10 Things to Do in Lisbon on a Small Budget

Bairro Alto is a popular neighbourhood in town for nightlife, but you'll also find plenty of art and history to explore during the day. You'll find quite a bit of street art throughout the district, as well as food samples from the local restaurants.

At night, bars tend to be the star of the show here, with plenty of discount bars available. The funiculars can be fun no matter what time of day you visit, so don't miss out on this popular neighbourhood activity. Bairro Alto is just southwest of the town centre.

Chiado is one of the best neighbourhoods to visit if you're looking to experience life like a local away from other travellers with shops and art. This neighbourhood isn't quite as famous as some of the others in town, so you won't have to worry about crowds of travellers all that much.

When you visit this neighbourhood, you'll find plenty to do on a budget. Taking in the unique iron structures and churches is free, and the local shops tend to offer serious discounts compared with more traveller-heavy areas. It's located south of the town centre.

The Lisbon Cathedral is one of the oldest cathedrals in the city dating back centuries where you can see a satisfying combination of architectural styles. The church was built in 1147, and it has survived quite a bit in the centuries since, including numerous earthquakes.

While the church has survived, it didn't make it through the centuries without damage. Thanks to renovations and repairs throughout the ages, you'll be able to see a combination of architectural styles. It's accessible for free as well. You'll find it in southern Alfama.

Panteão Nacional, or the National Pantheon, is a former church that has been converted into a final resting place for important Portuguese people. When you visit, you'll be able to take in its stunning baroque architecture that was originally designed to function as a church.

The interior of the building is quite striking, with coloured marble paving the way. You may want to check out the terrace as well for the stunning views of the city and river. It requires climbing 187 steps, though, so keep that in mind. It's located in eastern Alfama a mile or so from the town centre.

Parque Eduardo VII is completely free to visit and lets you enjoy stunning greenery among well-maintained attractions showing off diverse flora. The park was named after Edward VII of Britain in honour of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance.

When you visit this park, you'll want to check out the estufas, or the hothouse and greenhouse. The greenhouse showcases plants from Portugal and the tropics, while the hothouse is even more exotic. You can get to this park not too far from the town centre due north of Príncipe Real.

The Church of São Roque is an old Jesuit church you can visit for free to not only appreciate its architecture but also learn a bit of history. This baroque church was completed in the early 17th century, and it has stood strong ever since.

One of the more interesting aspects of this church is that it utilises a trompe-l'oeil Mannerist ceiling. This is an art technique that makes 2-dimensional objects appear 3-dimensional, so this relatively modest church looks grand from within. See it for yourself in Bairro Alto south of the town centre.

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is a popular viewpoint in town that's freely accessible and notably calm with several landmarks in sight. When you visit this viewpoint, you likely won't find much of a crowd, as it tends to be off the beaten path for most travellers.

At this viewpoint, you'll be able to see quite a few notable sights, including panoramic views of the city. You can also see the castle from here as well as a church. The hillside is visible too, with houses seemingly set on every inch of it. You can see it for yourself on the southeastern side of the town centre.

Museu do Teatro Romano is a museum and historical site that will make you feel like you've stepped back to when Emperor Augustus ruled the city. The ruined Roman theatre here is still remarkably well preserved after being buried in 1755 and subsequently unearthed in 1964.

Access to this museum is completely free, and the theatre ruins are just the beginning. You'll find viewing platforms as well as 3D renderings you can examine to give you a better idea of what the past was like here. See it for yourself at your own pace or with an English guided tour in southern Alfama.

Street art on Calçada da Glória is a gallery of legal street art that lets you see a variety of different artistic styles expressed by local artists. The city has been quite supportive of the street art here, so you'll find that it's all well preserved and protected.

While you don't have to worry about the art here being removed as vandalism, certain panels are renewed every year. This means you could see new additions on subsequent visits. You'll find this gallery on the north side of Bairro Alto southwest of the town centre.

Fado shows at Tasca do Chico are one of the best ways to take in Portuguese culture with a popular pastime that's accessible and affordable. This old tavern is adorned with photos and pictures of fado singers and performers with an atmosphere dedicated to the practice.

When you visit this bar, you'll find the prices relatively affordable compared with the more high-end and luxurious fado establishments. You'll find food available here as well, prepared the traditional Portuguese way. It's located near the centre of Bairro Alto.