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-   -   Lisbon guided sightseeing tours (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/lisbon-guided-sightseeing-tours-1138767/)

Janedoeinnyc Oct 26th, 2016 05:15 AM

Lisbon guided sightseeing tours
 
I'm spending Christmas week in Lisbon and have been researching guided tours without much success.

I will be traveling alone and have concerns about all the hills, so I was hoping to find a half day (or even full day) tour of the city - something with a bus/minivan with limited walking would be ideal. I'm middle-aged with bad knees, so a three hour walking tour would not be for me.

All I seem to be finding are either private tours (which are very expensive for a solo traveler), walking tours (which I think would be too strenuous for me) or the hop-on, hop-off buses that all seem to have dismal reviews. The few options I found don't seem to have any offerings the days I'm looking for (I do realize that being there Christmas week limits my options).

I know I can explore the city myself with a Viva Viagem card but I always find that a guided tour enhances the experience for me.

Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations? I was thinking that despite all my research, maybe there's something I'm missing. I've traveled extensively on my own and don't recall ever finding a city where I couldn't book a guided bus tour.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Robert2016 Oct 27th, 2016 11:01 PM

You can check out this website: http://www.visitlisboa.com/see-and-d...and-activities

And the Yellow Bus: http://www.yellowbustours.com/en-GB/.../Circuits.aspx

luz_de_lisboa Oct 28th, 2016 12:54 AM

Tuk tuk tours are popular. Probably not very economical for one person, but maybe you can find someone to share?

There's also the tram tours, which are private as opposed to the public eléctricos which run on the same rails. You'll pay more but I'd imagine you'll get a seat and I believe they have commentary.

What's good about these two options is that they go into the areas where a big tour bus can't. And the neighborhoods that are the most hilly.

luz_de_lisboa Oct 30th, 2016 05:47 AM

Was reminded of this thread this morning as a passed a sign at Cais do Sodre advertising boat tours.

I have no first-hand experience with this or any of these options.

However I can state that the view of Lisboa from the Tejo is not to be missed!

fransilva Nov 17th, 2016 10:11 AM

Try contact my friend https://www.facebook.com/carlos.evora.39
Honest and friendly person, was an architect but with the crisis now is tour guide.

Janedoeinnyc Dec 22nd, 2016 09:01 AM

Thank you - not really too late, I leave tomorrow. I booked one day trip with a tour company to travel outside the city and otherwise decided to just play it by ear when I get there. The weather looks like it will be nice and I'll probably just wander on my own and see how I feel when I get there - I can always uber or taxi to places if I feel the hills are too strenuous.

Thank you to everyone who replied for your recommendations!

Dude Jan 2nd, 2017 01:13 PM

They have the hop on hop off sightseeing buses. You can also use the trolleys to conquer most of the hills. Although if your knees bug you, you will need to get transport up to see Castelo Sao Jorge. Lisbon is a pretty compact place and lots of fun.


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