Lisbon Sightseeing Tours: How to See the City

by Emily Mudge

Lisbon is a big city, with lots of ways to get around. Whether you’re visiting for a day or a week, you’ll need to figure out the best way to see this spectacular city. Find out what kind of Lisbon sightseeing tour is right for you!

Want our advice on what to do in Lisbon? Check out our articles on Making the Most of Your Lisbon Vacation and Top 10 Unusual Things to do in Lisbon!

Walking

Like San Francisco, Lisbon is built on a series of hills. It makes for spectacular views, but it can get tiring quickly. If you’re planning on staying in one area of the city, walking is a great, free option. It allows you to take in not only your destination, but the beauty of your journey as well. And fortunately, Lisbon is an incredibly safe city to walk in. However, if you plan on covering large parts of the city in one day, or if you’re on a time limit, you may want to find a different way to get around Lisbon.

Cost: Free!

Tour Bus

Some of the most convenient Lisbon sightseeing tours rely on large tour buses to take you to the different attractions. These are great for newcomers who want to see the most popular tourist destinations without worrying about walking or navigating public transportation. Tour buses also offer discounted entry to a lot of attractions. However, you have to stay on their schedule. If you want the freedom to explore on your own time, tour buses might not be for you.

Cost: $10 – $30

Tram

Lisbon’s trams are great if you want to be in charge of your own trip, without having to walk the entire city. You can hop on and off the tram wherever you want, and most of the tram lines will take you to the main attractions. With the trams, you can make your own schedule, as much as their timetables allow. However, you are restricted to areas the trams can travel. If you want to visit somewhere away from the tram lines, you will have to walk. They can also get crowded, especially during the height of the tourist season. Overall, however, the trams are an excellent way to see Lisbon.

Cost: $7 for a 24 hour pass

Tuk Tuk

One of the most fun and unique ways to see Lisbon is by Tuk Tuk. The Tuk Tuk, also called an auto rickshaw, was popularized for travel around Bangkok. However, it soon became popular for tourists around the world, including Lisbon! Tuk Tuk tours are incredibly popular with tourists, because they are fun and can navigate the narrow streets that some cars cannot. Due to their small size, they are more private than tour buses or trams. The largest problem with using Tuk Tuks for Lisbon sightseeing tours is that they can get very pricey, and tend to be loud.

Cost: $40 – $80

Cycling

Lisbon is a great city to see by bike. However, like walking, the steep hills can get tiring for inexperienced riders. The best way to see Lisbon by bike is to ride around the coastline and the Torre de Belem area. Here, you can experience fairly flat rides, though they still may be challenging in parts. Be sure to do your research and plan your route before embarking on a bike tour of Lisbon.

Cost: $11 for a Gira bike rental day pass

Rental Car

Although this sounds great, we don’t recommend a rental car for travel just within the city of Lisbon. The streets are often steep and confusing, and it can be hard to find parking. If you are planning on driving long distances around the country, a rental car is a great option. However, for a first time visitor to Lisbon, it will be easier to seek out an alternative method for sightseeing the city.

Cost: Varies

Check out some of our Lisbon day tours for even more great ideas!