Lisbon Free Walking Tours – The Definitive Guide [+ Free Maps]
Walking tours are the best way to explore Lisbon, but the question is:
How to find in Lisbon free walking tours that are 100% free?
The answer: go on a self-guided walking tour.
I’ve created 3 self-guided walking tours that you can follow to discover Lisbon, one of the best cities in Portugal, for free.
Let’s see them!
Lisbon is small enough that you can see most of the city by walking around. Of course, 1 walking tour won’t be enough for you to discover Lisbon to the fullest: for this reason, I have created 3 free walking tours in Lisbon that you can follow.
Each tour is designed so that you truly get a feel for the district you’re visiting: the Alfama district, the Belém district, or Lisbon City Center.
In this travel guide about the free walking tours in Lisbon Portugal, you’ll find in the table of contents below everything that we’ll see, from maps of the walking tours, to self-guided walking tours and guided walking tours.
Simply click on the table to expand it, then click on any part you’d like to jump to.
Interactive Maps
Don’t have time to read this full guide, and just want to download a map with the itinerary for the free walking tour?
I’ve got you covered.
Just click on the desired map to open it in Google Maps; then, click on the “star” at the top. It will automatically add the map to your Google Maps. In Google Maps, you will find it under Menu>Your Places>Maps
Download the free Lisbon walking tour maps below:
So there you have them, your free interactive maps of free walking tours, Lisbon.
If you want more information about each walking tour, including the places to see, with information, tips and photos, keep reading below.
LISBON Free Walking Tours
One of the best ways to discover Lisbon is to walk around the city, going from postcard view to epic monument. The only way to have a truly free tour is to go on a self-guided walking tour.
Don’t worry, you won’t have to create your own tour, to plan everything and to guess where to go.
I’ve done all the work for you.
Just choose the part of Lisbon you want to explore, and follow the free walking tour I’ve created for you!
You’ll find in this guide the following Lisbon free walking tours:
- Lisbon free walking tour: Alfama Walking Tour
- Lisbon free walking tour: Belém Walking Tour
- Lisbon free walking tour: City Center Walking Tour
Click on any of the buttons below to jump straight to the free Lisbon walking tour you want to see
Alfama Free Walking Tour LISBON
Alfama is a district of Lisbon, situated in the east of the city. It almost feels like a village within the city: it’s the oldest district of Lisbon, and you really feel like you went back in times when wandering the streets of Alfama. Don’t miss it as visiting Alfama is one of the best things to do in Lisbon.
- What to expect: medieval streets, going uphill a lot, and epic views
- Walking time: 37 minutes
- Total time recommended: 2 hours
Alfama – Lisbon Walking Tour Map
Ready to explore Alfama? We’ll go on the first Lisbon free walking tours: the Alfama walking tour. To explore the neighborhood, we’ll visit 10 spots, that will give you a perfect experience of this part of Lisbon.
In the map below, you’ll find the 10 spots, as well as the itinerary we’ll follow.
How to use the map
Navigate: Click on the top left logo to open the side panel. You’ll see all of the spots in the itinerary; you can click on any to have more information
Download: To download the map, simply click on the “star” next to the title. It will automatically add the map to your Google Maps. In Google Maps, you will find it under Menu>Your Places>Maps
Here are the main spots you’ll see on this Free Walking Tour of Alfama:
- Igreja da Madalena
- Lisbon Cathedral
- Palacete Chafariz d’El Rei
- Igreja de São Miguel
- Miradouro das Portas do Sol
- Secret Lisbon Tunnel
- Street Art Amália Rodrigues by Vhils
- Miradouro do Recolhimento
- Castelo de São Jorge
- Miradouro do Castelo de S. Jorge
So there you have it, your free walking tour of Alfama in Lisbon.
For more information about all of the places included in this walking tour, along with photos, keep reading below.
1 – Igreja da Madalena
The Alfama free walking tour starts in the West of Alfama, at the Igreja da Madalena.
In addition to seeing the church, you’ll also see the iconic yellow tram, going right in front of the church.
