The Best Free Tours in Lisbon
A selection of the most popular and highest-rated free tours to discover Lisbon
Free Tours in Lisbon
Is this your first time in Lisbon and you're not sure where to start exploring the city? Joining a free tour is the best way to get familiar with a destination without spending too much. With that in mind, we've put together a selection of the 11 most popular and varied free tours in Lisbon, all in Spanish.
You won't miss a thing, as the free tours below take you through the most important places, monuments, and neighborhoods to see in Lisbon, as well as the most beautiful villages in the surrounding area.
What Is a Free Tour?
A free tour is a walking tour that includes a visit to one or more points of interest, led by a local expert guide, who should be tipped according to your level of satisfaction.
Unlike paid tours, free tours have no set fees and can be booked for free. Once the tour is over, each participant contributes whatever amount they feel is fair based on their level of satisfaction.
Another advantage of free tours is that they are an excellent opportunity to meet people with similar interests (if you are traveling solo, keep this in mind).
1. Free Tour of Lisbon: History, Fun Facts, and Free Tastings
Discover some of the secrets of the Portuguese capital on this free walking tour, where you will explore iconic spots such as Bairro Alto, Chiado, Baixa and other important neighborhoods of Lisbon.
On this tour, you will visit places steeped in history and hear a wealth of entertaining anecdotes, shared by a professional guide who will reveal the city's secrets in a fun and engaging way.
The tour begins at Praça Luís de Camões, in the heart of Chiado (Lisbon's most bohemian neighborhood), and after 3 hours, ends in Alfama.
And don't think we forgot the best part! As you read in the title, this free tour of Lisbon also includes a free tasting of a traditional pastéis de nata from the region.
2. Free Tour of Alfama
On this free tour of Alfama you will discover why this neighborhood holds a special place in the hearts of the Portuguese. You will have the opportunity to learn about the history of Lisbon and also uncover some secret corners that you will have to promise not to tell anyone about 😉
The tour through one of the city's oldest neighborhoods begins at Casa dos Bicos (House of Spikes), where you will discover its distinctive façade and why it is one of the must-see stops in our Lisbon travel guide.
During the 2.5-hour route, you will visit the fountain Largo do Chafariz de Dentro (quenching thirsts since 1285), which stands opposite the Fado Museum. You will also enjoy stunning views from one of Lisbon's most impressive viewpoints , Portas do Sol.
After visiting points of interest such as the Church of São Cristóvão, the Street Art Mural, and São Jorge Castle (among others), the free tour of Alfama ends near the Sé Cathedral.
3. Free Tour of Belém
During the Age of Discovery, when Portuguese navigators set out to explore the world, this iconic neighborhood on the banks of the Tagus was the starting point of great stories that you can learn about on this highly recommended free tour of Belém.
If you decide to join this free tour, you will discover the legacy of the Portuguese discoveries, while admiring Lisbon's most iconic landmarks, such as the Belém Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery and much more.
Have you tried the delicious pastéis de Belém? These pastéis de nata are world-famous, not only for how delicious they are, but also for the mystery surrounding their secret recipe.
The free tour of Belém begins at the Afonso de Albuquerque Gardens (a beautiful park built in honor of the former Viceroy of Portuguese India), and ends 2.5 hours later at Belém Tower, after visiting the Wind Rose and Forte do Bom Sucesso.
4. Free tour of Sintra
Just 30 kilometers from Lisbon lies a beautiful coastal town dotted with castles on its hilltops. The place is steeped in romance and has a rich history well worth exploring on this free tour of Sintra.
As you stroll through Sintra, you will immediately understand why it was the favorite summer retreat of figures such as Lord Byron, Voltaire, and Hans Christian Andersen. Through the entertaining stories your guide shares along the way, you will learn about the town's origins and the great Romantic expansion of the 19th century.
This tour lasts 2.5 hours, during which you will visit places such as the Church of São Martinho (where you will hear stories about Portugal's Freemasons), the Palácio Nacional de Sintra (an important site during the Age of Discoveries), and much more.
5. Lisbon by Night Free Tour
The Lisbon by Night Free Tour offers a 2.5-hour experience to discover the charms of the Portuguese capital bathed in beautiful evening light. From Restauradores Square to the famous Tram 28, this tour takes you to the Graça and Santa Luzia viewpoints, offering panoramic views of São Jorge Castle and the Alfama neighborhood.
The tour passes through key locations such as the Church of São Vicente de Fora, the Arco da Rua Augusta, Praça do Município, the Church of Santo António, and the Casa dos Bicos, where you can learn fascinating details and anecdotes about the city's history and culture with a Spanish-speaking guide.
6. Mysteries and Legends of Lisbon Free Tour
If you're looking to discover the most enigmatic and hidden side of the city, the Mysteries and Legends of Lisbon free tour is an unmissable experience. Stories of ghosts, urban legends, unsolved crimes, and historical secrets take center stage on this fascinating journey.
This 2-hour 15-minute tour begins at Praça do Comércio, a historic and beautiful square, before venturing into the Alfama neighborhood. There, you will explore iconic buildings such as the Casa dos Bicos, the Church of Santo António, and Lisbon Cathedral, each with its own history and legends.
Throughout the tour, participants have the opportunity to learn about Lisbon's mysteries and legends, as well as receive recommendations from their guide about other activities in the city.
