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Lisbon Culture & history

Our most recommended Lisbon Culture & history

Lisbon: Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais Daytrip

1. Lisbon: Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais Daytrip

Escape Lisbon and go on a full-day, guided journey to some of Portugal’s most popular locations stopping at the iconic Pena Palace in Sintra, the awe-inspiring cliffs of Cabo da Roca, and the ritzy seaside town of Cascais. Choose between the shared tour or private tour options. Your journey from Lisbon starts at the famous city of Sintra, whose Romanticist architecture, historic estates and villas, and numerous royal palaces and castles have made it a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy the freedom of choice on whether you want an included entry ticket and tour of the colorful Pena Palace, or whether you prefer to gain some extra free time instead. Arriving early at Sintra means greater chances of avoiding long lines if you choose to go with your guide on a comprehensive tour through its lavish interiors and lush gardens. Marvel at the palace’s fairy-tale-like appearance, beautiful facade and extravagant interior. Next, head over to the center of Sintra and get 1.5-hour of free time to wander on your own. Get recommendations of the city’s must-see locations as well as the best restaurant options for delicious traditional Portuguese dining from your guide. Continue to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, and take in the impressive views of the ocean crashing against the high rocky cliffs. If weather permitting, stop at Guincho beach, whose strong winds and high swells have made it a popular surfing destination. Lastly, arrive in Cascais, an elegant seaside resort town on the Portuguese Riviera. Stroll through the lovely city center and make sure to check out Cascais’ luxury marina, its charming fishing port, and a restored fort that houses many local craftsmen. After your free exploration time in Cascais, relax back on board your air-conditioned vehicle, and admire more breathtaking views of the Portuguese coast as you make your way back to Lisbon.

From Lisbon: Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, & Pena Palace Trip

2. From Lisbon: Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, & Pena Palace Trip

Discover Sintra’s beautiful architecture, admire the beauty of one of the highest hills of the region Walk the narrow streets of Sintra in your free time and visit with our fantastic tour guide Quinta da Regaleira. Arrive at the romantic Pena Palace in Sintra, which has a profusion of styles much in accordance with the exotic taste of Romanticism. Explore the ancient castle, which was one of the favorite residences of the royal family throughout the 19th century. Walk through the fairytale-style building and learn about its fascinating history. Take some free time to stroll through Sintra and purchase lunch if you're feeling hungry. Get recommendations on what to see and eat in the area. Afterward, begin a guided tour of the main landmarks of Sintra, and hear about local secrets and stories. Visit the picturesque village of Cascais, linked to the Portuguese royals who summered here. Stroll along beautiful beaches, mansions, museums and photogenic streets. Return to Lisbon at the end of the day.

Lisbon: History, Stories and Lifestyle Walking Tour

3. Lisbon: History, Stories and Lifestyle Walking Tour

Discover one of Europe's most captivating and picturesque capitals on a guided walking tour. Built on a series of hills and offering panoramic views from countless spots, explore the city with a local guide who will make sure that you have an interesting and fun experience. Begin the tour in the 5-centuries-old Bairro Alto, where you’ll learn about the evolution of the city. After the earthquake of 1755 this space attracted families from the Baixa and Bairro districts, who began the process of renewal. Pass by the garden of São Pedro de Alcântara and enjoy views of Baixa and the south bank of the Tagus River. Visit the San Roque Church built by the Jesuits. Admire its austere façade, and the gilding, tiles, and paintings inside that make it a wonderful museum of Mannerist and Baroque styles. Head down the hill to the Carmo convent and church, fine examples of the city’s Gothic architecture. This is a site of historical importance as it was here that the Carnation Revolution began in 1974, putting an end to nearly 5 decades of dictatorship. A little further on, arrive at the Santa Justa elevator, an imposing monument built in the Gothic Revival style, that provides one of the best viewpoints in the city. See a number of attractions in Baixa, in the heart of the city. After a short break, take a ride on the tram, going up from the castle to the Portas do Sol. At the Portas do Sol, see the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, the National Pantheon, and the Alfama district that spans several narrow streets to the River Tagus. Explore Alfama, one of the oldest and most traditional neighborhoods of Lisbon, known for its fado houses, and the popular festivals of saints, particularly St. Anthony. End the tour at Lisbon Cathedral, built in 1150, 3 years after the city was taken back from the Moors. Over time it has been subject to various architectural changes, becoming a mixture of different styles.