2 – Lisbon Cathedral
We then move on to our second spot of the day, the Lisbon Cathedral, a 2 minutes walk away. We’ll follow the trams track, so that’s even more opportunities for you to see the tram passing by.
Feel free to go inside the Lisbon Cathedral, the entry is free.
There is so much to see in Lisbon, one of the main reasons to choose Lisbon vs Porto for your next trip.
3 – Palacete Chafariz d’El Rei
The 3rd stop of the day is the Palacete Chafariz d’El Rei, a stunning Moorish building from the 19th century. The facade is made of pink and blue tiles, truly a hidden architecture gem in Lisbon.
Bonus: check out the Arco de Jesus while on your way to Chafariz d’El Rei, a beautiful hidden passage covered with blue tiles.
4 – Igreja de São Miguel
Before moving on to your next spot, you can take a few extra minutes to go next to the Tejo river; I always love relaxing for a while, with the sound of the waves gently clapping along the docks.
Our next spot is the Igreja de São Miguel, a 2 minutes walk away.
More than the church itself (which is beautiful, by the way), you’ll now be exploring the classic Alfama, going up to the heights of Lisbon.
Once you’ve rested in the square in front of the church for a while, make your way to the right of the church, all the way up the steps.
Don’t forget to turn back when you get up the stairs for a nice view over the church and the streets.
5 – Miradouro das Portas do Sol
If you keep going up the steps, you’ll reach the Miradouro das Portas do Sol.
“Miradouro” is “viewpoint” in Portuguese – if you see a Miradouro sign, follow it, you’ll usually get a pretty nice view!
The Miradouro das Portas do Sol offers the best view over the Alfama neighborhood. To the east, you’ll see the white dome of the National Pantheon, and the Saint Vincent church on the left. To the south, you’ll have an unobstructed view over the Tejo river.
6 – Secret Lisbon Tunnel
Lisbon is also famous for its street art; after enjoying the views over the city, we’ll now go underground in our search for street murals.
Well, not underground underground, but in a tunnel.
You’ll discover the secret tunnel: History of Lisbon Mural by Nuno Saraiva. The inside of the tunnel is covered in drawings, depicting the history of Lisbon.
Address: R. Norberto de Araújo 14-18, 1100-117 Lisboa, Portugal
7 – Street Art Amália Rodrigues by Vhils
We’ll go right next to a second street art spot in Alfama: Amália Rodrigues by Vhils. Don’t worry, it’s only a 2 minutes walk to reach this spot.
8 – Miradouro do Recolhimento
Onwards to our last street art spot of this free Lisbon walking tour. To reach the Miradouro do Recolhimento, you’ll go through an abandoned building, all covered in street art!
When you get to the top, you’ll be rewarded with a grand view of the city.
Bonus: there is often way less tourists in this spot than in the other miradouros
9 – Castelo de São Jorge
Right on the south west border of the Alfama district is the Castelo de São Jorge. It’s a massive medieval castle, built in the 11th century by the Moors.
Go inside and explore the impressive ruins of the castle, before moving on to the last spot on our list.
10 – Miradouro do Castelo de São Jorge
There it is: the last stop on our free Lisbon walking tour.
You can only access this viewpoint by going through the castle; it’s located on a hill, the highest point of the Alfama district.
At the viewpoint, you’ll have a different view from all the miradouros we visited earlier on our walking tour: a view to the west.
From up there, you’ll see the whole city going up to the Tagus river, all the way to the 25 de April bridge in the background.
So there you have it, your free walking tour of Alfama, Lisbon! If you follow this 10 stops itinerary, you’ll discover the main points in Alfama, and you’ll have a good feel of the district.
Of course, this walking tour is meant to be used as a starting point – don’t follow it to the letter!
I highly encourage you to be curious along the way: follow that quaint street; go in this appetizing bakery.
Bonus locations
Do you want more suggestions of spots to check out on your walking tour?
