22 of the Best Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal (My Budget-Friendly Picks)
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Lisbon has plenty to do up and down those famous hills, but if you’re on a budget, it can be hard to figure out what’s worth it.
Having solo-traveled through Lisbon—conquering everything from the Tower of Belém to fairy-tale Sintra—I’ve discovered exactly what’s worth the price tag and how to save a few along the way (hint: the Lisboa card).
This comprehensive list of things to do in Lisbon, Portugal, is perfect for first-time travelers who don’t want to break the bank.
From sipping ginjinha at a tiny window bar where locals lined up beside me to discovering the “better” pastéis spot my hotel concierge recommended over the famous original, I’m sharing my favorite sites, how long to spend at each, and how much they cost, so you can experience Lisbon’s magic without taking out a loan.
The Top Things to Do in Lisbon Portugal
Please note that all prices were last verified in April 2026—always check official sites to confirm pricing.
1. Visit the Tower of Belém
To start, check out one of the most famous sites in Lisbon, the Tower of Belém!
Commonly known as the Tower of Saint Vincent, this 16th-century fortification served as a key embarkation and disembarkation point for Portuguese explorers during Portugal’s Age of Discovery.
As the ceremonial entryway to Lisbon, the tower represents Portugal’s maritime strength and colonial dominance in early modern Europe.
Unfortunately, when I visited, it was closed for renovations, so I didn’t get to see inside it.
However, if you’re luckier than I, I highly recommend showing up early to the Tower of Belem, as when it is open, since it’s so small, they only let a certain number of people in at a time, which leads to wait times.
Either way, it’s gorgeous even from the outside set against the water.
⏳ Duration: 45 minutes-1 hour inside (+ possible 30-45 minute wait)
💰 Cost: €15
🎟️ Tickets: Included with the Lisboa Card or book separately
2. Spot Explorers at the Monument to the Discoveries
The Monument to the Discoveries is located by the river (not far from the Tower of Belem), where ships departed to explore and trade with India and the Orient.
This monument pays tribute to the Portuguese Age of Discovery, which occurred during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Its ship-inspired design showcases 33 figures from that period, featuring monarchs, explorers, cartographers, artists, scientists, and missionaries on both sides.
I tried to figure out who was who, but I didn’t have much luck LOL! You can find a list here identifying each person.
While this site is included on the Lisboa Card, I didn’t feel the need to go inside since the real magic is on the exterior (especially for history buffs like me).
However, you can take the elevator to the top for panoramic views.
Like the Tower of Belem, it’s small, so the number of people is limited, meaning there may be a wait.
⏳ Duration: 30 minutes inside (+ possible 30 minute wait)
💰 Cost: €10
🎟️ Tickets: Included with the Lisboa Card or book separately
3. Tour the Jeronimos Monastery
The Jerónimos Monastery is breathtaking with its vaulted ceilings and intricate details.
It reminded me a bit of the halls of Hogwarts, even.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts 16th-century Manueline (Portuguese Gothic) architecture, it’s worth visiting simply to appreciate its undeniable beauty.
Built to honor Vasco da Gama’s voyage to India, it houses tombs, including his, and celebrates Portugal’s Age of Exploration.
⏳ Duration: 1-2 hours
💰 Cost: €18
🎟️ Tickets: Included with the Lisboa Card (with skip-the-line) or book separately
4. Snack on Pastel de Nata at Time Out Market Lisbon
If you don’t know what Pastéis de Nata is, it’s an egg tart.
The original place, Pasteis de Belem, where they were made, is near the Jerónimos Monastery.
Following an ancient secret recipe from 1837, their bakery recreates it today by hand, using only traditional methods.
The concierge at my hotel, Quinta Colina, gave me her #1 tip that I’ll pass along to you!
She said there are better Pastéis de Nata at the Time Out Market Lisbon, where you can enjoy some of the city’s best meals.
I know! It’s wild to say the original place isn’t as good, but it’s true!!!
Inside the market, head to Manteigaria for the best ones.
There are also tons of other places to check out within Time Out.
I had a blast going from booth to booth to see what was on offer, so much so that I went twice during my 3 days in Lisbon!
⏳ Duration: 30 minutes-1 hour (depending on lines and how much you order)
💰 Cost: €
5. See How the Royals Lived—Palacio Nacional da Ajuda
One of my favorites on this list of things to do in Lisbon Portugal is the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, also known as the Ajuda National Palace.
