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Queer Lisbon - A Treasure Hunt in LGBT History
5.0
34 Ratings
Lisboa
Embark on a team adventure through Lisbon’s queer history in Bairro Alto and Principe Real. Discover scandalous stories, visit historic sights, and enjoy a pub quiz at Lisbon’s biggest gay hotel.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Jardim do Principe Real - 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!
- Jardim do Principe Real - 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!
- Praca do Principe Real - 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!
- GAT - Checkpoint LX - Managing the HIV pandemic. Hear about Lisbon’s success in managing HIV/AIDS - and get essential health service info for queer men - and women.
- Construction Lisbon Club - 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.
- Botanical Garden of Lisbon - Stories from cruising in the 1950s parks, that ‘thing’ in the Botanical Gardens, ‘offending morals’ and how men dodged the (hopeless! :-) ) police!
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Trumps - 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! - R. Gustavo de Matos Sequeira 42 - Stories from Lisbon’s first lesbian bar - ‘O Gato Verde’ (The Green Cat) - a Lisbon institution with heaps of history!
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Praça das Flores 7 - 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. - Bar 106 - Leave a message for friends at Bar 106 - A great place to know.
- Shelter Bar Lisboa - Where the Bears are (part 1)!
- Finalmente Club - The best (and oldest) drag in town - ‘Finally!’ Essential to know the different shows and different times.
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Bar TR3S Lisboa - Where the Bears are (part 2).
Bear Pride, beach clubs, party nights, a sauna and sports sponsorship… -
Constitutional Court - Legal Challenges at the Constitutional Courts!
Hear about Portugal’s long journey from dictatorship values to Constitutional Protection for LGBTQ rights. -
R. Luz Soriano 44 - ‘Long Live Homosexuality’.
The first ‘homosexual manifesto’ - early steps suppressed, and eventual success. -
R. do Trombeta 10 - From love-nests to luxury apartments and modern saunas.
The steamy story of the ‘Two Fernandes’ - 19Century scandal and saunas! - Purex - A dance floor for everyone, run by women - plus vagina jewellery!
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Maria Caxuxa - The right woman to kill your ox!
Who was this amazing women who confounded conventions and dismissed nosey journalists in the 1940s. - Tv. da Espera 50 - 19th Century scandal! The Marquis of Valada naked in the arms of a common soldier! Disgraced politicians, political blackmail and ultimate survival.
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Teatro da Trindade - Secrets inside my bra!
Bisexual jazz-legend Josephine Baker dodges the secret police and spying in wartime Lisbon. -
R. da Misericórdia 125 - ‘Women in love - but not with men’!
Queer fiction, censorship and compromised censors. - Igreja de Sao Roque - 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!
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Hospital St. Louis - “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. -
Tv. André Valente 21 - 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.
What's Included
- Discover the modern gay scene as you stroll from one stop to the next
- Meet new friends in the group and finish in a gay hotel lounge
- Hear fun stories, scandals and anecdotes of Lisbon’s fascinating queer history
- Get your PDF copy of ‘Alex’s LONG LIST’ updated guide to LGBTQ Lisbon (Normally 15 Euros)
What's Not Included
- Private transportation
Additional Information
Sorry to disappoint you, but this tour is currently SUSPENDED since I broke my leg. Please check back later in the year. Thanks for your patience. Alex x
every Monday (contact me for other days/dates), 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 the stories that bring lost queer history back to life as we visit the sights of Lisbon’s fascinating, scandalous and sometimes bizarre queer history and the modern gay scene. Then we finish with a drink at a gay hotel.
Plus, a copy of ‘Alex’s LONG LIST - guide to LGBTQ Lisbon’ - 60 pages of essential information. Written by locals, & updated every month, ‘Alex’s LONG LIST’ features venues, queer events, gay beaches guide (and how to get there), nightclubs, bars, saunas etc, Women’s venues and events, relaxed bars, crazy cabaret venues, queer and Trans spaces, community/sports/social groups, women’s organisations, health services, etc
- Age who can book this experience: 16+
- Legal drinking age: 18+
Location
Principe Real Playground
Praça do Príncipe Real
Meeting point: On the corner of the garden square of Principe Real; outside number 18, Praça do Príncipe Real; by the children's play corner.
