Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Lisbon
After arriving in Lisbon, you'll be driven to your hotel to settle in for the night. Use the afternoon to get comfortable with your surroundings and rest up before your tour begins. The hotel reception can tell you what time things kick off tomorrow.
- Day 2
Lisbon
This morning you'll take a guided tour through Lisbon's seven hills, walking through narrow alleys and seeing the city's famous tiles while the Atlantic light hits just right. You'll head to Belem to learn about the Portuguese navigators who set sail in the 15th century. In the afternoon, there's free time to wander through Bairro Alto and check out the viewpoint there. By evening you'll return to your hotel from Restauradores Square.
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Lisbon
- Visit to Belem neighborhood
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril (4 hours, 40 EUR)
Landmarks/POIs Belem Bairro Alto Restauradores Square - Day 3
Lisbon to Albufeira
Early start heading south across the Tagus River bridge into the Algarve. Once there, you'll walk around Lagos, checking out the old town and historic walls. After lunch, it's on to Cape St. Vincent at Europe's western edge to see the dramatic cliffs and the Sagres fortress for photos. The day ends in Albufeira where you can either relax on the beach or explore the lively old center.
Included Activities
- Explore historic city of Lagos
- Visit Cape St. Vincent
- View Sagres fortress
Landmarks/POIs Tagus River Bridge Lagos Cape St. Vincent Sagres Fortress Albufeira - Day 4
Algarve to Evora
You'll stroll through Faro before heading into the Alentejo region to see Mertola, a walled town-museum sitting on the Guadiana River with roots in the Muslim era. The whitewashed houses and old streets here are worth seeing. Later you'll reach Evora, a UNESCO site where you can visit the Chapel of Bones (filled with 5,000 skeletons) and walk through the walled city with its medieval palaces, Gothic buildings, and an ancient Roman temple.
Included Activities
- Leisurely stroll in Faro
- Explore Mertola walled town-museum
- Visit Chapel of Bones in Evora (admission included)
- Explore Evora walled city and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Landmarks/POIs Faro Mertola Guadiana River Chapel of Bones Evora - Day 5
Evora to Fatima
Traveling through Alentejo landscapes, you'll stop in Marvao for its incredible views over the region from its walled perch. Next is Castelo de Vide to see the castle and the old Jewish quarter, including a medieval synagogue that's now a museum. After lunch, head to Tomar for the Convent of Christ, the former Templar castle-convent. You'll also visit Aljustrel to see Lucia's house before arriving in Fatima with time to visit the Sanctuary and potentially catch the candlelight procession.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Marvao walled town
- Visit Castelo de Vide and its castle
- Walk through old Jewish quarter and medieval synagogue
- Visit Convent of Christ in Tomar (admission included)
- Stop in Aljustrel village to see Lucia's house
- Free time at Sanctuary of Fatima
Landmarks/POIs Marvao Castelo de Vide Convent of Christ Aljustrel Sanctuary of Fatima - Day 6
Fatima to Porto
Travel north to Porto, arriving around 11:00 a.m. You'll spend 50 minutes on a traditional Rabelo boat cruising the Douro River to see the city from the water. After that, you have free time to walk around the Ribeira district, checking out the narrow streets, historic merchant houses, and local cafes on your own.
Included Activities
- Guided 50-minute cruise on Douro River aboard traditional Rabelo boat
- Explore Ribeira district
Landmarks/POIs Douro River Ribeira - Day 7
Porto to Coimbra
Starting in Braga, you'll see the historic cathedral and then ride the world's oldest cable car up to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus for nice views (walking down the impressive staircase is recommended). Next is Guimaraes, Portugal's first capital, where you'll see the Palace of the Dukes. After lunch in vineyard surroundings, you'll head into the Douro Valley past Sabrosa (Magellan's birthplace). In Pinhao you'll check out the train station with its traditional tiles and take a one-hour river cruise (or scenic drive with viewpoint stops if visiting November-March). You'll arrive in Coimbra by evening.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Stroll through Braga and historic cathedral
- Ascend to Sanctuary of Bom Jesus via cable car
- Visit Guimaraes and Palace of the Dukes
- Explore Pinhao train station
- One-hour Douro River cruise in Pinhao
Landmarks/POIs Braga Sanctuary of Bom Jesus Guimaraes Palace of the Dukes Douro Valley Sabrosa Pinhao - Day 8
Coimbra to Lisbon
Explore Coimbra's old University and steep medieval streets before stopping at the impressive Batalha Monastery, a medieval royal mausoleum. You'll have time for lunch and a walk through Nazare, a fishing village with a seaside atmosphere where you can take the elevator up to the old city for ocean views. Continuing toward Lisbon, there's a stop in Obidos, one of Portugal's most beautiful towns with white streets decorated in flowers. You'll arrive back in Lisbon around 7:30 p.m. where the tour concludes.
Included Activities
- Explore Coimbra and University
- Visit Batalha Monastery (entrance fee included)
- Stroll in Nazare fishing village
- Elevator ride to old city of Nazare (tickets included)
- Explore Obidos town
Landmarks/POIs Coimbra Batalha Monastery Nazare Obidos
