Best Lisbon Tours & Day Trips (Rossio Square)

Lisbon Sightseeing: The 7 Best Lisbon Tours & Day Trips

From stunning hillside street views to soulful Fado music and nearby beachside escapes, there are so many incredible things to do in Lisbon. With its awe-inspiring architecture, lively nightlife, and world-famous cuisine and wine, this capital city has to be one of our favorite places in Europe to visit.

The colorful, cobbled streets will surprise you and beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites sit right beside dimly lit speakeasy bars. There is always something new to see in this ever-evolving city. Known for its history, Lisbon is one of Europe’s oldest cities and there is so much to explore that you won’t even know where to start!

To help you begin planning, we have created a list of our favorite tours in Lisbon and short day trips from Lisbon. We include our favorites like relaxing sunset yacht cruises and escapes to Moorish-Castles surrounded by lush green forests.

So explore the “City of Seven Hills”, and discover what makes this charming European city so unique with one of these amazing Lisbon tours!

How to Book Tours in Lisbon

While there is no shortage of tour agents in Lisbon, we actually prefer booking our tours online. GetYourGuide is our go-to for booking tours because you can compare all the tour options around Lisbon in one place and choose the excursion that is just right for you. Plus, GetYourGuide has an excellent cancellation policy in case your holiday plans change.

The Best Tours and Day Trips in Lisbon, Portugal

1. Explore Lisbon’s history with the Lisbon Essential Tour

Best Walking Tour in Lisbon, Portugal (Praca de Comercio)

Visit Lisbon’s most interesting neighborhoods on this 3-hour historical walking tour. You’ll visit some of the oldest neighborhoods, stroll through winding hidden alleyways, and even ride the traditional tram like a local. You’ll visit great viewpoints like the Miradouro São Pedro de Alcântara, which overlooks the entire city, as well as see a number of Lisbon’s iconic monuments. 

Lisbon is rich in history and on this tour, you will explore its most historic neighborhoods. Your knowledgeable guide will explain all the sites and the importance that they hold for the city. You’ll visit the neighborhood of Bairro Alto, which dates back to the 16th century and now has a mixture of 19th-century elements. Other highlights include a stroll through the garden of São Pedro de Alcântara to enjoy the stunning views of the south bank of the Tagus River.

After a small cafe break, you’ll continue on towards Alfama, which is one of the oldest and most traditional neighborhoods of Lisbon. This area is known for its fado houses and the popular festivals of saints. The tour ends at the historic Lisbon Cathedral, which was built in 1150. When the tour ends, you’ll be more knowledgeable about the local history of this fascinating city. 

Your Lisbon Essential Tour will include the following:

  • Professional and knowledgeable guide
  • A ride on one of Lisbon’s historic trams
  • Coffee and cake

Book a Historic Walking Tour of Lisbon


2. Discover Lisbon’s historical hotspots by Electric Bike

Best Tours in Lisbon, Portugal (Yellow Tram)

See Lisbon and its historic neighborhoods from another perspective with an electric bicycle tour. On this 2.5-hour ride, you will pedal and coast around the picturesque neighborhoods of Alfama, Mouraria, and Graça. A seasoned guide will show you around and tell you all the places that you will visit that are off the typical tourist path. 

Known as the “City of Seven Hills”, Lisbon is full of steep cobbled streets that make exploring the city quite exhausting. But electric bikes make getting around Lisbon easy and fun! It’s a perfect activity if you’re traveling to Lisbon with kids.

After meeting at the designated meeting point, you will cruise to Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood. During your tour, you will pedal to Mouraria, one of Lisbon’s hippest multicultural neighborhoods and a food lover’s paradise. 

This alternative tour will also take you to one of the highest points in the city with a stunning panoramic view of the hills below. You’ll see Lisbon from a local’s perspective, passing antique shops and charming restaurants along the way, giving you a unique perspective of the city and its people.

Your Lisbon Electric Bike tour will include the following:

  • Electric bike rental, helmet, and a bottle of water
  • Company liability insurance and personal injury insurance
  • An experienced guide who will be providing some history of the city
  • Poncho in case it rains

Book an Electric Bike Tour of Lisbon

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3. Sample the flavors of Portugal on this tasty Gourmet Food Tour

Best Food Tour in Lisbon: Sardines

One of the best ways to discover a new city is through its food. On this 3-hour gourmet food tour, you’ll enjoy local Portuguese dishes in some of Lisbon’s traditional eateries. Be ready to learn about the history of Portugal’s most famous wines paired with local delicacies, like São Jorge cheese, homemade bread, and tasty sausages. 

You’ll start in Rossio Square in the early evening time. Then, you’ll continue on to Lisbon’s historic center, which is home to some of the city’s most famous restaurants and cafes. Briefly, you will stop by one of Lisbon’s oldest cafes, called Café Nicola to learn about the coffee culture. This tour includes five different stops for delicious tastings and to sample local favorites, such as codfish and green wine.

On the next stop, you’ll sample a tender Bifana, or pork sandwich, in Lisbon’s most famous Tasca – a traditional restaurant typically found in the old neighborhoods outside of the tourist zones. Highlights also include learning about the history of Ginjinha, the favorite liquor of many Portuguese. You’ll sample it at its birthplace, the place where it was first sold.

This gourmet tour is a great way to see the hidden alleyways of Lisbon, your local guide will explain what restaurants are not to be missed and what food to try. Be sure to bring your appetite and comfortable walking shoes on this tour!

