Highlights of Portugal & the Algarve - 11 Days

Welcome to Lisbon. On arrival at Lisbon International Airport, make your own way to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax after your journey or start exploring the Portuguese capital at your own pace.

After breakfast, we set out on a half-day tour of Lisbon. We begin in Belém, where we see the 16th-century Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of Manueline architecture. We then visit the famous Belém pastry shop, dating back to 1837, to taste the original pastéis de Belém.

We also stop by the iconic Belém Tower for photo opportunities before returning to the hotel.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Lisbon at your own pace. We recommend a visit to Sintra, often called Portugal's most romantic town and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the town centre, you might like to stop at Piriquita, a traditional café known for its travesseiros and queijadas pastries (not included).

You may also choose to book one of the following optional experiences.

Half-day tour to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril Coast Meet your professional guide in central Lisbon and travel to the town of Sintra, passing through Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. You visit Sintra National Palace, former residence of Portuguese royalty and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and learn about its history and architecture. The tour continues along the coast, with a stop at Cabo da Roca, mainland Europe's westernmost point, in suitable seasons and conditions, and a visit to the dramatic cliffs of Boca do Inferno during the cooler months. You then follow the coastline, passing golden beaches and views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Live Fado show in Lisbon (1 hour) Experience an evening of Fado in Lisbon's Chiado district. You listen to male and female singers accompanied by guitarists performing Portugal's traditional music genre, recognised for its emotional, melancholic style, in an intimate theatre setting in the heart of the city.

Boat tour in Lisbon with drinks and snacks (2 hours) Discover Lisbon from the water on a relaxed sailing tour along the Tagus River. You meet the crew at the harbour and enjoy views of the city's riverside landmarks as you cruise, with a glass of sparkling wine and light snacks included on board.

Half-day tour to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril Coast with hotel pick-up and drop-off This option offers the same itinerary as the standard Sintra, Cascais and Estoril tour, with the added convenience of return hotel transfers.

Boat tour in Lisbon with drinks and snacks with hotel pick-up and drop-off Enjoy a sailing experience on the Tagus River, with sparkling wine and snacks served on board, including return transfers from your hotel.

Lisbon Go 7 Hills electric bike tour with hotel pick-up and drop-off Lisbon's steep hills are much easier to navigate on an electric bike. You explore districts such as Alfama, Graça and the area around Castelo de São Jorge, riding up to viewpoints without the effort of a traditional bicycle. If you choose an evening departure, you can enjoy sunset views from one of the city's hilltop miradouros.

Lisbon Go 7 Hills electric bike tour This shorter electric bike tour focuses on the historic neighbourhoods of Alfama and Graça. Electric assistance makes the climbs comfortable, and there is the option of an evening departure to enjoy a sunset over the city.

Live Fado show in Lisbon with hotel pick-up and drop-off Enjoy a Fado performance in Chiado with return transfers from your hotel. You listen to live singers and guitarists performing traditional Portuguese songs in an intimate venue.

Gastronomic and cultural tour with tapas tasting and hotel pick-up and drop-off This guided walking tour combines Lisbon's historic district with tastings of typical Portuguese snacks and dishes. You visit several local establishments and sample a selection of specialities, gaining an introduction to the city's food culture.

Portuguese food and wine tour Discover traditional Portuguese flavours on a small-group food and wine tour in Lisbon. You taste local cheeses, chouriço, bifana sandwiches, traditional rice dishes and Port wine, along with regional wines from areas such as Alentejo. Your guide shares recommendations and tips for dining during your stay.

Lisbon - Obidos - Nazare - Batalha - Fatima. After breakfast, we drive north from Lisbon. Our first stop is Óbidos, a beautifully preserved medieval walled town with cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and an impressive hilltop castle.

We then continue to Nazaré, a traditional fishing town and seaside resort that has become known for its powerful Atlantic waves.

The journey continues to Batalha, where we visit the exterior of the Santa Maria da Vitória Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Portugal's most important Gothic monuments. We then travel on to Fátima.

Fatima - Aveiro - Porto. In the morning, we visit Fátima, one of the most significant Marian pilgrimage centres in the world. You have time to explore the sanctuary area independently. You may also choose to visit nearby Aljustrel, the hamlet where the three shepherd children, Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta, lived.

We then depart for Aveiro, often referred to as the "Venice of Portugal" because of its canals and traditional boats. You have free time to explore the town, perhaps taking a Moliceiro boat ride along the canals or tasting the local speciality ovos moles, a sweet egg-based pastry.

In the afternoon, we continue to Porto, where we transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Today we explore Porto, set along the Douro River and known for its historic centre, wine cellars and distinctive tiled façades. In the morning, we enjoy a sightseeing tour to get acquainted with the city's main sights and neighbourhoods.

The afternoon is free for you to discover Porto at your own pace. You might stroll through the narrow streets of the Ribeira district, visit a museum or enjoy the riverside atmosphere. Porto is also famous for its Port wine, aged in cellars across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia.

You may wish to enhance your day with one of the optional experiences below.

Tuk Tuk tour and six-bridge boat ride with hotel pick-up and drop-off See Porto from different perspectives, combining a Tuk Tuk ride through the city streets with a boat trip on the Douro River, passing under several of its famous bridges.

