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Looking for a free Lisbon Walking Tour? You’re in the right place. Read on!

Lisbon, the city of seven hills, sounds like a pleasant place to visit, but do not be fooled by its charm. The winding streets and colorful buildings may seem inviting, but they hide a dark past filled with earthquakes and disasters. The melancholic fado music echoes through the cobblestone alleys, reminding residents of their tragic history. And yet, despite all the misfortunes, Lisbon perseveres and continues to thrive with a resilience that is both admirable and cautionary. Be careful not to underestimate this city, for it holds a mysterious allure that may lure you in and never let you go.

If you decide to explore Lisbon, you’ll feel that it’s as if the city is whispering secrets to those who dare to listen. Many of Lisbon’s sights can easily be explored on foot but with so many hills, it can get tiring.

Read on for a free self-guided walking tour of Alfama and Lisbon center that you can do on your own time, using my outline. I’m including a Google Maps link for each of the stops to help you follow along and also so that if you want to enter any of the sites, you’ll be able to see when they’re open. I’m also including some suggested restaurants along the way but keep in mind that depending on the restaurant, you many need a reservation so think about where and when you might want to eat before heading out. Here’s the full map so you can see what you’re getting into before you start. Note that that this map also outlines tours for Belem and Sintra as well as other sights in Lisbon that you may want to check out another day.

I designed this Lisbon walking tour in such a way to be at places where you’d have good sunrise views from Bairro Alto in the morning if you’re willing to get up that early, and good sunset views from Alfama in the evening. You can just follow Google Maps for directions from one place to another, but I’ll also include notes about ways to take advantage of public elevators, escalators, and some fun public transit if you’d like to skip climbing a few staircases and steep hills. 

This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase using the links at no additional cost to you.

Where to Start

Here’s more information about how to get to Lisbon, getting around Lisbon, where to stay, where to eat, and what else to do in Lisbon.

The Lisbon city center walking tour starts in Bairro Alto. If you’re not already in this area, you can save yourself some serious climbing by using the Gloria Funicular, the Santa Justa Lift, or using the escalators in the Baixa-Chiado metro station, depending on exactly where you’re starting from. If you use the Santa Justa Lift, you can skip it later in the tour. Each of these links will take you to the bottom of the elevator, funicular, or escalator. Once you get to the top, use Google Maps to navigate to your first stop.

1. Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

This Bairro Alto viewpoint has a terrace that is lined with benches and tables, and has a kiosk offering drinks and snacks, making this a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the view. To the north, you can see the Castelo de São Jorge and the Alfama district. To the south, you can see the Baixa district toward the Tagus River. This is a great place to enjoy sunrise but do not expect sunset views as it faces primarily East. There is even a map that helps you pinpoint each of the landmarks you can see.

• Hungry? The Decadente is known for fancy cocktails and affordable Portuguese food (but maybe not first thing in the morning). Or head to Rosa da Rua for a not exactly Portuguese buffet at around €14 for lunch and €20 for dinner.

2. Church of Saint Roch

This church is one of the few buildings in Lisbon to have survived the 1755 earthquake. The exterior is extremely simple and unassuming, but if you decide to stop in, expect a sensory assault that will test your faith. You’ll discover an intricately decorated interior of frescoes and gilded carved wood. Admission is free. There is also an attached museum that we did not visit. Regular admission to the museum is €10.

• Hungry? Stop at Tapa Bucho for tapas. Or try Bistro 100 Maneiras for funky fine dining. I’ve been told to get the spinach and cheese burek, mushroom and shrimp risotto, beetroot tartare, spicy octopus with honey and sweet potato puree, or the dry-aged Rossini loin tataki.

3. Carmo Convent

A medieval convent left roofless by the 1755 earthquake. Inside the convent is a small archeological museum with a random collection of items ranging from tombs of Portuguese monarchs to mummies from Egypt and Peru. Regular admission is €7.

Behind the convent is the top of the Santa Justa Lift which is conveniently the next step on your Lisbon walking tour.

• Hungry? Then you’re in the right place! Alcôa is supposed to be a magical pastry shop. Belcanto is a two Michelin starred restaurant serving modern Portuguese dishes a la carte or through one of two conceptual tasting menus. Alma is another two Michelin starred restaurant serving internationally inspired food with a Portuguese point of view. Anthony Bourdain says get the salt cod, or try the five-course Coast to Coast menu. BAHR & Terrace serves classic Portuguese food in a fire hall turned hotel. Get the grilled squid and the dessert with pineapple, sweet potato, and puffed rice. Taberna da Rua das Flores is a cool tapas spot and possibly the best Portuguese restaurant in Lisbon. Get anything on the daily menu. Or grab a meal at Casa da Índia for some amazing Portuguese food. Don’t let the plastic chairs and no-frills appearance fool you – this place offers some amazing food at even better prices.

4. Santa Justa Lift

Santa Justa elevator (54E) connects Baixa to Largo do Carmo in Chiado. Tickets bought on board are €5.30 return. Instead, purchase a Viva Viagem transport card and spend only €1.35 per trip. The top is a great viewpoint.

Plan to end up at the bottom of the lift.

