The City of the Seven Hills: Private Tour of Lisbon Highlights

Known as The City of The Seven Hills, Lisbon is a city of contrasts, with winding streets, colourful buildings, hilly terrain and a history as rich as it is fascinating. Lisbon is also famous for its rich culture, year-round sunshine, hilly terrain, breathtaking vistas, surprising delicacies, and historical yellow trams.

On your private tour, you will: 

• Enjoy a fully guided tour of Lisbon Castle, the highest point of Lisbon city, the site of some of its earliest 8th century BC settlements and a fortress that for centuries played a key part in the history of the city; 
• Learn of Lisbon's tumultuous past, take in the spectacular views over the city and walk the walls of the medieval fortress;
• Then, walk down streets lined with artisanal shops and learn about the craft of the colourful Portuguese azulejo tiles;  
• Stop at one of Lisbon's most beautiful viewpoints, the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, decorated with magnificent tiles, this is a favourite spot for lovers and local street musicians; 
• See the Sé Cathedral, often just known as Sé—one of the city’s oldest and most well-known sites, which has withstood several natural disasters, including the 9.0 earthquake of 1755;
• Admire the Praça do Comércio, where the royal palace stood for over two hundred years until 1755, and today one of the city’s most recognisable squares;
• Walk through the Baixa neighbourhood, Lisbon's downtown, and see the city's most famous squares and landmarks, including Rua Augusta and the historic Santa Justa lift!
• Enjoy time at Praca Dom Pedro IV, one of the iconic sites in the city where your guide departs.

Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 12th century and has been a centre of art and learning since the 15th century. It was once the hub for the Age of Discovery as well as a major trading centre for goods from Africa and Asia. As such, it boasts an impressive collection of churches and monuments from around the world.

The city's name comes from its seven hills, which are still visible today—the highest is St. George's Castle Hill, at 213 meters (700 feet)

On this half-day private walking tour, your guide will give you an overview of the city's history from its foundation to the present day. You will visit the famous São Jorge Castle, which dates back to the 11th century with breathtaking views over the city, as well as the Se' Cathedral and the historic downtown area of Baixa where you can find many of the city's most famous landmarks: Rossio Square, the Elevador de Santa Justa, Rua Augusta, and of course, the majestic Praça do Comércio, the riverfront commercial hub of the city. 

Tour duration
3.5 hours 30 minutes

Type of tour
Walking tour: no transportation is included

Attractions along this route:

Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa)
This impressive Roman Catholic cathedral dates from 1147 and has survived a number of earthquakes.

Rossio Square
One of Lisbon's main squares since the Middle Ages, Rossio was destroyed and reconstructed after the great 1755 earthquake.

Santa Justa Lift
This urban elevator from 1902 connects the lower street of Baixa with Carmo Square.

Praça do Comercio
Stand in awe of this historic landmark, as you unravel Lisbon's military and commercial past.

Figueira Square
Placed in the re-urbanised area of Lisbon Baixa, Figueira Square is today one of the main hubs of the city's transport system.

Rua Augusta
Lisbon's main pedestrian street connects Praca Rossio with Praca do Commercio through the triumphal arch.

Miradouro de Santa Luzia
This romantic terrace offers amazing views of Lisbon & the Tagus River.

St George’s Castle
An impressive Moorish castle, overlooking the historic centre of Lisbon and the Tagus River.