Discover Portugal’s capital city at your own pace and agenda, during this private 5-hour sightseeing tour. Accompany your guide through the city, to famous landmarks and locations that usually are not visited. Explore the historic São Jorge Castle; wander through Lisbon’s Cathedral; the mysterious commerce Square and many other sites. Learn about Olisipo, the “Roman Lisbon” and in the old sector of Alfama, the Moorish influence.
Being a private tour, participants will be just you (your group) and your guide.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Private tour with Professional guide. Participants will be you and your guide;
✔ Guide will accompany you inside the monuments/locations to explain its history;
✔ Guaranteed to skip the long lines (fast-pass) to the Saint Jorge Castle (ticket not included);
✔ Experience will be adjusted to your own personal interests, talk to your guide;
✔ Guide will help you giving tips for the rest of your stay in Lisbon, just ask;
✔ Tour is focused in Lisbon´s historic old town, not Belém neighbourhood.
✖ Entrance tickets to any monuments or parks;
✖ Lunch and any other items not mentioned in the description.
Departure & Return
Departure:
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We will be waiting for you under the Rua Augusta Arch with a sign having your name on it (or another description that you would like) and our logo (TakingUThere).
Itinerary
1
Baixa, Rossio & Restauradores
The downtown of Lisbon, called “Baixa Pombalina” area is the heart of Lisbon and was completely rebuilt after the devastating 1755 earthquake. Covering an area of about 255 hectares, it contains magnificent squares, which are interconnected by straight avenues filled with grand 18th century architecture.
Duration: 15 minutes
2
The Rua Augusta was considered the opening of Lisbon to the world. It´s to symbolise a “portal” to the city of mysteries. By passing the arch, you go from darkness and ignorance, to the light and wisdom that Lisbon provides. Be enlightened with its histories.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
Lisbon Cathedral
This church was build built in the 12th century, when we conquered the Moorish city and made it Christian. On the same place was a mosque, that was destroyed, and this church build on t´s place. It´s the only Church in Portugal that has a “Holy Door”, and one of the few in the Christian World. Why? Come and find out...
Duration: 30 minutes
4
Museu de Lisboa - Teatro Romano
Explore the Roman Theatre that was built in the first century, in the time of the Roman emperor Augustus. The roman city was called Felicitas Iulia Olisipo. Augustus gave the name to the existing settlement on the occasion of its ennoblement between 31 and 27BC. With the conquest of Hispania, peace is decreed in the empire, promoting the establishment of intense commercial relationships with several roman provinces. The wealth of Olisipo, mainly piscicultural, and its privileged geographical position transformed the city in the maritime capital of Lusitania.
Abandoned in the fourth century, it was only discovered 1798, after the 1755 earthquake, while Lisbon was being rebuild.
Duration: 15 minutes
5
Castelo De Sao Jorge
View the S. Jorge Castle, located in the old medieval citadel, which was inhabited by the Moors who fortified it for their defence. When D. Afonso Henriques (Portugal´s founding King), took the castle in 1147, after besieging it for 3 months, expelled the Muslims and opened the castle doors to Christianity.
In case you want to visit the castle inside, you have the possibility to ask your guide to buy the tickets for you (not included), as he has the “fast track” possibility. In this way, you don´t have to wait in the long lines to get your ticket.
Duration: 30 minutes
6
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
At the Viewpoint of Santa Luzia (one of the nicest in Lisbon), you can see the oldest neighbourhood of Lisbon, Alfama. See the mountain range in the horizon (when good weather), the Arrabida Natural Reserve, 50 kilometres south of Lisbon.
The church in this small square is the “National Headquarters of Portuguese Knights of Malta”. What is their mystery?
Duration: 15 minutes
7
Alfama
Walk up (and down) Alfama, the oldest and one of the most typical neighborhoods of Lisbon. Its name derives from the Moorish al-hamma, meaning baths or fountains.
Duration: 30 minutes
8
Bairro Alto
"Climb" to this part of the city to get an idea of what you are able to do in Lisbon for the rest of your stay.
Duration: 15 minutes
9
Surrounded by the Chiado area, is Largo do Carmo with its historical jacaranda trees. In this square, still "resist" the ruins of the Convento do Carmo, built in the 14th century, where the Archaeology Museum and the Carmo Museum is currently installed .
Duration: 15 minutes
10
Elevador de Santa Justa
From the top of this neo-Gothic structure (built 1902) you can have another view over Lisbon and the Rossio Square.
The engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard was responsible for the design, contrary to the popular belief that there is a connection to Gustave Eiffel.
It is well known that Ponsard applied to this lift some of the techniques and materials already used in France.
Duration: 30 minutes
11
Praca Dom Pedro IV
Discover the "darker" part of this square in Lisbon´s history...
12
Praca Dom Pedro IV
Sadly this square has a very dark history, as it was the centre of the Holy Inquisition in Portugal. Most public punishments, tortures and killings where done here. If you would be summoned to Rossio, it would never be a good thing… Discover it´s histories.
Here is also the point where the tour ends.
Duration: 15 minutes
Additional info
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Be sure to bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and a camera
• Entrance fees vary according to the tourism season;
• This tour does not include entrance fees so that participants can decide what sites to visit.
• National monuments close on public holidays or on special occasions, without notice;
• The sequence of the mentioned places can be changed according to customer’s will or due to weather conditions.