Sintra: Pena Palace and Park Entrance Ticket

4. Sintra: Pena Palace and Park Entrance Ticket

The palace is situated in the eastern part of the Park of Pena, which one has to pass through to reach the steep ramp built by the Baron of Eschwege that provides access to the castle-like building. The palace itself is composed of two wings: the former Manueline monastery of the Order of St. Jerome and the wing built in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II. These wings are ringed by a third architectural structure that is a fantastical version of an imaginary castle, whose walls one can walk around and which comprises battlements, watchtowers, an entrance tunnel and even a drawbridge. In 1838, King Ferdinand II acquired the former Hieronymite monastery of Our Lady of Pena, which was built by King Manuel I in 1511 on the top of the hill above Sintra and had been left unoccupied since 1834 when the religious orders were suppressed in Portugal. The monastery consisted of the cloister and its outbuildings, the chapel, the sacristy and the bell tower, which today form the northern section of the Palace of Pena, or the Old Palace as it is known. King Ferdinand began by making repairs to the former monastery, which, according to the historical sources of that time, was in very bad condition. He refurbished the whole of the upper floor, replacing the fourteen cells used by the monks with larger-sized rooms and covering them with the vaulted ceilings that can still be seen today. In roughly 1843, the king decided to enlarge the palace by building a new wing (the New Palace) with even larger rooms (the Great Hall is a good example of this), ending in a circular tower next to the new kitchens. The building work was directed by the Baron of Eschwege. The 1994 repair works restored the original colors of the Palace’s exterior: pink for the former monastery and ochre for the New Palace. In transforming a former monastery into a castle-like residence, King Ferdinand showed that he was heavily influenced by German romanticism, and that he probably found his inspiration in the Stolzenfels and Rheinstein castles on the banks of the Rhine, as well as Babelsberg Palace in Potsdam. These building works at the Palace of Pena ended in the mid-1860s, although further work was also undertaken at later dates for the decoration of the interiors. King Ferdinand also ordered the Park of Pena to be planted in the Palace’s surrounding areas in the style of the romantic gardens of that time, with winding paths, pavilions and stone benches placed at different points along its routes, as well as trees and other plants originating from the four corners of the earth. In this way, the king took advantage of the mild and damp climate of the Sintra hills to create an entirely new and exotic park with over five hundred different species of trees. The Palace of Pena was designated a National Monument in 1910 and forms part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, which has been classified by UNESCO as World Heritage since 1995.

Lisbon: Jerónimos Monastery Entrance Ticket

5. Lisbon: Jerónimos Monastery Entrance Ticket

Get entrance tickets to Jerónimos monastery, a national monument classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and located near the city of Lisbon. Learn about how King Manuel I commissioned the monastery in 1496 to honor the Infante for his devotion to Our Lady and faith in St. Jerome. Once inside, marvel at the Manueline or Portuguese Late Gothic architecture. Discover how the monastery of St. Mary of Belém was donated to the monks of the Order of St. Jerome. For this reason, it is commonly known as the Jerónimos Monastery. In 1833, when the order was dissolved, the monastery was used as a school and orphanage until 1940. In the 19th century, the church became the monument for local heroes and poets such as Luís de Camões and Vasco da Gama. Come and discover what is not simply a notable work of architecture, but also an important part of Portuguese identity and culture.

Lisbon: Saint George's Castle Entry & Self-Guided Audio Tour

6. Lisbon: Saint George's Castle Entry & Self-Guided Audio Tour

Experience St.George Castle at your own pace with a skip-the-line e-ticket and a fascinating self-guided audio tour on your smartphone. Receive your instructions by email, download the app, the entrance tickets, and the audio tour on your phone, prior to your visit, and travel back in time to experience the glory of one of Lisbon’s main attractions, the magnificent St. George Castle. Put on your headphones and discover the breathtaking Arco do Castelo, the Castle’s entrance, and the Castle’s breathtaking monuments and treasures through the power of storytelling and learn historical information and uncommon stories and anecdotes for this spectacular attraction of Lisbon. Tour’s content is the result of in-depth research, squeezed into brief original stories that will make your visit both engaging and informative. The audio tour can be used repeatedly and anytime, before or after your visit. This is an unmissable opportunity to gain valuable insights into one of Lisbon’s main and most well-known attractions, the Castle of St. George and relate to your surroundings in an entirely original way.

