Queer Lisbon - A Treasure Hunt In Lgbt History

It was an amazing and in depth dive into queer culture and history in Lisbon. Alex is a wealth of knowledge and so helpful! He went above and beyond to help me feel welcome as a solo traveler.

I had the best time on this tour. Alex is an amazing guide with a vast knowledge of history, culture, art, and all things queer in Lisbon. The pdf guide that he provides is an added bonus. I highly recommend this tour!

My husband and I joined this tour as part of our vacation trip, we loved the tour. Alex is a very knowledgeable person and passionate about his job, we enjoyed walking around Lisbon while learning about LGBTQ+ history.

I recently joined a walking tour of Bairro Alto and Príncipe Real focused on the LGBTQ history of Lisbon, and it was easily the best day I’ve spent exploring any city. Our guide, Alex, is a British expat who has called Lisbon home for the last eight years. He sets expectations early: while the tour is officially four hours, he is so passionate that it often stretches to six. Our group was no exception—we were so captivated that we spent the entire day with him. (One friend had to leave for an appointment, but he was genuinely disappointed to miss the rest!) What makes Alex’s approach stand out is how he tailors the experience. At the start, he asked us about our specific interests. We all shared a passion for history, politics, social change, and the arts, and Alex proved to be a walking encyclopedia. He has an incredible ability to balance deep, scholarly knowledge with personal observations, sharp humor, and entertaining anecdotes. He didn't just stick to LGBTQ history; he provided a rich, broader context that was fascinating for everyone in our group, including those of us who have lived in Lisbon for over a year and even our Portuguese friend. We all walked away having learned a ton. If you’re looking for a tour that goes far deeper than the typical tourist trail, this is it. Highly recommended!

Second time I do this tour, gets better every time. Alex is incredible, an amazing storyteller, knowledgeable, well worth the investment.

I loved everything about this tour! Alex is an incredible storyteller and brought well researched queer history of Lisbon to life. I really enjoyed this tour and will cherish the memory of it. I would highly recommend this tour if you’re in Lisbon. It’s worth every penny!

We had a wonderful tour with Alex that makes for a really memorable way to spend half a day for anyone with an interest in social history, architecture, politics, and lgbtqia+ stories! Alex was a great guide and host, and his style makes you feel connected to the city and the lives of those he shares. Alex is not your generic tour guide, and offers insights in to lisboa's complicated past, recommendations for nights out, and a lot of laughs! Highly recommended!

Alex is a wonderful person... In a brilliant way he intercalates the history of the LGBTQIA community with the history of Lisbon, and Portugal as a whole. His knowledge and passion are simply astonishing. He is also a very kind and understanding person that, at once, readily answers any question regarding the topic. He knows numerous details, and interesting and rare stories dug out of a plethora of sources... The trip gave me a completely new picture on Lisbon.

Alex was the highlight of my trip. We started in the park around 10am, and the Tuesday group was smaller and more intimate than the weekend tours. Alex has deep knowledge of and real passion for Lisbon — its history, art, and especially its LGBT history — and he happily fielded all our random questions along the way. The LGBT stories he'd pulled together were the part I appreciated most. He also shares his own Lisbon travel guide, full of recommendations I used repeatedly for restaurants and shows, and after the tour he sent additional reading for anything we wanted to dig into further. The tour ran until about 2:30pm, but he was respectful of everyone's time and checked in regularly about breaks, food, and drinks. Afterward we grabbed a beer and kept the conversation going. Best for anyone who wants to learn about Lisbon in general and its LGBT side in particular. Alex is a wealth of information and deeply connected to the city. I'll be booking this again next time I'm in Lisbon — it was that good, and I want to see Alex again.

Alex offered a truly remarkable experience. His extensive knowledge of Lisbon's gay sites and history provided wonderful locations to explore and immerse oneself in the city's gay culture. Furthermore, he was exceptionally well-informed about historical LGBTQ+ events throughout Portugal.

Alex is a great tour guide. The tour was great, learned a lot and enjoyed the tour. John

Alex does a wonderful job of blending history with suggesting contemporary activities to do. He had thoughtful answers to our questions and was flexible when people needed to go to the bathroom, etc. Eat a large breakfast or bring snacks and enjoy the tour!

Tour and guide are absolutely amazing! Besides being extremely knowledgeable about all things queer in the history and present of Lisboa - Alex is enthusiastic, energetic and kind. From sad stories about persecution to fun stories about sex in the church and a penis from the devil — you will not be bored for a minute. Highly recommended!

