Dating back to 1200 BC, Lisbon has always been one of Europe’s key seaports, a powerhouse to rival London, Paris and Rome. Home to winding cobbled streets, wide piazzas, UNESCO treasures and vibrant yellow trams, this introduction tour will take you to the best spots in a short amount of time.
On your private walking tour, you will:
- Start in Chiado, known for its elegant buildings, great shopping, restaurants and cafes, and see the famed Convento do Carmo;
- Learn how the magnificent medieval Carmo Convent - today roofless - survived Lisbon’s devastating 1755 earthquake, followed by a tsunami and fires;
- Enjoy panoramic views from Lisbon’s 45-meter-high ornate iron lift, the Elevador de Santa Justa - inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris it has been one of the city's most famous sites since its inauguration in 1902;
- Descend into the "downtown" of Lisbon, Baixa neighbourhood and see the city's most famous square, Praça do Comércio;
- Learn why this neighbourhood has a unique grid pattern layout, and how Lisbon was rebuilt with distinctive Pombaline architecture after its infamous earthquake;
- Climb up to Alfama, past the Sé de Lisboa, the city’s grand cathedral which dates back to 1147;
- Stroll through the steep streets of trendy Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest district, famous for its narrow cobblestone streets, boutiques, and home to Portuguese Fado Music;
- Admire the view from Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Lisbon's most famous viewpoint decorated with Azulejo tiles;
- End your tour in Alfama, where your guide can give you suggestions on where to eat, drink and enjoy some traditional Fado music.
On this walking tour, an expert local guide will introduce you to Lisbon. Dating back to 1200 BC, Portugal’s capital has always been one of Europe’s key seaports, a powerhouse to rival London, Paris and Rome. On this half-day tour, you’ll get a flavour of Lisbon’s past, visiting some of its most iconic historical and cultural sights.
Your private tour begins at Largo do Chiado, where you will journey back to the Middle Ages to uncover the city’s Jewish and Moorish heritage. Hear about the impact of one of Lisbon’s defining moments, November 1st 1755, when a magnitude 9 earthquake— one of the strongest ever recorded— hit the city, followed by a wave of tsunamis and fires. The Convento do Carmo is a testament to this historical turning point; its nave remains roofless after caving in on that fateful day.
In Baixa, Lisbon’s downtown, commercial centre, see how the ruined district was revived by the Marquis of Pombal, who designed a revolutionary new grid pattern for Lisbon, filling the streets with neoclassical architecture and earthquake-resistant buildings. Walk through the grand Arco da Rua Augusta in Commercial Square and stand atop the 450-metre-tall Elevador de Santa Justa to appreciate Lisbon’s iconic street plan from an aerial perspective.
The tour ends with a walk around the Alfama district, once a poor area set outside the city walls but now a popular arty district with labyrinthine streets. Wander the steep alleyways where yellow trams wind up to St George’s Castle, past ancient houses, Fado bars, and colourful shopfronts. The district is home to Sé de Lisboa, the 1147 Romanesque cathedral that has miraculously withstood the city’s many quakes.
If you’re looking for a quick, informative introduction to Portugal’s multicultural capital, then this express tour is the perfect option.