Free tour
Black History Tour, the forgotten story
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Guru: Vibrant City Tours
PRO
Verified quality
Registered on 26 February 2022
Welcome to Lisbon!
Our team of passionate local guides are on a mission to make you fall in love with Lisbon.
Our free walking tour takes you through the unmissable places in the heart of Lisbon and breathtaking view spots all whilst hearing to the stories that built this millennia old city.
Find us in Rossio under a Vibrant blue umbrella.
Free reservation and cancellation
Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free
Tour description
During 400 years almost six million African men, women, and children were forcibly transported on Portuguese ships, and Lisbon was the very heart of that system.
Join us in this heartfelt walking tour as we unveil how that global system originated and was later industrialized, normalized, and lived here in Lisbon, far from the plantations most people associate slavery to.
This immersive experience uncovers the forgotten Black history of Lisbon, revealing how this whole period is deeply shaped in the city you see today. From today’s iconic riverside squares where people arrived as cargo, to the first Black neighborhoods outside of Africa where Black Lisboetas lived, worked, prayed, and built community, we expose the often-forgotten human reality behind Portugal’s imperial wealth.
You’ll hear documented stories of enslaved women working in city markets, Black religious brotherhoods offering dignity and mutual aid, and burial sites quietly absorbed into the modern city.
Given the scale and complexity of this history, no single tour can cover every detail.
Instead, this experience is designed to give you a framework: understanding how Lisbon functioned within the Black Atlantic world, and how its legacy greatly shapes Portuguese society today.
By the end of the tour, you’ll leave with a powerful human perspective and a deeper appreciation of the city of Lisbon.
Highlights
What will we see on this tour?
Meeting point:
Praça do Comércio
You'll see me near the center of the square, with an orange umbrella/badge.
1
Outside visit
Campo das Cebolas
Black neighborhoods in Lisbon
2
Outside visit
Praça da Figueira
Birth of the transatlantic slave trade
3
Outside visit
Igreja de São Domingos
Black faith and Black brotherhood
How much does this tour cost?
Free tours don't have a fixed price. At the end, each person contributes to the guide the amount they consider fair based on their satisfaction. As a guideline, Guruwalk recommends between €15 and $50 per participant.
Who is this tour for?
Accessibility
Not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group bookings.
Pets
Suitable for bringing pets.
What should I know?
Minimum attendees
Requires a minimum of 5 people to conduct the tour.
Additional costs
The tour does not require payment for entries or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you cannot attend the tour, please cancel the reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Cash payment only.
