More about: Lisbon Day Trips
Lisbon's rooftops, alleyways and facades enchant the traveller from the very first moment. However, Lisbon has a hidden side that is not easy to discover. A guided tour will give you a different and more complete vision.
1. Guided walking tour of the Belem area
Presided over by the Belem Tower, this is the area of Lisbon where the Tagus River flows into the city. In Belem you will find a wide expanse of parks, museums and gardens bordered by a riverside promenade lined with cafes and terraces. For three hours you will tour the Belem area with a local guide who, as well as showing you the charm of the area, will tell you the history behind the city.
During this walking tour (although there may be some public transport) you will learn how the Belem area saw the rise and fall of the country that was a world empire with 60 sovereign states under its influence.
Itinerary
- The Commerce Square
- The 25th April Bridge
- Albuquerque Square
- The Monument to the Discoveries
- The Belem Tower
- The gardens of the Empire Square
- The Jerónimos Monastery
This tour is for you if
You like the stories of navigators and discoverers such as Henry the Navigator, Luis de Camoes or Vasco da Gama. If you want a short introduction to Portugal's glorious past, this is your best option.
2. Guided walking tour of Alfama neighbourhood
Before the Middle Ages, Alfama was the best neighbourhood in Lisbon, but the earthquakes that struck the city caused the wealthiest people to leave the neighbourhood and it was occupied by fishermen and humble people. To this day, Alfama has preserved its essence and the daily life of the neighbourhood revolves around small shops and taverns. Its narrow streets and its collage of orange roofs make Alfama one of the most authentic neighbourhoods in Lisbon.
In addition to its charm, this walking tour of Alfama will show you how this neighbourhood influenced the birth and evolution of Fado, the most representative song of the city of Lisbon.
Itinerary
- Commerce Square
- Alfama Quarter
- St. George's Castle
- Nossa Senhora do Monte viewpoint
- Lisbon Cathedral
This tour is for you if
You feel like getting to know in depth one of the most authentic and charming areas of Lisbon.
3. Guided walking tour of Lisbon
This guided walking tour option of Lisbon, available in English and Spanish, is one of the most comprehensive. You will have a local guide at your disposal for four hours and he will show you the most relevant aspects of the city centre including mythical neighbourhoods such as Alfama or Chiado.
The group will be limited to a maximum of 20 people, in order to guarantee a high quality service from the guide. The tour also includes a wine tasting with tapas and a tasting of the city's typical cream cake.
Itinerary
- Rossio Square
- Liberty Avenue
- Restauradores Square
- Santo Domingo Church (Santa Justa and Rufina)
- Chiado Quarter
- Augusta Street
- Church of Santa Maria Maggiore
- Alfama Quarter
- Statue of Joseph the Reformer
- Commerce Square
This tour is for you if
You have little free time to visit Lisbon and you want to choose an experience that allows you to get a general picture of the city and its history. It can also serve as an introduction to the city during the first few days of your trip: this way you will be able to find your way around and discover which areas you like the most, and then come back to explore them in depth.
4. Private sunset sailing boat cruise on the Tagus River
The Tagus River is one of the most emblematic elements of the city and touring it by boat while observing the nearby monuments is one of the most demanded experiences by travellers visiting the capital of Portugal. With this activity you have the option to do it privately on a sailing boat at sunset during a two-hour cruise on the Tagus available in Spanish, English, Portuguese and Russian.
This sailing trip on the river is reserved for small groups of up to 12 people. For an additional cost you can hire drinks and food during the cruise or the pick up and drop off at your hotel (otherwise when booking online you will be informed of the meeting point via email).
Itinerary
- Monument to the Discoveries
- Jeronimos Monastery
- 25th April Bridge
- Belem Tower
- National Sanctuary of Christ the King
This tour is for you if
You want to live the relaxing and exclusive experience of a walk along the river enjoying the views and getting away from all the stress of the city.
5. Guided night tour of Lisbon
Like many cities, Lisbon is transformed at dusk by the illumination of its buildings and monuments. It is worth touring Lisbon at night, getting away from the stress and pace of daytime obligations. There are also tours to do this and this three-hour tour available in Spanish, English and Portuguese is one of the highlights.
The main advantages of this tour are twofold: it is a private tour and it includes snacks.
