Unusual Things to Do in Lisbon

Been to Belém, ridden tram 28 and climbed to the castle? Lisbon has plenty more: a scorched church, a doll hospital, Roman tunnels under the Baixa, a bookshop with a flying bicycle and a Moorish palace hidden behind a plain door. Here are the most unusual things to do in Lisbon.

Quick answer: our favourite quirky Lisbon experiences are the Igreja de São Domingos, the hidden courtyard of Casa do Alentejo, LX Factory and the Ler Devagar bookshop, the Prazeres Cemetery, Village Underground, the Feira da Ladra flea market and the Hospital de Bonecas (doll hospital).

Why look beyond the big sights

Lisbon’s headline sights are busy for much of the year. Its odder corners are usually quieter, often free or cheap, and they tell you more about how the city has lived through earthquake, fire and revolution. Most of the places below are in or near the centre, so you can mix them into a normal sightseeing day.

Unusual things to do

Igreja de São Domingos

A church near Rossio whose interior was gutted by fire in 1959 and left scorched, with cracked columns and blackened stone. It’s still a working church, so visit quietly and avoid service times. It survived the 1755 earthquake only partly, and its walls show both disasters. Entry is free. Allow 15 minutes. See Lisbon’s churches.

Casa do Alentejo

Behind a plain door on Rua das Portas de Santo Antão is a Moorish-style courtyard and tiled halls, with a restaurant serving Alentejo food. Climb the stairs to see the tiled dining rooms and the grand upstairs halls. The building, an old palace, is the home of a club for people from the Alentejo region. You don’t need to eat to look around, but a drink or a lunch of Alentejo pork is a good excuse to linger. See Alentejo food.

LX Factory and Ler Devagar

A former industrial complex under the 25 de Abril Bridge, now full of shops, restaurants and street art. Its Ler Devagar bookshop has towering shelves and a bicycle suspended from the ceiling. The bookshop sits in an old printing works, and some of the presses are still on show. Go on a Sunday for the LX Market, or at sunset for the rooftop bars. Take tram 15 or a train on the Cascais line to Alcântara-Mar.

Village Underground

A creative hub built from shipping containers and old double-decker buses, near LX Factory. The containers are co-working offices, and one of the buses is now a café. The buses once ran for Carris, Lisbon’s own bus company. It’s on Avenida da Índia in Alcântara, with views of the 25 de Abril Bridge, and it hosts concerts, markets and parties. Check its programme before you go.

Prazeres Cemetery

A city of ornate family mausoleums, with cypress-lined lanes and river views. It’s peaceful and fascinating. Some tombs have glass doors through which you can see coffins and family photos, so it’s not for everyone. It sits at the western end of the tram 28 route in Campo de Ourique. Allow about an hour. It usually opens daily from 9am and closes at 5pm (6pm from May to September), earlier than you might expect.

Feira da Ladra

Lisbon’s “thieves’ market” flea market, held on Tuesdays and Saturdays near the National Pantheon. See Alfama. Stalls sell everything from old tiles and vinyl records to military badges and pure junk. Go in the morning, bring cash and haggle politely. Pickpockets like crowds here, so keep your bag closed.

Hospital de Bonecas

A doll hospital in Praça da Figueira, founded in the 19th century, with a small museum of patients. It has been mending dolls since 1830 and is often called the oldest in the world. A short guided visit for a small fee shows drawers of spare eyes, arms and heads, and dolls waiting for surgery. It’s usually closed on Sundays. Children usually love it; some adults find it a little eerie.

The Roman galleries

Tunnels under Rua da Prata in the Baixa, flooded most of the year and opened only on a few days annually. Check the dates with the city museum. The galleries were found after the 1755 earthquake and are usually pumped dry for short visits in September, around the European Heritage Days. You climb down through a hatch in the middle of the street. The April opening was dropped in 2026, so check the Museu de Lisboa website for current dates. Tickets cost a few euros and sell out fast.

Cacilhas and Cristo Rei

Take the ferry across the Tagus for fish restaurants on the waterfront and the giant Christ statue with views back over Lisbon. Ferries leave from Cais do Sodré, and the crossing is short and cheap. The statue is a bus or taxi ride up the hill from the ferry. You can see it free from the outside, but going up to the viewing platform is paid. A lift takes you up the tall pedestal to a terrace about 80 metres up. See Cristo Rei.

Lisbon’s street art

Huge murals and Bordalo II’s animal sculptures made from trash. See Lisbon street art.

Ginjinha at a hole in the wall

Drink cherry liqueur standing in the street by Rossio. See the ginjinha guide.

Tinned fish shops

Colourful shops selling sardines in beautiful tins. See Portuguese tinned fish.

A quirky day route

• Morning: the Feira da Ladra (on a Tuesday or Saturday), then walk down through Alfama.
• Late morning: São Domingos church, a ginjinha by Rossio and the doll hospital in Praça da Figueira, all within a few minutes’ walk.
• Lunch: Casa do Alentejo.
• Afternoon: tram or train west to LX Factory and Village Underground, then sunset by the river.

Practical tips

• Opening days: many smaller sights close on Sundays or Mondays, so check before you go.
• Shoes: Lisbon’s pavements are hilly and slippery. Wear comfortable shoes with grip.
• Getting around: the Glória and Bica funiculars and the Santa Justa lift are closed. The Graça funicular reopened in April 2026.

Want a guide?

Alternative walking tours cover street art, Mouraria and local stories. See Lisbon tours.

FAQ

Can you visit the Roman galleries under Lisbon?

Only on a few days a year, when the Museu de Lisboa pumps out the water, usually in September. The April 2026 opening was cancelled, so check the museum’s website for the next dates and book quickly.

When is the Feira da Ladra flea market on?

On Tuesdays and Saturdays, near the National Pantheon in Alfama. Go in the morning for the best choice, and bring cash.

What unusual things in Lisbon are free?

São Domingos church, the Prazeres Cemetery, the courtyard of Casa do Alentejo, LX Factory and the street art are all free. The doll hospital, the Roman galleries and the Cristo Rei lift charge a fee.

More: free things to do in Lisbon, things to do in Lisbon and Portugal’s hidden gems.

See also: the LX Factory guide, the Aguas Livres Aqueduct, Pillar 7, the Fronteira Palace and the Museu do Oriente.

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