I am so glad that I took Alex’s “Queer Lisbon: Treasure Hunt in LGBTQ History.” As a recent ex-pat to Portugal, I have been trying to discover the Lisbon LGBTQ+ community on my own. Not having much success, this tour and is exactly what I needed to open the door to the history and culture which is often so often hidden from the LGBTQ community by much of the academic world. Alex is a great storyteller and through his extensive research and professional background his tour of places and characters removed much of the curtain of the hidden history through wonderful, sad, and entertaining stories of Lisbon and Portugal. I truly wanted to keep going on and did not want to see it end. At the end of the tour and on my way home, I stopped by the nearest retail bookstore to look further into the works of some the characters discussed. I also received Alex’s list of further readings, historical references and great resources of Queer places, events, etc. in Lisbon as well as parts of Portugal, which I will always use as it is updated monthly. Thank you for my welcome gift to Queer Lisbon.

Alex was the best! He captivated us from the beginning with his story telling and his presentation of Lisbon’s queer history. He showed us around the gaybourhoods, had a snack and coffee at a lovely cafe and educated us with valuable information on our past. His passion for preserving and passing on queer history is evident and this makes his stories all the more captivating and made me shed a couple of tears (some of pride and some of sadness regarding the events and people). We went at a leisurely pace and did not feel rushed .. tour took a bit over four hours. Alex will also show where all the current gay night life is within the neighborhoods walked. Highly recommend this!!

Highly recommend this incredible tour! The amazing tour guide knows so much about Lisbon's queer history and was exceptionally knowledgeable, while still giving you a great overall background on the city. Gave me great recommendations before the trip and for the rest of the trip. You also get a copy of the history sent to you afterward, so you can read as much as you want! The tour will leave you wanting to learn even more. The history is completely fascinating, funny, emotional, and hits a full range of emotions. Had a lovely time and would fully recommend!

The tour was truly a wonderful experience. Alex ist incredibly dedicated, genuinely kind, and you could immediately feel how passionate he is about what he does. His explanations were detailed, engaging, and always entertaining. I can wholeheartedly recommend this tour!

The tour was amazing. Stephanie, my girlfriend, and I really enjoyed the tour. the best tour I have ever been on. If you are queer and have come to Lisbon, this tour is a must. Alex was extremely knowledgeable, engaging, and supplied us with a compendium of all that us queer in Lisbon.

Had a lovely time! Alex is a wonderful tourguide, who clearly knows his stuff. We had a small group of fun people. Also made a friend to explore Lisbon with some more! And "Alex's long list" is a fantastically helpful bonus!!

The Queer Lisbon tour with Alex was a real highlight of my time in Lisbon. Alex is a fantastic guide, super knowledgeable about both the city and its queer history, and really easy to spend time with. He also shared a document called “Alex’s long list” which has been incredibly useful for planning my time in Portugal. The tour itself was a great mix of history, stories, and local insight, and I really enjoyed meeting the other travellers along the way. Highly recommend if you’re in Lisbon and want something a bit more meaningful than a standard walking tour.

Alex was an exceptional guide who delivered a deeply engaging and thought-provoking tour of Lisbon’s queer history. His passion for the subject was evident throughout, and his enthusiasm made the experience both compelling and memorable. The depth and nuance of his knowledge were particularly impressive—it was clear that he has dedicated significant personal research to developing the tour, reflected in the rich detail, personal narratives, and thoughtful connections he drew between broader Lisbon history and the evolution of queer rights and visibility. Alex approached the subject with both honesty and sensitivity, addressing difficult chapters such as the Inquisition, repression during the dictatorship, and the challenges that followed the Carnation Revolution. Importantly, he balanced these moments by highlighting the resilience, courage, and activism of individuals who helped shape the vibrant and inclusive queer culture present in Lisbon today. This tour offers a meaningful and unique perspective on the city, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to better understand Lisbon’s history and its diverse communities.

I went solo, met new friends, had a lovely time and now I know more about the fascinating queer history of queer history and the revolution.

Single cis-lesbian here! I recently joined Alex’s queer history tour in Lisbon, and it was hands-down one of the most captivating and moving experiences of my travels. As a history buff with a passion for queer culture, I was blown away by Alex’s deep knowledge and personal background in the field. He didn’t just recite facts—he wove them into a vivid, emotional narrative that brought Lisbon’s hidden queer past to life, from overlooked landmarks to untold stories of resilience and love. Walking the city’s streets with him felt like uncovering a secret layer of history that’s rarely shared. His passion for Lisbon and its queer heritage shines through every step, stirring real emotions and a profound appreciation for the community’s enduring spirit. Four hours flew by—honestly, it wasn’t nearly enough! Alex is an amazing guide: warm, thorough, and genuinely invested in making sure everyone feels connected. The best part? You’ll meet fellow travelers who share your curiosity for queer history, turning the tour into a mini-community vibe. If you’re in Lisbon, TAKE THIS TOUR. It’s not just informative; it’s transformative. Book now—you won’t regret it! 5/5 stars – Highly recommended!

