10 Best Things to Do in Lisbon for Under 10 Euros

Spend Time Exploring Jerónimos Monastery

About 25 minutes from the city center in Belém, Jerónimos Monastery is one of Lisbon's most popular attractions, with 10 euros tickets that provide access to the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was originally built in 1501 to honor the return of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama upon his return from India in 1499—it also happens to be built on the very site of an older chapel where he and his men had prayed before setting off on their epic voyage. His tomb is located inside the complex, as is that of Portuguese poet Luís de Camões.

Make time to visit the Church of Santa Maria, with its single nave and sculpted columns, and the Cloister, where another Portuguese poet, Fernando Pessoa, is buried. Also nearby and worth a look are the Archaeology Museum (entry is five euros), Belém Tower (entry is 10 euros or 12 euros if combined with a ticket to the monastery), and the Monument to the Discoveries (entry is six euros).

Sip Wine and Spirits Alongside the Locals

Whether you're a fan of sampling locally made wines wherever you go, celebrating a special occasion, or you just want to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing, head to the tasting room at Wines of Portugal, located in Praça do Comércio (Commercial Square). While some wine tastings hover around the 12–18 euro mark, you can still try a flight of wines from Portugal for 10 euros, while other options are available from four euros.

While you're in town, try a traditional ginjinha, a tasty cherry liqueur that's served in a shot glass but sipped slowly by the Lisbon locals—the name itself translates to "small glass." A sweet blend of aguardente, ginja cherry, and sugar, you can try some at A Ginjinha, a small standing-room-only bar that's said to have created the popular drink, or Ginjinha sem Rival, a local favorite that's been owned and run by the same family since it opened in 1890. Shots only cost about two euros each but don't get too carried away—the sweet stuff is quite strong.

Visit Castelo de São Jorge

Lisbon’s Castelo de São Jorge is pretty hard to miss, perched at the top of a hill downtown, showcased above the old Alfama neighborhood. It’s a steep 20-30 minute walk up to the entrance, but once you’ve persevered, you’ll be treated to some of the best views in the city. For those who’d prefer not to navigate the maze of streets, tuk-tuks, trams, and taxis can get you there without the burning calf muscles.

The site dates back to the 11th century and is now a National Monument. Tickets cost 10 euros and give you access to the grounds, including walking along the old defensive walls. You can expect to encounter long lines at peak times, but there's plenty of space once you’ve made it inside. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear, especially if there's any rain in the forecast—the cobbled streets can get quite slippery when wet, and your feet will be less sore at the end of the day regardless of the weather.

Jump on the Famous 28 Tram

Lisbon’s nostalgic trams are as famous as its hilly streets, and the two things go hand in hand for weary tourists and locals alike. The most scenic line is the #28, which starts in Martim Moniz before rattling its way on a loop through the city and out to the Campo de Ourique neighborhood, taking in many of Lisbon's main attractions along the way.

You’ll pay three euros if you buy a ticket from the driver, but to save time and money, get a single ticket or day pass from a nearby metro station instead. They're significantly cheaper, and you won't be the person holding up a long line of people as you fumble for change. Don’t forget to validate your ticket when you get on board, expect large crowds in the summer, and keep an eye on your belongings, as pickpockets are known to operate when the tram gets busy.

For a less-crowded journey, try taking the tram in the reverse direction from Campo do Ourique back to Martim Moniz. You'll see all the same things, but often won't have to share it with quite as many people.

Check Out the National Tile Museum

A visit to a tile museum may not sound very exciting—but this is no ordinary tile museum. Azulejos, the beautiful blue Portuguese tiles, can be found on buildings throughout Lisbon and the rest of Portugal, and the Museu Nacional do Azulejo does a great job of displaying and explaining five centuries of tile history.

Entry is a reasonable five euros, and you can expect to spend a couple of hours exploring its temporary and permanent collections. The museum has released a free app, which also functions as an audio guide in Portuguese and English, and there's even free Wi-Fi in the lobby so you can download it. It’s a roughly 20-minute walk from the Santa Apolonia train station, located at the bottom of the Alfama neighborhood, or you could take a quick taxi from wherever you are in the city.

Grab a Drink at an Outdoor Kiosk

Kiosks (or quiosques in Portuguese) are everywhere in Lisbon, especially in parks, squares, and other public spaces. These small booths typically offer inexpensive drinks and snacks, and you’ll find local residents making full use of them throughout the year. You’ll almost always order at the counter, although staff may occasionally pass by and ask if you’d like another drink if things aren’t too busy.

