With over two millennia of history, Lisbon has many layers of influence, from the Phoenicians and Romans to the city we know today. Centuries of cultural, political and social change, along with earthquakes and revolutions, have shaped both Lisbon's urban landscape and the way the city is lived.

This tour is designed as an introduction to Lisbon, giving you the guidelines you need to make sense of this ancient city. We will look not only at its history, but also at its urban development, exploring some of its most iconic sights and neighbourhoods to give you a feel for what Lisbon is all about.

I will help you understand how to navigate the city's many hills (spoiler: there are more than seven, and there always have been), and how to make sense of what can initially seem like a chaotic geography. I promise, there is a logic to it.

And, of course, as an art historian, I will add interesting details about architecture, art and the city's visual character along the way.

We will start at the Graça viewpoint, one of the best places to take in Lisbon and understand its urban development. From there, we will walk down towards the castle area, catch glimpses of Alfama and its viewpoints, and continue to Baixa and Praça do Comércio. We will then cross Rossio before making our way up to cosmopolitan Chiado, where we will finish the tour, possibly over a bica — the traditional Lisbon espresso.