Free tour

Secrets of Lisbon – A Walk Through Time

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Lisbon

Duration: 3 hours

Languages: English

Guru: Joao

Registered on 15 August 2025

Hi, I’m João , owner and founder of Lisbon Gems Tours. I started my company to share the real Lisbon — the history, the culture, and the hidden spots most visitors never see. I love showing people around my city, telling the stories behind the streets, and making each tour feel like a walk with a local friend. With me, you’ll see more than landmarks — you’ll experience the Lisbon that I know and love.

Free reservation and cancellation

Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

Step into the soul of Lisbon

It all begins in the heart of the city, where cobblestone streets whisper stories from centuries past. I’ll take you beyond the postcard views, weaving history, legends, and local secrets into every step we take.

We’ll explore the grand Praça do Comércio, wander through the charming lanes of Alfama, feel the Moorish echoes at São Jorge Castle, and soak up the vibrant energy of Baixa and Chiado. Along the way, you’ll hear tales of sailors, poets, and revolutionaries that shaped the Lisbon we see today.

Our journey ends with one last breathtaking view — the kind that stays with you long after you’ve gone home. But I won’t give away all the surprises here…

Book your spot now and let Lisbon Gems Tours show you the Lisbon only locals know — where every corner hides a story waiting to be discovered.

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

Praça dos Restauradores, 1250-001 Lisboa, Portugal

Meeting Point: We will meet in Restauradores Square, right in front of the Obelisk Monument in the center of the square. How to recognize me: I will be holding a Lisbon Gems Tours sign so you can easily spot me.

Outside visit

Monumento dos Restauradores

Here at Restauradores Square we see the tall obelisk, built to commemorate Portugal’s independence from Spain in 1640. An obelisk, originally from Ancient Egypt, was always more than just a monument — it was designed as a ‘frozen ray of the sun,’ a symbol that connected earth and sky. By using this shape, Portugal wasn’t only marking history, but also projecting the idea of light, rebirth, and eternal memory.

Outside visit

Rossio Square

If Restauradores’ obelisk was a vertical ray connecting Lisbon to the sky, Rossio’s wavy pavement is the opposite: it represents the ocean under our feet. These black and white waves remind us that Portugal’s destiny was always tied to the sea — unstable, in motion, but full of possibilities. Walking across Rossio is like walking on the waves that carried Portuguese sailors around the world. It’s a square that doesn’t stand still, but instead embodies movement, connection, and constant change.

Outside visit

Alfama

Think of Alfama like a living shell: the narrow alleys twist and turn like spirals, protecting life inside, just as a shell protects what’s fragile but precious. Its walls carry the memory of centuries, and its music — fado — is like the echo that bounces in those spirals, reminding us that Lisbon’s soul is made of both joy and longing. Walking Alfama is not about moving forward quickly, but about getting lost — because sometimes, losing yourself is the only way to find the true spirit of a place.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €15 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).