Queer Lisbon - A Treasure Hunt in LGBT History
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Every Tuesday and Saturday (contact me for other days/dates) this fun tour brings Lisbon’s queer history to life through an adventure (in English) around the main gay-scene neighbourhoods of Bairro Alto and Principe Real. Hear fascinating stories of love and drama that bring queer history to life as we visit the sights of Lisbon’s fascinating, scandalous (sometimes bizarre!) queer history and the modern gay scene. And we finish with a drink at a gay hotel.
Plus, you get a copy of 'Alex's LONG LIST - guide to LGBTQ Lisbon & Portugal' - over 120 pages of essential information, written by locals & updated every month. 'Alex's LONG LIST' features venues, maps, queer events, gay beach guide (and how to get there), nightclubs, bars, saunas, Women's venues and events, relaxed bars, crazy cabaret venues, Lisbon on a budget, Trans/non-binary spaces, community/sports/social groups, health services, etc
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Age who can book this experience: 16+
Legal drinking age: 18+
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Discover the modern gay scene as you stroll from one stop to the next
Meet new friends in the group and we finish in a gay hotel lounge
Hear fun stories, scandals and anecdotes of Lisbon's fascinating queer history
Get your PDF copy of ‘Alex’s LONG LIST' updated guide to LGBTQ Lisbon (Normally 15 Euros)
Private transportation
What To Expect
Jardim do Principe Real
We start with introductions in the gardens of in Jardim Principe Real and then begin touring the historic sites of Lisbon weird and wonderful queer history!
Jardim do Principe Real
The Monument to the victims of homophobia. A sober stop on our tour, which acknowledges the past (which we will learn more about) but also celebrates the progress to Lisbon's thriving queer scene today!
Options
Queer Lisbon - A Treasure Hunt in LGBT History
Reviews
66 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fascinating walking tour with an interesting and knowledgeable guide
tarichard,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alex produces and regularly updates a highly useful gay directory to Lisbon called Alex’s Long List. He also hosts this four-hour walking tour of the city’s gay history and I thoroughly recommend it as a fascinating alternative to the usual city centre touristic activities. I’ve been meaning to join since we moved to Lisbon last year and it wasn’t until the low season in November that I got around to it. As it happened, on a cold winter morning, I was the only guest but Alex was still enthusiastic and kept the tour engaging with his historical stories of gay Lisbon, some joyful and some tragic. Highly recommended tour for anyone in Lisbon who has heard enough about tiles, earthquakes, and bacalao.
A MUST FOR ALL GAY TRAVELER TO LISBON
Scenic579976,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00For gay visitors to Lisbon, or recent transplants like myself, this was a wonderful cultural and historic tour. With heavy emphasis on gay history, Alex was absolutely charming relating stories of 1,000 years of Portuguese history, as well as his own experiences as an 8 year expat living here. Muito obrigado Alex!
One of the best guides/tours I've ever experienced
883colinl,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I can't recommend this tour enough, Alex is a fantastic guide. His passion and enthusiasm for telling the history of the queer community in Lisbon is infectious. Alex far exceeded my expectations for the tour and I have since shared his stories and done further research on some of the characters covered on the tour. Apart from the wonderful stories Alex shared he also provided great practical advice on the various clubs and bars and which ones might suit various tastes. I'd give this more than five stars if I was allowed.
This tour was so wonderful and really changed my perception of the city
Franka S,
Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Alex has so much knowledge on the queer history of the city and Portugal and also pointed out some cool bars/clubs. The stop on bisexual icon Josephine Baker who performed in Lisbon as a disguise for her spy activities was my favorite (picture). Alex always has a back story on the aspects you are most interested in! I also loved how vibrantly he told the stories. The queer guide of the city Alex wrote helped me navigate to some unknown gems and free activities. 100% recommend and I’m looking forward to take more queer history tours in other cities. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Exceeded expectations
Angel M,
Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Alex was a knowledgeable guide, I learned a lot from him during the tour because he’s well read and passionate about what he’s doing . When I started planning my trip to Lisbon I wanted to learn more about queer life in the city. when I found this excursion on Viator I was actually surprised, because I’ve never seen an excursion like this one, an excursion that centered the lives and experiences of the queer community. I’m glad people like Alex exist, he keeps the stories of queer people alive .
Perfect start to my gay stay in Lisboa!
696shannone,
Sep 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was an excellent way to start my visit to Lisbon. Alex provides such interesting information that frames today’s queer life in Lisbon. The tour also includes walk bys of current queer venues with explanations of their history and how they currently operate… helping you decide which ones you’ll visit later! Alex also gives you a huge document to guide you through your gay stay in Lisbon! Very helpful!
Enchanting. Informative. Delightful. A highlight of my time in Lisbon.
Zackocito,
Aug 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An exceptional walking tour. Alex is an engaging storyteller backed by a lot of historical research and a local's knowledge. It was an exceptionally hot day but the time flew by (while he strategically kept us in the shade as much as possible). We learned so much through the lens of queer history and this improved our contextual understanding of Portugal's general history. He provided a lot of contemporary information as well. I strongly recommend booking Alex and enjoying yourself on this tour.
Insightful, refreshing and inspiring - more than a tour, it's a whole journey!
biafrutuoso,
Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The selection of stories and facts shared during the tour is fascinating - I'm Portuguese and still didn't know about most of them, which was in some many ways mind-blowing and yet, so necessary. You can really see the work and extra care Alex has put into researching through the Portuguese History to create this experience. The tour ended up being just me and him and it was so lovely - more than a tour, it felt like a conversation. Alex was always kind and such a thoughtful guide, and together we engaged in a lot of extra discussions which would naturally emerge from all the information I was learning about. Alex really went above and beyond when he didn't needed to, patiently answering all my questions and carrying himself as gracefully as possible given the brightest sun we had above our heads (it was a very, very hot day that day!). If you're a Portuguese queer yourself, Id' say this tour is mandatory! If you're a queer person from another country visiting Lisbon, don't hesitate to book it as well - you'll be getting all the tips about the queer scene in the city while diving into the depths and complexities of Portugal's queerness across the History, which will make you appreciate what's available in the present even more!
Really nice tour
A3173YFsophief,
Aug 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alex really knows his stuff and is exited to share that with other people. He wants everyone to have a good time, and can provide much more information than can fit into the tour
Great host with so much local information and history.
TrailBlazer517206,
Aug 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing tour from Alex. Queer history and walk around the city. He was so knowledgeable and friendly. Lots of interesting places and stories would totally recommend this to anyone.
From €39.00
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Operated by Queer Lisbon: a Treasure Hunt in LGBTQ History