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Lisbon, Portugal
5(604)
15 Guests Max
3 hrs
24h Free CancellationLisbon has it all as far as European cities go: stunning architecture, delicious food, and plenty of things to do for all kinds of travellers. But while the Portuguese capital is still relatively affordable, at least compared to the US and other European cities, prices are on the rise—not least because of its thriving expat community and growing population of digital nomads.
If you’re planning a trip to Lisbon but don’t want to burn a hole in your pocket, this guide is for you. Carpe Diem’s team of locals has packed it full of plenty of tips for sightseeing, and cultural and food-related things to do.
Few districts exude as much charm and character as Lisbon’s Alfama district.
Rising up from the Atlantic coastline towards the 11th-century São Jorge Castle, Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood is brimming with artisan shops and traditional restaurants. Letting yourself be guided by your senses and curiosity is rewarding in itself, but the best way to discover this district and others in the centre of Lisbon is through an affordable group walking tour with an expert guide.
Bear in mind that Lisbon isn’t the flattest city, and all that walking is bound to boost your appetite. Here’s a list of reasonably priced restaurants nearby.
Address: Largo São Cristóvão nº3, 1100-179 Lisboa, Portugal
Price Range: €10 - €30
Address: Rua de São João da Praça 94, 1100-521 Lisboa, Portugal
Price Range: €20 - €50
Address: Rua do Paraíso 49B, 1100-395 Lisboa, Portugal
Price Range: €20 - €50
A genre whose name most likely derives from the Latin fatum, meaning ‘fate’, Fado is a particularly poignant, melodic, and often mournful kind of music.
Its origins are loosely located in the 1820s, though they undoubtedly stretch back further. But if you wander the streets of Lisbon by evening and take in its Fado melodies emanating from streets and bars, it’s back this time that you’ll be transported.
There are plenty of places to listen to Fado, though just wandering the streets and letting your senses guide you can be just as rewarding.
Lisbon is a paradise for food lovers,
TasteAtlas ranks it as the 12th best food destination in the world—with Florence and Rome ranked 1st and 2nd respectively. Taste your way through its culinary delights and pesticos menus, and no doubt you’ll concur.
From sizzling seafood to hearty stews, each dining spot here promises a warm and inviting atmosphere where every dish feels like a hug from the city. And to make sure you don’t miss out on anything while steering clear of the tourist traps, we’ve created our own food tour of Lisbon! Check it out below:
If you’d rather risk it going solo, check out these locally-recommended restaurants situated in the center of Lisbon where you can enjoy affordable Portuguese cuisine:
Address: Av. 24 de Julho 54, 1200-657 Lisboa, Portugal.
Price Range: €5 - €15 per person for a meal without drinks.
Address: Rua de São Lourenço 5, 1100-530 Lisboa, Portugal.
Price Range: €10 - €20 per person for a meal without drinks.
Address: Praça Luís de Camões 48, 1200-243 Lisboa, Portugal.
Price Range: €5 - €10 per person for a meal without drinks.
While Lisbon’s neoclassical architecture is a reason for visiting in itself, it can be nice to take a break from the freneticism of the city by relaxing in one of its parks or gardens.
Here are some of the best parks near the central part of Lisbon.
Address: Parque Eduardo VII, 1070-099 Lisboa, Portugal.
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: Praça da Estrela, 1200-667 Lisboa, Portugal.
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: Rua da Escola Politécnica 54, 1250-102 Lisboa, Portugal.
Entrance Fee: €3 for adults, with discounts available for students, seniors, and family groups. Children under 6 enter for free.
Photo by LX Factory
If you want to immerse yourself in Lisbon’s modern art scene without breaking the bank, make sure to check out the LX Factory
Situated in an industrial complex not far from the port of Alcântara, this bustling hub is open daily from 9:00 am until 10:30 pm, and offers a vibrant blend of installations, workshops, and street performances.
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If you’re looking for budget-friendly things to do in Lisbon during the spring and summer months, you can’t go wrong with a day trip to the beach!
Not far away are stretches of golden sand beaches and traditional restaurants serving up tasty seafood. Just bear in mind that the waters around Lisbon are cold—this is the Atlantic Ocean after all!
Check out these stunning beaches near Lisbon along with directions on how to get there.
How to Get There: You can reach Carcavelos Beach by taking a train from Lisbon's Cais do Sodré station to Carcavelos, which is a journey of about 20-25 minutes. Once at Carcavelos station, it is a 10-15 minute walk to the beach.
How to Get There: To get to Guincho Beach, you can take a train from Cais do Sodré to Cascais which takes about 40 minutes. From Cascais, it's a 15-minute drive to the beach, and there are taxis or Uber services available.
