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Map of Highlights of Portugal including Portugal

Eat, dance and travel your way through Portugal’s highlights.

Take in the highlights of the sun-kissed splendour of Portugal on an eight-day sightseeing adventure from Porto to Lisbon. Taste port in its birthplace, explore riverfront Coimbra and its historic university, and weave through the verdant countryside all the way to the capital. From the leafy Schist Villages to a traditional Fado show, you’ll be experiencing the best of Portugal’s arts and culture. Oh yes – they have pretty good custard tarts too. Put Portugal on your itinerary today with a small-group journey that gets you to the places you need to see.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Porto, Portugal
Finish
Lisbon, Portugal
Destination
Portugal
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
ZMSZ
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Take a walk through the idyllic coastal city of Porto and understand why the birthplace of fortified wine is renowned for its narrow lanes, charming buildings and delicious cuisine.

  • Explore the country’s oldest university when discovering the historic riverfront city of Coimbra – once the capital of Portugal.

  • Take in all the highlights of Portugal’s arts and culture scene with an included traditional Fado show in Coimbra.

  • Walk through the secluded Schist Villages, hidden between the mountain slopes, and consider the option of an authentic cooking class run by local residents.

  • Join your leader in Lisbon for sunset views over a picnic of local cheese and wine – this is European living.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Don’t let the heat keep you from exploring the world! Summer temperatures can be extreme in Portugal (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season. Please note that only some of our hotels and public trains in this region have air-conditioning.

  • Less time spent travelling; more time to explore each destination. The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Trains are a fast way to cross long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. They are comfortable and all have toilets, however, can sometimes be quite busy. Please note that you'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find specifics under ‘Packing’ in the ‘Essential Trip Information’ section.

  • Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart.

  • If you have more time to explore the region or can't find a suitable date for this trip you may want to check out our other trips in the region, such as 'Explore Spain & Portugal' (trip code ZMSI), or 'Madrid to Marrakech (trip code ZMSH) which continues on into Morocco.

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Itinerary
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Welcome to Portugal! Stretching along the banks of the River Douro, Porto is one of Portugal's most romantic cities. Known for majestic bridges, medieval riverside district with its cobbled streets, merchants’ houses and cafes, Porto is also well known for one more thing; surprise surprise – Porto is the birthplace of the fortified wine, port. Today, there’s an important welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. After your meeting, why not get the crew together and head out to an optional dinner – your group leader will know of some great spots to go.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Take a leader-led orientation walk with your group this morning to get your bearings. Otherwise, the day is free to do as you please. The city's World Heritage-listed Ribeira district is packed with twisting alleys, staircases, and baroque churches, and is great to explore on foot. Sao Francisco church is known for its lavish interior with ornate gilded carvings. The palatial 19th-century Palacio de Bolsa, formerly a stock market, was built to impress potential European investors. Make sure you also visit Mercado do Bolhao, Porto's market, one of the city's institutions since 1914. For a sensational view of the whole town head to the Torre dos Clerigos (Clerigos Tower), or head down Allies Avenue to see the French-inspired buildings. Late afternoon, meet your leader and the rest of the group again to test out Portugal’s famed wine on an included port tasting. Oh, and in the evening, why not book yourself on a Rio Duoro cruise on one of the historic 'rabelo' boats to see the city from the water.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Porto - Port Wine Tasting
Optional Activities
  • Porto - Clerigos Tower - EUR5
  • Porto - Bolhao Market - Free
  • Porto - Lello Library - EUR3
  • Porto - Serralves Foundation - EUR5
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that Porto is quite hilly, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes for today's orientation walk.

The morning is free for you to explore Porto at your own pace. As you’ll be traveling over to Coimbra in the late afternoon or early evening, there will be a place to store your luggage for the day. With a late arrival at your hotel, have a relaxing night in Coimbra.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that you’ll travel from Porto to Coimbra in the early evening today. This means that, once arrived, dinner may be quite late.

