🌊 Striding into the world of Blue Emotion Tours and I opted for there offer of a free walking tour Lisboa style! I was greeted by a team of five young entrepreneurs, brimming with the kind of enthusiasm you’d expect from a start-up in its honeymoon phase. Founded in 2017, the company prides itself on a flat hierarchy, which means every guide gets a say and, presumably, an equal opportunity to share their favorite Lisbon trivia.
🚶♂️ The Essential Free Walking Tour Lisboa is a 2.5-hour deep dive into the city’s history, starting at Praça do Comércio under a light blue umbrella – a beacon for the budget-conscious traveler. This tour is less about the opulent highlights and more about the underbelly of Lisbon’s past, from the devastating 1755 earthquake to the Carnation Revolution. There’s a sense of drama as you walk through Baixa to Chiado, uncovering the city’s 3000-year-old story, peppered with tales of inquisition, revolution, and natural disaster.
🎭 The Alfama Free Walking Tour Lisboa takes you through Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood. Here, history isn’t just told; it’s lived in the streets and whispered by the ancient walls. For 2.5 hours, you navigate Roman ruins, Visigothic towers, and medieval castles, all the while being regaled with stories that seem to blur the lines between history and legend. The highlight is entering the Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa) and a private ‘pátio’ in Alfama, offering a glimpse into the lives of those who call these storied streets home.
🌉 The Belém Free Walking Tour Lisboa is slightly different. It starts with a train ride to, yes you’ve guessed it, Belém, which requires a bit of pre-planning (and a charged Viva Viagem card). Once there, it’s a 3-hour stroll through the Afonso Albuquerque Square and the old Royal Palace. The tour promises a sweet touch, which in Lisbon can only mean one thing: a stop for the famous custard tarts of Belém. This tour is a mix of culinary delights and historical insights, from the Jeronimos Monastery to the Belém Tower, weaving a narrative of Portugal’s Age of Discoveries.
📜 The free walking tour Lisboa that these guys run is operated on a tips-based model, meaning you pay what you feel the experience is worth. It’s a concept that puts pressure on the guides to perform, but also gives you, the traveler, a sense of control over your expenses. These guides are official, so expect a well-researched spiel and perhaps a bit of theatrical flair.
🌟To boot, Blue Emotion Tours offers an engaging, budget-friendly way to explore Lisbon. Their tours are a blend of historical facts, local legends, and cultural insights. The free walking tour lisboa guides are knowledgeable and passionate, perhaps a reflection of the company’s democratic ethos. Just remember to bring comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, and a healthy curiosity for Lisbon’s past. And maybe some change for those custard tarts – they’re not officially included in the tour, but trust me, they’re worth the detour.
| Monday | 9:15 am–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:15 am–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:15 am–7 pm |
| Thursday | 9:15 am–7 pm |
| Friday | 9:15 am–7 pm |
| Saturday | 9:15 am–7 pm |
| Sunday | 9:15 am–7 pm |