Walking food tour in Porto with hotel pick-up and drop-off Discover Porto's culinary side on a guided walking tour including a generous range of tastings, both sweet and savoury. You visit local markets and shops, including the temporary Bolhão Market space while the historic building is under renovation, and sample wines from lesser-known Portuguese regions.

Walking food tour in Porto This option offers the same food and wine experience without hotel transfers.

Visit to a wine cellar and Port wine tasting Visit one of Porto's wine cellars and learn about the history and production of Port wine. The experience includes a guided tour and a tasting.

Tuk Tuk tour and six-bridge boat ride Join a Tuk Tuk tour through central Porto, followed by a scenic boat trip on the Douro under six of the city's bridges.

Visit to a wine cellar, Port wine tasting and Fado show This combined experience includes an interactive museum visit, a guided tour of historic wine cellars and a premium Port wine tasting, accompanied by a Fado performance of around 45 minutes.

Tiles painting workshop Join a tile-painting workshop and create your own hand-painted tile using traditional techniques. All materials are provided, and your finished tile is ready for collection a short time after the session.

Porto Fado night Enjoy an evening panoramic tour of Porto, seeing some of its illuminated historic sites, followed by dinner at a local restaurant with a live Fado performance, giving you a taste of Portugal's musical heritage.

Porto - Coimbra - Lisbon. After breakfast, we depart Porto and drive to Coimbra, a city on the Mondego River known for its prestigious university, one of the oldest in Europe.

You can visit the University of Coimbra independently, including the historic buildings that once housed the royal palace and the famous Baroque library, considered one of the most beautiful in the world and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You also have free time to walk through the old town.

After the visit, we continue south to Lisbon and transfer to the hotel.

Lisbon - Arrabida - Algarve. After breakfast, we leave Lisbon and cross the River Tagus towards the Setúbal Peninsula. We stop at the Cristo Rei viewpoint, which offers impressive views back across the river to Lisbon's skyline and 25 de Abril Bridge.

You then have the option to visit a local wine estate, known for producing both table wines and the regional Setúbal Moscatel.

We continue through Arrábida Natural Park, a coastal protected area between Setúbal and the fishing town of Sesimbra. Here the green hills meet limestone cliffs and sheltered bays with clear waters. There is free time in Setúbal for lunch at your own expense.

In the afternoon, we drive south to the Algarve. On arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Algarve - Faro - Algarve. After breakfast, we set out to visit Faro, the regional capital of the Algarve. On a walking tour of the Old Town, we stroll along cobbled streets and see landmarks such as the Arco da Vila, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake as a ceremonial entrance to the historic centre.

You then have free time to explore further. You may choose to take a boat trip to the Ria Formosa Natural Park, to see its lagoon, islands and birdlife.

After some time at leisure for lunch and independent sightseeing or shopping, we return to the hotel. The rest of the day is free, or you may wish to join an optional boat tour.

Boat tour in Ria Formosa Departing from Faro by catamaran, you cruise around the islands of Culatra, Farol and Deserta within Ria Formosa Natural Park, with the chance to spot wildlife such as flamingos and egrets.

After breakfast, enjoy two full days at leisure in the Algarve. You can relax on the region’s golden beaches, explore coastal towns and fishing villages, walk along the cliffs or simply unwind and make use of your hotel’s facilities.

If you would like to discover more of the region’s scenery, history and coastline, you can choose from the following optional excursions across these two days.

Full-day historical tour of the Algarve Discover some of the Algarve’s most historic towns and landscapes. In Silves, the former Moorish capital, you can visit the old quarter with its castle and cathedral. The tour continues up into the Serra de Monchique to Fóia, the highest point in the Algarve, for panoramic views. After a break for lunch at your own expense, the afternoon visit is to Lagos, with its old town, former slave market, golden church of Santo António and fortress. The day ends at Cape St Vincent, once known as "the end of the world", where you see the lighthouse, the fishing port of Baleeira and the fortress of Sagres, associated with Prince Henry the Navigator.

Boat trip to the Benagil caves Departing from Lagos by rigid inflatable boat, you travel along the coast past Alvor, Portimão and Carvoeiro to visit the famous Benagil sea cave, known for its natural skylight and dramatic rock formations, as well as other nearby grottoes.

Sagres and Cape St Vincent half-day tour Explore the western Algarve, visiting coastal villages, an historic fortress and Cape St Vincent, the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe, with its lighthouse and dramatic cliffs.

Catamaran cruise in Lagos Sail along the coastline from Lagos on a catamaran, passing beaches such as Dona Ana, Porto de Mós and Praia da Luz. The boat anchors in a sheltered bay near Ponta da Piedade, where you can swim, snorkel or try stand-up paddleboarding. Equipment and on-board Wi-Fi are usually provided.

Half-day tour of Loulé market Visit the town of Loulé, known for its lively Saturday market, where you can browse stalls selling local produce, crafts and clothing. You also have free time to explore the town’s sights, such as the 13th-century castle, the remnants of the Arab cemetery or the Jardim dos Amuados garden.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel. Depending on your flight time, you may have some free time at leisure before departing. No transfer is included.