Portugal
Itinerary
This itinerary is completely customizable
Porto
Days 1 - 3
Your trip will begin in the north of Portugal in the beautiful city of Porto. Porto is the largest city in the region that is known for its famous Port wine. The wine has been made in the Douro valley region for thousands of years and as wine became more popular in the global market, the Port wine was shipped along the river to Porto to be distributed. There are tours and tasting options to suit everyone at the numerous wine cellars, which are located just across the Douro River from Porto at Vila Nova de Gaia.
What makes Porto so beautiful is that not only is it located on the ocean, but it also has the Douro River flowing into the ocean, which separates the banks of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. On the Porto side of the river, you can find a beautiful old city, beautiful 19th-century gardens, ornate churches, museums, beautiful parks and the UNESCO world heritage area around Ribeira Square.
After a short walk across the Dom Luis I Bridge, you will arrive across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia, which is where the majority of wine cellars are located. If you prefer to get out of the two cities for a day we recommend day trips to Coimbra to explore a beautiful medieval old town or the Douro Valley vineyard region visiting the wineries and the stunning natural landscapes where they are located.
Lisbon
Days 4 - 6
Lisbon is an urban area, which is the 11th largest in the European Union. It is scattered among seven hills, which all act as viewpoints overlooking the city. Hike up the hills to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views and then head to Alfama to wander through the narrow, winding cobblestone streets to enjoy an espresso at one of the numerous cafes. You can hear the traditional Fado music coming from the bars and restaurants in the region.
The Belem region is a riverfront district, which is home to the World Heritage Jeronimos Monastery, multiple museums, and sweeping views of boats sailing along the Rio Tejo. The culinary scene in Lisbon is fantastic, especially for seafood lovers. During your trip, you have to try the Pastel de Nata, Bifana, Feijoada, and Bacalhau just to name a few.
The seafood and the seafood dishes are some of the best in Europe in our opinion. A perfect day trip from Lisbon is a relaxing day at one of the beautiful sandy beaches just outside of Lisbon. Tamariz Beach, Praia de São Pedro do Estoril, Carcavelos Beach, and Mata Beach are all great options.
Sintra / Azenhas do Mar
Days 7 - 8
Sintra is located just west of Lisbon and is a beautiful region encompassed by the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. The Sintra region was home to royalty for many years and therefore, it is still home to multiple palaces. The Quinta da Regaleira is a truly stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site with ornate architecture and gardens that you can walk around for hours. The Park and National Palace of Pena are equally as beautiful and on a clear day, it can be seen from Lisbon because of its location on top of a peak in the Sintra Mountains.
However, our favorite attraction in the Sintra region has to be the Castelo dos Mouros, which is a medieval castle that was originally built in the 9th century to protect Sintra. The castle is set high on a hilltop in the middle of a thick forest and provides a great overlook of Sintra as well as the surrounding area.
After exploring Sintra, we recommend staying in Azenhas do Mar, which is a town that is perched on a rock face overlooking the ocean. Azenhas do Mar has a quaint old town, beautiful beaches, and beautiful views from nearly every place in the town. It is a perfect place to enjoy dinner and a drink as you watch the sunset over the ocean.
Lagos
Days 9 - 11
The last stop of the trip is Lagos, which is situated on the southern coast of Portugal in the Algarve region. Lagos was built up as a Moorish trading port and it has a scenic old city that is still partially surrounded by what is left of the 16th-century walls. Just like in most of Portugal, you will find fantastic seafood throughout the city. Though to really appreciate Lagos’ beauty you have to head to the coast.
The coastline has long, sandy beaches as well as smaller, more secluded beaches, which are hidden among the rocky sea cliffs that line some of the coast. A boat tour to Ponta da Piedade brings you under stunning natural rock arches and along with beautiful reddish yellow limestone rock formations on the coast.
Hikes like the path between Porto de Mos and Praia da Luz bring you up on the seaside cliffs between them for panoramic views of the region. Lastly, no trip to Lagos would be complete without relaxing at one of the beautiful cove beaches that are surrounded by the sea cliffs and accessed by stairs from the cliffs above.
Your Route
Your Trip
After you contact us, we will build you and your group a custom itinerary based on your interests. We have traveled through Portugal and we can give you insight into the country and recommend many places and activities along the way.
Once you decide to go on the trip, we will book everything and guide you through the process of preparing for your trip. We will make sure that all of your travel documents are in order and will answer any questions you might have.
Gondola to the top of the Dom Luís Bridge in Porto
During each of our trips, we provide remote support for the entire duration of your trip. Our meticulous preparation before the start of your trip will reduce the possibility of something going wrong during your trip. When you book your trip with us you will spend your vacation enjoying the country you are visiting instead of dealing with logistical issues. We live in the same time zone and are only a quick call or message away to resolve any issues that might arise during your trip.
Recommended
Transportation
High-Speed Train
OR
Rental Car
Trip Features
- Breakfast
- Small Group
- 11 Days
- 10 Nights Accommodation
- City-to-City Transportation
Support
- Custom Itinerary
- Remote Support for the Duration of the Trip
Request a Quote
* price may fluctuate based on dates booked and number of people above or below four
* price excludes airfare to and from the country
* price excludes lunch and dinner