There’s no better place to kick things off than at the São Pedro de Alcântara viewing point. With a sweeping view of the hills of Lisbon before you, you’ll learn about the origins of the city—arguably the oldest in Western Europe— as well as the decisive moments in its history that have shaped the way the city has evolved into modern cultural capital.

 

After taking in the viewpoint, you’ll make your way through the winding streets of Bairro Alto. While nowadays it may be best known for its nightlife, you'll uncover how many of its historic buildings hold the key to understanding Lisbon’s past. You’ll marvel at the treasures within the São Roque Church as evidence of the prominence of the Jesuits in 16th-century Portugal, continuing through the Carmo Convent—a visceral representation of the impact of the 1755 earthquake.

 

You’ll continue into the Chiado neighborhood, a popular shopping district that has long been a haven for artists and creatives. This is the perfect setting to touch upon Portuguese café culture and the literary and artistic movements that have been nurtured here, like the great Renaissance poet Luis de Camões who gives his name to a nearby picturesque square, or the vibrant contemporary art scene. Your expert guide will wrap things up with a stroll through Baixa and the iconic Praça do Comércio to take in the impressive panorama of the Río Tejo, where you’ll reflect upon all you’ve learned the city’s ancient roots, its regeneration after the earthquake, and modern local life. You’ll leave much more acquainted with central Lisbon, with plenty of recommendations from your expert about how to best explore the city further.

 

If you’re looking to go even deeper into Lisbon’s history, we recommend our Lisbon Old Town Tour in Alfama or our Lisbon Belém Tour.

For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQs.

Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.

Where do we meet? Where does the tour end?
We meet at the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint and will end in Baixa, near the Praça do Comércio. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.

How should we arrive at the meeting point?
You can get to the viewpoint on foot, although it is a bit uphill. You can also easily order an Uber or taxi to bring you to meet your expert guide.

Can someone with mobility issues attend this tour?
Lisbon, overall, is quite a hilly city. Consider that there are mostly cobblestone streets and this is a walking tour that mainly visits the exterior of various locations. While we have designed the tour to generally walk downhill, there may be some stairs and inclines. We may then have difficulty and lack of control in curating the tour to fit the needs of someone with mobility issues.