Who are we?
Hi! My name is João ‘John’ Carvalho. I am a Lisbon-born translator, interpreter and tour guide, and founder of The Otterside.
This project was envisioned as a network of local guides, drivers, small business owners, artists, artisans, and all manner of service providers who place human values – authenticity, hospitality, transparency – before the blind pursuit of profit.
João’s rants about the Sack of Lisbon in 1147 can get a bit long in the tooth, but he is generally pleasant to be around.
Chibo, the Goat
Marketing Manager
What do we do?
Grassroots tourism.
The Otterside is a response to streamlined, one-size-fits all tourism in Portugal. We offer custom-planned private tours, travel advice, and a broad range of activities an experiences with emphasis on authenticity and direct contact with local life, culture, cuisine, business, and beyond.
Learn all you need to get around on your own
City tours
Discover Portugal’s history without embellishment
Monument and landmark visits
Escape the city, take the roads less traveled
Day trips
Eat authentic Portuguese cuisine at local prices
Gastronomic tours and experiences
Learn traditional trades, or even a bit of Portuguese
Courses and workshops
Find the right place to stay
Accommodation
Why do we do it?
Our values
Hospitality
Our mission is to help you make the best of your time in Portugal. The types of support and advice we offer include, but are not limited to: itineraries, landmarks, transportation, translation/interpretation, lost items, etc.
Authenticity
Eat like a local, shop like a local and get around like a local. See what you’re interested in seeing and avoid crowds, queues, scams, surcharges, tourist traps, and time wastes. Connect directly with local service providers.
Transparency
We engage with history, politics, and social issues with intellectual good-faith, without seeking to provide facile answers to complex questions. We provide literary sources for all information conveyed during our tours.