Whether you’re after a quick coffee before sightseeing, or a more leisurely glass of beer or wine as the sun starts to set, grab a drink, find a table, and enjoy the experience. With an espresso that costs as little as 60 cents, and a large wine often just a couple of euros, there’s no reason not to.

Take a Walking Tour of the City

Despite its hills, Lisbon is a very walkable city, and several free tours have popped up to help visitors take advantage of that.

One of the most popular is run by Sandemans, typically a couple of times per day. Departing from Largo de Camões square, the three-hour tour winds around the Alfama, Bairro Alto, and Chiado neighborhoods, explaining the buildings and history along the way. Unusually for free tours like this, you can book a spot online ahead of time and they run almost every day throughout the year.

Although you’re not being charged for the tour itself, the guides get paid via tips, so be sure to give them an appropriate amount of euros at the end if you enjoyed the experience.

Climb Belém Tower

Perched on—or at high tide, in—the Tagus river, Belém Tower was once the gateway to the city for ship traffic, as well as an important part of its defenses.

The tower opens at 10 a.m. and it’s worth getting there around that time as the lines typically will get longer throughout the day—since there's only a single narrow staircase for you to use to get up to the top, they don’t move particularly fast either. Once you’ve made it up to the viewing area, you’ll be rewarded with great views of the river, the city, and the Atlantic.

You’ll pay nine euros for an adult ticket, although you can also buy combination passes that provide access to other area attractions, including the imposing Jerónimos Monastery, mentioned above.

Eat a Pastel de Nata and Embrace the Menu do Dia

After climbing up and down all those steps at Belém Tower, you’re bound to have worked up an appetite. Fortunately, the original and best pastel del natas in the city are just a few minutes away at Pastéis de Belém.

These delicious Portuguese egg tarts have become well-known around the world, but until you’ve had one from the source, you haven’t truly experienced this glorious sweet treat. Expect to encounter long lines most of the day, although you’ll usually get served faster in the late evening or shortly after opening. The tasty snacks cost a little over one euro each, although if you can get away with only buying one, you’ve got more willpower than most.

The Portuguese food scene is greatly underrated—the country has some of the best seafood in the world and local chefs take full advantage of it. As an example, there are supposedly more recipes just for salted cod than there are days in the year. And while Lisbon has its fair share of high-end restaurants, including several with Michelin stars, and plenty of places that’ll charge a small fortune for mediocre food, it’s easy to find delicious, filling meals for well under 10 euros.

Keep an eye out for the magic words ‘menu do dia’ (menu of the day) outside small, unassuming restaurants as you wander away from the tourist hotspots. Typically, you’ll get a starter or dessert, plus a substantial, often seafood-based main dish, along with water, wine, and an espresso coffee, for around seven or eight euros. For tasty food on a budget in Lisbon, you can't beat it.

Head to the Beach or Get Out on the River

For a European capital, Lisbon is fortunate to have several high-quality beaches within easy reach of the city center. Whether you’re traveling by train, bus, tram, or ferry, you’ll only pay a few euros for a return ticket to either Cascais or Costa Caparica. Once you’re there, lay your towel out and enjoy the sunshine and crashing waves for a few hours. When you start to get peckish, there are dozens of food and drink options right beside the ocean, with cheaper options farther back from the water.

If you’re traveling on a budget but prefer your beaches a little less busy, take advantage of the free bikes outside the train station in Cascais and pedal out to Praia do Guincho instead. No matter which patch of sand you opt for though, don’t forget your sunscreen. The Portuguese sun is strong, and the regular ocean breeze means you often won’t feel yourself burning until it’s too late.

As for the river, you can take a cruise to explore the Tagus River estuary that divides Lisbon from Almada, but it’s not particularly budget-friendly. For a much cheaper, albeit shorter trip on the water, jump on one of the commuter ferries that cross it several dozen times a day.

The easiest journey runs from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas and costs a little over one euro each way. The best part is the view you'll get by looking back toward Lisbon. Once you’ve arrived, you can check out a restored Portuguese sailing ship, jump on a direct bus to the beach at Costa da Caparica, or check out the famous Criso Rei, Christ the Redeemer, statue. Other Tagus ferry options include a quick trip from Belém to Trafaria, or longer journeys on fast catamarans that cost a little more.