Portuguese Coast and Cultural Discovery - 5 Days

On arrival in Lisbon, we arrange your transfer to the hotel – then you have free time to settle in or take a short stroll. This afternoon, please check the information boards at hotel reception for details about 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 set out on a guided sightseeing tour of Lisbon – the Portuguese capital of seven hills – taking in historic neighbourhoods, distinctive tiles and sweeping views of the Tagus. We continue to Belém, the riverside district from which Portuguese navigators set sail across the oceans in the 15th century. The afternoon is free – you can stroll the city at your own pace and head up to Bairro Alto and its viewpoint, or you may choose to join an optional excursion to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. In the evening we return to the hotel, with our meeting point at lively Restauradores Square, known for its bars and cafés.

We depart Lisbon early, crossing the long Tagus bridge and heading into the Algarve in southern Portugal. On arrival we explore Lagos – once a strategic port for voyages to Africa – and stroll its walled historic centre; you’ll have time for lunch. In the afternoon we continue to the dramatic cliffs of Cape St. Vincent, then pause nearby for photos of the historic Sagres fortress. Later we spend time in Albufeira, where you can relax on its beaches or wander the lively historic centre. We stay overnight in Albufeira or a neighbouring city in the Algarve.

We travel to Faro, the peaceful capital of the Algarve, for a leisurely stroll. From there, we continue into the Alentejo to Mértola on the banks of the Guadiana River – a walled town–museum that was an important centre during the Muslim era – where we wander streets lined with whitewashed houses beneath the castle walls. Our next stop is Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Here, you’ll have time to explore medieval palaces, Gothic religious buildings and the ancient Roman temple at your own pace. We also visit the Chapel of Bones – admission included – built with over 5,000 skeletons. We then continue to Lisbon, arriving at the end of the day.

After breakfast, we conclude the tour in Lisbon – a relaxed finish to our journey through Portugal. We hope the experiences of the past few days stay with you as you continue your travels.