Roman and Medieval Lisbon Audio Guide

Unearth the city's timeless treasures, with an archaeologist to guide you
US$20
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Audio Guide Details
Duration
1 hour and 15 minutes
Product Type
Audio Guide
Venues
  • Alfama Neighborhood
  • Miradouro das Portas do Sol
  • Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa)
  • São Jorge Castle
Preview Roman and Medieval Lisbon Audio Guide
Start: Castelo de Sao Jorge
R. da Saudade 23
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
Photos & Highlights
Audio Guide Description
  • Take your time discovering some of the older parts of Lisbon as an archaeologist leads the way
  • Hit play together and stroll the city or wander solo, but always with an expert in your ear as your personal guide

Beneath Lisbon's stunning architecture and vibrant streets is a not-very-well-kept secret: many parts of the city were built on top of important Roman buildings. Discover the city of seven hills on this self-paced audio guide tour with Context Travel's Veronica Iacomi, a PhD archaeologist and expert guide. Veronica will show you the city's Roman and medieval ruins as she unravels its enigmatic past, woven into every cobblestone and corner. She'll also invite you to use your imagination to paint a picture of what life was like all those centuries ago. 

The audio tour starts in front of Castelo de São Jorge, or St. George’s Castle, where you'll hear how the surrounding area was among the first to be settled by the Romans. You'll walk through Arco do Castelo, an old city gate, on your way to Lisbon Cathedral. Outside the cathedral, Veronica will share the exhilarating story of Olisipo, the Roman name for the area that became Lisbon. She'll also tell you about the Visigoth invasions, the city's Moorish influence, and the compelling events of the Middle Ages, all leading to the Christian conquest. You'll then make your way through the ancient, maze-like Alfama neighborhood. There, you'll have stunning views from the Miradouro de Santa Luzia viewpoint, and see the Parish Church of Saint Michael which is locally considered the beating heart of the neighborhood. As you make your way to Praça Dom Pedro IV, also known as Rossio Square, Veronica will point out hidden architectural elements like marble tiles and remnants of Roman structures buried long ago, including four parts of an old Roman fish tank in Casa dos Bicos cultural center. 

On this 75-minute Lisbon audio tour, you'll have a chance to:
• Stumble upon beautifully preserved ruins like the Roman theater, hidden beneath the bustling streets of Lisbon and in buildings like the Museu de Lisboa Teatro Romano
• Learn about the ancient city of Olisipo and unearth the secrets of its hidden Roman treasures
• Piece together the puzzle of ancient Lisbon's urban layout 
• Delve into the concept of "Saudade," meaning Portuguese longing, and its influence on the city's development
• Explore the aftermath of the 1755 earthquake, a pivotal moment that completely transformed the city's urban layout
• Discover the history of the ancient Alfama district and its medieval Moorish influence with narrow streets, alleys, stairs, and houses at different levels, forming a pleasant and curious labyrinth
• Follow the border of "Cerca Velha," Lisbon's old city wall built around the 11th century during the Moorish period, which mostly covers the ancient outline of the late Roman city
• Gaze upon the History of Lisbon mural by Nuno Saraiva

By the end of this 75-minute audio guide tour, you'll have a deeper appreciation of ancient and medieval Lisbon's history. This is your chance to get the inside scoop on this magnificent city's best-kept secrets and learn more about the layers of history that are woven into every cobblestone and corner.

Meet Your Expert
Veronica

Born in Rome, Veronica is proud of her city and its ancient beauty. This is why she decided to give a chance to her passion, and studied to become an archaeologist. She holds a PhD in Eastern archaeology obtained in 2008 from the University of Naples “L’Orientale”. Since 1999 she has been working as a field archaeologist in Rome and its surroundings, including the famous sites of Veii and Ostia Antica. In 2002 she started working in Turkey, in the ancient region of Cilicia (where St. Paul was born), as part of a research project at Elaiussa Sebaste. She travels extensively in Italy but especially abroad, attending symposia and congresses about her research which includes but is not limited to Funerary Archaeology, Housing Archaeology, the Roman Empire in Eastern Mediterranean regions and Middle Eastern Archaeology. Her findings have been and are frequently published in prestigious archaeological periodicals and volumes. In 2007 she started working as scientific consultant for archaeological trips abroad promoted by the Italian archaeological magazine “Archeologia Viva”: in this way, she could combine her academic knowledge of the Mediterranean with first-hand traveling experience. Since 2008 Veronica has been an official tour guide in Rome. Leading tours in the Eternal city is, for Veronica, yet another opportunity to share her knowledge and passion, making her case for off-the-beaten path itineraries. Photography has become one of her hobbies and she is more than happy to provide tips on taking photos in Rome.

How do I access the audio guide and download it for offline use?
Once you complete your purchase, you will receive a voucher code for your Audio Guide. You must download the Voicemap app and enter the code. 
  1. Install VoiceMap from the Apple App Store or Google Play
  2. Create an account
  3. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
  4. Enter your Voucher Code
  5. Select Download Now
Is closed captioning (i.e. subtitles) available?
Yes! All of our audio guides have the option to turn on closed captioning should you have difficulty hearing the expert.

How long does each event last?
Our recorded audio guides typically run for 75 minutes.

How can I share this audio guide with friends or family?
You are welcome to listen together with friends or family, but each person listening to the guide on their own device will need to purchase the audio guide individually.

How long does my access to the audio guide last?
Once you purchase an audio guide, you are welcome to listen to it as many times as you would like. Your access to a purchased audio guide does not expire.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?
Sales for recorded audio guides are final upon purchase. Please contact us at digital@contexttravel.com if you have any questions or concerns about your purchase.

Can I purchase a gift card for a friend who is traveling?
Absolutely! Gift cards can be purchased here. Gift cards are good for 365 days from the date of purchase.
(5.0) 4 Reviews

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

I took the self-guided “Roman and Medieval Lisbon” audio tour in June 2024. Although I’d wandered a bit around the Alfama neighborhood already, I really appreciated that Veronica’s hour took me to streets and areas I hadn’t seen during my own wandering. I really loved the tour’s depth on the ancient form of Lisbon. I also loved her suggestions about museums deserving more time - I spent a good hour in the Teatro Romano museum, and also visited the roman ruins on the ground floor of the Casa dos Bicos / Saramago Museum. Two suggestions for future tour-takers: the tour app works better with headphones or AirPods, rather than trying to hold a phone to your ear. There are locations where audio starts automatically, and I also would have preferred keeping my phone in my pocket in more crowded areas. Also, plan to spend more than the 75 minutes duration on the tour if you decide to make any stops. I spent at least three hours on the tour, including visits into the Castelo de Sao Jorge, Museu do Teatro Romana, and Casa dos Bicos. I spent an hour and a half another day at the Museu do Aljube which was also recommended during the tour.
This is a really well done tour! I have already recommended to friends that are visiting Lisbon! It takes you through an iconic part of the city feeding you interesting facts that I would have never known otherwise! I will definitely do another audio guide tour from Context Travel!