Join us for a 2-hour Free Walking Tour of Lisbon and uncover the city's most iconic sites with a local guide. Lisbon, with its 3,000 years of history, has always been a gateway between continents—where Europe meets Africa and the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. From the rise and fall of a global empire to the dramatic rebuilding after the devastating 1755 earthquake, this Free Tour will take you on an unforgettable journey through Lisbon's fascinating past.
Your Lisbon Free Tour begins at the Camões Monument in Largo de Camões and ends at the famous Praça do Comércio. Whether it's rain, hail, or shine, we never cancel—ensuring you can always experience the beauty of Lisbon with us!
Meet the Portuguese Explorers
Step into the Age of Discovery as your local guide shares the dramatic stories of Portugal’s legendary explorers. Learn about the daring voyages to Africa, the opening of the spice trade with India, and the impact these discoveries had on the world. Did you know that Christopher Columbus lived in Lisbon before his historic journey to the Americas? Get to know the city that shaped his skills and ambitions!
From Earthquakes to Revolution: Uncover Lisbon’s Resilient History
Discover how Lisbon has been shaped by both natural disasters and political upheavals. One of the most significant events in the city’s history was the devastating 1755 earthquake, one of the deadliest ever recorded. On this tour, you'll visit the striking ruins of the Carmo Convent, where the arches stand as a poignant reminder of the destruction. Your local guide will transport you back to pre-earthquake Lisbon and explain how the city was rebuilt in the aftermath.
You’ll also delve into the era of António de Oliveira Salazar’s dictatorship, Europe’s longest-running, and learn about the peaceful Carnation Revolution of 1974, which brought an end to the regime and restored democracy to Portugal. This Free Walking Tour offers a comprehensive journey through the events that have defined Lisbon, from its darkest days to its moments of triumph.
Free Tour concept
The Free Tour model is tips-based, allowing you to reward your guide according to the quality of your experience and your budget. This ensures that the tour is accessible to everyone while maintaining the highest standards.
SANDEMANs Tours, the birthplace of the Free Walking Tour concept, offers daily tours in both English and Spanish. We support local communities by working with passionate freelance guides who share Lisbon’s history and culture with their own engaging and entertaining style. Join the original Free Walking Tour of Lisbon and experience this vibrant city like never before!
The Lisbon Free Tour starts by the Camões Monument in Praça Luís de Camões
Explore the central district of Bairro Alto
Learn about the Great Earthquake of 1755
Enjoy the elegant architecture of Baixa Pombalina
Learn about the peaceful Carnation Revolution and the end of the dictatorship
Marvel at the beautiful waterfront of Praça do Comércio
Learn about the Portuguese Inquisition
Learn about the Age of Discovery and Portugal’s great explorers
Hear about the hardships during the Salazar dictatorship
Get a bird’s eye view of Lisbon from the Santa Justa Elevator
TOUR SCHEDULES
Today
11:00 AM2:00 PM
11:00 AM
PHOTOS
Luís de Camões Square, where the Free Tour starts
Discovering Bairro Alto
Carmo Convent
Praça do Comércio, where the Free Tour ends
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
Local English-speaking guide
What’s not included
Gratuities for the guide (optional)
Additional Information
Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we're proud that so many local guides employ us to welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world's best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your freelance guide decides is best. That's why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why both independent guides and savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible
MAP
The Free Tour starts by the Camões Monument in Praça Luís de Camões Open in Google Maps
Carmo Convent
Bairro Alto
Praça do Comércio
Santa Justa Elevator
Lisbon Baixa
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Tour usually ends here
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Customer reviews
Sophia's free tour made me fall in love with Lisbon
We did the free tour all around the city and Sophia was great! The way she showed us the city and told us all the most important events that happened in Lisbon made me fall in love with this city! And I think this is the aim of every tour guide! :-) moreover I loved the way she ended the tour connecting two of the most important parts of Lisbon/Portugal's story! im so happy we got the tour with her and I wish her all the best!
Having gone for a series of free tours in Europe... I must say Fred has exceeded expectations of what an excellent guide is! truly rockstar guide - with engaging communication style, rich history and clearly highlighting relevant facts about Lisbon! Loved the secrets / hacks he shared on the city. Thanks Fred!
One of the best walking tours out there. Enjoyable, packed with interesting facts and sense of humour. On top of that, guides like Rita for the English tour, make it even better.
When I visited Lisbon I did the free walking tour of Lisbon and also the paid tour of Alfama! I had such a great experience!!! I would totally recommend! On the tour the guides show you some neat sites to take photos, history of the area, and lots more!!!
We found the free tour on TripAdvisor, and gave it a go just because we had no idea what to do on our trip. We met the guide and were quickly given an overview of the food, culture, history, and sightseeing options available in this amazing city. This free tour gave us all we needed to plan out the rest of our trip. All the guides seemed to be excellent based on what we saw.
Diaz really knows his city and, boy, is he ever proud of it! Over the course of 2.5- 3 hours, we received a comprehensive, history-soaked, funny, romantic, and competitive tour of Lisbon. So good was it, as a matter of fact, that at one point the next day, we were a little out of sorts and confused about where we were when I recognized something small detail Diaz had pointed out and we found our way back to our Airbnb apartment as quick as a whistle. I always love these free tours, as you get a really personal side of a city.
Excellent 3 hour walking tour covering Lisbon history and many must see sights. Luis is an entertaining and very informative guide. Good orientation & introduction to this beautiful & interesting city.
Done 2 tours with them, the free one and the pub crawl, both of them super fun and interesting, if you go to Lisbon, or Europe in general, CHOOSE SANDEMANs!
The Free Tour is the best introduction to Lisbon! A general overview tour including many of the highlights of the city, the Free Tour usually lasts around 3 hours and is provided by a local freelance guide in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, so tour content can vary depending on your guide’s particular area of interest and expertise.
The Free Tour is a walking tour with no need for public transport and is designed for independent travellers, not groups. You can book your spot in advance online or simply show up at the start point on the day. There is no payment necessary at the start of the tour but you are welcome to tip your guide at the end!
We believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of Lisbon's best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style. They'll never pressure you to tip; we believe that, if money is given, it should be voluntary and in direct proportion to the quality of the tour and the budget of the traveller.
Why join the SANDEMANs FREE Tour?
The route covers many of Lisbon's major landmarks
The meeting point is centrally located in Praça Luís de Camões
The Free Tour is guaranteed to fit within your budget
The guides performing tips-based Free Tours are incentivized to perform every time
Enjoy a comprehensive overview of Lisbon's fascinating history and must-see sites with your private ...
Info & Booking
€ 350
Customise Your Private Tour!
Tell us the landmarks, stories or parts of the city you want to see, how long you have to see them and when you want to go, and we’ll build an itinerary that suits you.
Enjoy a comprehensive overview of Lisbon's fascinating history and must-see sites with your private ...
Info & Booking
€ 350
Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.
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