has inspired you to add at least one or two of these activities to your travel itinerary.
Let me know in the comments below what you’re most looking forward to checking out!
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