Porto to Lisbon - 8 Days

Welcome to Porto! On arrival, leave the airport and make your own way to our start hotel. After checking in, you've got the rest of the day at leisure to begin your exploration in the city.

After breakfast, we begin the day with a panoramic tour of Porto, taking in key landmarks such as the Porto Cathedral, Liberdade Square, a historic church, the Clérigos Tower and the elegant Bolsa Palace. We then enjoy a leisurely walking tour through the Ribeira district, where the city’s long maritime history and lively riverfront atmosphere come into focus.

For those who wish, you may round off the day with an optional visit to one of the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia (not included), where you can sample the region’s famous Port wine before returning to your hotel.

Optional Tour: Visit to Wine Cellar in Porto (group tour) A visit to a traditional wine cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia offers a rewarding insight into Portugal’s Port wine heritage. You explore timeworn cellars, learn about long-established production methods and enjoy guided tastings overlooking the Douro River. It is an ideal way to experience the cultural and historical significance of this renowned wine-producing region.

The next two days are completely free for you to relax in the hotel or continue exploring Porto and its surroundings. Consider booking one of the below optional activities:

Optional Tour: Full Day Douro Valley Tour with Lunch (group tour, min 10 passengers) You depart for the Douro Valley, a region often described as an enchanted landscape for its sweeping terraced vineyards and striking river views. The area is renowned for producing both Douro table wines and the celebrated Port wine. During the day, you explore Pinhão, a small riverside town at the heart of Port wine country, and enjoy a one-hour Rabelo boat trip with an audio guide. As you sail, you can admire traditional wine estates and vineyard terraces that slope down to the river, forming a unique panorama recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This scenic stretch of the Douro is hidden from the national roads, offering a perspective you would not see by land. Lunch is included, followed by a visit to one of the region’s respected wine estates before you return to your hotel.

Optional Tour: Full-Day Vinho Verde Region with Lunch (group tour, min 10 passengers) Enjoy a full-day journey through the scenic Vinho Verde wine region. Despite its name, Vinho Verde, or green wine, refers not to its colour but to its youthful, refreshing character and distinctive style. The day includes a visit to Amarante, a historic town known for its 18th-century bridge and its 16th-century church overlooking the river. You visit the first Vinho Verde producer to learn about the traditional methods used to craft this celebrated regional wine. You then continue to a second producer, where lunch is included, before heading back to Porto.

Porto - Aveiro - Coimbra - Fatima. After breakfast, we depart Porto for the charming city of Aveiro. Here, you have the option to take a Moliceiro boat ride (not included), gliding along the canals while admiring the city’s blend of natural beauty and distinctive architecture, from elegant Art Nouveau facades to contemporary design.

Optional Tour: Moliceiro Boat Ride (group tour, min 2 passengers) These traditional Moliceiro boats offer a charming way to experience Aveiro. Their colourful, decorative designs add to the appeal as you cruise the canals and take in the surrounding architecture. A knowledgeable guide shares the history and significance of the Moliceiro tradition, making it an enjoyable way to immerse yourself in the culture of the region. You then enjoy a tasting of the region’s renowned oysters, a local delicacy.

We continue to Coimbra, home to Portugal’s oldest and most prestigious university. You may choose to join our optional tour to visit the University of Coimbra. Before we head to Fátima for check-in, you have time to wander through Coimbra’s atmospheric old town, known for its centuries of history and character.

Optional Tour: Entrance to the University of Coimbra (group tour, min 2 passengers) Founded in 1290, the University of Coimbra is one of Europe’s oldest and most respected academic institutions. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it features architectural highlights such as the Porta Férrea gateway and the Joanina Library, a Baroque masterpiece housing rare manuscripts and historic volumes. Its hilltop setting provides sweeping views over the city, and a visit offers a fascinating insight into Portugal’s intellectual and cultural legacy.

Your evening is at leisure in Fatima.

Fatima - Obidos - Sintra - Lisbon. Leaving Fatima, we travel to Obidos, a picturesque village with roots dating back to the Roman era. Encircled by medieval walls, it features a well-preserved castle and narrow lanes lined with whitewashed houses, ideal for a gentle stroll.

We then continue to Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for its exceptional cultural landscape. Set among rugged hills and lush forests, Sintra enjoys a cooler microclimate that often wraps the town in a soft mist, adding to its romantic atmosphere. You may choose to visit the Sintra National Palace, considered the best-preserved medieval royal residence in Portugal and inhabited from the early 15th to the late 19th century.

Our day ends in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, where we spend the night.

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby to begin our exploration of Lisbon. We start with a panoramic drive past key landmarks such as Pombal Square, Liberty Avenue and Eduardo VII Park. We then stroll through Trade Square, one of the city’s most harmonious spaces, lined with elegant buildings and overlooking the Tagus River. Passing beneath the Triumphal Arch, we arrive in the heart of the Baixa, where we walk along Rua Augusta, now a lively pedestrian street.

We continue with a visit to the historic Alfama district, the oldest quarter of Lisbon, followed by a leisurely walk through its winding lanes. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace and unwind.

Your tour ends after breakfast and hotel check-out. No transfer is included, so make your own way to the airport or your next destination.