Walks in Lisbon and Central Portugal

From the splendour of Lisbon and the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the rugged beauty of the mountains of the east, central Portugal is home to some of Portugal's most striking architecture and momentous historical sites. We currently offer two to three hour guided walks in Lisbon and self-guided walking holidays in rural central Portugal.

Walking Holidays in Central Portugal

Walk 1: The Arrabida Natural Park
Based in Setubal, 30 minutes south of Lisbon, this holiday includes walks in and around the Arrabida Natural Park. The reserve is renowned for its flora and fauna, particularly its rare birds and wild cats so don't forget your binoculars! You'll visit traditional villages and historical sites from all ages including the ruins of forts, windmills and Neolithic burial sites. There is also the chance to visit a working winery! This 4 night holiday costs £190.00, $380.00 or €275 including accommodation, breakfast, 3 picnics, taxi transfers from your hotel to the start of the walks, the winery visit and comprehensive walking notes.

Please contact us for a detailed itinerary of this walking holiday

Walk 2: Serra de Sintra
The town of Sintra, 30 minutes from Lisbon, is famous for its lush woods, romantic gardens and fairytale-esque architecture. Our walk will take you to the old haunts of the Portuguese aristocracy- including the Pena and Monserrate palaces and the hill-top ruins of a Moorish castle, you'll even be staying in the former summer palace of a Viscount! On the last day your walk will show you the rugged windswept coastline at the far west of Europe. Discover for yourself why the poet Lord Byron called Sintra a 'glorious eden'. This 4 night holiday costs October to March: £199.00, $398.00 or €288, April to June £219.00, $438.00 or €318, July to September: £235.00, $470.00 or €340 including accommodation, breakfast, 3 picnics, transfers to the start of the walks where necessary and comprehensive walking notes.

Please contact us for a detailed itinerary of this walking holiday

Walk 3: Serra de São Mamede
Tugged away on the eastern border, this natural park is yet another of Portugal's well kept secrets. It is home to a wide variety of fauna and flora including griffon vultures, Bonellis eagles, wild boar and deer and wild flowers are abundant. From your base in the historic town of Castelo de Vide you'll have the opportunity to soak up the beauty and tranquility of the landscape as you explore this and other medieval towns, some of Portugal's best preserved castles, a working winery and much more. This 5 night holiday costs October to March: £345.00, $690.00 or €500, April to September: £395.00, $790.00 or €573 including accommodation, breakfast, 4 packed lunches and comprehensive walking notes.

Please contact us for a detailed itinerary of this walking holiday

Walk 4: Heart of Portugal
This walk is based in an old spa village in a tranquil region of Portugal only 12km from the coast with it's broad sandy beaches. This region is renowned for its eco-diversity with two very different eco-systems that are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. There over 300 species of birds found locally including kingfishers, storks and flamingos. The walk will take you through rice fields, woodland and lush countryside to sleepy hamlets and market towns where the locals still enjoy a traditional way of life. We have included a visit to the salt museum to see how salt is produced locally. This 4 night holiday costs October to March: £280.00, $560.00 or €400 June to September: £320.00, $640.00 or €464 including accommodation, breakfast, 3 picnics, 4 dinners, transfers from your hotel to the start of the walks where necessary and comprehensive walking notes.

Please contact us for a detailed itinerary of this walking holiday

Walks in Lisbon

All these walks in Lisbon are in English and last between 2 -3 hours. They cost €15 per person per walk with a €5 discount if you book 2 different walks.

With it stunning location and architecture and historical importance Lisbon has built up a reputation as one of the world's most interesting cities to visit. Our walks in Lisbon allow you to discover the city with a friendly and knowledgeable guide who will take you not only to the main sights of Lisbon but also beyond the confines of the guide books to help you discover the real city.

Lisbon Old Town (Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays)
Are you curious about the last 2,500 years of the history of Lisbon, including the lasting influence of its Phoenician, Roman and Arab settlers? During this walk you'll explore the maze-like streets and hidden vantage points of the old town and learn about:

• the Romans and Moors




• the history of Jews in Portugal and their persecution and forced conversion




• Migration and the dockers




• Fado as the soundtrack of Lisbon

Please contact us for more information or to book walks in Lisbon

Lisbon Down Town (Thursdays and Sundays)
Explore downtown Lisbon for centuries the heart of the social, commercial and spiritual life of the city, as well as the centre of power of Portugal. Despite this lasting prominence, a lot has changed since the Phoenician and the Roman occupation, when there was still an arm of the Tejo river flooding this area. The 1755 earthquake of destroyed much of Lisbon and you can see the innovative reconstruction of the city’s downtown area. During this walk you will learn about:

• The Roman salted fish factories




• The Comércio Square - centre of power




• The 1755 earthquake and the day after




• Rebirth of Lisbon: the dream of a new city come true




• The hidden churches

Please contact us for more information or to book walks in Lisbon

Lisbon 7th Hill (Fridays)
Roam around cosmopolitan and literary Chiado and bohemian Bairro Alto. The life and personality of the renowned modernist poet Fernando Pessoa provide the perfect script for a walk around Lisbon's most romantic hilltops. Highlights include:

• Seeing how Lisbon has spread outside its walls




• The city during the Romantic period




• The poet Fernando Pessoa




• The “A Brasileira” coffee shop and the modernist generation




• Breathtaking views over the city




• Bohemian life in Bairro Alto

Please contact us for more information or to book walks in Lisbon

Lisbon – a complete revelation (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)
The essential introduction to Lisbon- a 3 hour tour that gives you a complete over view of the city's most important sites. This unforgettable tour takes you on the winding tracks of the famous 28 tram, through the narrow streets of the Old Town districts; up the Santa Justa iron lift rising to the Downtown heights – giving you an everlasting memory of city. This tour will take you to the following key sites:

• Praça do Comércio – the enduring centre of power




• Rossio and downtown – the new city built after the earthquake




• Praça da Figueira – Lisbon’s traditional market square




• Martim Moniz – also known as “Chinatown”: a cultural melting pot




• Lisbon’s “Broadway”- the city’s 1st bohemian street




• Restauradores / Av. Liberdade - the image of an European capital




• Iron Lift viewpoint – 360º view over the Downtown district




• Largo do Carmo – the setting for the democratic revolution of 1974




• Carmo ruins – the only Gothic monument of the city




• S. Roque Church – a Baroque extravaganza




• Bairro Alto – the lively bohemian district




• Praça Camões – a tribute to the Discoveries epic poet




• Chiado – the most elegant shopping area




• Portas do Sol – a breathtaking view over Alfama, the Old Town




• Lisbon Workers Quarters – Victorian-style tenements of the industrial revolution age




• Graça Viewpoint – a stunning view over the city and the bridge

(Tickets for Tram#28 and the old Santa Justa Iron lift are included in the price of the walk)

Please contact us for more information or to book walks in Lisbon

Interested in our walks in Lisbon but not sure of your plans yet? These points may help persuade you: Each walk takes place twice daily (10.00 and 14.30) on the days shown and you can use your ticket on ANY of the walks at ANY time (10.00 or 14.30). The meeting point for each walk is in the centre of Lisbon (Praça do Comercio) and we provide you with a downloadable map of the meeting point and a contact phone number for your guide. The walks always happen whatever the weather, but if it is raining and you want to walk on another day – no problem!

For more information about any of our walks in Lisbon or central Portugal please use the form below.

Links to more information about Walking in Portugal

General Information about walking in Portugal
Other walking holidays in Portugal with this company
All walking holidays in Portugal
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