Dazzling Portugal Culture and Coastline Odyssey - 8 Days

Welcome to Lisbon. On arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel, and you’ll have free time to relax or explore at your own pace. In the afternoon, please check the information boards at hotel reception – they will show the details for the start of your tour. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

This morning we’ll set out on a guided tour of Lisbon, the Portuguese capital of the seven hills, taking in its narrow lanes, tiled façades and luminous Atlantic light. We continue to Belém – the riverside neighbourhood from which Portuguese navigators set sail across the oceans in the 15th century. The afternoon is free – you can stroll through Bairro Alto and pause at its viewpoint, or choose an optional excursion to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. In the evening, we’ll return to the hotel with a transfer from lively Restauradores Square, known for its bars and cafés.

We depart Lisbon early, crossing the long bridge over the Tagus as we head south into the Algarve. In Lagos, we explore the walled historic centre, noted for its strategic port for voyages to Africa – with free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we continue to Cape St Vincent to see its windswept cliffs, with a nearby photo stop at the historic Sagres fortress. Later, we spend time in Albufeira – you can relax on its beaches or wander the lively historic centre. Overnight in Albufeira or a neighbouring city in the Algarve.

We leave the Algarve for Faro, a peaceful Algarve city, and take a leisurely stroll through its centre. We then continue into the Alentejo to Mértola on the banks of the Guadiana River – a walled town that was an important centre in the Muslim era, dominated by its castle and lanes of whitewashed houses. We continue to Évora, where admission to the Chapel of Bones is included – a striking ossuary dating from the 16th century and built with more than 5,000 skeletons. We then explore this walled UNESCO World Heritage city, noted for its medieval palaces, Gothic religious buildings and ancient Roman temple.

We travel through the Alentejo’s rolling landscapes to Marvão – a picturesque walled hilltop town with sweeping views – before continuing to Castelo de Vide to see its castle and stroll the old Jewish quarter. You can visit the medieval synagogue, now a small museum, or simply explore the winding streets at your own pace. After lunch, we continue to Tomar to visit the Convent of Christ – a former Templar castle–convent – with admission included. Before reaching Fátima, we stop in Aljustrel, birthplace of the three shepherd children, to see Lucia’s house. On arrival in Fátima, you’ll have free time at the Sanctuary – you may choose to join the candlelight procession if you wish, when in season, as it is not held in winter. Dinner is included.

We travel north to Porto, Portugal’s second–largest city, arriving around 11:00. On arrival, we take a 50–minute cruise along the Douro aboard a traditional Rabelo boat – a great way to admire the riverside. After the cruise, you have free time in the lively Ribeira district to explore its narrow streets lined with historic merchant houses and cafés, before we head to the hotel.

We leave Porto to explore the scenic north. In Braga – often called Portugal’s religious capital – we take a leisurely stroll around the historic centre and its ancient cathedral. We then ride the world’s oldest funicular up to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus for panoramic views – we suggest walking down to appreciate the grand baroque staircase. Next, we continue to Guimarães, Portugal’s first capital, where the Palace of the Dukes recalls its historic importance; you’ll have free time here for lunch. In the afternoon we head west to Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal, where we include a traditional Moliceiro boat ride through the canals and salt flats, with a tasting of a typical local sweet on board. We then continue to Coimbra, arriving in the late afternoon, with dinner included at the hotel.

We spend the morning in Coimbra, Portugal’s third largest city, noted for its historic university and steep lanes. Continuing south, we stop at the Batalha Monastery – entrance included – an impressive medieval royal mausoleum. In Nazaré, you’ll have time for lunch and a stroll, and we take the lift up to the old town – tickets included – for wide ocean views. On the way to Lisbon, we pause in Óbidos, one of Portugal’s most beautiful towns, with picturesque white streets adorned with flowers. We expect to arrive in Lisbon at approximately 7.30 pm, when the tour ends. Please check your flight time in case you need an additional night.