It is a national monument that showcases Portugal’s royal heritage.
Before my trip to Portugal, I knew little about their royal family.
However, my visit to the Ajuda National Palace gave me a glimpse of the opulent 19th-century lifestyle of the Portuguese royal family.
The palace features ornate interiors and 18th- and 19th-century art collections, as well as a music room, private apartments, state rooms, gold and silver works, textiles, furniture, ceramics, paintings, sculptures, and photographs.
It was also surprisingly very empty, so if you’re looking to get away from crowds, this is the ticket!
⏳ Duration: 1-2 hours
💰 Cost: €15
🎟️ Tickets: Included with the Lisboa Card or book separately
6. See the Most Expensive Chapel in Europe—Igreja de São Roque
Igreja de São Roque is Lisbon’s richest Catholic church despite its plain façade.
Upon completion, the Chapel of St. John the Baptist was said to be the most expensive chapel in Europe, funded by the gold and other wealth that flowed to Portugal from Brazil.
The chapel features gold, ivory, lapis lazuli, and agate, with mosaics that resemble paintings.
It really is a heck of a lot of work they put into this chapel!
There’s also a museum inside that houses paintings, sculptures, jewelry, tabernacles, manuscripts, and more. But the real show stopper is the chapel.
⏳ Duration: 15 for the chapel, 30-45 if you’re visiting the museum
💰 Cost: €8
🎟️ Tickets: Museum is 50% off with the Lisboa Card or buy on-site
7. Explore the Carmo Archaeology Museum
The Carmo Archaeology Museum, established in 1389, now serves as an Art and Archaeology museum.
In the mid-nineteenth century, a romantic interest in ruins led to a decision to halt the reconstruction of the building (after the earthquake), leaving the church’s naves exposed.
Honestly, this is why I mostly went. Seeing this shell of the church with the sky above is magical.
In 1864, the Archaeological Museum of Carmo became the country’s first Art and Archaeology museum, established to protect national heritage.
It has since collected numerous architectural and sculptural fragments, including funerary monuments, tile panels, weapons, and even mummies!
An audio-visual show was running on an endless loop in the last exhibit room that offered a brief history and overview of the convent.
It’s a great place to sit down, get out of the heat, and just relax and watch for a bit.
⏳ Duration: 30-45 minutes
💰 Cost: €7
🎟️ Tickets: 20% off with the Lisboa Card or buy on-site
8. Go Book Shopping at Livraria Bertrand
Livraria Bertrand is a Portuguese book retailer founded in 1732.
The original store, located in Lisbon, was declared the world’s oldest operating bookstore by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2011.
If you’re bookish like me, or have a loved one who is, this is a great place to mail them a postcard or pick up something for them as a souvenir.
However, do make sure to ask for proper postage.
I think I goofed on that, as none of my postcards made it home, sadly.
⏳ Duration: 15-30 minutes
💰 Cost: Free, unless you buy something
9. Try Landeau Chocolate
I visited Landeau Chocolate as I had heard time and time again how it’s the “best chocolate cake.”
And I have to say it is pretty good, certainly over O Melhor do mundo bolo de chocolate, which literally translates to the best chocolate pie of the world.
O Melhor wasn’t bad; it just didn’t deserve the title, so if you’re torn between the two to try, my vote is Landeau.
Landeau’s cake is creamy, almost like a chocolate mousse, while the bottom layer is dense and rich, like a flourless chocolate cake.
⏳ Duration: 15-30 minutes
💰 Cost: €4 to €5
10. Stroll Down Pink Street
You’ve probably seen this Pink Street while browsing Instagram.
If you’re interested in visiting to grab some pictures, go ahead. However, I’m not a big fan of taking photos of myself.
Instead, I just wandered down the street a bit and took in the rainbow umbrellas before moving on.
As a side note, the pink hue has transformed the street’s image from one of disrepute to a lively nightlife hub.
Now, numerous bars, restaurants, and clubs thrive on this street, so it may be a place for you to check out at night!
⏳ Duration: 15-30 minutes
💰 Cost: Free
11. Take a Shot of Ginjinha
Ginjinha is a thick, cherry-flavored liqueur often served in small bars throughout Lisbon.
Apparently, several locations throughout the city serve it, but I discovered that it was being served from a window near my hotel.
