Portugal · On a budget · 2 days · 12 stops
Lisbon on a budget: 2 days, mostly free
The best of Lisbon costs nothing: the viewpoints on the hills, the squares by the river and the evening light. On day one you walk from the city's highest terrace downhill to the Tagus and back up to Bairro Alto. Day two follows the waterfront in Belém, where you see a lot from outside and only pay if you want to go in.
In short
- Length
- 2 days, 12 stops
- Highlights
- Senhora do Monte viewpoint, Belém Tower, Santa Luzia viewpoint, Praça do Comércio, São Roque Church
- Where to stay
- Baixa and Chiado, Príncipe Real
- Getting around
- Explore the old town on foot – wear comfortable shoes, the paving is slippery and steep.
- Best time to go
- March to June and September to October are the most pleasant: warm but not hot.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Day 1
Viewpoints from Graça to Bairro Alto
Senhora do Monte viewpoint
The highest viewpoint in the city, often almost empty in the morning. You see the castle, the Baixa and the river at once.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Senhora do Monte viewpointabout 15 min on foot
Santa Luzia viewpoint
Walk down through Graça to the terrace with tiled walls. Then drift slowly through the lanes of Alfama.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Santa Luzia viewpointabout 10 min on foot
Confeitaria Nacional
A traditional bakery on Praça da Figueira. A pastry and a galão, milky coffee in a glass, make a cheap lunch.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Confeitaria Nacionalabout 10 min on foot
Praça do Comércio
Follow Rua Augusta to the square on the river. Just west of it, the Ribeira das Naus has steps down to the water to sit on.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Praça do Comércioabout 15 min on foot
São Roque Church
Plain outside, full of gold and marble inside. The church is free to enter; only the museum next door charges.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): São Roque Churchabout 5 min on foot
São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint
Two minutes on: the garden viewpoint looking across to the castle. In the evening street musicians often play here.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint
Day 2
Along the waterfront in Belém
Take tram 15E to Belém, about 30 min. From the stop it is a few minutes on foot to the tower.
Belém Tower
The tower in the water looks best from outside. Sit on the lawn in front of it in the morning sun.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Belém Towerabout 15 min on foot
Monument to the Discoveries
The monument and the compass rose with its world map are free. Only the trip to the top costs.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Monument to the Discoveriesabout 5 min on foot
Santa Maria de Belém Church
The Jerónimos church is free to enter; only the cloister charges. Vasco da Gama is buried here.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Santa Maria de Belém Churchabout 5 min on foot
Pastéis de Belém
One or two tarts at the counter as a sweet lunch. If you are hungrier, the side streets have simple places.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pastéis de Belémabout 10 min on foot
MAAT
The museum's curving roof is open to the public. From the top you get a free view of the river and the bridge.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): MAATabout 25 min on foot
LX Factory
Looking around the old factory costs nothing: murals, small shops and a bookshop among the printing presses.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): LX Factory
Good to know
Day ticket
There is a 24-hour ticket for the metro, buses, trams and lifts. It pays off on days with several rides, such as to Belém and back.
What is worth paying for
If you pay for one ticket, make it the Jerónimos cloister or the castle. Neither can really be seen from outside.
Eating cheaply
Dishes of the day in simple tascas, bifana sandwiches and pastries from a pastelaria are the cheapest meals. Starters placed on the table cost extra – just send them back.
For the best time to go, public transport and where to stay, see the 3-day plan for Lisbon.
Your plan
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Lisbon on a budget: frequently asked questions
Is Lisbon expensive?
Not compared with many capitals. The best experiences – viewpoints, riverside walks, squares – are free, and simple food is cheap.
Which sights in Lisbon are free?
All the miradouros, Praça do Comércio, São Roque Church, the Jerónimos church, the MAAT roof and the LX Factory grounds. Check church opening hours before you go.
More plans for Lisbon
- One dayLisbon in one day – walking route with mapFrom the castle down through Alfama to the river, then up to Bairro Alto in the evening – all on foot.
- WeekendA weekend in Lisbon: Friday to SundayFriday evening above the Baixa, Saturday by the river in Belém, Sunday on the castle hill – timed around your flights.
- 3 days3 days in Lisbon – a ready-made itineraryCastle, viewpoints and old-town lanes, plus Belém and a day among the palaces of Sintra.
- 5 days5 days in Lisbon with Sintra and CascaisThree city days with museums and gardens, plus a day among the palaces of Sintra and one by the sea in Cascais.
- With kidsLisbon with kids: 2 easy daysOne day with the aquarium, experiments and a cable car, one with model ships, a lawn to run on and a riverside tower.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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