Lisbon
Tours & Activities

A four-hour ride through three of Lisbon's most storied neighbourhoods, Baixa, Alfama, and Mouraria, with four food stops along the way. It starts with a bifana, the classic Portuguese pork sandwich, at a traditional tavern, then the tuk tuk climbs to a viewpoint with sweeping rooftop views before winding through lanes most visitors never find on foot. We had so much fun hopping between restaurants by tuk tuk, and one of the real highlights for us was stopping by the Roman ruins along the way. The eating continues with a cheese board, codfish and octopus salad, and a custard tart to close. A wonderful way to taste and see the city at once.

An immersive exhibition covering more than 100 works from across Banksy's career, murals, canvases, video installations, and a full-scale reproduction of the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem. It's a self-guided visit that takes about an hour or two, and it was a nice change of pace to have something indoors between all the walking. The gift shop was genuinely wonderful, full of alternative t-shirts and other pieces you won't find at the usual souvenir stalls. A good pick for a rainy afternoon or anyone who wants a break from castles and cathedrals.

A guided kayak tour along the dramatic coastline of Arrábida Natural Park, departing from the harbour town of Sesimbra. You'll paddle past limestone cliffs, hidden caves, and secret grottoes before landing at Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach, widely considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, for a rest and a snack before heading back. I haven't done this tour myself, but I would recommend it without hesitation. Sesimbra sits a bit outside Lisbon, so I'd choose the option with hotel pickup included to make the logistics easier on yourself.

One of the largest indoor aquariums in Europe, home to more than 8,000 sea creatures from four ocean habitats: North Atlantic, Antarctic, Temperate Pacific, and Tropical Indian Ocean. We visited and it did not disappoint. The central tank is a genuine feat of engineering, and it's worth every bit of the hype. There are two ways to book depending on how deep you want to go: a standard entrance ticket for exploring at your own pace, or a guided tour with behind-the-scenes access that takes you past the saltwater filtration systems and breeding areas most visitors never see. Either is a great choice, so both options are here together.

Three very different worlds in a single day trip. You'll start at the Pedreira do Galinha dinosaur site, home to one of the most important sauropod trackways in Europe, dating back more than 175 million years, then descend into the Mira de Aire Caves, one of Portugal's Seven Natural Wonders, before finishing with a guided walk through the medieval walled town of Óbidos. I haven't done this one myself, but it's high on my list. This is a full day tour, so plan the rest of your itinerary accordingly, it isn't one to squeeze in around other plans.

A three-hour walking tour through Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Baixa, three of Lisbon's most iconic neighbourhoods, led by a local expert. You'll start at the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint for a sweeping view over the city, then wind through the São Roque Church and the roofless Carmo Convent, a haunting reminder of the 1755 earthquake, before finishing at the grand riverside Praça do Comércio. A great orientation tour for anyone who wants a real foundation in the city's history before exploring further on their own.

Belém is Lisbon's Age of Discovery, distilled into one neighbourhood, and this tour is the best way to actually understand it. You'll begin at the Belém Tower, learning how it was conceived for defense and how the Age of Discovery shaped its design, then continue to the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, the monument to Portugal's great explorers, right on the water's edge. The tour finishes inside the Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of Manueline Gothic architecture anywhere, with pre-purchased tickets included so there's no waiting in line.

Alfama is Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood, and this three-hour walking tour is built to uncover exactly why it feels the way it does. You'll ride an elevator up to São Jorge Castle, wander past Roman and Moorish ruins, take in the sweeping views from Miradouro das Portas do Sol, and end at the Lisbon Cathedral, the oldest church in the city. Along the way your guide covers the story of Fado music, born in these same streets. Winding hills, cobblestones, and narrow lanes most visitors never find, this is the tour for anyone who wants Lisbon's history to feel lived-in rather than lectured.