The Highlights of Portugal
From small-group & private tours to cooking classes, private transfers, the best hotels, and accommodations – we curate the most incredible authentic experiences through Europe for the entire family.
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Day 1
Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal
Our transfers will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to the hotel.
The City of Lisbon
Lisbon’s heart lies beside the river, even if the city has grown in all directions. Sit down at a pavement cafe on Rossio Square and you will see the Baiza, the flat city centre that dates from the 18th century, between yourself and the river bank. Look up in one direction and you will see the São Jorge on the top of a hill. Look in the other direction and you will see the ruin of the Carmo Church on another hill. Walk, or take a tram to one of them and you will discover the quarters of old Lisbon, most of them with a magnificent view of the rest of the city and the river.
Wander north from Rossio, you will soon end up on a stately 19th century avenue, in the part of the city which is still called "Avenidas Novas". Further north, the buildings become really new, with the city’s two large football grounds, Luz and Alvalade, and, lastly, the airport which is twenty traffic-jam-free minutes in a car from Rossio. Most of the best sights, restaurants and nightlife are situated along the river. Shopping is good along the Avenidas Novas, but otherwise the rule is to keep close to the river to get the best out of your visit.
Day 2
Explore Lisbon with Your Private Guide
Lisbon, ancient and lovely city overlooking the Tagus River.
Admire its splendid avenues and monuments like the Tower of Belem and the Jeronimos Monastery. Continue to the graceful hilltop village of Sintra, once home to Portugal’s royalty and World Heritage of Mankind site.
Discover the Palacio Nacional de Sintra and the towns medieval streets. Stop for lunch and stroll by the beach in the vibrant seaside resort towns of Cascais and Estoril.
Return to Lisbon in the late afternoon.
Day 3
Lisbon Day Trip: Obidos
Breakfast and pick up your car rental and drive to the quaint medieval walled village of Obidos for a lovely stroll. Overnight at The Pousada.
You can also opt-in for a driver guide that will take you to your destination without you having to worry about driving yourself.
Day 4
Obidos, Nazare, Tomar, and Coimbra
Breakfast and departure to the picturesque seaside village of Nazare with its long sandy beaches, among the best in Portugal. Free time for lunch, on your own, at a seaside restaurant In the afternoon continue to impressive Tomar, one of the most historical towns in central Portugal with its huge Knights Templar Castle, and the ancient Synagogue. In the late afternoon we proceed to charming Coimbra, home to Portugal’s oldest university.
Day 5
Coimbra, Aveiro, and Oporto
Breakfast After breakfast, stroll this charming town. Coimbra's 700 year old university area with its maze of narrow lanes. After lunch departure to to Aveiro, known as the “Venice of Portugal” because of the canals. Here, take a 1-hour cruise along the beautiful water channels of Aveiro. This cruise will be done in the typical boat called “Moliceiro”, unique in the world and usually completely decorated with motifs related to the local culture. In Aveiro maybe try the famous local egg pastry “ovos moles”.
Day 6
Porto
Breakfast and take a walking of Porto's riverfront Ribeira district, the lavish rooms of its Stock Exchange Palace, the exquisitely-gilded Church of Santa Clara, São Bento Train Station and Vila Nova de Gaia for a visit to a local port winery. Time permitting, take a relaxing afternoon cruise on the Douro river or use your time to walk through the lively city center. In Porto you'll have many options for dinner at one of the many riverfront restaurants specializing in regional cuisine.
Day 7
Oporto and Douro River Valley
Breakfast at your hotel. Departure to the most famous wine-making region: the lush, green Douro Valley, where you could visit an old "quinta" (estate) and winery with spectacular views of the surrounding valley. Here you'll learn all about the proud art of making fine port and other Douro region wines, with tastings included.
Day 8
Douro River Valley, Belmonte, and Evora
Breakfast and drive to Evora. stop in Belmonte, today a symbol of Jewish awakening, for a visit of the Jewish Museum. Stop in Arraiolos, known for Its local handicrafts such as the local ladies weaving carpets by hand. Continue to Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest towns in Europe.
