Internal area

Tour Guide Training

Overview of the three training levels for the first two official tours of LisboaPorFavor: the Lisbon - Alfama Vintage Market Walking Tour With Tastings and the Lisbon Bike Tour to Belém.

Portuguese pavement pattern in Lisbon, representing the training ground for guides
Internal training page. This content is for guides, agents and staff only and is not intended as a public tour description.

Training levels

Training is divided into three levels. A guide can be at different levels per tour (for example, Beginner on the bike tour and Advanced on the walking tour).

Beginner – can assist

  • Understands LBPF story, safety basics and core itinerary.
  • Can welcome guests and support a lead guide.
  • Has passed the basic theory quiz for at least one tour.

Advanced – can lead

  • Leads regular paying groups for a tour without supervision.
  • Uses storytelling, handles problems and keeps timing under control.
  • Has passed a mock tour and one observed real tour.

Expert – can train others

  • Mentors junior guides and runs debriefs.
  • Can lead special groups (corporate, schools, press).
  • Designs variations or new angles on existing tours.

Lisbon - Alfama Vintage Market Walking Tour With Tastings

3 hours · 4–8 guests · EN / NL · Runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays to match the vintage market. Focus on Graça, Alfama, markets and taverns with food and drink stops at Miradouro da Graça, Tabernita, Cervejaria Amigo António and a Manteigaria.

Theory focus

  • LBPF vision & how public tour pages differ from internal training.
  • Lisbon basics: earthquake, neighbourhoods, where Alfama & Graça fit.
  • Food culture: petiscos, cervejarias, pastel de nata, basic wine knowledge.
  • Stop-by-stop storyline from Miradouro da Graça down to Baixa.

Practice focus

  • Walking the full route with correct timings and backup routes.
  • Choosing safe spots to stop groups in narrow streets and viewpoints.
  • Coordinating arrival times with Tabernita and Cervejaria Amigo António.
  • Closing the tour in Baixa with clear next-steps for guests.

Lisbon Bike Tour to Belém

3.5 hours · 4–12 guests · EN / NL · Mostly downhill and flat, for average cycling skills and condition. Focus on safe group riding and riverside storytelling.

Theory focus

  • Route overview from city centre to Belém: key segments and risk points.
  • Safety: helmets, brakes, hand signals, formation and emergency procedures.
  • Core stories: river, bridge, discoveries, Belém monuments (high level).

Practice focus

  • Technical session in a safe area: braking, slow riding, emergency stop.
  • Dry run of the full route without guests, checking crossings and traffic.
  • Test tour with 2–4 guests or staff, including at least one nervous rider.
  • Adapting pace and stops for wind, rain or strong sun along the river.

Reference documents (internal)