Insider’s Tour of Lisbon: One-Week Cultural Exploration

View of the fields of Alentejo from the walls of the Portuguese town of Evora-Monte-Estremoz.

What to expect on this itinerary

On this handcrafted one-week tour, you can immerse yourself in Lisbon’s unique culture as insider guides connect you to the city’s authenticity. A vibrant culture echoes through Lisbon’s colorful neighborhoods, fusing a millennium of history, a dedication to art, and a love for food. Uncover Manueline and Fado, explore fabulous odes to past centuries, stroll the cobblestones of today, and bask in one of the world’s most distinctive destinations.

Countries Visited

Portugal

Places Visited

Lisbon

Suggested Duration

7 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Lisbon – The Atmosphere of Modern-Day Lisbon and an Intimate Fado Performance

A local guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your luxurious accommodation in Bairro Alto, which is a changing neighborhood that is perfect for a cultural stay. Your boutique hotel hosts stunning sunset views, and it allows you to step straight out into the city’s colorful magic. Music will carry you away this evening as you listen to fado at a charming venue in Alfama. Beautifully narrating loss and love, fado shares similar roots to flamenco but has a very different feel, especially the eerie tones that pull on your heartstrings and quickly immerse you in the artist's plight.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Day 2

Lisbon – Lisbon Roots, Food, and Cultural Walking Tour

Day 3

Lisbon – The Inside Tour of Lisbon’s Unique Manueline Architecture

Day 4

Lisbon – Exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites North of Lisbon

Day 5

Lisbon – Into the Backstreets on Off-the-Beaten-Path Tour of Lisbon

Day 6

Lisbon – Uncovering the Highlights of the Alentejo Region

Day 7

Lisbon – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Discover the fabulous art and story behind Portugal’s unique Manueline style with an inside tour of Belem and beyond
  • Uncover Lisbon’s vibrant cultural roots on a walking tour through the historic city with food being the focus for creating local connections
  • Explore the majestic Alentejo region on a day trip, where vineyards meet whitewashed towns and a mysterious chapel of bones
  • Stroll through the vibrant culture of modern-day Lisbon and explore the city’s colorful neighborhoods
  • Marvel at some of Portugal’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, notably two Manueline monasteries that you will visit on a day trip north of Lisbon
  • Venture off the beaten path by visiting lesser-known Lisbon neighborhoods with experienced local guides, where you can gain an authentic impression of everyday culture
  • Be amazed by Lisbon’s food and art scenes, especially when you explore the city’s cobbled streets
  • Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of yesteryear with an intimate fado performance and dining experience

Detailed Description

You do not need to look for culture in Lisbon because the city’s culture will envelop you, breathing life into every street and creating authentic travel experiences whichever way you turn. Few world cities celebrate culture as engagingly as the Portuguese capital. Colorful neighborhoods have carried traditions into the modern day, and you can happily spend your days wandering the city’s cobbled streets. An artistic attention to detail is integral to the everyday life of the city, and Lisbon’s culture extends to an inviting culinary realm.

From history to today, this one-week tour has been handcrafted to reveal the many different sides to Lisbon’s culture. You can wander the cobbled lanes and immerse yourself in the city’s lively atmosphere before attending a fado performance that will introduce you to a distinct musical style and era. On day two, you will use food as a medium to uncover Lisbon’s roots with a private walking tour to famous and lesser-known areas. Then, traveling inside Manueline architecture with an artist guide will demonstrate Portugal’s great contribution to the world of art.

Evenings are the best time of day in Lisbon, and you will have an entire week of them. During days four and six, you can explore more of Portugal on day trips to magnificent attractions just outside of the city. UNESCO World Heritage monasteries will continue your Manueline journey, Alentejo’s vineyards will provide a peaceful time for your senses, and the whitewashed town of Evora will amaze you with its mystical Chapel of Bones. These day trips sandwich another leisurely day of exploring Lisbon’s culture with local guides. With a week in Lisbon, you can really dive below the surface, so, after seven days, Lisbon can remain a part of you.

Starting Price

$1,900 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

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Nicole M.
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We had an excellent trip! We loved the tours and how the Zicasso travel company was accessible during the duration of the trip. We encountered one issue, but the team responded and worked with us to resolve it.

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This trip was fantastic! My husband and I, along with my three daughters in their 20s, had the best time. Planning with Zicasso's travel expert was easy. She was quick to respond to emails, texts and calls before and during the trip.

We wanted some unique experiences, like making Portuguese filigree jewelry, and she found a great place for us! The hotels she selected were perfect for our larger group.

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The trip was a fantastic introduction to Portugal and a great mix of history, activities, and relaxing.

We had three generations of family members on the trip, with a wide range of interests and dietary needs. Zicasso's travel company did an amazing job guiding us every day and accommodating last-minute changes. Each of the guides were very knowledgeable about the area and history, and flexible to our needs.

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The planning experience was wonderful overall. From the initial conversation about what my family was looking for to the final touches to the itinerary, Zicasso's travel expert was engaging, responsive, and helpful.

The accommodations he selected for us exceeded expectations; they were spacious, beautiful, and well-located. The tours/activities suggested were really fun and gave us a sense of the locale in a unique and memorable way that fit our family well. Once we were in-country, communications were easy and helpful. We felt very well cared for.

Payment to our travel company was easy and it was a real pleasure once we were in-country to have all the identified items already paid for. I would definitely book a trip with them again.

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Zicasso's travel company, especially our agent, did a fantastic job! They listened to our preferences and planned an unforgettable itinerary. We would absolutely use them again.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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