8 minutes from Miradouro das Portas do Sol: Igreja de São Vicente da Fora
10 minutes from Miradouro das Portas do Sol: Panteão Nacional
Ready to explore another part of Lisbon? Check out the Belém walking tour below.
Belém Free Walking Tour LISBON
Belém is the South West district of Lisbon, along the Tejo river. It was the starting point of most of the great Portuguese expeditions during the Age of Discovery, and the district definitely has a medieval feel to it.
What to expect: walks along the Tejo river, absolutely epic monuments and medieval vibe
Walking time: 44 minutes
Total time recommended: 1h30 (no visits) to 5 hours (visit all)
Warning: Most places are closed on Mondays
Belém – Lisbon Walking Tour Map
Ready to explore Belém? We’ll go on the second Lisbon free walking tours: the Belem free walking tour. To explore the neighborhood, we’ll visit 9 spots, that will give you a perfect experience of this part of Lisbon.
In the map below, you’ll find the 9 spots, as well as the itinerary we’ll follow.
How to use the map
Navigate: Click on the top left logo to open the side panel. You’ll see all of the spots in the itinerary; you can click on any to have more information
Download: To download the map, simply click on the “star” next to the title. It will automatically add the map to your Google Maps. In Google Maps, you will find it under Menu>Your Places>Maps
Here are the main spots you’ll see on this Free Walking Tour of Belém:
- The Combatants Overseas Monument
- Belém Tower
- Belém Lighthouse
- Padrão dos Descobrimentos
- Praça do Império
- Pastéis de Belém
- Jardim de Belém
- Church Santa Maria de Belém
- Jerónimos Monastery
So there you have it, your free walking tour of Belém in Lisbon.
For more information about all of the Lisbon attractions included in this walking tour, along with photos, keep reading below.
1 – The Combatants Overseas Monument
We’ll begin our second Lisbon free walking tour in the West of Belém, and we’ll make our way towards the East.
The first spot is the Monumento aos Combatentes do Ultramar (the Combatants Overseas monument). It sets the tone for the visit of Belém.
The monument is a memorial to the more of 9,000 soldiers dead during the Overseas War (1961-1974).
You’ll find an eternal flame burning under the monument; the names of the dead soldiers are written on the walls all around the monument.
2 – Belém Tower
Our second spot is probably the most famous location in Belém : the Torre de Belém (Belém Tower).
The medieval tower was once an important part of the city defense system; today, you can visit the tower, and even go on the rooftop terrace for stunning view over the Tejo river.
3 – Belém Lighthouse
We’ll stay on the river banks for visiting the next spot: Belém Lighthouse. It’s a short 8 minutes walk, along the shore, to reach the spot.
The walk in itself is pretty nice; walking next to the water, under the sun, watching the lighthouse grow taller as you get closer.
4 – Padrão dos Descobrimentos
Right next to the lighthouse is our next spot, Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries). You’ll see the monument from the lighthouse, as it’s pretty massive (50 meters / 164 feet).
The monument is a tribute to the Portuguese explorers of the Age of Discovery. Make sure to go to the other side of the monument, where you’ll see more statues of famous explorers.
Bonus: you can go to the top of the monument for a view over the Belém neighborhood (6€ adult / 3€ child)
5 – Praça do Império
Our next stop is literally across the street: just cross the street, and you’ll be in Praça do Império.
The square was built for the Portuguese World Exposition in 1940, held for the celebration of the 800 years since Portugal became independent.
The square is actually a huge garden, made of 32 mosaic coat of arms. Enjoy strolling through the square, and make your way to the next spot, for a well deserved break.
6 – Pastéis de Belém
We’re already half way through our free walking tour of Lisbon in Belém; it’s time for a break!
Exit the park through the north entrance, and take a right. Follow the road for 2 minutes, and you’ll reach a spot with many buildings.
There are a lot of restaurants and places where you can eat there. I highly recommend going to Pastéis de Belém.
If you haven’t yet eaten any Pastéis de Nata in Portugal, it’s time to try! The little custard tart is a Portuguese specialty, and if you love sweet food, you’re in for a treat.
