Itinerary
- Day 1
Lisbon
You'll arrive at Lisbon airport and pick up your rental car. The city sits on several hills along the Rio Tejo estuary, which actually makes getting around pretty straightforward. Once you get to your hotel, you'll have time to settle in for your 2-night stay and get oriented to the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 2
Lisbon
This is your day to explore what Lisbon has to offer. The city's been around for over 2,000 years and that history shows up everywhere along the right bank of the Tagus. You can check out landmarks, walk through neighborhoods, and try local restaurants that highlight the city's food scene and cultural mix.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore cultural landmarks and museums
- Dining at local restaurants featuring Lisbon's gastronomic diversity
- Day 3
Lisbon to Lagos
You'll drive south about 300 km (4 hours) to reach Lagos in the Algarve. This historic town has impressive 14th-century fortifications and a nice marina area. The beaches around here give you options: long sandy stretches with dunes if you want that, or small rocky coves with clear water if you prefer swimming and diving.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Swimming and diving at local beaches
- Explore Lagos historic fortifications and marina
- Day 4
Lagos to Évora
Heading north now, the drive to Évora takes about 235 km (3 hours). This UNESCO World Heritage town is enclosed by 14th-century walls and feels like an open-air museum with preserved monasteries, churches, winding streets, old townhouses, squares, a Roman temple, and historic archways. The local food is worth trying too: lamb dishes, spicy cheese, good bread, and excellent red wines from the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore UNESCO World Heritage city walls and fortifications
- Visit monasteries and churches
- Wander historic alleyways and squares
- Dine on Alentejo regional specialties including lamb, cheese, and local wines
Landmarks Évora - Day 5
Évora to Coimbra
The drive north to Coimbra covers about 260 km (3 hours), and you can stop at a few places along the way. Fatima is Portugal's major Catholic pilgrimage site if that interests you, and Tomar has the impressive Castelo dos Templários e Convento de Cristo monastery. Coimbra itself sits on the Rio Mondego with the university and Sé Velha cathedral on the upper hill, the lower Baixa district for shopping, and a baroque library worth seeing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stop at Fatima pilgrimage site
- Visit Tomar and Castelo dos Templários e Convento de Cristo
- Explore Coimbra's university and baroque library
- Visit Sé Velha cathedral
- Browse Baixa shopping district
Landmarks Fatima Castelo dos Templários e Convento de Cristo - Day 6
Coimbra to Porto
You'll drive about 116 km (1.5 hours) to Porto, but stop in Aveiro first, which locals call the Venice of Portugal. The colorful Moliceiros fishing boats in the canals are something to see, and nearby Costa Nova has distinctive striped wooden houses in red, blue, green, or yellow. Porto itself sits on the Douro River as the center of port wine trade and has a UNESCO World Heritage old town. Check into your hotel for a 2-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Aveiro and its colorful Moliceiros boats
- Visit Costa Nova's distinctive striped-house villages
- Discover Porto's historic old town
Landmarks Aveiro Costa Nova 
- Day 7
Porto
You've got time to explore Porto on your own schedule. Start with Avenida dos Aliados down the center, visit the tiled porch at São Bento train station, then head west to the old university district with its grand palaces. See Torre dos Clérigos (75 meters tall, baroque granite structure), the Sé cathedral and Bishop's Palace, and the Ribeira district down below. A boat trip on the Douro lets you see the famous two-story Ponte Dom Luis I bridge from the water. The Bolsa stock exchange has a simple outside but rich stucco interior. Later, try some port wine or grab dinner at one of the many restaurants around town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Avenida dos Aliados and town hall
- Explore São Bento train station's azulejo porch
- See Torre dos Clérigos bell tower
- Visit Sé cathedral and Bishop's Palace
- Explore Ribeira district
- Take boat trip on the Douro River
- View Ponte Dom Luis I
- Tour the Bolsa (stock exchange)
- Dining and port wine tasting at local restaurants
Landmarks Avenida dos Aliados São Bento Train Station Torre dos Clérigos Sé Cathedral Bishop's Palace Ponte Dom Luis I Bolsa (Stock Exchange) - Day 8
Porto to Braga
The drive to Braga is short, about 40 km (30 minutes). This is Portugal's third-largest city and has been a religious center since the 12th century. About 5 km south of the city, Bom Jesus sits on a pilgrimage mountain with a nice park full of old trees for walking. You can climb the 500-step Way of the Cross decorated with wall fountains if you want the workout, which takes you to the baroque Igreja Bom Jesus at the top.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Bom Jesus pilgrimage mountain
- Walk through Bom Jesus park
- Climb 500-step Way of the Cross to Igreja Bom Jesus
Landmarks Bom Jesus 
- Day 9
Braga to Óbidos
You'll drive about 335 km (4 hours) south to Óbidos, one of Portugal's most charming towns. Historic castle walls surround the whole place and offer views out over vineyards and windmills. Inside you'll find whitewashed houses with blue and yellow flowers, narrow winding streets, and charming archways that feel like stepping into a storybook. Check in for at least one night (the Charm option includes 2 nights).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walk historic castle walls with vineyard views
- Explore Óbidos's whitewashed houses and decorated alleyways
- Stroll charming town squares and archways
Landmarks Óbidos - Day 10
Sintra
You'll drive about 75 km from Lisbon to Sintra, which used to be where Portuguese royalty spent their summers. Once there, you can walk through Palácio Nacional da Pena, Palácio Nacional de Sintra, and Castelo dos Mouros, all scattered across the hillside. The town has several aristocratic palaces worth checking out if you have time. Plan to spend the night here, so you're not rushed getting through everything.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Palácio Nacional da Pena
- Visit Palácio Nacional de Sintra
- Visit Castelo dos Mouros
- Explore aristocratic palaces in Sintra
Landmarks Palácio Nacional da Pena Palácio Nacional de Sintra Castelo dos Mouros 
- Day 11
Óbidos to Lisbon
Depending on your plans, you'll head back to Lisbon airport to return your rental car. The drive is about 25 km (roughly 30 minutes) from Óbidos. If you've booked an extension, you'll continue with the next part of your trip instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
