Frequently asked questions
Everything guests ask before booking the walking tour, answered plainly.
Booking and price
How much does the tour cost?
The tour is from EUR 42 per person, paid in full when you book. That covers your guide, the Afro-Portuguese food tasting and the cultural commentary. Extra food and drink, transport to the meeting point and the optional dinner afterwards are not included.
How do I pay?
Online, by card through Stripe or through PayPal. We do not take cash for the tour itself. Your place is confirmed the moment the payment succeeds and a confirmation email follows within a few minutes.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Groups are small and dates regularly sell out, especially in summer and at weekends. Booking online is the only way to guarantee a place.
Can I book a private tour?
Not at the moment. We run the scheduled public tour only. If you have a group and want to talk about options, email info@africanlisbontour.com and we will tell you honestly what is possible.
When and where
What days does the tour run?
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
What time does it start?
Start times are seasonal. From November to April the tour runs 14:00 to 18:00. From May to October it runs 15:00 to 19:00. There are no morning tours.
Where do we meet?
Praca do Comercio, behind the statue of the man on the horse. Your confirmation email includes a map link.
Largo de Sao Domingos appears later in the day as a stop on the route, not as the meeting point.
How early should I arrive?
Fifteen minutes before the start time, and we mean it. The tour departs on time, exactly like a flight. If you arrive after it has left we cannot add you to the group and cannot refund you, and once the tour is walking we are not able to answer calls or messages.
How do I recognise the guide?
Naky wears a lanyard that clearly says African Lisbon Tour. He also has locks.
On the day
How long is the tour and how far do we walk?
About four hours and roughly four kilometres, at a relaxed pace with plenty of stops. The route takes in Praca do Comercio, Mouraria, Intendente, Martim Moniz and a final stretch through the diaspora community.
Is the tour accessible? There are steps, aren't there?
There are roughly 235 steps and a good deal of uneven historic paving, so the route is not wheelchair accessible and can be demanding if you have limited mobility.
If you are unsure, or you are pregnant or travelling with small children, email info@africanlisbontour.com before booking and we will describe the route honestly so you can decide for yourself.
What should I bring?
Comfortable walking shoes above everything else. Water, sun protection in summer, a light rain layer in winter, and a camera.
How big is the group?
Small and deliberately so, usually somewhere between a dozen and two dozen people. It stays a conversation rather than a broadcast.
Is food included?
An Afro-Portuguese tasting is included during the tour. The dinner afterwards is separate and optional.
Tell me about the dinner afterwards.
Most of the group eats together after the tour at Mambo, an African restaurant with vegan options. It is optional and not part of the tour price. The restaurant takes cash in euro or PayPal, so budget at least EUR 25 per person, and let your guide know in advance if you are joining so the table can be booked.
What language is the tour in?
Tours are normally guided in English. If you need another language, ask us before booking and we will tell you what we can do on your date rather than guess.
Changes and refunds
What if I need to cancel?
Cancel 48 hours or more before the tour and you get a full refund. Between 24 and 48 hours you get 50%. Under 24 hours, or if you do not show up, there is no refund.
Refunds go back to the original payment method. Full detail is on the cancellation policy page.
Can I move my booking to another date?
Yes, subject to availability. Use the reschedule link in your confirmation email, or email info@africanlisbontour.com.
What happens if it rains?
The tour runs in light rain, so bring a layer. If the weather is severe enough that we cancel, you choose between a full refund and moving to another date.
My confirmation email never arrived.
Check your spam folder first, since that is where it usually is. If it is genuinely missing, email info@africanlisbontour.com with the name and date you booked under and we will resend it.
More from us
Do you run trips outside Lisbon?
Yes. We run small group trips to Ghana, Benin, Togo, Senegal, Kenya, South Africa, Sao Tome and Principe and Bahia in Brazil.
They are booked separately at trips.africanlisbontour.com with a 25% deposit.
Can I buy merchandise?
Yes, at sikofa.com. Pre-order online and collect it in person after the tour.
Still not answered?
Ask the chat assistant in the corner of any page, or email info@africanlisbontour.com. We would rather tell you we need to check than guess at an answer.