7 – Jardim de Belém
If the weather allows (well you’re in Lisbon, it’s probably going to be sunny!), order your pastéis as a takeaway, and cross the street to reach the Jardim de Belém.
Enjoy your little break by sitting down on the grass, while munching on your snack. When you’re ready to get going again, move on to your next spot!
8 – Church Santa Maria de Belém
The Igreja Santa Maria de Belém is the tall building you saw earlier when exiting the Praça do Império; it’s now time to visit it!
If you were impressed by the beauty of the church from the outside, wait until you get in: it’s insanely gorgeous!
Bonus: entry is free
9 – Jerónimos Monastery
Aaaand we’re now getting to our last spot on our Belém waking tour! The Jerónimos Monastery is right next to the Santa Maria church, and definitely worth a visit.
There is often long lines to visit this jewel of architecture, so make sure you plan enough time for walking around Lisbon. If you’re short on time, strolling along the street and seeing the monument from outside is a possible alternative.
So there you have it, your free walking tour of Belém, Lisbon! If you follow this 9 stops itinerary, you’ll discover the main points in Belém, and you’ll have a good feel of the district.
Of course, this walking tour is meant to be used as a starting point – don’t follow it to the letter!
I highly encourage you to be curious along the way: follow that quaint street; go in this appetizing bakery.
Bonus locations
Do you want more suggestions of spots to check out on your walking tour?
16 minutes from Belém Tower: Algés beach
17 minutes from Jerónimos Monastery: MAAT museum
Ready to explore another part of Lisbon? Check out the City Center walking tour below.
City Center Free Walking Tour LISBON
Lisbon City Center is the heart of the city, and typically what most people see on their first visit to Lisbon. There is plenty to see in the area, and it can be quite challenging to decide on what to see, where to go, and how to plan your itinerary.
Everything is within walking distance in the city center, and you can go on a walking tour – Lisbon edition – to discover the neighborhood.
What to expect: beautiful squares, luxurious streets and Lisbon icons
Walking time: 45 minutes
Total time recommended: 2 hours
City Center – Lisbon Walking Tour Map
Ready to explore Lisbon City Center? We’ll go on the third and last Lisbon free walking tours: the City Center walking tour. To explore the neighborhood, we’ll visit 11 spots, that will give you a perfect experience of this part of Lisbon.
In the map below, you’ll find the 11 spots, as well as the itinerary we’ll follow.
How to use the map
Navigate: Click on the top left logo to open the side panel. You’ll see all of the spots in the itinerary; you can click on any to have more information
Download: To download the map, simply click on the “star” next to the title. It will automatically add the map to your Google Maps. In Google Maps, you will find it under Menu>Your Places>Maps
Here are the main spots you’ll see on this Free Walking Tour of the City Center:
- Monumento aos Restauradores
- Praça do Rossio
- Carmo Convent
- Santa Justa lift
- Arco da Rua Augusta
- Praça do Comércio
- Praça do Municipio
- Secret Pink Street
- Praça de São Paulo
- Ascensor da Bica
- Miradouro de Santa Catarina
So there you have it, your free walking tour of the City Center in Lisbon.
For more information about all of the places included in this walking tour, along with photos, keep reading below.
1 – Monumento aos Restauradores
We’ll start our Lisbon walking tour in the north of the city center, at the Praça dos Restauradores.
At the center of the square, you’ll find the Monumento aos Restauradores, a monument to celebrate the Portuguese Restoration War victory.
Bonus: check out the iconic Gloria tram from the top of the street, on the square (address: Calçada da Glória 6, 1250-144 Lisboa, Portugal)
2 – Praça do Rossio
Our second spot is also a square, a 4 minutes walk away from the first square. The square is famous for its optical illusion on the ground.
On the photo above, you can see on the top left our next 2 spots in this free Lisbon walking tour: the Santa Justa lift on the far left, and the Carmo Convent right next to it.
