Day 1: LISBON

Arrival at Lisbon airport. Transfer to the city center hotel. Check-in and overnight stay.

Day 2: LISBON

Enjoy a panoramic tour of Lisbon passing through some of the most important avenues and squares, such as Marquês de Pombal-Avenida da Liberdade-Restauradores. Stop at the top of Edward VII Park to enjoy magnificent views of the Lisbon hills and the Tagus River. Discover the Parliament and the 18th-century basilica of Estrela.

Finally, a visit and a stop in Belém to see the most emblematic monuments of Lisbon linked to the golden historical period of Portuguese maritime discoveries: the Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries and the Jeronimos Monastery.

Free time to enjoy the city. Overnight in Lisbon.

Day 3: LISBON – HD TOUR TO SINTRA, CABO DA ROCA & CASCAIS

A half-day tour of the picturesque and romantic UNESCO-listed town of Sintra, set among beautiful mountains – mansions and palaces dot its winding streets, and its municipal palace was once the summer home of the Portuguese royal family. A visit to “Piriquita” is recommended, one of the most famous local cafes, to each try one of the local pastry specialties: the “Queijada” or the “Travesseiro”.

Leave Sintra and take the winding road to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, “where the land ends and the sea begins…” Stop here to enjoy the view. Following the coast, enjoy the fantastic panoramic approach to the beaches of Guincho before reaching Cascais, once a fishing village, today a beautiful cosmopolitan town where we admire pretty houses and palaces. Return to Lisbon via the coastal road, passing the famous Estoril Casino, then along the sea and the Tagus estuary before arriving at the hotel.

Free afternoon for personal activities.

Overnight in Lisbon.

Day 4: THE BLUE COAST – ARRÁBIDA, SESIMBRA & JMF WINE CELLARS

Cross the bridge over the Tejo River to reach this beautiful region located 35 km south of Lisbon.

Walk along the Arrábida mountain, by the sea, admire the landscape, the incredible views of the ocean, the small white sand beaches with clear waters. The fauna, flora, primitive Mediterranean vegetation and natural beauty have made it a natural park.

Continue into the countryside and arrive in the small village of Azeitão to visit a small traditional tile workshop and learn the history and processes of tile making. You will see all stages of tile production: modeling, glazing and painting. Then you are invited to take part in a short workshop and paint your own tile, either using a suggested theme or creating an original design. Meticulous work involving talented hands and creativity! It’s a nice souvenir to take home.

After the activity, visit the José Maria da Fonseca wine cellar, the oldest table wine company in Portugal. Of their 800 hectares of vines, 600 are in Azeitão. You will enjoy a 50-minute guided tour of the charming traditional wine cellars and museum, learn the history of this century-old family winery and taste 2 wines from this region.

From Azeitão, drive to Sesimbra, a typical fishing village with calm waters, dominated by its imposing castle, a popular seaside resort among the Portuguese due to its fantastic location and beautiful beach. Free time in Sesimbra for a relaxing walk along the seaside promenade.

Lunch included during the tour at a local restaurant.

Return to Lisbon and overnight stay.

Day 5: ÓBIDOS, NAZARÉ, BATALHA, FÁTIMA

Departure for Óbidos, a charming town that was once a queen’s wedding present. Resembling an open-air museum, this medieval walled town has been preserved to look like a postcard, with its monuments, narrow winding streets and whitewashed houses with windows and terraces full of flowers. It is obligatory to stop for a glass of “Ginjinha”, the famous cherry liqueur, which can be served in a chocolate glass, to eat afterwards…

Continue to Batalha to visit the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, built in recognition of the glorious victory over the Castilian army in the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, which brought Portugal its independence from Spain. Construction took almost two centuries and resulted in one of the most beautiful Gothic monuments in Portugal. Not only the shape and size of this magnificent building, the decoration of its facades with the most elaborate masonry works in the Manueline style, but also the majestic interior, are very impressive.

Stop in Fátima to visit the basilica, where the tombs of Lúcia, Jacinta and Francisco are kept, the Church of the Holy Trinity and the Chapel of the Apparitions.

Overnight in Coimbra.

Day 6: COIMBRA & AVEIRO

Visit Coimbra, a large Portuguese city and one of the oldest university towns in Europe which has preserved its centuries-old academic traditions. A walking tour of the old town and a visit to the university are included.

Drive to Aveiro, a charming coastal town, renowned for its picturesque canals, colorful Moliceiro boats and striking art nouveau architecture. Often called the “Venice of Portugal”, it offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and a vibrant contemporary atmosphere.

The origins of the city go back to the fishing communities who developed their economic activities there. It is surrounded by salt marshes, beaches and lagoons.

Aveiro’s bustling fish market, the railway station with its magnificent tiles and the various Art Nouveau buildings offer an authentic insight into the local culture. Enjoy a boat ride on a typical Moliceiro boat along the city’s urban canals, including tasting the region’s renowned specialty, Ovos Moles, a sweet delicacy made from eggs and sugar.

Continue to Porto and enjoy a panoramic tour approaching the city.

Check-in and overnight stay in Porto.

Day 7: PORTO

Enjoy a walking tour in Porto and see its main sites – the “Foz” area at the mouth of the Douro River; the S. Bento station with its exceptional “azulejos” depicting scenes from Portuguese history and traditional activities; the old cathedral; the typical section of “Ribeira” dominated by the silhouette of the Luis I Bridge, which is the most picturesque place in Porto. Old houses adorned with colorful linens look out over the waterfront from a great height.

Among the city’s highlights are the world-famous Port wines, which age in the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia (on the other side of the river). Visit to one of the cellars with tasting of 2 Port wines.

This tour also includes a panoramic cruise on the Douro River, in a typical “Rabelo” boat. This short cruise lasts approximately 50 minutes.

Free afternoon to enjoy the city at your leisure.

Overnight in Porto.

Day 8: BRAGA & GUIMARÃES

Departure towards the north for a journey through the Minho region, a very beautiful and rich Portuguese province due to its landscape, its monuments and its history.

Visit Braga and explore its well-preserved medieval architecture, including the iconic Braga Cathedral, one of the oldest Christian landmarks in Portugal. Bom Jesus do Monte, a renowned pilgrimage site with a magnificent baroque staircase, offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscapes – listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019.

Continue to Guimarães, the “cradle of Portugal” as it was its first capital, and enjoy a captivating journey through the nation’s past and cultural heritage.

It has a very unique historic center with its charming cobbled streets and traditional houses.

Visit Guimarães Castle, where Portugal’s first king (D. Afonso Henriques) was born, dating from the 10th century, reflecting the city’s medieval origins – also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Return to Porto and overnight stay.