Queer Lisbon - A Treasure Hunt in LGBT History
Description
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 150 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
Tour Options
Itinerary
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!
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!
Lisbon Pride and 'EuroPride'. This square is the starting point for Lisbon Pride (and will be for 'EuroPride' 2025!)- Find out how Lisbon Pride is unique and why it matters; and how EuroPride is coming to Lisbon!
Managing the HIV pandemic. Hear about Lisbon's success in managing HIV/AIDS - and get essential health service info for queer men - and women.
Everyone should know this long-standing dance venue for a queer night out in Lisbon. This place, and the neighbouring lesbian venues, have stories to tell about queer nights out in Lisbon.
Stories from cruising in the 1950s parks, that 'thing' in the Botanical Gardens, 'offending morals' and how men dodged the (hopeless! :-) ) police!
You need to know about Lisbon's largest queer nightclub - Two floors with two different vibes. Since 1980! Lisbon knows - this place can make you gay!
Stories from Lisbon's first lesbian bar - 'O Gato Verde' (The Green Cat) - a Lisbon institution with heaps of history!
The first drag bar in Lisbon! The 1974 revolution liberated enthusiasm for drag - Until it didn't...! Hear the rise and fall story of Lisbon's first drag queen.
Leave a message for friends at Bar 106 - A great place to know.
Where the Bears are (part 1)!
The best (and oldest) drag in town - 'Finally!' Essential to know the different shows and different times.
Where the Bears are (part 2). Bear Pride, beach clubs, party nights, a sauna and sports sponsorship...
Legal Challenges at the Constitutional Courts! Hear about Portugal's long journey from dictatorship values to Constitutional Protection for LGBTQ rights.
'Long Live Homosexuality'. The first 'homosexual manifesto' - early steps suppressed, and eventual success.
From love-nests to luxury apartments and modern saunas. The steamy story of the ‘Two Fernandes’ - 19Century scandal and saunas!
A dance floor for everyone, run by women - plus vagina jewellery!
The right woman to kill your ox! Who was this amazing women who confounded conventions and dismissed nosey journalists in the 1940s.
19th Century scandal! The Marquis of Valada naked in the arms of a common soldier! Disgraced politicians, political blackmail and ultimate survival.
Secrets inside my bra! Bisexual jazz-legend Josephine Baker dodges the secret police and spying in wartime Lisbon.
'Women in love - but not with men'! Queer fiction, censorship and compromised censors.
The Portuguese Inquisition provides a window into queer history - Sex in church! Lesbian nuns, a ‘demonic penis’ and a Trans love story - four stories of bold determination that have survived from the 16th, 17th & 18th Centuries!
“I love you because I love you" Fernand Pessoa - a great writer who didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but is now recognised for his gay writing and is reclaimed.
Late Birds Hotel - our final stop in the lounge/ bar/ garden/ pool of Lisbon's largest gay hotel. (Did you bring your swimming costume!?). Pub-quiz and prizes.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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+
Reviews(85)
Alex does a wonderful job of blending history with suggesting contemporary activities to do. He had thoughtful answers to our questions and was flexible when people needed to go to the bathroom, etc. Eat a large breakfast or bring snacks and enjoy the tour!
Tour and guide are absolutely amazing! Besides being extremely knowledgeable about all things queer in the history and present of Lisboa - Alex is enthusiastic, energetic and kind. From sad stories about persecution to fun stories about sex in the church and a penis from the devil — you will not be bored for a minute. Highly recommended!
I am so glad that I took Alex’s “Queer Lisbon: Treasure Hunt in LGBTQ History.” As a recent ex-pat to Portugal, I have been trying to discover the Lisbon LGBTQ+ community on my own. Not having much success, this tour and is exactly what I needed to open the door to the history and culture which is often so often hidden from the LGBTQ community by much of the academic world. Alex is a great storyteller and through his extensive research and professional background his tour of places and characters removed much of the curtain of the hidden history through wonderful, sad, and entertaining stories of Lisbon and Portugal. I truly wanted to keep going on and did not want to see it end. At the end of the tour and on my way home, I stopped by the nearest retail bookstore to look further into the works of some the characters discussed. I also received Alex’s list of further readings, historical references and great resources of Queer places, events, etc. in Lisbon as well as parts of Portugal, which I will always use as it is updated monthly. Thank you for my welcome gift to Queer Lisbon.
Alex was the best! He captivated us from the beginning with his story telling and his presentation of Lisbon’s queer history. He showed us around the gaybourhoods, had a snack and coffee at a lovely cafe and educated us with valuable information on our past. His passion for preserving and passing on queer history is evident and this makes his stories all the more captivating and made me shed a couple of tears (some of pride and some of sadness regarding the events and people). We went at a leisurely pace and did not feel rushed .. tour took a bit over four hours. Alex will also show where all the current gay night life is within the neighborhoods walked. Highly recommend this!!
Highly recommend this incredible tour! The amazing tour guide knows so much about Lisbon's queer history and was exceptionally knowledgeable, while still giving you a great overall background on the city. Gave me great recommendations before the trip and for the rest of the trip. You also get a copy of the history sent to you afterward, so you can read as much as you want! The tour will leave you wanting to learn even more. The history is completely fascinating, funny, emotional, and hits a full range of emotions. Had a lovely time and would fully recommend!
The tour was truly a wonderful experience. Alex ist incredibly dedicated, genuinely kind, and you could immediately feel how passionate he is about what he does. His explanations were detailed, engaging, and always entertaining. I can wholeheartedly recommend this tour!
The tour was amazing. Stephanie, my girlfriend, and I really enjoyed the tour. the best tour I have ever been on. If you are queer and have come to Lisbon, this tour is a must. Alex was extremely knowledgeable, engaging, and supplied us with a compendium of all that us queer in Lisbon.
Had a lovely time! Alex is a wonderful tourguide, who clearly knows his stuff. We had a small group of fun people. Also made a friend to explore Lisbon with some more! And "Alex's long list" is a fantastically helpful bonus!!
The Queer Lisbon tour with Alex was a real highlight of my time in Lisbon. Alex is a fantastic guide, super knowledgeable about both the city and its queer history, and really easy to spend time with. He also shared a document called “Alex’s long list” which has been incredibly useful for planning my time in Portugal. The tour itself was a great mix of history, stories, and local insight, and I really enjoyed meeting the other travellers along the way. Highly recommend if you’re in Lisbon and want something a bit more meaningful than a standard walking tour.
It was a fantastic trip back in time with Alex....Very friendly, courteous guide with a lot of knowledge about the great city of Lisboa....we were a small group of 5 people....nice that Alex also took the time and the tour was longer than planned.....great new cool people met..... In the evening, there were three of us on the road again at the Fba Gay Bar....a nice end to a great day! Thanks Alex 👍☺️
