Riverside Ride to Belém: A Guide to Lisbon’s Legends along the Tagus
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About the Tour
About the Tour
Lisbon’s riverside Belém district is a treasure trove of striking architecture and historical monuments from Europe’s second-oldest capital city. On this cycling tour, you’ll follow the same route as early Portuguese navigators and adventurers, as you’re transported back in time along the storied Tagus River.
The tour begins at Largo Jose Saramago, right on the edge of the Alfama neighborhood by a fascinating and largely unnoticed ancient site. Our starting point is also well-located for access to a wide range of bike and scooter rental options (Gira, Bolt/Lime or a local company). We will then head to Praça do Comércio, one of Lisbon’s most beautiful squares and the historic gateway to the city with its imposing statue of King José I and the grand Arco do Augusto
As you follow designated bike paths all the way to Belém, you’ll hear about the lives of explorers, navigators, writers, and visionaries who played a part in the Portuguese empire’s expansion during the Age of Discovery.
Here’s a taste of what else you can look forward to:
- Immersing yourself in the sounds of Praça do Comércio, the city’s medieval marketplace, and hearing about Lisbon’s resilience after a devastating earthquake
- Hearing the echo of sailors’ voices, as you bike past the historic dock district where they once set sail for far-off lands
- Listening to the haunting strains of Fado as you learn about the women who made this Portuguese folk music famous around the world
- Hearing the unfortunate tale of the King and the Rhino as you look for hidden figures depicted on the Tower of Belém
- Cruising past the vibrant neighbourhoods of Cais do Sodré and Alcântara, underneath the epic 25th of April bridge, en route to the iconic Monument to the Discoveries
- Indulging in a delectable Pastéis de Belém (custard tart), baked with a secret recipe invented by monks who found a creative use for excess egg yolks
- Delving deeper into the history of the Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that took 100 years to build, where our tour ends
At the end of this 90-minute cycling tour, you’ll have gained a comprehensive view of Lisbon’s historical and cultural evolution. So, hop on your bike or scooter, put on your headphones, and prepare to be transported to a bygone era on this one-of-a-kind audio adventure!
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Mythic City Tours
Hello, I’m Bronwyn — the founder of Mythic City Tours.
I’m a professional storyteller, guide and historian — and a lifelong traveller drawn to places with soul. My journey has taken me around the world, but Lisbon is the city that truly captured my heart. Its light, its layers, and its quiet mythic undertow kept me here — and inspired me to create something of my own.
Mythic City Tours was born out of a desire to invite intrepid traveller into the spirit of Lisbon through sound, story, and imagination. With a background in performance, music and theatre, I craft self-guided audio adventures that are intimate, engaging, and immersive. Each tour is infused with a great soundtrack, rich narration, atmospheric soundscapes, and carefully chosen effects that bring Lisbon’s streets and stories vividly to life in a multi-dimensional way like no other!
Whether you’re riding the iconic Tram 28 or cycling along the river to Belém, my tours are designed to help you slow down, tune in, and experience Lisbon not just as a tourist — but as a listener, a seeker, and an explorer too.
I look forward to guiding you through the incredible blend of history, culture, and soul that is the city of Lisbon!
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 1
Ancient Roman stairs in Largo Jose Saramago
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Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Avenida Infante Dom Henrique
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Praça do Comércio
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Arco da Rua Augusta
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Equestrian Statue of King José I
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Avenida Ribeira das Naus
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Antiga Doca Seca da Ribeira das Naus
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Cais do Sodre
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Doca de Santos
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Alcântara
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Acesso Ponte 25 de Abril
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Tejo Promenade
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MAAT
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Tejo Power Station
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Monument to the Discoveries
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Doca de Belém
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Belém Tower
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Jardim da Torre de Belém
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Garden of Afonso de Albuquerque
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Pavilhão Sala Thai
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Garden Vasco da Gama
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Centro Cultural de Belém
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Empire Square Garden
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Pastéis de Belém
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Church of St. María of Belém
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Jerónimos Monastery
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationMadalena, 1100-284 Lisboa, Portugal
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Total distance12km
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Final locationPraça do Império 1400-206 Lisboa, 1400-206 Lisboa, Portugal
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Distance back to start location6km
Directions to Starting Point
We will begin our tour in the center of Largo Jose Saramago, the square and park on the edge of Alfama just off of Rua dos Arameiros and Avenida Infante Dom Henrique. The closest Metro stop is Terreiro do Paco - 2 minutes walk from the square. You will also be able to borrow Gira parks directly across the road and Bolt/Lime scooters close by. Make sure you have your bike or scooter ready to go before you get to the tour start, as we will be heading from here directly to Praça do Comercio and onto the riverside path!
Show Directions
Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
This tour begins close to the river's edge at one of the oldest surviving, but rather unknown, sites in the city, the ancient Roman stairs that can be found in the center of Largo de Jose Saramago and now lead to the Campo das Cebolas car park. Here, we also have a great view of Alfama while we were about the ancient history of the city, then making our way to the grand Praca Do Comercio, the historic gateway of the city. We then follow the river along to Cais de Sodre and the historic dock district to Alcantara and its waterfront restaurants Under the 25th of April bridge we go, passing the outdoor art exhibits of the MAAT and the Tejo power station to the Monument of the Discoveries. Then along to the Tower of Belém and the Monument to the Overseas Combatantes. We finish off in the town of Belém with its cultural centre, many museums and galleries, passing through its beautiful squares and gardens all the way to the Pastéis de Belém shop, and ending at the Jerónimos Monastery and the Church of Santa Maria. I'll also give you plenty of recommendations of where to go in Belém once the tour has ended!
Best time of day
Anytime, all year long!
Precautions
Bike/Scooter Rentals:
You can rent a bike from one of the many bike rental companies in the city, but there also very affordable options for bikes and scooters through apps like Gira (the city bike rental service which costs €10 for a 24-hour period) or through Bolt/Lime/Bird etc. which have both e-scooter and e-bike options. You will find various stations to stop and return your bike/scooter along the way if you want to move at your own pace and take breaks here and there. You can also leave your bike/scooter in Belém and make your way back via the tram, train, bus or boat.
Precautions:
We will mostly be on designated bike paths on our route to Belém and the entire way is flat (unlike the rest of Lisbon!). There are a couple of tram tracks we will cross over so be especially careful of this and always be sure to dismount your bike or scooter at designated crosswalks.
What to bring:
I recommend wearing sunblock and a hat and/or helmet to keep you safe from the sun, as well as bringing water. It never gets too hot along the river but the sun can still be very strong. On cooler days and evenings, extra layers are recommended as the weather can change quickly by the water.
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Questions and Reviews
Questions and Reviews