Enjoy an easy day in Coimbra at your leisure. Sitting dignified on the banks of the River Mondego, Coimbra was once the capital of the country, and its royal heritage can be felt in its historic streets and buildings. Join your group leader on a wander through the lanes and squares of the Old Quarter and be sure to pass by the University of Coimbra – the oldest in Portugal. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy as you please before meeting with your group again for an evening Fado show. Coimbra's version of the fado is linked to the academic traditions of its university and musicians wear the traditional academic outfit: dark robes and capes. The music is characterized by sombre tunes and lyrics, often about the life of the poor, and inspired by mourning and melancholia.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Coimbra - Evening Fado Performance
Optional Activities
  • Coimbra - Mondego River Boat Trip - EUR7
  • Coimbra - Cathedrals - EUR3
  • Coimbra - University of Coimbra - EUR12
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Travel to the so-called Schist Villages, an amazing part of Portugal, yet a well kept secret, with friendly locals eager to welcome you to their villages. The area consist of 26 villages nestled between the hills and riverbanks, seamlessly merging into the surroundings due to the stone used to build them, schist, a metamorphic rock. The villages experienced abandonment during the 20th century, as people left to look for better life opportunities in the cities. Thanks to a government project aimed at boosting the local economy through sustainable tourism they are experiencing a renaissance. Once arrived, enjoy a beautiful walk in the hills surrounding the village you will be staying at.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Schist Villages - Nature & Village Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Tonight the group may stay in two separate houses (one next to the other). For today's walk through the hill it is recommended you bring sturdy walking shoes. A moderate level of fitness is needed to fully enjoy the walk as it has some steep and rocky sections. If you don't like to participate you can opt out and enjoy the picturesque village instead.

Travel back to Coimbra in a private vehicle and from there transfer to Lisbon by train. After a brief orientation walk, you are free for the afternoon. Much of Lisbon’s character and charm lies in its beautiful renovated buildings, grand boulevards, impressive castles and churches. Maybe visit one of the most symbolic buildings in the city, Lisbon Cathedral, which was built on the site of an old mosque in 1150 by Lisbon’s first bishop, Gilbert of Hastings. Inside are nine chapels, each with their own story to tell, and the wonderful Gothic cloister. Another option is to visit the medieval citadel of Sao Jorge Castle. The citadel dates back to Moorish times and sits on the highest point of the Old Town. Although much of the original castle has been destroyed throughout history, some sections of walls and 18 different towers remain today. Look down on a city swarming with endless angular white houses and buildings with distinct red terracotta rooftops.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Make some further discoveries of Lisbon in the morning at your own pace. Roam through the charming narrow streets of local neighbourhoods do a spot of people watching, visit Belem Tower (a wonderful building originally designed as a lighthouse) and the vast, spectacular Monastery of the Jeronimos. Otherwise, head out for a day trip to Sintra – a royal sanctuary full of pastel coloured Romanticist buildings. In the evening, regroup and experience more of Portugal’s way of life by enjoying a sunset walk with your group and a wine and cheese picnic.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lisbon - Sunset Picnic
Optional Activities
  • Lisbon - Oceanarium - EUR17
  • Lisbon - Naval Museum - EUR5
  • Lisbon - Experience Lisbon Walk Urban Adventure - EUR45
  • Lisbon - Puppet Museum - EUR5
  • Lisbon - Folk Art Museum - EUR3
  • Lisbon - Citadel - EUR9
  • Lisbon - National Art Museum - EUR6
  • Lisbon - Gulbenkian Museum - EUR10
  • Lisbon - Sunset Fado & Tapas Urban Adventure - EUR70
  • Lisbon - Belem Tower and Monastery - EUR13
  • Lisbon - Ginginha Tasting - EUR2
  • Sintra - Day Trip - EUR10
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave at any time. That doesn’t mean your Portuguese adventure has to come to an end! If you wish to spend more time in Lisbon, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts

Transport

Train, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Guesthouse (1 night)

Included activities

  • Porto - Port Wine Tasting
  • Coimbra - Evening Fado Performance
  • Schist Villages - Nature & Village Walk
  • Lisbon - Sunset Picnic

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Highlights of Portugal trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip, excluding Day 5. Availability is limited due to small property we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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