Highlights of Portugal - 8 Days

Our trip begins in Lisbon, a city built on seven hills overlooking the estuary of the River Tagus. After its conquest from the Moors in 1147, Lisbon became the capital of Portugal. As Portugal built its global empire from the 15th century onwards, Lisbon became the hub of international trade, marking the heart of the maritime Golden Age of discovery - a legacy reflected in the city's monumental architecture. A devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami almost completely destroyed the capital in 1755, and so Lisbon appears as a carefully planned 18th-century city today. The Leader will meet you at the hotel reception at 6.30pm for a welcome meeting and take us on a short walk to get acquainted with Lisbon. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive at Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS), which is a 15-minute drive from the city centre. Please note that to join the city walk today, you must arrive at the hotel by 7 pm. If you're booking your own flights, we recommend allowing at least one hour to clear the airport. The journey from the airport to the hotel takes 15 minutes, so the latest your flight can arrive is 5.45 pm. If you miss the welcome meeting, the tour leader will fill you in on any essential details as soon as you catch up.

Our morning walking tour introduces us to some of Lisbon's distinct bairros (neighbourhoods) (approx. four hours). Built on seven hills, the city's iconic trams navigate the undulating cobbled streets, with fascinating buildings at every turn. During the morning, your tour Leader will also find a spot for you to try Ginjinha, a local sour cherry liqueur, which is definitely an acquired taste. If you fancy a trip outside the city, you can hop on the metro to Lisbon's Rossio Station for a 40-minute train ride to Sintra's stunning hills and palaces. Originally built as a summer retreat from the heat of Lisbon, Sintra is home to royal palaces and lush gardens. Highlights include King Ferdinand II's Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira with its elaborate Gothic façade and magical gardens. If you'd like to take your time, you might want to spend the whole day here (Day 3) to explore the hills of Montserrate and visit Castelo dos Mouros. If you're staying in Lisbon, the afternoon is free for further exploration. Your Tour Leader will be happy to suggest activities, such as visiting the fascinating MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology) or the Museo de Azulejos, the National Tile Museum housed in a 16th-century monastery. Alternatively, a local ferry across the Tagus River takes you to Cacilhas, which has a working port atmosphere, great fish and seafood restaurants, and stunning views of Lisbon.

This morning, we'll explore the Alfama district on foot, meeting locals in their neighbourhood shops and taking in views of the River Tagus from the Miradouro Santa Lucia viewpoint. We'll then drive (20-30 minutes) to Belem, where we'll spend around two hours exploring the Jerónimos Monastery (optional visit) before walking to Belem Tower. The afternoon is free for you to wander around this area, visit the monastery or the Gulbenkian Museum, or take the ferry to Cacilhas (for views) or see the Christ the King statue on the south side of the river.

This morning, we leave Lisbon and drive an hour and a half to Alcobaça, a small medieval town in the heart of the country. Alcobaça is home to one of Iberia's most impressive monasteries, with a striking 12th-century Gothic structure. Don't miss the atmospheric refectory, vast dormitories, and other spaces that once housed the Cistercian monks, whose lifestyle here wasn't quite as austere as history might suggest. After some free time to stroll around, we'll continue to Batalha to visit its magnificent Gothic monastery, Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, built to commemorate the Battle of Aljubarrota. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Coimbra, an old university town with a mix of historic charm and modern vitality. After checking in, your Leader will take you on a walk through the town's charming backstreets, up to the famous university.

This morning, we have a couple of hours free in Coimbra, a city that was once Portugal's medieval capital. You might want to visit the university with its centuries-old buildings, including its famous library. Later this morning, we'll drive two hours to Lamego, a picturesque Baroque city nestled in the Douro Valley, Portugal's renowned wine-growing region. After some free time for lunch, we'll head to Peso da Régua for a visit to a local wine estate, where we'll learn about the history and production of Portugal's famous wines - and of course, sample some of the produce.

This morning, we take a scenic two-hour train journey to Porto. From the train station, we'll walk 400 metres to our hotel (please mention to the Tour Leader if you think you'll need assistance). Our tour leader will take us on an orientation walk, strolling through Porto's charming streets down to the Cais da Ribeira - undoubtedly the most picturesque area of the city. The quayside is dominated by the Dom Luis I Bridge, built in 1886 by an assistant to Gustave Eiffel. Here, you'll find old houses with balconies draped in laundry, overlooking the river where historic boats still line the water's edge. Despite the decline of the port trade, this bustling area still retains its character and charm. We'll also enjoy a port tasting at one of Porto's famous port lodges. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the city further, with its striking churches adorned in blue-and-white azulejos, bustling food markets, and peaceful squares where you can relax and watch the world go by.

Today is free for you to continue exploring Porto. The city offers a wealth of architectural and cultural attractions, such as the Palacio da Bolsa with its stunning Alhambra-like interior, a medieval quarter full of character, and the grand Avenida dos Aliados. Other popular options include the Serralves Museum of Modern Art, or you might want to take the 6 Bridges boat trip. If you'd like to venture a little further, consider taking a one-hour train ride to the attractive towns of Guimaraes or Braga.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Porto. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is later in the day, luggage storage is available at the hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to depart from Porto Airport (OPO), which is about 30 minutes' drive from the hotel.