Bonus: avoid the restaurants on the square (tourist traps), but check out the tiny shops on the square for good pastries and coffee
3 – Carmo Convent
Let’s head to our next spot, the Carmo Convent, that you saw from the plaza. The convent looks impressive from the outside, but it’s even more special from the inside.
It’s one of the rare places where you can be both inside a monument and outside at the same time. The convent was partially destroyed during the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, which made it really unique.
4 – Santa Justa lift
Probably one of the most famous spots in Lisbon, the Santa Justa lift. It’s a stunning structure, standing above the Lisbon skyline.
If you want to go up the lift, make sure you get there early, because it gets crowded pretty fast.
Bonus: You can access the top for free from the Top Entrance, next to the Carmo Convent.
5 – Arco da Rua Augusta
To reach the next spot, you’ll go through the Baixa district: the classic Lisbon city center, with recent architecture (18th century).
At the end of the Rua Augusta, you’ll walk under a massive stone arch, the Arco da Rua Augusta.
Bonus: you can go on top of the arch, for one of the best views over the Baixa district
6 – Praça do Comércio
The Rua Augusta opens up on the biggest square in Lisbon, the Praça do Comércio.
Walk to the center of the square, to see the grand statue of King José I. Make sure you go all the way to the shore, and check out the tiny beach Playita del Muelle de las Columnas.
Tip: avoid shopping and eating in the area, it’s really overpriced. Wait until the next spots!
7 – Praça do Municipio
And the next spot is… a square, you guessed it! The Lisbon city center is full of stunning squares, and this one is no exception.
The Praça do Municipio (Municipal Square) is surrounded by incredible buildings: the City Hall, the Appeal Court, and the Ministry of the Sea.
8 – Secret Pink Street
To reach our next spot, we’ll walk on the Arsenal Street, along the Courthouse. A quick walk (4 minutes), that will take us to one of the many Lisbon hidden gems.
As you can see above, the hidden gem is a pink street. It doesn’t go on for very long, but it’s such a cool street! The pink on the floor leads all the way under this yellow arch and through the other side.
9 – Praça de São Paulo
Whaaaaat? Another square! That’s the last one we’ll visit on our walking tour in Lisbon city center.
The Praça de São Paulo is on our way to the next spot, so you won’t even have to walk a long way to see it.
On the square, you’ll find the Igreja de São Paul (Saint Paul church), which is worth a visit if you have the time. The painted ceiling of the church is incredible – I definitely didn’t expect it!
Bonus: stop at the cute little kiosk on the square to grab a drink and a snack
10 – Ascensor da Bica
It’s time to see an icon of Lisbon: the yellow tram! While the famous yellow tram number 28 runs in the Alfama district, there is also one in the city center.
The Ascensor da Bica was originally a cable car, but it’s now electrified; it runs like a tram. It goes all the way up to Bairro Alto.
Go up the street to see the tram at different points in the street. Don’t forget to look back after going up for a while, for a nice view over the river.
11 – Miradouro de Santa Catarina
We’ll end our Lisbon free walking tour by going to a miradouro; the Miradouro de Santa Catarina is right next to the Bica street, only 2 minutes away.
The viewpoint offers a nice view over the Tejo river and the suspension bridge in the estuary. It’s the perfect spot to end your walking tour: grab a drink and enjoy the view!
So there you have it, your free walking tour of Lisbon City Center! If you follow this 11 stops itinerary, you’ll discover the main points in the center, and you’ll have a good feel of the district.
Of course, this walking tour is meant to be used as a starting point – don’t follow it to the letter!
I highly encourage you to be curious along the way: follow that quaint street; go in this appetizing bakery.
Bonus locations
Do you want more suggestions of spots to check out on your walking tour?
3 minutes from the pink street: Mercado da Ribeira, local massive food-court
20 minutes from Miradouro de Santa Catarina: Basilica da Estrela
Not a fan of these self guided walking tour in Lisbon? Check out below more free walking tours in Lisbon, accompanied by tour guides.
