Private tours in Lisbon & surroundings
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Lisbon, Arrabida, Sesimbra, Setubal - full day
Personalized booking
Program
Lisbon, the millenarian city of the seven hills, with unique views from the top of them,
like in Edward VII park. Cross the famous Marquis of Pombal square and go down the
hill by the XVIII century boulevard of Liberty avenue to Restauradores square and
Rossio, the heart of Lisbon, which has been the shopping district for more than 2000
years. The majestic Commerce square, in front of the extraordinary estuary of Tagus
river and close by the nucleus of ancient Lisbon.
Drive through the old quarter of Alfama: the XVI century "pointed stones" palace, saint
Anthony of Padua church, the very antique XII century Cathedral of Lisbon, saint
Vincent Monastery and saint Engracia church.
Go up the hill of Bairro Alto, the famous section of Fado singers, where another
belvedere waits you; Estrela basilica - marvelous marble construction with an
outstanding dome; the Parliament of Portugal - imposing XIX century palace.
Then, we go along the riverside by the busy harbor, with its discos and restaurants,
cruise ship docks.
On the way to Belem quarter, drive by the official residence of the President and stops
at Belem Tower – jewel in Manueline style dating from the XVI century, the
Monument to the Discoveries – homage to the great Portuguese navigators, Jeronimos
Monastery – the most imposing monument of Lisbon, telling about the apogee of
Lisbon’s history, the age of adventurers and navigators of the XVI century. Free taste
of Port wine.
Cross the bridge “25 Abril” over Tagus river, and have a superb view of Lisbon.
Visit the XII century Castle of Sesimbra and admire the beautiful view of the ocean,
Sesimbra beach and scenery of this fishing town. Sightseeing of Sesimbra, seaside
with crystal clear water and where we can have a glimpse of the fishing port, to see
fishermen unloading the catch.
Azeitão - famous for its wine cellar, where we can stop for a guided visit to this
antique muscatel wine producer and wine tasting.
Arrabida mountain - a unique nature reserve providing a breathtaking panoramic view,
on the highest cliffs of the Portuguese coast, over Lisbon, Setubal, Troia and the
ocean.
Stop at Setubal, an important fishing harbour, where once again we can admire the
typical Portuguese fishing boats. Travel back to Lisbon by Vasco da Gama bridge, 12
km long, for another unforgettable view of Lisbon and one of the widest estuaries in
the world.
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...Lisbon’s history dates back to 300,000 years ago and ranks as one of the world's longest
founded cities. As the legend tells, it is a city founded and named by Ulysses, which has its
origins in the Phoenician words "Allis Ubbo", meaning "enchanting port".
Lisbon was a battlefield for Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians, however it was
Romans who started their two-century reign in Lisbon in 205 BC. In 714, the Moors
arrived and stayed till the 12th century. In the 13th century, Lisbon became the capital of
Portugal. The 15th century was the point of departure for the Portuguese Discoveries, an
era during which Portugal enjoyed abundant wealth and prosperity through its newly
discovered off shore colonies in Africa, the Americas and Asia. Today, Lisbon still
maintaining the marks of its early history, is one of the most beautiful capitals of Europe...
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...The forest-clad, elongated hummock of the Serra da Arrábida is a veritable oasis of
natural vegetation amid the suburban sprawl of the Setúbal peninsula, with an
incredibly diverse wildlife to match. Along the shore of the Sado estuary, its sheer
flanks drop sharply into a turquoise sea, the pale limestone cliffs eaten away at the
base to form small sandy coves. Although the 50km-long ridge of the Arrábida attains
a maximum of only 501m (Alto do Formosinho), the views from the top are truly
spectacular, giving the impression of much greater altitude. More than 1,000 species
of vascular plants have been recorded from the Arrábida natural park.
Situated to the south of the peninsula is the hub Setubal, actually Portugal's third
largest port after Lisbon and Porto. Renowned for both its fishing and fish restaurants
and its many historic buildings and museums, Setubal makes a superb Portugal
holiday base or indeed a day trip. To the west of Setubal centre are stunning beaches
backed on by the Arrabida Natural Park. To the south is the natural reserve of the
Sado estuary, home to numerous birds and wildlife including bottle-nosed Dolphins...
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