Earthquakes and Espionage: A Self-Guided Lisbon Walking Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Stroll through this riverside square, formerly the site of the Ribeira Palace. Learn about King José I, the 1755 earthquake, and the departure of explorers like Vasco da Gama. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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2. Walk under this triumphal arch featuring statues of historical figures like Vasco da Gama and the Marquis of Pombal. It serves as a majestic gateway to the city's grid-aligned Baixa district. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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3. Pass by this former hospital site and open-air market, now home to a statue of King John I. Discover the treaty with England and the start of the Age of Discovery. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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4. Stop at this historic church to learn about the 1506 massacre and the Inquisition. It stands as a powerful reminder of religious history and the city's resilience. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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5. Pause at this stone memorial dedicated to the thousands of "New Christians" killed during three days of religious intolerance. It honors those victimized by 16th-century fanaticism. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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6. Walk along the steep 18% gradient where these iconic 1885 cable cars operate. Learn about their counterweight system and the city’s plans for enhanced safety requirements. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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7. Stroll past this vibrant park often filled with musicians and street performers. It offers a panoramic 360º view of central Lisbon’s historic districts and Saint George's Castle. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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8. Wander through this 1500s neighborhood, a hub for journalism, Fado music, and rebellious nightlife. Its narrow, tiled streets survived the great earthquake, preserving its authentic charm. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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9. Cross through this square named after the famous short-story writer. It houses the Church of St. Roch, a shrine for plague victims decorated with immense amounts of gold. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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10. Walk toward this 45-meter wrought-iron vertical lift built in 1902. Learn about its Neo-Gothic style and enjoy the viewing platform overlooking the castle and Rossio Square. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 1 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Lisbon

• Its from-price is 95% below the median of the 4320 experiences we list in Lisbon.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 2407 of 4320.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Lisbon

Lisbon spills down its hills to the Tagus estuary, a city of tiled façades, rattling yellow trams, viewpoint terraces and late, unhurried dinners.

The old quarters hold most of the charm. Alfama's tangle of lanes climbs to São Jorge Castle and echoes with fado in the evening, the Baixa's orderly grid runs down to the vast Praça do Comércio on the river, and Bairro Alto and Chiado mix bookshops and cafés by day with bars by night. Viewpoints such as Santa Luzia and Senhora do Monte frame red rooftops and shining water.

Top-ranked sights in Lisbon: Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio), Pena National Palace (Palacio Nacional da Pena), Alfama.

See all 4320 experiences in Lisbon