Great to meet others, the history was so fascinating and Alex was a great guide

Alex was incredible, given the weather was far from ideal we decided to go ahead. Alex greeted us at the meeting point (with umbrellas) and from that moment on the learning / discovery of the city unfolded. Listening to the history of the city and also the LGBT history and wider context was fascinating. Alex also made sure we had plenty of opportunity to rest and made sure we were able to ask questions and answered them all. Loved every minute of the tour!

Alex is very friendly, warm, and knowledgeable. I learned a lot during the tour and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in queer history or the history of Lisbon more broadly.

Alex is very friendly, warm, and knowledgeable. I learned a lot during the tour and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in queer history or the history of Lisbon more broadly.

This was our favorite thing we did while visiting Lisbon for the first time! Alex has amazing knowledge of queer history and Portuguese history and is incredibly well researched and a gifted and emotive storyteller. It was one of the most engaging walking tours I’ve ever been on and really helped us feel more at home in the city. Alex provided such a wide range of history that was grounded in location- making all of it super accessible and memorable. We felt more acquainted with queer life in Lisbon today too. I wish Alex could walk me through every city! Just a generally wonderful person. Book this tour!!!!

If you do one thing in Lisbon this year, make sure it is attending Alex’s tour! I cannot recommend this tour enough! It would be worth returning to Lisbon just to have this experience again. Alex’s stories are well researched, insightful, touching and fun. He is such a gifted storyteller! We learned a lot about Lisbon’s and Portugal’s history and society in a fun way and saw places we would never found by ourselves. Thank you Alex! Your tour was the highlight of our visit to Lisbon.

Alex produces and regularly updates a highly useful gay directory to Lisbon called Alex’s Long List. He also hosts this four-hour walking tour of the city’s gay history and I thoroughly recommend it as a fascinating alternative to the usual city centre touristic activities. I’ve been meaning to join since we moved to Lisbon last year and it wasn’t until the low season in November that I got around to it. As it happened, on a cold winter morning, I was the only guest but Alex was still enthusiastic and kept the tour engaging with his historical stories of gay Lisbon, some joyful and some tragic. Highly recommended tour for anyone in Lisbon who has heard enough about tiles, earthquakes, and bacalao.

For gay visitors to Lisbon, or recent transplants like myself, this was a wonderful cultural and historic tour. With heavy emphasis on gay history, Alex was absolutely charming relating stories of 1,000 years of Portuguese history, as well as his own experiences as an 8 year expat living here. Muito obrigado Alex!

I can't recommend this tour enough, Alex is a fantastic guide. His passion and enthusiasm for telling the history of the queer community in Lisbon is infectious. Alex far exceeded my expectations for the tour and I have since shared his stories and done further research on some of the characters covered on the tour. Apart from the wonderful stories Alex shared he also provided great practical advice on the various clubs and bars and which ones might suit various tastes. I'd give this more than five stars if I was allowed.

Alex has so much knowledge on the queer history of the city and Portugal and also pointed out some cool bars/clubs. The stop on bisexual icon Josephine Baker who performed in Lisbon as a disguise for her spy activities was my favorite (picture). Alex always has a back story on the aspects you are most interested in! I also loved how vibrantly he told the stories. The queer guide of the city Alex wrote helped me navigate to some unknown gems and free activities. 100% recommend and I’m looking forward to take more queer history tours in other cities. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Alex was a knowledgeable guide, I learned a lot from him during the tour because he’s well read and passionate about what he’s doing . When I started planning my trip to Lisbon I wanted to learn more about queer life in the city. when I found this excursion on Viator I was actually surprised, because I’ve never seen an excursion like this one, an excursion that centered the lives and experiences of the queer community. I’m glad people like Alex exist, he keeps the stories of queer people alive .

This tour was an excellent way to start my visit to Lisbon. Alex provides such interesting information that frames today’s queer life in Lisbon. The tour also includes walk bys of current queer venues with explanations of their history and how they currently operate… helping you decide which ones you’ll visit later! Alex also gives you a huge document to guide you through your gay stay in Lisbon! Very helpful!