• Thirsty? If you decide not to take the lift down, you can stop at Ginginha do Carmo for Ginjinha (a sour cherry liqueur made with ginja berries and sugar). And while you’re at it, go to A Ginjinha for another cheap shot of cherry liqueur. Because all the Travel Channel people do it.
• Hungry? Head to Mercado da Baixa for a quick, casual meal. Look for cheese, sausage, wine, and all things magical. It runs the last weekend of the month and throughout the Christmas season.

5. Praça do Comércio

This is Lisbon’s most popular square and one of Europe’s largest. It’s located along the riverfront and is the former location of the royal palace (which was destroyed in an earthquake in 1755). At it’s center is a large statue of King José I and his horse. You can also climb up the Arco da Rua Augusta for views of the river and the symmetric streets. It costs €3,50 to climb the Arco.

From here, you can either walk to the Lisbon Cathedral or to skip a little more hill walking and incorporate another quintessential Lisbon experience, catch Tram 28E(Martim Moniz) from Rua da Conceição and ride it until you see the giant church at the top of the hill (2 stops). 

6. Lisbon Cathedral

Constructed on the grounds of a former mosque, this Roman Catholic cathedral was built to celebrate the defeat of the Moors in the mid-1100s (a conflict that came about after a failed Crusade to the Holy Land). It’s been partially rebuilt over the years due to earthquakes and is now an amalgamation of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architectural styles. It’s very peaceful and beautiful. Be sure to dress appropriately as it is a place of ongoing worship. Download the guide in advance since there is no free wifi here. Climb to the terrace for great views of the city and river. Regular admission is €5.

• Hungry? Head to Sála de João Sá for Portuguese – global food. Think monkfish with cauliflower and caviar, red prawn with Thai tom yum and Brazilian vatapá, and a balanced dessert made with almonds, miso, and beer yeast. Or go to Nova Pombalina for the cheap suckling pig sandwiches. Or The Bifanas of Afonso for a bifana, a simple street food sandwich with thin slices of fried pork shank stuffed into a crusty roll. Order at the window and expect to wait in line. Or Chapitô à Mesa for views from a traditional Portuguese restaurant. To get there, you’ll pass through a cute handmade-jewelry shop, up some stairs, then some more stairs, and then, to make it to the terrace, one more skinny spiral staircase.

At this point, the walking tour will take you to Alfama, another central Lisbon neighborhood. There are two public elevators that get you pretty high up in that neighborhood. If you’ve just come from the Lisbon Cathedral, you’ve already missed out on using the first one but you may want to take advantage of the second. To find it, head to the Pingo Doce – Chao do Loureiro. This is a grocery store located at the bottom of the elevator. Take the elevator all the way to the top (Floor 7) to check out the view and then continue your walk from there. 

7. Miradouro de Santa Luzia

This is a great viewpoint for sunrise or just views of the city during the day. The terrace is covered in bougainvillea and decorated with azulejo tiles and is incredibly peaceful despite the crowds. Look for terracotta rooftops, the National Pantheon, the Tagus River’s south bank, and giant cruise ships.

Miradouro das Portas do Sol is also right around the corner.

• Hungry? Miss Can has conservas (small cans of gourmet seafood) which you can get seasoned with olive oil, spicy olive oil, spicy olive oil with pickles, or tomato sauce. Enjoy with a glass of dry white port and tonic.

8. Castelo de Sao Jorge

This 11th century castle is visible from across Lisbon. Expect lots of peacocks and great views of the city.

Admission costs €15. If the queue for tickets is long, you can buy a skip-the-line ticket on the website. There are a number of guided tours available, some of which are included with the admission ticket, and some of which cost additional €4. Check tour availability when you visit. (If it works with your schedule, aim for 10am-1pm October-March).

• Hungry? Try Tasca Baldracca for a fantastic no-frills, affordable, traditional restaurant. Look for Beef Cheeks, Duck Croquettes, Boar Pie, and Beef Tartare. Or O Velho Eurico, a traditional Portuguese spot that’s super popular with and highly recommended by locals. Get in line before it opens or email for a reservation. Get anything on the menu. And Zé dos Cornos is a tasca with a menu that’s full of pork and bacalhau, grilled on the spot.
• Thirsty: Quattro Teste is a super creative cocktail bar.

9. Miradouro da Graça

This viewpoint has views to the west that include the Tagus River and 25 of April Bridge in the distance. To the southwest you will see Castelo de Sao Jorge. There is a small cafe and you can expect buskers providing entertainment. Go for sunset.

• Hungry? It’s a 15 minute, largely uphill climb to Cervejaria Ramiro, a super popular seafood restaurant. Expect to wait if you don’t have a reservation, but it’s worth it, and you can get beer while you wait.
• Thirsty? Stop at TOPO MARTIM MONIZ, a rooftop cocktail and tapas bar with sunset views. Tucked away on Floor 5 of the Martim Moniz building. Or ROOFTOP Bar – Hotel Mundial for views, tapas, and cocktails.

This concludes our walking tour around Alfama and Lisbon center. If you have more time in Lisbon, there are plenty more sights to see. And if you have even more time, don’t forget to head to Belem and Sintra also!