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Introduction to Lisbon Tour: Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Baixa

Get acquainted with Lisbon’s three most influential neighborhoods with an expert guide
From US$448 privately
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Tour Details
Duration
3 hrs
Product Type
Tour
Venues
  • Church of São Roque
  • Carmo Convent
  • Santa Justa Lift
  • Praça do Comércio
  • Bairro Alto Neighborhood
  • Baixa Neighborhood
  • Chiado Neighborhood
Photos & Highlights
  • Immerse yourself in centuries of history with a winding walk through the heart of the city — taking in Lisbon’s three oldest and most iconic bairros
  • Led by an expert in history or archaeology
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Tour Description
This introductory tour takes you to the heart of the bohemian, historic, and creative hubs of Lisbon in the company of an expert guide where you’ll explore its three most iconic neighborhoods: Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Baixa.

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. You’ll then make your way through the winding streets of Bairro Alto. 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, leaving much more acquainted with central Lisbon, with plenty of recommendations from your expert about how to best explore the city further.
  • You love to walk and want to cover a lot of ground to orient yourself in the city
  • You're a culture lover interested deeper knowledge in local traditions and customs
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.
  • São Pedro de Alcântara offers a panoramic view of Lisbon from its terrace, serving as a beloved lookout point that also features a serene garden.
  • Bairro Alto, Chiado, Rossio, Baixa neighborhoods form the vibrant heart of Lisbon, each with its own character, from bohemian vibes to chic boutiques and historic squares.
  • The Church of São Roque, modest from the outside, hides a rich interior with ornate chapels, showcasing a splendid example of baroque artistry.
  • Santa Justa Lift, an industrial age marvel, connects the lower streets of the Baixa with the higher Largo do Carmo, and is a striking urban landmark.
  • Carmo Convent stands as a poignant reminder of the devastation of the 1755 earthquake, with its roofless nave offering a unique glimpse into the city’s resilient past.
  • Praça do Comércio is a grand riverside square that has been the gateway to Lisbon for centuries, framed by yellow Pombaline architecture and the Tagus River.
Resources
  • Lisbon is a very hilly city, and unfortunately, we cannot recommend this tour for wheelchair users. Although we have designed this tour to generally walk downhill, there may still be stairs and inclines that are difficult to navigate.
For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQs.

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. 
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
451 Reviews (4.89)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

We had an excellent introduction to Lisbon with Tiago.
Jose Vale was absolutely sensational. So much history, culture, architecture and personality packed into 3 hours that flew by. Thank you, so much!
This was an excellent introductory tour for a first time visitor to Lisbon. Tiago gave detailed information on the culture, architecture, politics and history.