Once ignored by many visitors to Europe, Lisbon has grown as a significant destination in the past few years. The city is full of charm, history and vibrant cuisine – making it the perfect place to experience one of the most unique cultures in Europe.
With the growth in tourism, many excellent tours are now provided across the city. These are a great way to discover the different sides of Lisbon, and check out other areas of Portugal.
These are the 15 best tours you can take in Lisbon.
1. Lisbon River Sunset Sailing Cruise
Source: getyourguide.comLocated on the River Tagus, one great way to see Lisbon is on a cruise.
This sailing cruise departs from the suburb of Belém, giving you an excellent view over the Padrão Dos Descobrimentos, 25th April Bridge and Christ Statue – as well as the main sights of Central Lisbon.
Taking place at sunset, this is also a great cruise if you are looking for something a little more romantic.
A welcome drink of beer, wine or champagne is included, and the boat will return to Belém at the end of the cruise.
2. Best of Lisbon on Foot: 3-Hour Private Tour
Source: ESB Professional / shutterstockCentral Lisbon is quite compact; a walking tour can be a great way to take in the main attractions.
This is a private tour, giving you a more intimate and personalized experience with your guide. You will learn about the history of Lisbon – including the Great Earthquake, empire, and revolutions.
The tour includes a pastel de nata, a traditional snack, and a sample of wine. This is a great way to explore the history and culture of the city in the company of an expert local.
3. Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais Full-Day Tour
Source: Taiga / shutterstockLisbon is surrounded by beautiful villages, many of which are located in the Sintra region.
This tour takes you to the colorful Pena Palace in Sintra, before continuing to Quinta da Regaleira where you can explore the beautiful gardens and magical monuments.
At Cabo da Roca, you will be able to gaze out to the Atlantic Ocean at the Westernmost Point of Mainland Europe.
Cascais is a well-known beach town, popular with the rich and famous – including Madonna. Pick-up and drop-off from central Lisbon hotels are included.
4. Lisbon Essential Tour: History, Stories & Lifestyle
Source: www.getyourguide.comThis tour is an excellent overview of the city and perfect for your first day in Lisbon. You will be shown historic neighborhoods, including Alfama – one of the only areas to survive the 1755 Earthquake.
The tour also includes some great miradouros – lookout points over the city – which are ideal for getting great photos and relaxing.
A small coffee and cake break is included, as well as a ride on the famous trams. During June, visitors will also be able to experience parts of the St Anthony festival in Alfama.
5. Gourmet Wine Tour and Tastings
Source: getyourguide.comPortugal is famous across the world for great wine, though with many regions spread across the country, it can be challenging to figure out the best ones to sample.
This tour helps you learn more about the best wines available in Lisbon, as well as the best food to eat alongside it. You will visit cafés, wine stores, and tascas to sample a variety of coffees, wines, and petiscos – the Portuguese version of tapas.
Four wines, four food samples and a shot of local liquor are all included in this tour. There is also a visit to a miradouro at the end, where you can relax with your final sample of wine and food.
6. Fátima, Óbidos and the Atlantic Coast Day Tour from Lisbon
Source: getyourguide.comThis day-long tour takes you north of Lisbon into the Portuguese countryside, where you can learn more about rural life in the country.
Fátima is an important religious site for Portuguese people, while Óbidos remains a popular village getaway from the city, with its winding, romantic streets.
You will also get to enjoy some spectacular scenery across the Atlantic coast, including Nazaré, where you will take a short lunch break.
Free time is included in each town, allowing you to explore at your own pace. There is a complimentary shot of local liquor for each guest.
7. Lisbon 4-in-1 Hop-on Hop-off Bus and Tram Tours
Source: getyourguide.comHop-on hop-off buses are a great way to get acquainted with a new city, as well as take in a number of sights while visiting for a short time.
This ticket includes three bus lines – the Tagus tour, which focuses on the city center; the Olisipo tour, which takes you around the modern districts; and the Belém tour in Lisbon’s most popular suburb. There is also a ride on the famous tram included with the ticket.
This ticket is valid for 48 hours, and audio commentary is available in 12 languages. You will also have complimentary entry to the Santa Justa lift.
