3-Hour Second World War Refugees and Spies Walking Tour in Lisbon
Description
Take a deep dive into the history of the war and the neutrality of Lisbon with our 3-hour walking tour. During the Second World War, Portugal was under the dictatorship of António Oliveira Salazar and remained neutral during the conflict. Between 1932 and 1945, the country, particularly Lisbon, received thousands of refugees looking to escape the war and Nazi persecution, waiting for a visa to leave Europe. During those years, Lisbon became the „waiting room" or sad paradise" for the refugees but was also one of the many stages of international espionage. Spies of different nationalities, including British, German, and American, roamed the city and its surroundings under the surveillance of the Portuguese political police. On this guided tour, we highlight the policy of the Estado Novo toward the refugees and glimpse the shadow of the various spies that crossed the city. Come with us and discover the fascinating role of Lisbon between refugees and spies during the Second world war.
Tour Options
Itinerary
One of the major meeting points in Lisbon, where the old town meets the modern Lisbon. Our route starts hear next to the Monument to Marquês de Pombal. This where we find the location of the Hotel Aviz, at the time, one of the most renowned hotels in the capital. Crossing the avenue we find the pensions and assistance organizations that helped the refugees in a strange land.
Opened at the end of the 19th century, this large avenue was home to several hotels during the Second World War
Famous for the monument celebrating the end of Spanish monarchy over the Portuguese throne, this square used to house several movie theaters. Cinema was both entertainment but also the opportunity to pass on propaganda from both sides of the war
Built in the late 1800s, it was once the international train station, where several refugees arrived
Pedestrian street with several traditional stores
very close to the river, several bars and brothels were the perfect spot to recruit agents and get information about naval activities.
The elegant district of city of Lisbon, with several shops but also the seat of the political police during the Dictatorship of Salazar
The heart of Lisbon with several cafés and hotels where the refugees waited for good news and visa.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(3)
Excellent tour with lots of interesting facts about the intriguing role neutral Portugal played in WWII.
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the Tour! All the best!
This was a very personal tour for us, as one of our group of four is the daughter of one of the refugees who fled from Lisbon in 1940. It ended up being a highlight of our trip. Leonor was absolutely fantastic - knowledgeable, prepared, extremely interesting, and fun to talk to. We covered a lot of ground physically and historically - and learned a lot. Leonor enriches the sites on the tour with wonderful pictures and passages from memoirs of the people involved in the events mentioned - we later found out that a description written about boarding the ship to America was about the exact same crossing that our family member took. She also went beyond the topic to point out some sites from the Carnation Revolution as we walked by. If you're interested in a tour that really tackles history - and on a remarkably deep level in only three hours - I can't recommend this highly enough.
Thank you so much for your kind words I'm happy you enjoyed the tour. Wishing you all the best, and stay safe!
the stories Leonor interweaved with each location - brought them to life even after 60+ years - i would recommend this tour and Leonor unreservedly - several of my tour-mates were wishing they could join had they not been stuck in Porto. It is a fascinating subject -
Thank you so much. It was lovely to show you the city and the history of this period.
