Lisbon is known for its hills, viewpoints, and stunning streets. However, it also hides secrets not everyone knows. This article reveals five surprising facts about Lisbon that will change how you experience the city.
1. Fado was born in taverns, not on stages
Before fado reached the world’s stages, people sang it in the taverns of Alfama and Mouraria. It was a spontaneous expression of pain, love, and longing. This music wasn’t rehearsed, it was lived.
Today, you can experience it where it all began. On the Best Fado Tour in Lisbon, we walk the same streets and listen to the voices that keep this tradition alive.
Urban art in the streets of Alfama, Lisbon, with colorful murals paying homage to Fado, Maria Severa, and Lisbon’s tradition, is a highlight in the cultural walking tours organized by Premium Tours.
2. Lisbon is one of the sunniest cities in Europe
Lisbon enjoys more than 280 days of sunshine every year. This golden light transforms the city. It invites photographers, artists, and dreamers to see Lisbon as a living painting.
Moreover, the sunlight makes every walk feel like a cinematic moment. You’ll experience this glow on our Lisbon City Tour, with stops at gardens, viewpoints, and sun-kissed streets.
Belem Tower is on the banks of the Tagus River in Lisbon, Portugal. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an iconic example of Manueline architecture, featured in cultural and historical tours.
3. The 25th of April Bridge and the Golden Gate share more than just color
It’s not just color. The 25th of April Bridge was built by the same American company that created the Golden Gate Bridge. Both bridges became more than infrastructure; they became symbols of identity.
On our private Lisbon boat tour, you sail beneath this landmark and see the city from a new perspective.
One of Portugal’s most iconic architectural landmarks, the 25th of April Bridge over the Tagus River in Lisbon, viewed at sunset, is included in the panoramic tours of the city with Premium Tours.
4. There’s a street in Lisbon that was once a river
Yes, it’s true. In the Baixa Pombalina area, Rua do Arsenal used to be part of the Tagus River. After the 1755 earthquake, Lisbon was rebuilt. The river’s path changed, and a new street was born.
Discover this and other invisible stories on the Old Lisbon – Walking Tour, where every street hides a surprise.
View over the colorful rooftops of the Alfama neighborhood in Lisbon, highlighting the National Pantheon and the Tagus River in the background, an iconic stop in the cultural tours of Premium Tours.
5. The famous pastéis de nata were a well-kept secret by monks
Portugal’s most famous sweet was born in the 19th century in the cloisters of the Jerónimos Monastery. The monks used the leftover egg yolks from starching their robes to create a unique recipe they kept secret for years.
You can try them or even learn to make them in the Private Traditional Portuguese Food Workshop or visit our Private Walking Tour in Belém.
Freshly baked pastéis de nata, a typical Portuguese pastry, is a must-try on the Premium Tours food tours in Lisbon and other regions of Portugal.
These Surprising Facts About Lisbon Reveal Its Hidden Side
Whether it’s fado in a tavern or a street that used to be a river, these surprising facts about Lisbon show that the city has much more to offer than meets the eye.
Lisbon isn’t just a beautiful city; it has layers and details that only those who slow down can discover. With Premium Tours Portugal, we invite you to live these stories with time, comfort, and all your senses.
Ready to rediscover Lisbon together?
Discover all our experiences here!
