5-Hour Lisbon Old Town Private Walking Tour with São Jorge Castle

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Day 01

Baixa Pombalina and Lisbon's Rebuilt Heart

• The downtown area of Lisbon, called Baixa Pombalina, is the heart of the city and was completely rebuilt after the devastating 1755 earthquake. Covering an area of about 255 hectares, it contains magnificent squares interconnected by straight avenues lined with grand 18th-century architecture.

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Day 02

Rua Augusta and the Gateway to Lisbon

• Rua Augusta was considered Lisbon's opening to the world. It symbolises a "portal" to the city of mysteries.
• Passing through the arch, you move from darkness and ignorance to Lisbon's light and wisdom.
• Be enlightened by its history.

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Day 03

Sé Patriarcal Church and Its Holy Door

• This church was built in the 12th century, when the Moorish city was conquered and made Christian.
• On this same site once stood a mosque, which was destroyed before the church was built in its place. It is the only church in Portugal that has a "Holy Door" and one of the few in the Christian world. Why? Come and find out.

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Day 04

Roman Theatre of Felicitas Iulia Olisipo

• Explore the Roman Theatre, built in the 1st century during the time of the Roman emperor Augustus. The Roman city was called Felicitas Iulia Olisipo. Augustus gave this name to the existing settlement on the occasion of its ennoblement between 31 and 27 BC. With the conquest of Hispania, peace was decreed in the empire, promoting the establishment of intense commercial relationships with several Roman provinces. The wealth of Olisipo, mainly based on fishing, and its privileged geographical position transformed the city into the maritime capital of Lusitania. Abandoned in the 4th century, it was only discovered in 1798, after the 1755 earthquake, while Lisbon was being rebuilt.

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Day 05

São Jorge Castle and the Medieval Citadel

• View São Jorge Castle, located in the old medieval citadel, which was inhabited by the Moors, who fortified it for their defence. When D. Afonso Henriques, Portugal's founding king, took the castle in 1147 after besieging it for three months, he expelled the Muslims and opened the castle doors to Christianity. If you would like to visit the castle interior, you can ask your guide to buy the tickets for you. They are not included, but your guide has a fast-track option, so you do not have to wait in long lines.

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Day 06

Santa Luzia Viewpoint over Alfama

• At the Santa Luzia Viewpoint, one of the nicest in Lisbon, you can see Alfama, the city's oldest neighbourhood.
• You can also see the mountain range on the horizon, weather permitting: the Arrábida Natural Reserve, 50 kilometres south of Lisbon. The church in this small square is the National Headquarters of the Portuguese Knights of Malta. What is their mystery?

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Day 07

Walking Through Historic Alfama

• Walk up and down Alfama, the oldest and one of the most typical neighbourhoods of Lisbon. Its name derives from the Moorish al-hamma, meaning baths or fountains.

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Day 08

Bairro Alto and Ideas for the Rest of Your Stay

• Climb to this part of the city to get an idea of what you can do in Lisbon for the rest of your stay.

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Day 09

Largo do Carmo and the Convent Ruins

• Surrounded by the Chiado area, Largo do Carmo is known for its historic jacaranda trees. In this square, the ruins of the Convento do Carmo, built in the 14th century, still stand. Today, the Archaeology Museum and the Carmo Museum are housed there.

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Day 10

Santa Justa Lift and Neo-Gothic Views

• From the top of this neo-Gothic structure, built in 1902, you can enjoy another view over Lisbon and Rossio Square. The engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard was responsible for the design, contrary to the popular belief that it is connected to Gustave Eiffel. It is well known that Ponsard applied to this lift some of the techniques and materials already used in France.

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Day 11

Rossio Square and the Shadow of the Inquisition

• Sadly, this square has a very dark history, as it was the centre of the Holy Inquisition in Portugal. Most public punishments, tortures, and killings took place here. It would never have been a good thing to be summoned to Rossio. Discover its history.