Day 9
Evora
Breakfast and Explore this charming and atmospheric town with its cobblestone streets and the ruins of a Roman temple, the early gothic cathedral Portas de Moura fountain, and Sao Francisco Church. Visit the Ossuary chapel walls are covered with thousands of human bones and skulls.
Day 10
Algarve
Breakfast and departure to Algarve, Portugal's most popular vacation area, and check in to your hotel. Try one of the seafood restaurants for which the Algarve is famous.
Day 11
Relax and Enjoy Algarve
Breakfast and time to relax.
Day 12
Explore Algarve
Breakfast and free time. Take a day cruise to see the famous rock arches in the Algarve.
Day 13
Arrive Back in Lisbon
Breakfast and departure to Lisbon, take the scenic route over the Serra da Arrábida and savor sweeping views of the Tróia Peninsula. Catch glimpses of the castle at Sesimbra, which recall fierce medieval battles between Christians and Moors and stop in Azeitao to visit a traditional tile workshop.
Day 14
Lisbon or Queluz
Breakfast and free time to continue exploring Lisbon or take a day trip to the magnificent palace of Queluz.
Shopping
A lot of the shopping in Lisbon is now housed in enormous shopping centres such as Colombo and Amoreiras, or in smaller gallerias. The city’s old centre, Baixa, retains its identity as a traditional shopping district, where you walk on the streets (some of them traffic-free) and drop into the shops. Go in for cork designs, gourmet food, crafts, soaps, shoes and if your wallet allows, gold.
Chiado is close to Baixa, and has the reputation of being the city’s finest shopping district. Chiado successfully manages to combine the gallery model with open shopping, blending the best of both worlds.
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This store houses the best examples of Portuguese traditional art and handicrafts, without the usual tiresome tourist range at your heels.
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Fátima Lopes is one of Portugal’s most successful designers, whose clothes are famed for their in-your-face sexiness. Her shop is also a workshop and a bar, with late hours.
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Lisbon’s only true department store is Spanish, but the Portuguese put aside their suspicions of their larger neighbour here. The range of goods is quite varied, with international brands and a number of Portuguese designers, together with the store’s own low-price lines. There is a large food hall and gourmet shop downstairs, restaurants and cinemas – and direct access to the Underground.
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One of the numerous good pottery shops in Lisbon, it has a longstanding tradition that dates back to the 18th century. Nowadays they produce various copies of old ceramics, but you can also ask for a custom piece and have it delivered to your home.
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The city’s old centre, Baixa, retains its identity as a traditional shopping district, where you walk on the streets (some of them traffic-free) between the shops, with the sun in your face.
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Centro Colombo is in fact one of the largest malls in Europe. Here you can find more than 60 restaurants, a cinema, fitness clubs and much more. This is also the only place where you can find an IMAX theatre in Portugal.
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Amoreiras Shopping Centre dates back to 1985 and is today one of Lisbon's most famous icons. You can find it in the centre of the city. This is the perfect place to pick up the latest fashion trends.
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Chiado is close to Baixa, and has the reputation of being the city’s finest shopping district. Chiado successfully manages to combine the gallery model with open shopping, blending the best of both worlds.
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This ocean themed shopping centre with over 170 stores has everything you need for a solid shopping spree. Besides the 170 stores, you can also find restaurants and a cinema here.
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Armazéns do Chiado is somewhat smaller than the major shopping centres, but still very popular. It offers a high quality shopping experience in a building that dates back to the 12th century.
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This cute little glove shop is so small that it only fits a couple of people at the same time. If you want to find a timeless pair of gloves, Luvaria Ulisses is the place to go.
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Lisbon is famous for its cork, and here you can see that almost anything can be made of this fantastic material. Here you can shop bags, aprons, jewellery and much more.
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A Vida Portuguesa is claimed to be one of the most famous shops in the city. Here you can buy Portuguese soap and other Portuguese products.
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Garbags is a shop that sells products made from recycled materials. What used to be chips bags and pet food containers are here transformed into stylish items such as bags or shoes.
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Take.me is a fun shop where you can easily find gifts to bring home to your friends and family. This shop is full of colourful pieces such as toys, papers and cards.
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