Combine 2 activities in one tour on a food tasting tour of Lisbon by electric bike. Discover some of the Portuguese capital’s most enchanting areas, while exploring the food culture of the Portuguese “petiscos.”
The petiscos are small portions of food that can make a full meal when served with rice or a salad. The list of petiscos is endless, but popular examples include salads of peppers, watercress, codfish, fish spawn, and pig ear; Bolhão Pato clams; Peixinhos da Horta (deep fried battered green beans); snails; shrimp stuffed patties; Pipis (chicken giblets stewed in a rich tomato, garlic and onion sauce); hot pork sandwiches; and the famous Pastéis de Bacalhau made with codfish.
Meet your guide at a central location for a short briefing on how to use the bike. Then, glide off to taste ancient recipes that have been creatively adapted for more modern tastes. Go to the renovated Ribeira Market to find an abundance of traditional stalls selling fish, fruit, vegetables, and flowers. A separate area features more than 30 restaurants where you can taste petiscos recommended by highly regarded chefs.
You will also discover the pedestrianized Nova de Carvalho (also known as “Pink Street”), known for its pubs and clubs, and named by the New York Times as one of Europe’s best streets. Continue to the renovated Ribeira das Naus waterfront promenade, where many of Portugal’s ships were built during the 16th century “Age of Discoveries.”
Enter the Pombaline Downtown, rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1755, and explore wide streets full of restaurants and coffee shops, many of which have been there for centuries. Continue to the bohemian Chiado neighborhood for a 3rd petiscos tasting, before cycling through the historic Bairro Alto to experience 500 years of history and your 4th and last tasting experience.