8. Pub and VIP Club Crawl
Source: getyourguide.comLisbon’s nightlife is centered in the Cais do Sodré and Bairro Alto districts, with Pink Street the main hub for bars and clubs.
This tour will take you to three of the best bars and leave you with VIP entry in one of Lisbon’s most exclusive nightclubs. The tour includes a shot and a cocktail, as well as one hour of unlimited beer and sangria at one of the bars.
As the oldest and largest pub crawl in the city, this is a great way to meet fellow travelers and let your hair down. Drinking games are included as part of the tour, as well as discount vouchers for each venue.
9. Luz Stadium Tour and SL Benfica Museum Ticket
Source: getyourguide.comAs the largest stadium in Portugal, Estádio da Luz is the home of Benfica – one of the two leading football teams in Lisbon. This is a fully guided tour of the stadium, and guests are given access to the Benfica Museum after their trip.
You will be taken to the locker room and press areas, as well as onto the pitch of the stadium. Here, you can retrace the steps of Portugal’s most famous football players – including Eusébio.
You will also have the opportunity to take a picture with the official mascot of Benfica, before continuing to the museum to learn about their history and achievements.
10. 3-Hour Tour of Historic Belém by Electric Bike
Source: getyourguide.comBelém is one of the most important suburbs of Lisbon. Located on the riverfront, it is full of historic monuments and home to the famous pasteis de nata.
This tour is by electric bike, giving you an easy way to check out the area. You will get to see famous street art, cycle along the renovated waterfront, and check out the main monuments – including the Padrão dos Descobrimentos and Torre de Belém.
The tour includes a visit to Pastéis de Belém and entry to the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. The electric bikes are suitable for most fitness levels.
11. São Jorge Castle Skip-the-Line Ticket with Escort
Source: silky / shutterstockLooming over Lisbon, the Castelo de São Jorge is an important historical landmark in the city. Built by the Moorish invaders from North Africa, this castle was also the site of the battle where the Portuguese retook the city.
This ticket not only allows you to skip the lines, but also comes with a 15 minute guided introduction of the castle. This enables you to learn a little bit more about the history and significance of the monument.
There is an excellent miradouro located within the castle grounds where you can relax and enjoy local food and drink after your tour.
12. Live Fado Show: 3-Hour Experience in Alfama
Source: getyourguide.comFado is a typically Portuguese music form that was named a UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The somber music has its roots in Alfama, where this tour is focused. You will begin with a short tour of Alfama at night, where you can learn about the history and culture of the area.
You will then be taken to a typical fado venue to enjoy the songs of love and loss over a complimentary glass of sangria, wine or beer. This is an excellent tour for learning about Lisbon’s cultural heritage.
13. Street Art Tour
Source: getyourguide.comOften regarded as the Berlin of the South, Lisbon has its own alternative scene that can clearly be spotted on the walls of the city.
This tour takes you to some of the most impressive examples of street art, as well as to a few more local spots. You will learn about the politics behind the graffiti – from anti-fascist movements to statements against gentrification.
The expert guide will tell you about the most prolific artists in the city, as well as the importance street art has in Lisbon’s soul. Group sizes are limited for a more intimate experience.
14. 4-Hour Walking Tour with Food and Drink Tasting
Source: getyourguide.comThis tour begins in the historic neighborhood of Mouraria. Once known for its alternative vibe, the area is deeply influenced by migration and local culture.
You will be taken to typical Portuguese tascas to sample coffee, wine, and local delicacies. The tour then continues to the central Baixa area, where you will discover some of the main attractions in the city.
You will finish with a short ferry ride across the River Tagus, where you will be rewarded with some more food and drink giving to the perfect taste of Portuguese hospitality.
15. Évora and Megaliths Full-Day Tour from Lisbon
Source: Fotoeventis / shutterstockLocated in the Alentejo region, Évora is the heart of Roman Portugal; you can check out some ancient monuments from through the ages here.
This full-day tour takes you to Évora and surrounding megaliths, showing the full range of Portuguese history. You will visit the Capela dos Ossos, where the walls are made out of human bones and skulls, and the Almendres Cromlech – a neolithic site older than Stonehenge.
Pick-up and drop-off from central Lisbon are included, and you can opt to include a winery tour once there.