Address: Largo São Domingos 8, 1150-320 Lisboa, Portugal
A line of people is usually waiting for their serving, so go with a bit of patience. But it was totally safe, even while solo in Lisbon.
Each shot costs around €1.50 and is available from 10 am to 10 pm.
Did I love the sticky, sweet taste? Well… let’s just say I only drank it once, but hey, when in Rome!
⏳ Duration: 15-30 minutes
💰 Cost: €1.50/shot
12. Wander the Praça do Comércio
Another Instagram favorite, but this one I actually highly recommend as it’s gorgeous!
The Praça do Comércio is home to government agencies, Lisbon’s primary tourist office (Ask Me Lisboa, where you can pick up your Lisboa Card), along with various restaurants and cafes.
It’s a beautiful spot to grab a coffee or a meal.
Or just a wander, as opposite this lovely sight is the water.
Highly recommend visiting either early in the morning or at sunset for glowing views.
⏳ Duration: 15 minutes (longer if you’re snacking/drinking)
💰 Cost: Free
13. Visit the Interactive Museum at Lisbon Story Centre
Next to the tourist office, you’ll find the Lisbon Story Centre, an interactive venue that immerses visitors in Lisbon’s fascinating history.
Included with the Lisboa Card, this small museum offers a child-friendly perspective on Lisbon’s history, showcasing the key facts and events that have influenced the city.
This is probably the first time I’ve ever visited a museum in a tourist office, but I have to say that the museum is worth it while in Lisbon.
I walked away learning about Lisbon’s history, everything from the Age of Discovery to its catastrophic earthquake. And it’s all played out in chronological order, so it’s easy to follow along with the audioguide.
It gave me a lot of perspective on the city as a whole, which was great knowledge to have during my trip to Spain and Portugal.
⏳ Duration: 1 hour
💰 Cost: €8
🎟️ Tickets: Included with the Lisboa Card or buy online or on-site
14. Sip a Cocktail at Park Bar
I can’t claim it was very successful; nevertheless, if you’re still interested and perhaps have better luck than I, Park Bar offers a lovely rooftop experience with an epic view over Lisbon.
While traveling alone, I visited Park Bar to meet new people.
👭 If you’re looking for tips on meeting others, I have a comprehensive guide.
Finding it can be somewhat challenging since it’s located atop a parking garage.
Just know you’ll need to enter the garage and take an elevator to reach it.
Also, if you’re not a fan of crowds, this likely isn’t the place for you, as it’s typically packed!
💰 Cost: €-€€
15. Visit the Museu Nacional do Azulejo (National Tile Museum)
Alright, I’m a bit ‘eh’ about the Museu Nacional do Azulejo, but I’m still going to put it on this list of things to do in Lisbon, Portugal, because the Portuguese are KNOWN for their tiles.
While I can appreciate the artistry, I don’t think I needed to see an entire museum devoted to just tiles.
But if that is your fancy, the museum’s collection is one of the largest ceramics collections in the world, so no better place to visit while in Lisbon!
Otherwise, just wander the streets of Lisbon or do an audio-guided walking tour for some context. I adored doing VoiceMap’s audioguide in Wales as it was so simple to follow and super detailed.
⏳ Duration: 1-2 hours
💰 Cost: €10
🎟️ Tickets: Included with the Lisboa Card or buy online
16. Take in the View from Panteao Nacional (National Pantheon)
One of my favorite things to do in Lisbon was visit the Panteão Nacional (aka the National Pantheon).
The building is gorgeous, and the view from their terrace is incredible!
Note: There is no elevator to the top of the dome, so if you have any issues with stairs, this may be one of the attractions you skip.
You could just do the base level, but for me the view from above was the highlight.
⏳ Duration: 30 minutes
💰 Cost: €10
🎟️ Tickets: Included with the Lisboa Card or buy online
17. Try Codfish Cake at Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau
I visited Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau on my cousin’s friend’s recommendation.
Renowned for its Codfish Cake filled with Serra da Estrela PDO Cheese, this is a must-try in Lisbon that I nearly missed!
Codfish?
Yes, I know. I didn’t even know that was a real thing.
I had only ever heard Captain Hook call Peter Pan that, but it’s pretty good and is served along with a glass of port wine, so you get to try Portuguese things at once!
⏳ Duration: 30 minutes
💰 Cost: €15 (not cheap, but I’ve yet to have a codfish cake elsewhere)
18. Get a Sangria with a View at Bar Terraco de Santa Luzia
Aside from the National Pantheon, my favorite view in Lisbon is from the Bar Terraco de Santa Luzia.
