Tuk Tuk tours

I agree four hours is a bit long - just to be riding in the bumpy tuk-tuk. I’m guessing one that long would include Belem, as I’m not certain it would take that long to cover the main sites in Lisbon. I’ve taken one when I had a guest visiting for just one day and found it a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time. It also, obviously, saves climbing the hills. If you plan to book ahead, the ad should tell you what they cover in the differing time frames.

The one I took in Lisbon, I just used one of the ones on the street.

I did a tuktuk tour in another country and it was all in the vehicle with continuous recorded audio commentary. I don't think I'd enjoy something like that for 3-4 hours in Lisbon (or much of anywhere). But if it is with a live tour guide and makes stops, I'd think you wouldn't spend all that much time riding. I took one tuktuk ride in Sintra and the value was how the driver passed a lot of stalled traffic. That would be a definite plus in Lisbon where city traffic can be awful. I took the bus to Belem and spent several hours seeing the monastery and visiting the next-door naval museum, and getting pastels de nata at the bakery recommended in the RS guide book. All level walking.

A good bit of central Lisbon is pretty level. I did one walking tour and had to walk up one flight of stairs and a couple of easy inclines. Nothing at all strenuous. For the especially hilly Alfama neighborhood, I took a tram to the top, wandered downhill slowly and then took another tram back to near my hotel.

We understand Lisbon is very hilly and as seniors, we think this might be a good alternative.

Not sure where the cut-off for seniors begins - 65? 70? 75? - but I generally look more at whether folks are regularly active and agile vs an age limit for things like a walking tour.

We were just in Lisbon a couple weeks ago and used a "free" guide for a 2.5-3 hour walking tour that was done at a generally easy pace. We started over at the Praça Luís de Camões (statue/small square) and eventually wound our way up and over to Miradouro das Portas do Sol where there was a viewpoint of the city/river.

There were some gradual climbs around the castle and cathedral as well as scattered through the walk, but nothing that a guide would take at too quick a speed, and there were a few longer stops (bathroom, snacks, coffee) along the way. I also think our guide specifically avoided some of the steeper (shorter) options to navigate us through our tour route.

What would I worry about most would be not the walking/pacing, but more about sure-footedness as the assortment and quality of sidewalks, streets, and curbs can be a bit tricky - ESPECIALLY in wet conditions. I caught my toe a few times on missing cobbles or random things while walking, so if a person is feeling less agile or balanced, Lisbon (or other cobbled cities) may present a problem.

Regarding tuktuks (and trolleys), options are plentiful in the area around the big Praça do Comércio. Probably would be pretty straightforward finding a tuktuk option that fits your needs while first checking out the area around the square. We picked up the bus to the Jeronimos Monastery/Belem from there too. The square is a good place to radiate out from - walking or via tuktuk, trolley, bus.

I haven't used these but they have good reviews,
Tuk Tuk in Lisbon:
https://www.otukdojoao.com/en/stories-of-lisbon/

Tours outside of Lisbon:
https://lisbonriders.com/#grouptours

I have read on many forums that Lisbon is hilly and can be an issue for anyone (regardless of age) to maneuver. For our trip later this fall, I have booked a private Tuk Tuk - found him on Trip Advisor. I read through many reviews to see what how different ones were rated. Why did I book a private TukTuk - mainly because we wanted to be able to 'taylor' the sites we wanted to see - and not the run of the mill ones. (And, the price difference wasn't that much, and, we didn't want to be held up by the 'late to get back on the bus types'. )Yes, some of the sites will be the run of the mill ones - but we are, after all, a tourist, right? He gave me a list of the various places we will see as well. There are Tuk Tuk tours I looked into that were maximum of 6 passengers...it looks like that is probably most common. As for length, ours will be a 4 hour tour. That gives us time for him to maneuver the streets, stop for picture taking and absorb the site view, etc. etc. I think a 1 hour tour would simply be a ride and point out what you are driving by.

I also read that some of the Tuk Tuks that one sees 'for hire" around the city may not be reputable/safe/licensed/ etc etc. or may charge you more than reasonable.
With the Tuk Tuk - it will give us a very good idea of what we will want to go back to on our own - and spend more time.

It really is a personal decision though - what you feel comfortable.

As for the walking issue again - I will be 78 when we travel - I am very fit (kickboxer, cross train, and lift weights every day) but - my husband wears a leg brace and has a slight balance issue. He will use walking sticks - primarily for extra balance issues. But, I am heeding the advice of what many people have told me about the steepness of some areas and we will take precautions.

We did a Tuk Tuk in Lisbon this week. We were not planning it ahead of time because our usual way of travel is 'do it yourself' using research and with RS advice. Always thought Tuk Tuk wasn't worth it. I knew what sights in Lisbon we wanted to see. However, our group did not have plans for our first day in Lisbon and it was getting warm. We drove to Lisbon from the Algarve, dropped our rental car at airport after checking into the hotel. From our hotel, Uber took us to the TimeOut Market for lunch-a great option after the drive. From the Market, we walked to the pink street and happened upon a Tuk Tuk. I didn't think we necessarily needed it but we negotiated with a driver an hour and half tour of major city sights. He had few different options(each one a laminated poster to help choose) one included the Belem Tower and Monument to Discoveries but we chose another. The 6 of us would never been able to negotiate directions, the hills, maneuvering the cobblestone streets, figured out which direction easiest route and made it to those stops in time to enjoy anything. Leave the driving to someone else was better. He stopped at a few areas as long as we needed to take photos and explained enough about the sights, let us ask many questions. Very friendly, very accommodating. You may have similar experience with double decker Hop on Hop off bus, but this worked for us. After the time was up, he asked if we needed him to take us anywhere to extend the tour, but we chose not to. He dropped us off and another family was asking him about a tour and they set it up for the following day, easy as that. It was worth it for us. You may consider a Tuk Tuk to tour a certain area one day and another tour another area on next day bc 4 hours seems long.

Following since we will be there in the fall as well. Looking at Trip Advisor, there are SO many Tuk Tuk options and all highly rated (?), so would love to hear from folks who have a company they would recommend.

Difficult to know? I have booked Historic Porto by Electric Tuk Tuk…off Tripadvisor in a few wks. Hope it work out well? They do get good reviews also?