From Lisbon: Sintra, Regaleira and Pena Palace Guided Tour

7. From Lisbon: Sintra, Regaleira and Pena Palace Guided Tour

Benefit from a guided tour inside the Quinta Regaleira and Pena Palace. Fall in love with Sintra, a village full of magic and mystery, the lasting symbol of Portugal's Romantic period and also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opt to treat yourself and your loved ones to a private experience with your own guide and pickup from your own hotel. Alternatively, you can get picked up from a convenient location in the center of Lisbon. Accompanied by a tour guide, visit Quinta da Regaleira and enjoy its lush gardens, lakes, grottoes, and enigmatic constructions, including the world-famous Initiation Well. Uncover the mysteries of each place and learn about the orders of the Freemasons and the Knights Templar. During the lunch break in Sintra's old town, you will have free time to explore the historical and charming streets. You will also have time to taste the traditional pastry, travesseiro. After buying your entry ticket with your guide, step into a fairy tale when you enter the romantic Pena Palace and Park. Understand its unique architectural expression of Romanticism. Spot how it blends many styles, including Gothic, neo-Manueline, neo-Islamic, and neo-Renaissance. Stroll around the park with its astonishing variety of plants and trees. Marvel at the palace's amazing views of the castle and the Atlantic Ocean, a perfect way to end the day before returning to Lisbon.

Lisbon: Frida Kahlo, The Life of an Icon Exhibition

8. Lisbon: Frida Kahlo, The Life of an Icon Exhibition

Learn about one of the most influential artists of all time with this clever multimedia production. Historical photographs and original movies will guide you through different sounds and environments, reproducing moments in the life of Frida Kahlo, and showing the story behind the icon. This experience is divided into two distinct stages. In the first, walk by several artistic installations, experience virtual reality, and create your own customized Frida model. In the second, immerse yourself in a 360º audiovisual show displaying some of the most unique moments from the artist’s personal life. You'll walk away fascinated by the life of Frida Kahlo, whose rebellious spirit and talent still inspire women of all ages due to her strength and unique personality.

From Lisbon: Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais Full-Day Tour

9. From Lisbon: Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais Full-Day Tour

Discover Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on this day tour. Admire the town via minivan, surrounded by a natural park, a medieval castle, palaces, and chalets. Walk along the medieval streets of Sintra and drive through the national park. Take in the rare fauna, the unique trees, the Moorish Castle, Monserrate Palace, and the several chalets along the road. Next, visit Pena Palace, one of the most impressive architectural expressions of 19th-century Romanticism in the world, and one of Portugal’s seven wonders. Continue on to the westernmost point of continental Europe at Roca Cape. Finally, travel along the Atlantic coast. Discover the natural seawater pools at Azenhas do Mar beach. Stop in Cascais, was once a holiday retreat for the royal family and the European aristocracy.

Full-Day Fátima Tour from Lisbon

10. Full-Day Fátima Tour from Lisbon

Take a full-day, multi-city tour that brings you to some of Portugal's most popular medieval and 20th-century architectural and religious marvels, beginning in Lisbon and ending in Fátima. Depart from Lisbon by bus at 9:00 and head to Óbidos, the 'wedding present town'. This is the town that King Dinis gave to his bride, Queen Isabel, on their wedding day in 1282. This romantic village is surrounded by the 45-foot-high walls of a medieval Moorish castle, the famous Pousada do Castelo. Stop for lunch in colorful Nazaré, a traditional Portuguese fishing village. If time permits, head to Sítio to enjoy a beautiful view of the beach and ocean. Then, kick off the afternoon with a trip to Batalha Monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, with beautiful stained-glass windows and the Manueline-style Royal Cloister. Arrive at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, a center of Catholic faith and globally recognized pilgrimage destination. Housed in the Basilica are the tombs of Lúcia, Francisco, and Jacinta, peasant children who, despite threats, never denied witnessing the apparition of Mary. The heart of the shrine is in the Chapel of Apparitions. Schedule permitting, you can attend Mass. Afterwards, you will return to Lisbon on a route that takes you through a rich agricultural region.

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What people are saying about Lisbon

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 18,406 reviews

Luis was provided a wealth of knowledge on this guided trip which would have been impossible to find anywhere else. He carried with him a notebook of fascinating historical pictures, paintings, and immigration data that he shared with us all along our 3 hour journey and diligently and comprehensively answered our hundreds of questions about every aspect of the slave trade in Portugal. We cannot imagine a better guide and we highly recommend this trip to anyone with an interest in this topic.

What a fun day! The palace is really beautiful and definitely worth a look inside. We had a super nice guide, Max. He knew a lot to tell and spoke very good English so easy to understand.

Max was super helpful, all his recommendations were great. Loved that he was so honest and had our best interest at heart. If we ever come back, will definitely ask for Max!

Very well done , good coverage of all the locations . The guide was Pleasant and knowledgeable. I would recommend this for a lovely day outside of Lisbon

Absolute BEST tour! Ruth was great and gracious, and as a solo traveler I had an incredible time and made new friends. Highly recommend!