An exceptional walking tour. Alex is an engaging storyteller backed by a lot of historical research and a local's knowledge. It was an exceptionally hot day but the time flew by (while he strategically kept us in the shade as much as possible). We learned so much through the lens of queer history and this improved our contextual understanding of Portugal's general history. He provided a lot of contemporary information as well. I strongly recommend booking Alex and enjoying yourself on this tour.

The selection of stories and facts shared during the tour is fascinating - I'm Portuguese and still didn't know about most of them, which was in some many ways mind-blowing and yet, so necessary. You can really see the work and extra care Alex has put into researching through the Portuguese History to create this experience. The tour ended up being just me and him and it was so lovely - more than a tour, it felt like a conversation. Alex was always kind and such a thoughtful guide, and together we engaged in a lot of extra discussions which would naturally emerge from all the information I was learning about. Alex really went above and beyond when he didn't needed to, patiently answering all my questions and carrying himself as gracefully as possible given the brightest sun we had above our heads (it was a very, very hot day that day!). If you're a Portuguese queer yourself, Id' say this tour is mandatory! If you're a queer person from another country visiting Lisbon, don't hesitate to book it as well - you'll be getting all the tips about the queer scene in the city while diving into the depths and complexities of Portugal's queerness across the History, which will make you appreciate what's available in the present even more!

Alex really knows his stuff and is exited to share that with other people. He wants everyone to have a good time, and can provide much more information than can fit into the tour

Amazing tour from Alex. Queer history and walk around the city. He was so knowledgeable and friendly. Lots of interesting places and stories would totally recommend this to anyone.

This tour is a must for any queer individuals in Lisbon. So much of queer life can be just beneath the surface, but Alex graciously uncovers queer moments, histories, stories, and current happenings that make you see the city in a new light. He was a very thoughtful host, taking breaks when needed and adjusting the itinerary for the group needs. His passion for queer history and his elegant storytelling make the whole tour a delight to be a part of.

I highly recommend Alex's tour! It is not only thorough and thoughtful, but it's full of interesting facts and fun stories. It is a fantastic way to experience the city, learning about the amazing queer history of Lisbon. It's also a great way to meet other people. It's a for sure don't-miss!

We had an absolutely phenomenal time on this tour! As soon as we returned home we 110% recommended it to all our friends and anyone with plans to visit Lisbon in the future. We learned so much about queer history and culture, popular queer bars and clubs, and a bit about general Portuguese history as well! Alex was a wealth of knowledge and a delight! Take this tour, you will not regret it!

Alex Pollard was knowledgeable, personable, and entertaining as he guided myself, my husband, and the small group we were a part of through some interesting neighborhoods of Lisbon. I learned a lot while looking at beautiful architecture, especially inside an old 17th century church, including about queer lives over the ages in Lisbon. This was a delightful tour that I highly recommend people take who are new to Lisbon, whether you happen to identify as part of the LGBTQI+ community or not.

The Lisbon Gay History walking tour was great. Small group and very informative by Alex. We went at a good pace for everyone in the group and short breaks if needed. Also, gave us other interesting information about Lisbon.

Loved every second of it! We had just gotten off of a 9 day gay cruise so we were feeling it by the end of the tour since it is pretty extensive and you will be WALKING! The stories, the magic, the connection make it all work it.

Alex was the most charming, knowledgeable and passionate tour guide i’ve ever met. He shows you places and stories that you would never find orherwise, and for anyone at all interested in queer life or history, this is an absolute must!!

Hands down, one of the best walking tours I've ever been on, and I've been on a lot. Alex was very knowledgeable about absolutely everything our group asked him about. He led the tour in a relaxed and easy manner and got emotional at a number of points when telling us about certain awful moments in history. I highly recommend Alex and his tour! I even did the tour when it was 107°F (42°C) and I didn't notice. The tour was that captivating!

It was just my fiancée and I on this tour and we had an amazing time. It was a super hot day and he was very considerate with water stops and finding shade. The tour felt like it was tailored to us, we got lots of recommendations for the rest of our trip. I would highly recommend this tour. It was a great mix of learning about the queer history of the city and pointing out modern spots.

Alex is very knowledgeable, and his positive attitude is infectious. I happened to know quite a bit on the subject, but even so I ended up learning a lot more. It was actually quite touching to stand before spots I had heard of, but never had the chance to see before - or if I had, I didn't know the significance at the time! Would highly recommend this tour, and would happily go on a future one