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Free tour

Experience Lisbon Downtown with History and a Ph.D. student walking tour!

Duration: 3h
Languages: English, French
Guru: Eduardo
Quality Verified Registered on January 09, 2023

I am a Ph.D. title candidate in Anthropology who has been to around 75 countries. I am passionate about meeting people from different countries and backgrounds. I am also an experienced tour guide who has done over 900 tours in Portugal and about 300 in Thailand (the country which was the subject of my doctoral thesis). While I am skilled in History, I also have a strong bohemian part of my personality, thus I enjoy showing my clients the best bars and restaurant to attend in the city. In my tours, I prize that the clients will get both a general knowledge of the History of Lisbon and local tips on how to enjoy their time in the city.

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  • No minimum number of attendees
    No minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free

Tour description

Whether you are a tourist, an ex-pat, or even a local, this historical, city center walking tour is made for those who want to get a better understanding of Lisbon's rich history while making new friends.

We will leave from Rossio square, the heart of the city, and head up to explore the classic neighborhoods of Chiado and Princípe Real and the bohemian neighborhood of Bairro Alto, while bypassing beautiful churches such as S. Domingos (XIII century), the Carmo Convent (XIV century) and S. Roque (XVI century), as well as seeing some Neo-Manueline architecture, intriguing azulejos ´tiles´, and trendy cafés and restaurants. 

We will cover in this tour:

  • The earthquake of 1755 and the reconstruction of the city by Prime Minister Marquês de Pombal.
  • The Inquisition and persecution of Jews and Muslims.
  • The restoration wars and their consequences.
  • Ulysses and the mythological foundation of Lisbon.
  •  Santa Justa Elevador, Carmo Square, São Pedro de Alcântara Miradouro and much more.


A main difference between this proposal and other walking tours is that I want people to connect with each other and, towards the end of the tour, I do stop for the guest to get some take-away drinks and, after the tour is over, we can all share some drinks at a local bar.


The tour can always be adjusted upon demand and weather conditions. The duration of the tour is of approximately 3 hours.

Join in, book the tour, learn and have fun! :D

French Tour upon demand (pour la visite en français, il faut me contacter, s´il vous plaît).

Important notice: I am currently traveling as I am managing personally the tour I run in Rio de Janeiro. In the meanwhile, I am entrusting my colleagues to do the Lisbon tour and, although each have their unique style, they have been instructed to follow the same route. These are the guides doing the tour and the moment: Kate, who is a Master in Anthropology and did a research in a similar field as I did. Bruno, a talented actor with many years of experience in guiding.Telma, an amazing story teller with a kick for contemporary arts. Mário, a musician who has a taste for some controversial, yet entertaining jokes. Belén, a Master in Social Communication, but is pursuing a second degree in psychoIogy. Natália, who is also a Master in Social Communication. I fully entrust them as capable to replace me while I am taking care of my other tours. Should you book the tour in such occasion, I will send you their WhatsApp number and send yours to them. Best regards, Eduardo.

Disclaimer: as this tour is getting mainstream, I am starting to get reservations from people who are perhaps not understanding the concept of the tour. I am a Ph.D. title candidate, so I am obviously extremely historical. Although I do stop to get drinks and I have a sarcastic sense of humor, this is quintenssencialy a very historical tour. If you are not into history and are looking for a more ´fun facts´ kind of tour, please feel free to book with somebody else. This is specially valid for reservations over three people. If you are into history, but your friends are not, be aware that your friends looking bored at me disturbs my performance and deranges the general quality of the tour. I am a professional and I can ignore your friends, but if they are just simply convincing you to leave at the middle without paying and write a bad review for a tour you did not complete, I prefer you to book a lighter tour. 

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Highlights

What will we visit on this tour?

  • Meeting point:
    Praça do Rossio, 1100-200 Lisboa, Por...
    Praça do Rossio, 1100-200 Lisboa, Portugal
    View on map

    I will have a small, blue umbrella at Rossio Square, nearby the statue of king D. Pedro IV.

  • 1
    Outside visit
    Rossio Square

    Meet up at the heart of the city by the statue of King Pedro IV.

  • 2
    Outside visit
    Igreja de São Domingos

    Learn about one of the most tragic episodes in the city: the massacre of the Jews.

  • 3
    Outside visit
    Casa do Alentejo

    Beautiful hidden palace.

  • 4
    Outside visit
    Estação do Rossio

    Learn about the Manueline style and a mysterious king who disappeared in a foggy day...

  • 5
    Outside visit
    Largo do Carmo

    The ruins of the 1755 earthquake.

  • 6
    Outside visit
    Elevador de Santa Justa

    See the Pombaline houses.

  • 7
    Outside visit
    Trindade Brewery

    Restaurants located in a 700 years-old monastery.

  • 8
    Outside visit
    Igreja de São Roque

    Absolutely, a lot of gold!

  • 9
    Outside visit
    Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

    One of the most beautiful viewpoints in the city.

  • 10
    Outside visit
    Bairro Alto

    The bohemian district of Lisbon.

  • 11
    Outside visit
    Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo

    Charming street with yellow trams and the river at the back.

  • 12
    Outside visit
    Miradouro of Santa Catarina

    Finish the tour with the legend of Adamastor.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

4.96
Excellent
(438 ratings)
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Professionalism
4.94
Entertainment
4.93
Expression
4.91
Information
4.95
Route
4.96
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Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Not suitable for pets.

What should you know?

Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Only cash payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
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