Your Lisbon Gourmet Food tour will include the following:

  • Knowledgeable tour guide 
  • Food and beverages at five different stops

Book a Gourmet Food Tour of Lisbon


4. Explore Colorful Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca Coast

Best Lisbon Tours & Day Trips: Sintra

Escape the city life to lush nature on this full-day tour where you’ll explore Europe’s westernmost cliffs and visit the stunning Moorish-style National Palace in Sintra. On this incredible 8-hour tour, you’ll start off with a walk through Pena Park which is surrounded by the flora and fauna of the forest. You’ll then visit the stunning Pena Palace, a bright and colorful palace that is an architectural masterpiece. The castle is full of history and has impressive views of the surrounding ocean fronts and green landscapes.

After working up an appetite, the group will have lunch in the old town of Sintra – it’s recommended to try the pastries that this town is known for. Then, the tour will continue with a scenic drive through the Sintra Mountains. The tour will have a short stop at the cliffs at Cabo da Roca, which is the westernmost point of Europe.

The tour will end at the trendy coastal town of Cascais, where you can have a bit of free time and take a relaxing walk along the bay before heading back to Lisbon.

Your full-day Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca Coastal tour will include the following:

  • Transportation from Lisbon by an air-conditioned vehicle
  • Admission to Pena National Park and Pena Palace

Book a Tour to Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca

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5. Visit the Charming Portuguese Villages of Fátima, Nazaré, and Óbidos

Best Lisbon Tours & Day Trips: Obidos

Visit the charming historic villages of Fátima, Nazaré, and Óbidos. This full-day tour will give you the chance to see the more authentic side of Portugal. You’ll see the slow life of the countryside and some of the most important pilgrimage sites of the country. 

The tour will start at 8 am, with a pick-up from your accommodation in Lisbon. After a short drive to Fátima, you will stop at the ornate Our Lady of Fátima Sanctuary and the more modern Holy Trinity Church. The final stop is another holy place, the House of the Little Shepherds. 

The trip continues to the bay, where the group will stop for a Portuguese lunch at the beach. This stop is in the village of Nazaré, home to some of the largest waves in the world. The day will unwind at the Medieval city of Óbidos, a village that will make you think you are stepping back in time. This walled town, with its red-tiled roofed buildings, is one of the best tourist destinations in the Lisbon region. 

Your Fátima, Nazaré, & Óbidos full-day tour will include the following:

  • Pick-up and drop off at your accommodation in Lisbon
  • Professional and knowledgeable driver/guide

Book a Tour of Fátima, Nazaré, Óbidos & São Martinho do Porto


6. Take a Sunset Cruise on the Tagus River

Best Lisbon Tours & Day Trips: Tagus River

Watch the sunset aboard a yacht on a 2-hour cruise off the coast of Lisbon. This luxurious cruise is a great way to discover the city from another perspective. You’ll see landmark monuments from the Tagus River, such as the 25 de Abril Bridge and the white-domed Basilica da Estrela.

You’ll meet at the Doca de Belém Marina in Lisbon at 4 pm and will be welcomed on board with a complimentary drink. Once you set sail, this memorable experience will take you under the 25 de Abril Bridge, where you can admire Lisbon’s landscape and waterfront. The tour includes live commentary that will explain the important sights, like the beautiful square of Praça do Comércio. You’ll also pass by the Castle of São Jorge, which sits atop one of Lisbon’s legendary 7 hills.

After two hours, you’ll head back to the marina and you’ll see the longest bridge in all of Europe, the stunning Vasco da Gama Bridge. Before docking, you’ll also have the chance to see the majestic Cristo-Rei Statue in Almada. Overall, this is a great way to see Lisbon’s most well-known landmarks in one relaxing evening. 

Your Sunset Cruise tour will include the following:

  • 2-hour yacht cruise with skipper and crew
  • Insurance
  • Live commentary in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese
  • A welcome drink!

Book a Sunset Cruise on the Tagus River

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7. Experience one of the Best Live Fado Show in Lisbon

Best Tours in Lisbon, Portugal (Fado Guitar)

Watch a live Fado performance to discover the traditional soulful music of Portugal. This 50-minute concert features two passionate singers and musicians, including a classic 12-string guitar. Due to its unique style, this traditional music has been declared an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO.

The show starts at seven in the evening, so be sure to get there early to grab a good seat. During the performance, you will see images of renowned Lisbon attractions. We love this Fado venue because the singers get the audience to participate, so it’s much more interactive than other Fado shows in Lisbon. 

The Fado in Chiado performance takes place in the center of Lisbon. This is a great way to experience Lisbon’s nightlife. After the performance, you’ll have the rest of the night to explore on your own to discover more of what the city has to offer. 

Book Tickets for Fado in Chiado

There you have it, 7 of the best tours in Lisbon! Do you have a favorite tour in Lisbon we should recommend? Let us know below.


Planning a trip to Lisbon? Check out our favorite books and travel guides.


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About the Author:

  • Nick Wheatley

    Nick took his first solo trip abroad to Ireland and Scotland when he was just 19. Since then he has visited over 70 countries around the world (plus 45 states in the USA).

    He coupled his passion for travel photography with Val’s passion for writing and thus Wandering Wheatleys was born. He now lives in Asheville with his two rambunctious kids, Humphrey and Wilhelminha.

    Besides photography, Nick loves eating the weirdest food he can find in a country (sheep’s brain currently sits in first place) and making Val get up an hour before sunrise to make sure he gets “the good light”.

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