But this tour is not just about spooky stories — you will also learn about the city's hidden history, its most enigmatic figures, and the traditions that have endured through the centuries.
7. Carnation Revolution in Lisbon Free Tour
This original and fascinating tour takes you through the key locations of the Carnation Revolution, the event that marked a turning point in the history of Portugal and Lisbon.
Starting at Praça do Comércio, where tanks announced the change of regime, you will follow the avenues along which the MFA advanced, visiting the former political prison of Cadeia do Aljube, now a museum. On Rua Augusta, you will relive the moment when a woman handed the first carnation to a soldier, the symbol of the revolution.
The tour continues to Rua Capelo, where the song that sparked the revolution was broadcast, and ends at Largo do Carmo, the scene of dictator Marcelo Caetano's surrender.
8. Alternative Free Tour of Lisbon
If you're looking to discover the most artistic and contemporary side of the city, the alternative free tour of Lisbon is an experience you simply can't miss. Street art, graffiti, tags, and street art galleries are the main ingredients of this one-of-a-kind walk.
The Alternative Lisbon Free Tour begins at Martim Moniz Square, a multicultural hub reflecting the influence of over 70 nationalities, and continues along Caracol da Graça, where you can visit street art galleries and a mural featuring works by artists such as Thiago Gomms, Utopía, and Akacorleone.
But this tour isn't all about street art — you'll also learn about poetry, architecture, and the various trends that have found the perfect breeding ground in Lisbon.
Before wrapping up this 2.5-hour tour near the Jardín Botto Machado, right across from the Lisbon National Pantheon, you'll have the chance to admire the impressive work of VHILS and Farey (arguably the most special pieces you'll encounter on the entire tour).
9. Fado Free Tour in Lisbon
Fado is a musical genre with over 200 years of history, that is inseparable from Lisbon's identity. For those who want to understand the past and present of this traditional music, the Fado free tour in Lisbon is an experience you won't want to miss.
It's not just about walking the streets of the Martim Moniz and Alfama neighborhoods while listening to entertaining stories about fado (and there are plenty) — your guide is also a singer who will delight you with her art throughout the walk.
Fado singer Amalia Rodrígues once said: "The only thing that matters is to feel fado, because fado is not sung, it is made. Fado is felt, not understood, not explained"”. That's why, to truly feel fado, we recommend this unmissable 2.5-hour tour.
10. Free Tour of Cascais
Cascais has been a beloved summer destination since the days of King Luis I. Its beautiful beaches (perfect for surfing), museums, and charming streets make Cascais the kind of place you'll want to return to again and again.
As for the details of the Cascais free tour, it runs for 2.5 hours and features an engaging route where you'll learn about the town's history, its main attractions, and pick up valuable tips to help you explore on your own.
Departing from Cais do Sodré train station, it takes just 40 minutes to travel from Lisbon to Cascais.
11. Graça and Mouraria Free Tour
To explore two of Lisbon's most charming and historically rich neighborhoods, all you have to do is sign up for this Graça and Mouraria free tour. We've touched on these neighborhoods in previous tours, but this guided visit is where you'll truly get to know them inside and out.
On this tour we'll explore the history hidden within the streets of these neighborhoods and their connection to fado. You'll discover the roots of their rich multicultural heritage, the oldest house in Lisbon, the crumbling Palacio Rosa, and much more.
On the Graça and Mouraria free tour (2.5 hours long), you'll visit highlights such as the Lavadeiras Fountain, the Cerca Graça Garden, the Graça Viewpoint, and the National Pantheon, among many other gems.
12. Free Tour of Évora
Évora is a small city with a rich history, located 130 kilometers from Lisbon in the Alentejo region. It is very easy to travel from the capital to this charming destination (with train and metro connections), so there's no excuse not to join the free tour of Évora.
This free tour will take you on a journey into the past, back to the times of ancient Rome. Starting from the Silver Water Aqueduct, you will discover the Embedded Houses and make your way to the Roman Arch of Dona Isabel, and much more.
The free tour of Évora lasts 2.5 hours and, like all the other tours recommended here, features a professional Spanish-speaking guide. In addition to stories about the monuments and other sites visited, you can ask the guide anything you need to make the most of the city.
What to See in Lisbon
Discover the main attractions of the Portuguese capital
Praça do Comércio
Lisbon's most iconic square, with cafés, restaurants, a Lisbon tourismoffice, a museum about the history of the city, and a riverside promenade along the Tagus.
Santa Justa Elevator
A lift inaugurated in 1902 to connect the Baixawith its neighbor Chiado. It never fails to impress any visitor.
São Jorge Castle
Crowning the city center stands Lisbon's castle. A witness to invasions and conquests since the 1st century BC.
Alfama
You can't leave Lisbon without getting lost in the streets of its most traditional neighborhood: Alfama. Here you'll find taverns with fado, typical windows, and the soul of the city.
Jerónimos Monastery
One of the most beautiful monuments in all of Portugal. It is special for its architecture, its history, and the neighborhood in which it stands. One of the must-see sights in Lisbon.
Belém Tower
Built in 1515, Belém Tower was a fortress that protected the entrance to Lisbon's harbor. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you can admire it from the outside as well as visit its interior.
