I am Rita, born and raised in Lisbon and a passionate traveler. Not only do I love traveling around the world, but also through time. That's why I love history.
Q. What inspired you to become a guide?
I used to be a professional actress in the theatre and television and with time I realised that I didn't need the stage, I was really just a storyteller and the stage could be my city. To me, guiding is sharing a great story and making people feel part of the place we are in—awaken minds and emotions using the amazing scenes we have around us. Part of that is using our senses to understand a culture: and that's where food tours become a big thing to me too.
Q. What do you love most about Lisbon?
Lisbon is like a painting, with color and lines that seem unreal. Everywhere you look you feel you are in an open-air museum: the tiles in the buildings, the pastel colors, the patterns in cobblestones, the always shiny river, the jacaranda trees, even its light it's poetry… It's hard not to fall in love with this city.
Q. What's one of your favorite memories from a tour?
People getting emotional when they truly connect with what I want to share. Once I was explaining the Portuguese word saudade and a guest showed me a tattoo with that exact word and she said that now she truly understood why she had it.
My first job was as a chess teacher when I was 15.
I just ran my first half-marathon.
I once quit my job and life to travel for 18 months.
Q: Best time of year to enjoy Lisbon?
Springtime or early June are my favorite times of year in Lisbon.
Q: What about the culture in Lisbon should visitors not miss?
A Fado show is a must. Our Lisbon Food & Fado Tour takes you to see one of the bes shows in town.
Q: What are some typical foods and drinks in Lisbon?
Bacalhau (codfish), cozido à Portuguesa (a traditional stew), and our Portuguese red wines.