Back in 2010, when Lisbon wasn't yet on everyone's Instagram feed, we started We Hate Tourism Tours. We were a bunch of unemployed local journalists, photographers, artists, engineers, a psychologist — sons of the crisis of 2008 who needed something to do, and wanted to show travellers the real city, not the boring, whitewashed postcard version.
We built a cult following doing it our way, driving open-top UMM jeeps and funky vans through the hills and telling honest stories about our home.
But then, the circus arrived.
Over the last decade, Lisbon was hit by a massive wave of corporate mass tourism.
The narrow, historic alleys we love became choked by an endless swarm of noisy electric tuk-tuks, plastic gimmicks, and gridlocked traffic. Big corporations started treating our neighbourhoods like a theme park, and the people living here like extras in a movie.
It stopped making sense. It stopped being respectful.
So, We Changed
the Rules. Again.
When the city's old creative hubs surrendered to cheap commercialism, we packed our bags, parked the jeeps for good, and went completely undercover.
Today, we operate straight from the streets, hidden in plain sight. We don't pack 20 or 30 strangers into a giant tour bus like cattle. We don't plaster neon branding or obnoxious logos all over our windows, and we refuse to contribute to the noise pollution destroying the peace of local residents.
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Undercover Operations
We travel in comfortable, unmarked, regular vans that blend perfectly into the city traffic. No tourist traps, no flashing lights, no bullshit.
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The Strict 6-Seat Cap
Every single one of our van trips is strictly limited to a maximum of 6 people. This isn't just about safety — it's about human dignity, legroom, speed, and respect.
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The Reality Check
We explore Lisbon and its surroundings at a human pace. We talk about history, but we also talk about gentrification, the housing crisis, and the actual reality of living here.
We Wrote the Book
on It. Literally.
We care deeply about this city, which is why our co-founder, Alfredo Isaías, wrote "The Disenchantment of Lisbon – A Reality Guide". It is our independent manifesto documenting the past 15 years of tourism pressures on our neighbourhoods.
You won't find it inside the corporate booking platforms, because we refuse to feed them commissions.
The Disenchantment
of Lisbon
A Reality Guide by Alfredo Isaías. Buy it directly on our website or at the independent bookstore Alma de Viajante.
Get the book
