Read a little about Lisbon’s past beforehand, and then look at the layers of history that have been preserved in the archaeological dig at the centre of the cathedral
Lisbon’s ancient cathedral is almost 900 years old, having been built by Portugal’s first king in 1147 for the city’s first bishop, the English crusader Gilbert of Hastings. Together the crusaders mounted the ‘Reconquista’, taking back the Iberian peninsula from the Moors; the cathedral was symbolically built on the site of an old mosque, a common practice in Iberia at the time.
Stern Stuff
The cathedral’s exterior is imposing, somewhere between a fortress and a church. Its sturdiness has often been called on: Lisbon is susceptible to earthquakes, and a number of them shook the city in the 14th and 16th century, but the most severe was the 1755 Lisbon earthquake which destroyed the cathedral’s Gothic main chapel, as well as the royal pantheon, and caused the roof to collapse on hundreds of worshippers gathered to celebrate the feast of All Saints.
As a result of repairs, the cathedral mixes elements of many architectural styles, from Romanesque to Gothic to Baroque. A thorough renovation in the 20th century gave the church its appearance today, and the resplendent rose window was painstakingly reconstructed from the fragments of the original, shattered in 1755.
Danse Macabre
The cathedral houses some weird and wonderful treasures. Among them, in the sacristy, you can find the casket that contains the remains of St. Vincent, the official patron saint of Lisbon. Other highlights include the font where St. Anthony of Padua was baptised in 1195, a 14th century Gothic chapel of Bartholomeu Joanes and a 14th century sarcophagus of Lopo Fernandes Pacheco.
Dating back to 1200 BC, Lisbon has always been one of Europe’s key seaports, a powerhouse to rival London, Paris and Rome. Home to winding cobbled streets, wide piazzas, UNESCO treasures and vibrant yellow trams, this introduction tour will take you to the best spots in a short amount of time.
On your private walking tour, you will:
On this walking tour, an expert local guide will introduce you to Lisbon. Dating back to 1200 BC, Portugal’s capital has always been one of Europe’s key seaports, a powerhouse to rival London, Paris and Rome. On this half-day tour, you’ll get a flavour of Lisbon’s past, visiting some of its most iconic historical and cultural sights.
Your private tour begins at Largo do Chiado, where you will journey back to the Middle Ages to uncover the city’s Jewish and Moorish heritage. Hear about the impact of one of Lisbon’s defining moments, November 1st 1755, when a magnitude 9 earthquake— one of the strongest ever recorded— hit the city, followed by a wave of tsunamis and fires. The Convento do Carmo is a testament to this historical turning point; its nave remains roofless after caving in on that fateful day.
In Baixa, Lisbon’s downtown, commercial centre, see how the ruined district was revived by the Marquis of Pombal, who designed a revolutionary new grid pattern for Lisbon, filling the streets with neoclassical architecture and earthquake-resistant buildings. Walk through the grand Arco da Rua Augusta in Commercial Square and stand atop the 450-metre-tall Elevador de Santa Justa to appreciate Lisbon’s iconic street plan from an aerial perspective.
The tour ends with a walk around the Alfama district, once a poor area set outside the city walls but now a popular arty district with labyrinthine streets. Wander the steep alleyways where yellow trams wind up to St George’s Castle, past ancient houses, Fado bars, and colourful shopfronts. The district is home to Sé de Lisboa, the 1147 Romanesque cathedral that has miraculously withstood the city’s many quakes.
If you’re looking for a quick, informative introduction to Portugal’s multicultural capital, then this express tour is the perfect option.
Known as The City of The Seven Hills, Lisbon is a city of contrasts, with winding streets, colourful buildings, hilly terrain and a history as rich as it is fascinating. Lisbon is also famous for its rich culture, year-round sunshine, hilly terrain, breathtaking vistas, surprising delicacies, and historical yellow trams.
On your private tour, you will:
Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 12th century and has been a centre of art and learning since the 15th century. It was once the hub for the Age of Discovery as well as a major trading centre for goods from Africa and Asia. As such, it boasts an impressive collection of churches and monuments from around the world.
The city's name comes from its seven hills, which are still visible today—the highest is St. George's Castle Hill, at 213 meters (700 feet)
On this half-day private walking tour, your guide will give you an overview of the city's history from its foundation to the present day. You will visit the famous São Jorge Castle, which dates back to the 11th century with breathtaking views over the city, as well as the Se' Cathedral and the historic downtown area of Baixa where you can find many of the city's most famous landmarks: Rossio Square, the Elevador de Santa Justa, Rua Augusta, and of course, the majestic Praça do Comércio, the riverfront commercial hub of the city.
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon is built upon seven hills known as the seven giants — São Jorge, São Vicente, São Roque, Santo André, Santa Catarina, Chagas e Sant'Ana — all of them visible when arriving in Lisbon by the river. This private walking tour of Lisbon & Belém will take you through the city, past its iconic landmarks, castles, and gardens and will include a River Cruise to boot.
On your private tour, you will:
From the imposing São Jorge Castle, the view encompasses the old city’s faded pastel-coloured buildings, Tagus Estuary and Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge. Arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Lisbon is a city of colourful balconies and views, trams and cobbled streets. Belém is a laid-back area of Lisbon on the Tagus River, known for its colourful houses and breathtaking landmarks that recall Lisbon’s seafaring history, like the 16th-century Tower of Belém. Your tour will end after the cruise back to central Lisbon.
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