Song of the Sea: Fisch, Meeresfrüchte und Tradition in der Hafenzone von Lissabon

We are big fans of history, urban exploration, and seafood in all its forms, so the ‚Song of the Sea’ tour seemed like a no-brainer for us—and we were right! Our guide, Kika, expertly led us through half a day of Lisbon’s fishy highlights along with a crash course in the rich history of Portugal’s people and their interactions with the world. The tour began in the historical fish market of Lisbon, now half-consumed by the Time Out Market. Kika led us through both the traditional and modern sides of the market, stopping at stalls to share fresh fruit, tinned fish, and coffee— and to pick up a bag of Portuguese barnacles, for later. From there, we walked through some of Lisbon’s fascinating neighborhoods, both solidly working-class and upscale, sampling bites at some really remarkable spots along the way. Highlights for us included cured tuna and rosé at a boutique wine and cheese shop, and a really incredible eel sandwich. Kika was both a tour guide par excellence, answering all our many questions and introducing us to some truly unique people and places, but also a great companion for a long walk and a meal. We enjoyed the information and the company as much as the food, which was exceptional. The capstone of the tour was lunch at a typical Portuguese tasca, or taverna, where the chef himself came out to show us how he roasted his fish. Every bite was excellent, but it wasn’t just an opportunity to gorge yourself. We truly feel like we understand Lisbon better now than we could have just by guiding ourselves around. We absolutely recommend this tour for: (sea)foodies, history buffs , fans of urban travel, and anyone with a curious mind who is not opposed to walking up and down a lot of Lisbon’s hills. We definitely needed the water bottles we bought with Kika at the beginning of the tour!

An absolute must-do, and worth every penny! Our guide, Kika, was so knowledgeable about the city, wine, and food. I love learning about the history of a city and as we walked through the neighborhoods Kika thoughtfully intertwined interesting facts about the area. The food at each stop was delicious and the vendors and owners at each location were so kind. Kika was also great at paying attention to the pacing and rest needs of our small group. Highly, highly recommend!!!

The time we spent walking was a great way to make certain we also digest our food! The culinary walk about was not only that, but also a bit of a history tour, which was an added bonus. Our guide was well versed in local stories and was well articulated. The food portions were great and the final lunch was more than expected.

Laura’s relationship with the locals in the market, restaurants and wine stores was priceless and enriched our experience immeasurably.

Our family of three really enjoyed the Song of the Sea tour lead by Kika. She shared with us the story of Portugal and the history of the national obsession with seafood. From our first bite of the pastel de nata to our last lunch stop, the tour was a feast for our eyes, ears, and of course, mouths! For me, the highlight was meeting the various vendors, who gladly shared their passion for their food with us tourists. The food was delicious at every stop, and we ended the day very satisfied. Logistics: communication and directions were excellent. We found Kika easily. My husband has a few food restrictions that Kika was able to accommodate since we notified in advance. This was much appreciated so he didn’t feel left out of any part of the tour. The walking was pleasant and never too much at one time. We walked about a total of 2 1/2 miles over the whole day. At the end of our tour, Kika even offered us suggestions on where to see fado, and places to eat at our next destination (Lagos). Overall, I definitely recommend this tour, and especially Kika, for a warm, entertaining, and definitely filling taste of Portugal.

This was a wonderful experience. Kika really took care of us - we tried so many different foods, including some surprises, got to know several neighborhoods that we would not have known to visit otherwise, and learned a lot about Portuguese culture, history, and life today. Kika, our small group, and the people we met along the way were great company. A perfect way to spend half a day in Lisbon. We will absolutely be doing another tour then next time we get a chance.

I'd highly recommend this tour, and others that Culinary Backstreets run too! We took our two children, aged 6 and 8, and they really enjoyed it too. Our guide, Kika, was amazing, so knowledgeable and interesting about Portuguese history and how it impacts the food culture of Lisbon. She was also really kind to our children and was able to adapt some of the dishes to suit them too. Thank you Kika, we had a great time!

Learning the culinary history of Lisbon while discovering local gems outside of the tourist zones was a wonderful experience. The food was delicious and varied. Overall great tour with our guide Laura and I would strongly recommend.

Very enjoyable food tour with many stops and a final lunch stop. Kika was a great guide, very knowledgeable about Portugal's history and its food. Highly recommended.

Wonderful tour—sampled a wide array of seafood, met local vendors, and enjoyed a lively and informative discussion of Portuguese food history. Kika (Francisca) is an excellent guide.