This place is fairly small, so there may be a wait for a table, but I assure you it is worth it.
The food and service are a little ‘eh,’ but I think it can be forgiven with a gorgeous view like this.
Just grab a glass of sangria and relax for a bit while taking it all in; it’s one of the best things to do in Lisbon.
💰 Cost: €€-€€€
19. See Artwork & Shop at LX Factory
LX Factory is a 19th-century industrial complex featuring a variety of trendy shops, international restaurants, bars, and office spaces.
Situated in the western part of the city in the Alcântara neighborhood, it’s further removed from the other things to do in Lisbon on this list, so consider that before going.
I visited and wandered around to see the art, which I enjoyed; however, I didn’t find any food that struck my fancy open at the time (hint: don’t go mid-afternoon when things close between lunch and dinner), so I wound up heading back to Time Out.
However, you may have better luck than I!
If you’re into shopping (I’m not), that may make the trip worth it on its own.
⏳ Duration: 1 hour
💰 Cost: Free (unless you purchase something)
Take a Day Trip to Sintra
Sintra is undeniably enchanting!
You may have even seen it before if you’ve watched the film The Ninth Gate, which was filmed in Sintra, Portugal.
With its many castles, the city resembles a fairy tale, making for a delightful day trip from Lisbon.
I spent a day and a half in Sintra, visiting Pena Palace, the Chalet of the Countess of Edla, Monserrate Palace, and Quinta da Regaleira.
So technically a bit more than ‘just a day trip,’ but I’d be remiss not to include it all, as it’s so lovely and only 30 minutes away!
If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, head to Fisherman’s Trail hike!
20. Visit Pena Palace & Its Grounds
Ferdinand II transformed Pena Palace, this colorful castle, from a monastery into a vibrant castle, replacing monk cells with larger rooms and vaulted ceilings.
While Pena Palace’s exterior is famous, its interiors are equally captivating, featuring King Carlos’s chambers, Ferdinand II’s bedroom, Queen Amelia’s dressing and tea rooms, and the Great Hall.
Situated in the gardens of Pena Palace is the Chalet of the Countess of Edla, an attraction that looks straight out of a Grimm’s fairytale.
I half expected some magical lady to wander out of it!
It takes approximately 30 minutes to walk from the Palace and about 20 minutes to explore.
⏳ Duration: 2-3 hours (allot more if you plan to fully explore the grounds)
💰 Cost: €13
🎟️ Tickets: 10% off with the Lisboa Card or buy separately. Book in advance, as this is a popular attraction!
21. Check Out the Ornate Details of Monserrate Palace
Monserrate Palace’s design blends Romanticism, Mudéjar Moorish Revival architecture, and neo-Gothic features.
It was originally conceived as a refuge for writers and attracted global visitors, most notably British industrialist and art collector Sir Francis Cook during the 19th century, who restored it and became Viscount of Monserrate.
I adored the vibrant ceilings in the main hall, the elaborate wood carvings, and the expansive galleries in between.
If I could have lived here, I would!
The art isn’t hung on the walls here; it is the walls!
⏳ Duration: 1 hour (allot more if you plan to explore the grounds)
💰 Cost: €12
🎟️ Tickets: Book in advance, as this is a popular, but small attraction, so it may sell out!
22. Tour Quinta da Regaleira & Its Grounds
Quinta da Regaleira is absolutely stunning, making it an essential stop on any trip to Sintra!
I found myself wondering, “Did someone actually live here??” while wandering around because it’s just that stunning.
The interior matches the exterior in its ornate style, featuring paintings, carvings, tiles, and intricately painted ceilings.
Besides the main building, there is a chapel and a sprawling park that includes lakes, grottoes, wells, fountains, and other impressive structures.
You’ve likely heard about its “Initiation Well,” which was allegedly constructed for ritualistic purposes. Many believe it was used as the location of the Templar Knight initiation ceremonies.
⏳ Duration: 2-3 hours (allot more if you plan to fully explore the grounds)
💰 Cost: €20
🎟️ Tickets: Book in advance, as this is a popular site, so it may sell out!
🇵🇹 For more info on Sintra, including where to stay, how to use the bus, and general tips, check out my things to do in Sintra guide.
Related Lisbon Travel Guides
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