Iberian Footprints in the Heart of London: Queens, Wine & Waterways

Wed, Fri, Sun, 2 PM

3 Hours

10 Max

£77 / person

Price: £77 per person

Walk the riverside with Florbela, a passionate guide of Portuguese-Spanish heritage, on a women-led journey uncovering the hidden Iberian influences woven into London’s past. This 3-hour storytelling walk traces the footsteps of pioneering queens, merchants, migrants, and spiritual leaders, women who shaped and were shaped by London’s long-standing ties with Spain and Portugal. From tea rituals and royal marriages to maritime trade and shared faith, you’ll explore landmarks like historic shipyards, ancient churches, and former customs docks, each stop revealing stories of resilience, exchange, and cross-cultural sisterhood.

The Iberian tour guide, Florbela, and two female guests standing on the banks of the river Thames, with Florbela pointing at something outside of the frame of the image.

Tour Highlights

Walk with the Water: Trace the Thames with Florbela, whose migration journey from Portugal to London flows like the rivers that shaped both her life and this city.
Stories at the Docks: Discover the site where London’s riverside bustled with ships, spices, and voices from across the globe, fuelled by centuries of commerce between Britain and Iberia.
Crypts, Crosses & Sailors’ Prayers: Step into the city’s oldest church, once a refuge for Iberian sailors and descend into a hidden crypt filled with Iberian symbols of faith, protection, and migration.
Queens and Tea: Discover how Spanish and Portuguese queens changed London forever, from tea rituals, royal rebellions and even street names.
From Smugglers to Celebrities: Wander through St Katharine Docks, once alive with Iberian sailors, smugglers and merchants, and see how its maritime spirit lives on today among sleek yachts, vibrant eateries, and even a few celebrity boat owners.
Raise a Glass by the River: Taste port or sherry at a historic riverside pub while hearing the fascinating story of the world’s oldest alliance: England and Portugal.

Traditional Iberian tapas served on wooden cutting boards with cured ham, salami, baked eggplant and peppers, olives and freshly-baked bread.

Inclusions: Local, English-speaking guide who is of Iberian heritage and can explain lived experiences in London; Tea; Sherry and Port Wine tasting, Selection of Spanish tapas

Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide.

Meeting Point: The Monument, Fish St Hill, London EC3R 8AH. Your guide Florbela will be waiting for you in front of the Monument, holding Women in Travel CIC sign.

End Point: Florbela’s favourite riverside pub

Language: English, Spanish, or Portuguese

Florbela and her group of guests in the Iberian tour of London sitting at a riverside restaurant, trying Port wine and Portuguese tapas while sharing stories of the Iberian heritage in London.

Detailed Itinerary:

Walk through centuries of history on this cultural riverside journey through London, told through the eyes of an Iberian guide, Florbela, whose own migration story mirrors the city’s relationship with water, trade, and transformation.

From royal alliances to herbal tea traditions, maritime legends to resilient women, this walking tour blends London’s iconic riverside landmarks with the rich legacies of Spain and Portugal. Discover how the Thames became a gateway to the world and how stories of discovery, identity, and cultural exchange continue to ripple through its waters today.

Yachts parked at the docks on the river Thames in front of the former Portuguese port.

We begin at the historic Custom House, once the heart of London’s trade and immigration. Here, we explore how the river shaped the city’s rise—and how travelers, merchants, and even pirates arrived from distant lands with goods, stories, and dreams. Your guide shares her personal connection to water, rooted in her Iberian upbringing and her journey to London.

Next Step inside London’s oldest church, dating back to 675 AD. This sacred space served as a spiritual home for Spanish and Portuguese sailors. Discover miniature ships, relics, and a special chapel that remembers those lost at sea.

With stunning views of the Thames and the Tower of London, we pause for a tea break. Here, we uncover how a Portuguese princess introduced tea to the English court. Learn about the herbal traditions passed down through generations of Iberian women.

A local tour guide, Florbela, with Iberian heritage, showing her guests images relating to the Iberian minority in London over a cup of tea.

Our next stop is St Katharine Docks, which was once a hive of sailors, smugglers, and dock workers. Hear how Port wine and Sherry became London’s liquid treasures, and how life aboard Iberian ships was both tough and freeing. We also explore today’s boat-living culture and its surprising celebrity fans.

Our final stop celebrates the world’s oldest alliance, between England and Portugal. We will sample wines like Sherry and Port and learn how tapas began as a simple way to protect wine. Discover how Iberian food and drink traditions crossed the sea and found a new home in London.

Guests on the Iberian Footprints Tour, sipping Port wine and savouring traditional Iberian tapas like cold cuts, olives and bread.

Additional Information

Cancellation policy: Cancellations more than 2 days before departure will receive a full refund. Cancellations within this period attract a 100% cancellation fee.

Accessibility: This tour is mostly flat and step-free, but some venues (such as small shops or cafés) may have narrow entrances or limited space inside.

Dietary restrictions: We can accommodate vegetarians and other dietary restrictions. Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary requests.

Dress code: Modest dress is appreciated. We recommend covering your shoulders and knees out of respect when visiting cultural or religious spaces.