Lisbon: Walking Food Tour, Ferry & Seafood Lunch

Summary

Wander Lisbon’s markets, taste seafood rice, cross the Tagus by ferry

You’ll wander Lisbon’s lively neighborhoods with a local guide, sip strong coffee in bustling squares, cross the Tagus River by ferry, and share seafood rice with green wine in Cacilhas. Expect laughter over language slips and small moments that linger long after—the city feels different when you see it this way.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to start in Praça Martim Moniz with so many different languages in the air—Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese. Our guide Sofia waved us over near a little kiosk selling pastries I’d never seen before. She knew everyone, or at least it felt that way. The square was noisy but kind of warm, like everyone had somewhere to be but nobody was in a real hurry. We tried coffee that tasted almost burnt (in a good way?) and sweet bread that stuck to my fingers.

We wandered through Rossio Square where old men played dominoes under the statue’s shadow. Sofia pointed out bullet marks on the church walls from some revolution—I forget which one, but she told it like she’d lived through it herself. At Campo de Ourique Market, I tried to order “arroz de marisco” with my best accent. Li laughed when I tried to say it in Mandarin—probably butchered it—and somehow we ended up sharing green wine with two locals who insisted we dip our bread in olive oil first. There was this smell of grilled sardines everywhere, even though we weren’t eating any yet.

The ferry ride across the Tagus was quieter than I thought it would be. The water looked grey-blue and cold but there were teenagers leaning on the railings like they owned the river. It’s strange how Lisbon looks softer from the other side—like you’re looking at someone you know really well from a new angle. Lunch in Cacilhas was loud and messy; seafood rice steaming on the table and hands reaching for bread before anyone said “bom apetite.”

I still think about that view back toward Lisbon as we waited for the return ferry—sun catching on tiled rooftops, someone playing fado faintly from a phone speaker behind us. Not sure if I’ll ever get that exact feeling again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Lisbon's hidden gems and ferry ride

• Meet at multicultural Praça Martim Moniz
• Visit Campo de Ourique Market
• Pass by Church of St. Dominic
• Stop at Rossio Square
• Pass through Chiado neighborhood
• Travel to Tagus River ferry terminal
• Take ferry to Cacilhas village
• Enjoy seafood restaurants in Cacilhas
• Pass by busy ferry and metro area near Pink Street

Top questions

How long is this Lisbon walking food tour?

The tour lasts around 4 hours from start to finish.

Does this tour include lunch?

Yes, lunch is included—seafood rice with green wine and bread are served during the tour.

Is there a ferry ride across the Tagus River?

Yes, you’ll take a ferry boat trip across the Tagus River to Cacilhas as part of the experience.

Are vegetarian or gluten-free options available?

Vegetarian and gluten-free options might be available at some stops but can’t be guaranteed everywhere.

What neighborhoods or areas does this tour visit?

The route includes Praça Martim Moniz, Rossio Square, Chiado, Campo de Ourique Market, and Cacilhas after crossing the river.

How many people are on each group tour?

The group size is limited to 14 travelers per tour for a more personal feel.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet your guide at Praça Martim Moniz.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

This walking tour requires moderate fitness and isn’t recommended for those with poor cardiovascular health or serious mobility concerns.

Are drinks included on this food tour?

Coffee, beer, and green wine are included during various stops along the route.

What’s included

Your day includes all tastings—coffee and pastries to start things off right, beer breaks along the way if you want one, plus a full lunch of seafood rice with green wine and fresh bread in Cacilhas after your ferry ride. A local guide leads throughout; vegetarian or gluten-free options may be possible at some stops but aren’t always guaranteed.