There are essentially 5 types of free Lisbon tours and this post will explain what you will see, tour start times, and other important information.
All tours are led by local guides who are well-versed in the cultures and history of Lisbon as well as the history of Portugal.
Lisbon has a fascinating and unique history spanning more than 3,000 years. Visitors and locals are drawn to the culinary scene, beautiful vistas, and architectural gems.
Plus, the seven hills, narrow streets, and colorful houses make it the perfect city to discover on foot.
There are multiple neighborhoods and districts in Lisbon, many of which are home to some of the most historic sites in the city.
And there are several free walking tours you can take that cover a variety of different topics and notable landmarks throughout Lisbon.
Self Guided Audio Tour
The most popular tours focus on downtown Lisbon, and they typically provide stops at various locations in Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Baixa, which are often called "downtown tours".
Alternatively, you may also want to consider taking a tour of Alfama and the Mouraria neighbourhoods, considered by many to be old Lisbon.
Here you can also see one of the most famous castles in Portugal and learn about the modern culture of street art in these areas.
Belém Tower
There are also tours of Belém that provide information about the important role Lisbon played in the Age of Discovery while revealing some of the most significant and historic buildings in the district.
There are even free tours in both Sintra and Cascais, which are worthy of day trips from Lisbon.
You can also take tours that cover details about Fado music and its origins, as well as where you can hear some of the best examples of it nowadays.
Most of these services are pay-what-you-wish walking tours, which means you can decide how much you think they were worth when the tour is over.
According to online reviews, participants often pay between €10-€20/per person on average.
DOWNTOWN LISBON FREE TOURS
While there are a lot of historic sites spread throughout Lisbon in many different neighborhoods, the downtown area has some of the most notable landmarks.
And most tours that are called "free walking tour of Lisbon" are likely to cover downtown Lisbon.
These downtown Lisbon tours typically focus on three different neighborhoods which make up the historic core of the city: Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Baixa.
You can expect to visit some of the following locations on these tours:
- Luís Vaz de Camões Square
- Elevador de Santa Justa
- Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
- São Domingos Church
- Praça do Comércio
- Jewish Memorial
- Rossio Square
- Carmo Convent
- And more!
If you’re interested in seeing any of these historic sites, consider taking one of the free walking tours listed below.
Find out what you are likely to see with our self-guided tours of each area.
Audio Tour
We offer an audio tour of Bairro Alto/Chiado/Baixa, researched, written, and recorded by one of our own tour guides.
- Purchase an audio tour.
- Get a confirmation email with .mp3, .pdf, and embeddable Google Map
- Enjoy the tour(s).
ALFAMA + MOURARIA FREE TOURS
Located just to the east of the downtown area, both Alfama and Mouraria are some of the most beautiful and historic districts in the city.
These are some of the oldest neighborhoods in Lisbon, and they are also very close to the Tagus River, allowing you to enjoy one of the most excellent views of the water.
Alfama is one of Lisbon's oldest neighborhoods. It sits on a hill overlooking the Tagus River and is characterized by mazes of steep, narrow streets and alleys.
You'll find beautiful, brightly colored residences, as well as churches, and plenty of terraces and viewpoints from which to see the city center.
Here are a few of the historic sites you can expect to discover on these outings:
- São Jorge Castle
- National Pantheon
- Santa Luzia Viewpoint
- Sé Cathedral
- São Vicente de Fora Church
- Saint Christopher Street Art Mural
- And more!
If you’re interested in seeing and learning more about these locations, the following free walking tours are excellent options.
You could also read our self-guided tour of the Alfama District to preview where you will visit.
Free Belém Tours
Belém is an absolute must-see which includes multiple historic landmarks.
It is essential to visit if you want to learn about the Portuguese Age of Discovery, see most of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, or try the nation’s favorite pastry in the place it was invented.
Monument to the Discoveries
These tours cover several subjects such as the Marquis of Pombal, the Távoras Massacre, Henry the Navigator, The Great Age of Discovery, and many others.
While learning about these topics, you can expect to visit some of the following sites:
- The Great Age of Discoveries
- Afonso de Albuquerque Square and Garden
- National Palace of Belém
- The Marquis of Pombal and the Távoras Massacre
- Jerónimos Monastery and Henry the Navigator
- Imperial Gardens of Belém
- Monument to the Discoveries: Padrão dos Descobrimentos
- Compass Rose and Mappa Mundi: Rosa dos Ventos
- Gardens of the Tower of Belém
- Tower of Belém
- Bom Sucesso Fort
- Custard Tarts: Pastéis of Belém
You can expect to see and learn more about these locations on the following free walking tours.
You can also learn more about Belém with our self-guided tour.
FREE FADO MUSIC TOURS
Lisbon is home to one of the most unique forms of music you’ll ever hear, and there are several locations throughout the city where you can enjoy live performances even to this day.
If you’re interested in learning more about Fado music, there are also a few tours you can take that cover the history of this musical genre and some of the more notable locations related to its origins.
While on these tours, you can expect to learn about some of the following subjects:
- Notable Fado Musicians
- The Portuguese Guitar
- The Origins of Fado
- Brazilian Influence
- Different Types of Fado
- And more!
Take one of the free walking tours listed below for more information about these topics.
SINTRA + CASCAIS TOURS
There is currently only one company offering free walking tours in either Sintra or Cascais, but they provide separate outings for each neighborhood.
While on these outings, you’ll learn about some of the most notable locations in these districts and the history behind them.
Here are just a few of the sites you can expect to see on the Sintra tour:
- Moorish Fountain
- Sintra National Palace
- São Martinho's Church
- Quinta da Regaleira
- Queijadas of Fábrica da Sapa
- And more!
If you’re more interested in visiting Cascais, you’ll see some of these attractions:
- City Hall
- Boca do Inferno
- Bay of Cascais
- Historical Centre
- Condes do Castro Guimarães Palace
- And more!
No matter which area you’re interested in discovering, you can find out even more about them on one of the following free walking tours.