How to Get There: You can take the train from Rossio or Cais do Sodré station to Sintra, which takes about 40-50 minutes. From Sintra, take a bus (No. 441 or 403) or tram to Praia das Maçãs, which will take about 30-40 minutes.
Remember to check public transport schedules and the availability of Uber or taxi services for your return journey before heading out to enjoy your beach day.
Whether you're exploring historic neighborhoods like Alfama, indulging in the culinary delights at affordable Portuguese eateries, or soaking up the sun at the nearby pristine beaches, Lisbon offers plenty of things to do without breaking the bank.
But the best way to enjoy the Portuguese capital to the fullest and avoid the tourist traps is to treat yourself to Carpe Diem Rome's Lisbon Tours.
Our Lisbon Food Tour fully immerses you in the rich, delicious world of Portuguese cuisine, feeding your curiosity while filling your stomach!
If you believe the best way to experience a city is through its nightlife, be sure to check out our Tipsy Tour. This unique tour immerses you in the city’s more scandalous history while giving you a taste of its traditional drinks, and is a great way to meet other travellers!
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Lisbon, PortugalYou might have heard of the “Seven Wonders of the World”, but did you know this phrase also applies to food? Try three of the seven wonders of Portuguese cuisine on our Lisbon Food Tour, an award-winning experience through the neoclassical Baixa neighbourhood. With everything pre-arranged, you’ll skip the crowds; no queues, no guesswork, just authentic Portuguese flavours, served stress-free.
A local guide will take you and a group of fellow foodies on a comprehensive gastronomic tour of the only flat neighbourhood in the city, featuring the best of "new Lisbon" after the devastating earthquake of 1755.
Our route starts from the river Tagus and takes us through magnificent squares like Praca do Comercio, making our way toward the heart of Baixa. This is where we'll discover the history of the Portuguese Empire and Inquisition, and see sought-after sites like Igreja do Santo Domingo and the Elevador de Santa Justa.
Along the way, we'll stop at local, family-owned eateries to try traditional petiscos and drinks. Tantalise your taste buds with Portuguese classics like codfish, chouriço, and seafood rice, before indulging in the city's street food featuring bifana, a sandwich stuffed with simmering meat, and a salgado, battered and fried. Then, wash it all down with perfectly paired drinks like green wine, local beer, and Ginjinha, a traditional cherry liqueur.
And of course, no Lisbon Food and Wine Tour would be complete without a sweet treat. To end your tour, you’ll satisfy your sweet tooth with a classic Portuguese dessert before continuing the night with your newfound friends.
What are you waiting for? Eat like a local and book our Lisbon Food Tour today.
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Lisbon, PortugalExplore the best of Lisbon in two hours with two viewpoints, ten stops, and four neighbourhoods. A local guide will take you on a story-driven walking tour through the streets of Lisbon, where history, culture, views, cuisine, and local life collide.
We’ll explore four neighbourhoods walking through Lisbon chronologically, from the city’s imperial golden age to the devastating 1755 earthquake, literary cafés, cultural traditions, and the modern Lisbon that locals love today. By the end of the tour, you’ll understand the urban reinvention that makes Lisbon a must-see destination and shape its future.
We’ll start the tour in Bairro Alto at one of the city’s most beautiful viewpoints: the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, featuring sweeping views of the seven hills, São Jorge Castle, and the Tagus River. Then, we’ll head to Carmo to uncover Lisbon’s golden age and the impact of the 1755 earthquake, where we’ll visit Igreja de São Roque, the sole survivor of the earthquake, the richest Jesuit church in Portugal, and the oldest church in the city.
Stand in the square where Europe’s longest dictatorship ended in less than 24 hours during the peaceful Carnation Revolution, before climbing to one of the city’s best rooftop viewpoints. Pass beneath the iconic Santa Justa Lift, inspired by the world of Gustave Eiffel, and wander into Chiado, Lisbon’s elegant literary heart.
Discover the city of Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa, browse the oldest operating bookshop in the world, and soak up café culture where Lisbon’s writers once gathered. Then head to Cais do Sodré and stroll along Pink Street, an Instagrammable nightlife hotspot with a scandalous past as the city’s former red light district. We’ll finish the tour at the legendary Time Out Market and a freshly baked pastel de nata from one of Lisbon’s best pastry shops.
This tour is for travellers who want the full story of Lisbon in just two hours: history, art, literature, food, nightlife, and great photo spots. For people who want a tour that gives them both the history and the modern, Instagrammable side of one of Europe’s oldest capital cities.
Does that sound like you? Book now and discover the past, present and future of Lisbon, all in one walk.
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