We are easy to find – just look for the Rainbow Umbrella.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(34 Ratings)
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746jos_g
Jul 1, 2024
Wonderful experience - Alex was engaging and knowledgeable, making learning new stories both fun and enlightening. I thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
779arvinp
Jun 25, 2024
Best tour! - Alex is the best guide! Very passionate about his tour and very well informed. You can really tell that he put so much effort and thought about this tour when he planned it. 10/10 would recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicole_s
Jun 25, 2024
The best way to learn this city - Can’t recommend this tour highly enough if you’re looking to get the most out of your Time in Lisbon. Alex has curated a truly incredible collection of historical information and landmarks that familiarizes you both with the history of Portugal but also the queer culture and stories that it’s comprised of, and truly takes you beyond what you would find in any history book or online research independently. His passion is obvious and his knowledge is vast. I leaned to my partner and said I want to learn about every place we visit like this. Thank you Alex !
Review provided by Viator
Stefanialg6123xw
May 14, 2024
Great fun - What a fabulous, interesting and fun tour! Alex was the perfect guide; a natural storyteller and all round lovely guy. I would strongly recommend this tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Juliaft4136ey
May 14, 2024
Awesome tour - Alex is an awesome tour guide. He knows his stuff and he’ll give you tons of info and history about the city. Plus, he’ll give you a 50 page guide to queer Lisbon. Would definitely recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Liandgo
May 13, 2024
Fun walking tour full of amazing details about queer history. - We highly recommend the tour! Took it on our first day of vacation and it was a great way to start to get to know Lisbon. Alex was friendly and charming from start to finish, just a delight to be around! His knowledge of history, art, social issues, and LGBTQ topics is incredible. The tour is throughly researched and absolutely fascinating, full of all secret details of Portuguese queer history we would never have heard of otherwise. Don't miss out on this great opportunity!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Curious26427389698
May 8, 2024
Top Tier Tour - I had the pleasure of attending Alex’s Queer Lisbon Tour. Alex displays his passion for gay history and culture to the highest level.
Alex gives the good, the bad and the ugly to what our gay ancestors endured during their time in Lisbon. The tour was packed with insightful information. The extensive research that Alex provides was quite refreshing. There were many highlights throughout the tour, but I was particularly impressed with Alex’s great storytelling about Josephine Baker’s time in Lisbon. Thanks again Alex for uncovering the hidden treasures of gay Lisbon.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gmbell45
May 8, 2024
An intro to the LGBT Lisbon - Alex was very thorough with explaining all the points on the tour. He was very friendly and welcoming
Review provided by Viator
Amanda_s
May 2, 2024
Inspiring Queer Stories Told with Love - We traveled to Lisbon because it’s queer (and vegan friendly). Upon the tour with Alex, we learned just how queer friendly Lisbon is - that we are protected constitutionally. We had a private tour with Alex learning about society and culture, past and present. Alex made our experience so special by sharing his own story and Lisbon’s with so much pride. The tour kept us interested and active for a whole 4 hours, walking through queer neighborhoods. The stories are as brilliant as the storyteller! They’re fun and informative. The most memorable part was learning about how one of the writers of Manifesto of the Revolutionary Homosexual Action Movement is still active for LGBTQ+ rights in Portugal. It was a very inspiring and emotional experience as a queer couple. I cannot recommend this tour enough to queer people and allies if you want hear some fascinating tales and see so much on foot! Thank you so much, Alex! What you do is so important for your community!
Review provided by Viator
I6082imninas
Mar 21, 2024
A perfect day in Lissabon - It was a wonderful and worth it tour! Alex is such a lovely, sharming and relaxed guy, he knows a lot about queer history and tells wonderful storys about queer people of Lissabon. Very well reserched and a delightful entertainment! Thanks a lot!
Review provided by Tripadvisor