Itinerary
- San Pedro de Alcántara viewpoint
- Barrio Alto neighbourhood
- Carmo Church
- Santa Justa Elevator
- Alfama Quarter
- Commerce Square
This tour is for you if
You want a relaxed and authentic experience away from the more touristy, historical Lisbon. Visiting the city with a local will allow you to get a deeper insight into the nightlife and the locals' nightlife.
6. Excursion to Sintra from Lisbon
This is undoubtedly the most common and most popular excursion for travellers visiting Lisbon. Just half an hour from the city, Sintra is a great destination for your getaway, not only because of the charm of the town itself, but also because it is home to one of the most spectacular buildings you will see in Portugal: the Pena Palace.
In fact, this visit is so popular that there are different options to choose from, depending on your time, budget or desire to discover the area in more or less depth. Here is a link to a practical guide I have written on Day trips to Sintra and Cascais from Lisbon so that you can choose the one you fancy the most.
This activity is for you if
You only have time for one excursion and you don't want to miss the emblematic Pena Palace.
7. Day trip to Arrábida and Sesimbra with wine tasting
Apart from its historical importance, Fado and gastronomy, Portugal is also famous for its wines. Close to Lisbon there are regions where you can go wine tasting, get to know the vineyards and learn about the wine tradition from an expert guide. This Arrábida and Sesimbra tour is designed to do just that.
This round trip from Lisbon is designed for small groups, includes six wine tastings and passes through the Arrábida National Park and the fishing village of Sesimbra. It is available in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Itinerary
- Vasco de Gama Bridge
- Palmela Castle
- Quinta de Alcube in Arrábida
- Arrábida Natural Park
- Sesimbra Castle
- House Museum of Jose Maria de Fonseca
- National Sanctuary of Christ the King
This tour is for you if
You are interested in the tradition of wine, you want to get away from the crowds of the capital for a day and you want to get to know the surroundings of Lisbon from a different and intimate point of view.
8. Day trip to Fátima, Nazaré and Óbidos
The Portuguese countryside has a rich historical and cultural heritage and this day trip to Fátima, Nazaré and Óbidos from Lisbon covers three places that are a perfect example of this: the pilgrimage town of Fátima, the medieval village of Óbidos and the coastal village of Nazaré.
This tour through the Portuguese countryside is aimed at small groups of a maximum of eight people because it is considered that this is the best way to make the most of the explanations of the expert local guide who will accompany the travellers throughout the tour.
Itinerary
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fátima
- Batalha Monastery
- Nazaré Beach
- St Martin's Bay of Portugal
- Medieval village of Óbidos
This tour is for you if
You want to take advantage of your visit to Lisbon to see more of Portugal's emblematic places, without having to worry about organising journeys by public transport or renting a car.
9. Day trip to Évora with olive oil tasting
As well as wine, olive oil is also an important part of Portuguese gastronomy, so this day trip to the Roman city of Evora includes an olive oil tasting.
This activity is designed for small groups of a maximum of eight people, is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese and, in addition to the services of a specialised guide, includes pick-up and return to the hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and entrance to the Chapel of the Bones.
Itinerary
- The megalithic complex of Almendres
- Roman Temple of Évora
- Gothic Cathedral of Évora
- Church of San Francisco
- Chapel of the Bones
This tour is for you if
You like ancient history and want to know more about Portugal's history by visiting one of the most important Roman cities in the country.
10. Knights Templar Tour from Lisbon
Another way to get to know part of Portugal's history is by taking this tour of the medieval villages of Constância and Tomar, sites of some of the great battles fought by the Knights Templar in the Middle Ages.
Accompanied by a specialised guide in a small group, and for about 9 hours, you will take a tour in which you will get to know unique sites where this Christian military order played an important historical role. You will have tickets for all the monuments on this tour, as well as a boat trip around Almourol Castle.
Itinerary
- Constância and Tomar
- Almourol Castle
- Convent of Christ
- Church of Santa Maria do Olival
This tour is for you if
You are passionate about medieval history and want to relive some of the greatest battles led by the Knights Templar in Portugal, told by an expert guide.
11. Private day trip to the Berlenga Grande island
Surely when you planned your trip to Lisbon you didn't expect to spend one of the days on an island paradise without having to spend the night outside the Portuguese capital.
Itinerary
- Panoramic boat trip
- Visit to the fort of San Juan Bautista
- Kayak excursion
- Services of an expert guide throughout the day
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Use of snorkelling equipment
This tour is for you if
You want to treat yourself to a luxurious day on this beautiful island and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.