More Free Walking Tours in Lisbon
All of the Lisbon free walking tours that I created and suggested above are self guided; you’ll be on your own, following the itineraries and doing your own walking tour.
If you’re looking for a guided tour, there are also several options for free guided walking tours in Lisbon.
Word of advice: all of the “free tours” led by a tour guide that you can find online -and those mentioned below- are not really 100% free.
Yes, you can join the tours without paying. However, you are expected to “tip” your guide at the end, based on how much you think the tour was worth.
The only true free walking tours in Lisbon are the self-guided walking tours, just like the one I gave you above.
Best Free Walking Tours Lisbon
You’ll find below the best “free” walking tours that you can join in Lisbon:
Sandeman – Lisbon Free Tour
What to expect: you’ll walk around the Lisbon city center
Duration: 3h
Languages: English / Spanish
More info: free walking tour lisbon sandeman
Lisbon Chillout – Free Walking Tour Lisbon
What to expect: 4 different tours available: Lisbon city center, Literature tour, Music tour and pub crawl
Duration: 3h
Languages: English / Spanish
More info: Lisbon Chillout free tours
FREETOUR.COM
What to expect: 36 different free Lisbon walking tours, with different themes and locations
Duration: from 1h30 to 3h
Languages: English / Spanish / French / Portuguese / Russian / Italian
More info: Freetour.com
Guruwalk – Free Walking Tour Lisbon Portugal
What to expect: around 20 different tours, with different locations
Duration: 3h in average
Languages: English / Spanish / French / Portuguese / Italian
Reviews: Guruwalk Free Lisbon tours
So there you have them, the best Lisbon free walking tour, led by guides. Reminder that these are not 100% free, you are expected to pay your guide at the end based on how much you thought the tour was worth.
Where to Stay in Lisbon
If you’re visiting Lisbon, you have several options for where to stay. You’ll find below hotels depending on your travel style:
Budget: Host Bell Rooms and Suites
Very cheap accommodation, around 14€ per night for a bed in a 12 beds dorm room.
This hostel has the best location, it’s right next to the main square, and everything is within walking distance. There’s also tea and coffee machines in every room, which is a big plus.
Comfy: Lost Lisbon: Avenida House
Very comfy rooms, with private bathroom, for around 78€ per night.
The two nice bonuses? It’s within walking distance of the city center, and it also comes with a free breakfast!
Luxury: The One Palacio da Anunciada
If you’re looking for the perfect dreamy place to relax and enjoy your stay in Lisbon, look no further.
The One Palacio da Anunciada might very well be your favorite place in the city; private bathroom, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, indoor pool and even a sauna! It also has breakfast included, and its location is hard to beat.
Visit Portugal
Planning a trip to Portugal? You can find below several other articles about this wonderful part of the world to help you plan your trip:
Lisbon Guides:
Best Lisbon Itineraries for 1, 2, 3 or 4 days in Lisbon
30 Best Sunset Spots in Lisbon
Cristo Rei – Visit the Highest Point of Lisbon
Portugal Guides:
The Ultimate Algarve Travel Guide
What to see in Sintra – next to Lisbon
I hope you enjoy your trip to Lisbon and to Portugal!
If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply.
Photo credits: 3 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23| 24 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 32
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I did the Lisbon city center walking tour as you suggested and it was by far one of the best walking tours I have done. It took me through every single attraction I wanted to see. Now I am ready to do the Alfama tour as well. Yours is definitely one of the better self guided walking tours out there.
Hi Sharad, thank you so much for your feedback! We’re so happy to know it helped you discover Lisbon properly and enjoy your trip 🙂
Unable to save the tour maps as Google Maps Engine says it’s no more. Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Des
Thank you for the suggestions. I’m very excited to try them all. I’m planning to visit Portugal next year, possibly in the spring, to avoid major crowds. Do you recommend a good month to visit?
Hi Linda! I strongly recommend going on mid-May-June, or in the beginning of September. The weather is very good, so you’ll be able to stroll around the city and enjoy drinks on a terrace without sweating too much (July-August are very crowded and weather quite hot).