Best of Portugal
Best of Portugal
Best of Portugal
11 Days Starting and ending in Lisbon
Visiting: Lisbon, Alentejo, The Algarve, Cape St. Vincent, Lagos, Évora, Castelo de Vide, Viseu, Guimaraes, Porto, Coimbra, Tomar, Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré, Obidos
Tour Overview
This Best of Portugal journey reveals a nation’s proud history, warm-hearted locals and soul-warming cuisine. Starting in Lisbon, you’ll travel north and south to explore a Templar stronghold, watch thoroughbreds perform at an Alentejo farm and visit the Algarve.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Lisbon, Évora, Porto, Coimbra and Tomar
- Discover the Algarve, Lagos, Castelo de Vide, Viseu, Nazaré and Óbidos
- Visit the Hieronymite Monastery in Lisbon, the cathedral in Évora, the Palace Gardens at Palacio de Mateus, the Stock Exchange Palace, Arabian Hall and a local port wine cellar in Porto, the University Library of Coimbra, the Convent of Christ in Tomar and Batalha's Gothic Monastery
- View the Castle of Guimarães and the Shrine at Fátima
Make Travel Matter®
Lisbon: Bid farewell to your Portuguese adventures at the award-winning organic vineyard Vale da Capucha which prides itself in producing organic and biodynamic wines. Your experience supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Be My Guest
Panoias-Ourique: Saddle up for a superb stud farm visit, the tragic story of unrequited love, and a traditional home-cooked lunch with Tiago and Vera in Portugal's beautiful Alentejo.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Lisbon
Location: Lisbon
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Olissippo Marquês de Sá
Meals Included: Dinner
A sea of pastel pinks, yellows and blues dot the seven hills of the romantic Portuguese capital, which you will have an opportunity to explore today before meeting your fellow travelers and Travel Director for dinner and an orientation drive past some of the city's most iconic sights.
Day 2: Discover Colorful Lisbon Dive Into Culture
Location: Lisbon
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Olissippo Marquês de Sá
Meals Included: Breakfast
Delve into Lisbon's centuries-old seafaring heritage today, paying tribute to the brave men who set off from these shores to discover the ‘New World’. With our Local Specialist, see the shimmering white Monument to the Discoveries, the iconic suspension bridge spanning the Tagus, and Belém Tower, built as a fortress protecting the city of Lisbon. Dive Into Culture on a sightseeing tour of the UNESCO-listed Hieronymite Monastery, an exquisite testament to 16th-century Manueline architecture and art. There’s time to join an Optional Experience to the historic towns of Cascais and Sintra, before perhaps enjoying a traditional Portuguese dinner amidst the soulful and touching sounds of the Fado this evening.
Day 3: Journey To The Algarve Region Connect With Locals
Location: Lisbon, Alentejo, The Algarve
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Água Hotels Riverside
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We journey across the Tagus this morning and drive south towards the Serra da Arrábida Mountains and to the golden pastures of the Alentejo. The hearty aroma of Portuguese chicken fills the air at our Be My Guest experience as we Connect With Locals over a traditional lunch at a stud ranch, where Lusitano horses were once reared at the pleasure of King João VI. Our journey continues further south, bound for the holiday paradise that is the Algarve – our home for the next two nights.
Day 4: Cliffs, Beaches And More In The Algarve
Location: The Algarve, Cape St. Vincent, Lagos, The Algarve
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Água Hotels Riverside
Meals Included: Breakfast
The dramatic landscapes of the Sagres Peninsula provide a stunning backdrop for our morning drive. Admire spectacular views across Baleeira Beach, before continuing along the coast to Cape St. Vincent, the site of many sea battles centuries ago. Enjoy your free afternoon in the resort town Lagos – once the home of Henry the Navigator.
Day 5: Onwards To Elegant Évora
Location: The Algarve, Évora
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: M'ar de Ar Muralhas
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Journeying north, we travel to the ancient Alentejo city of Évora. Join your Local Specialist for a visit to the elaborate cathedral, Roman temple and the Chapel of Bones. Then, spend the rest of your day delving into the medieval history of this enchanting city. Trace centuries of history along its city walls, kick back with a bica and bolo in Praça do Giraldo or perhaps join an Optional Experience to the medieval village of Monsaraz. This evening we dine at our hotel.
Day 6: Venture Past Mountains To Viseu
Location: Évora, Castelo de Vide, Viseu
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grão Vasco
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our first stop today is in the quaint hilltop town of Castelo de Vide with its charming white façades, narrow alleys and fascinating Jewish Quarter. Travel north towards the Serra de Estrela mountains and arrive later in Viseu, set high on a plateau near the famous Dão vineyards. Explore the city's rich art and architectural history, and see the 12th-century Sé, standing imposingly on a hill overlooking much of the city.
Day 7: Through The Douro Valley To Porto
Location: Viseu, Guimaraes, Porto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Carris Ribeira
Meals Included: Breakfast
Vineyard-clad hills provide an enchanting backdrop for our journey today through the Douro Valley, where Port wine is produced. We explore the magnificent gardens at the Baroque-style Palácio de Mateus, depicted on the label of the distinctive Mateus Rosé wine bottles. We continue via Guimarães for views of its impressive 10th-century castle, before arriving in the riverside town of Porto where we will spend the next two nights.
Day 8: Explore Vibrant Porto Dive Into Culture
Location: Porto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Carris Ribeira
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join a Local Specialist today for a sightseeing tour in Porto, which takes you past baroque churches and along the winding cobblestone lanes that tumble down towards the Douro River. See the remarkable bridges that span the river and the Gothic Church of St. Francis. Visit the Stock Exchange Palace with its splendid Arabian Hall inspired by Granada's Alhambra, then Dive Into Culture and into the centuries-old tradition of local port production at a tasting in a port cellar. Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling through the historic center of Porto admiring the azulejo-clad façades, or visit Livraria Lello, the city's oldest bookstore.
Day 9: On To Coimbra And Pilgrimage To Fátima
Location: Porto, Coimbra, Tomar, Fátima
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Fátima
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Soak up the grand atmosphere of one of Europe's greatest and oldest universities with a Local Specialist, then stroll through the ancient streets and squares of Coimbra, before journeying to the Templar city of Tomar. We join a Local Specialist to visit the Convent of Christ, originally built as a Templar stronghold in the 12th century. Later, we arrive in the pilgrimage center of Fátima, visited by millions of Catholic pilgrims, where three young shepherds famously saw apparitions of the Virgin Mary.
Day 10: Experience Village Life Returning To Lisbon
Location: Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré, Obidos, Lisbon
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Olissippo Marquês de Sá
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
En route to Lisbon, with a Local Specialist we stop at the imposing monastery of Batalha – a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best example of late Gothic architecture in Portugal. Our next stop is the fishing village of Nazaré, before we visit the medieval walled city of Óbidos with its whitewashed houses and cobblestone streets. Celebrate our last evening in Portugal over dinner in a family-run vineyard, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Toast to an incredible journey over organic wine and locally sourced flavors.
Day 11: Farewell Lisbon
Location: Lisbon
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say a fond adeus to your fellow travelers at the end of an unforgettable Portuguese holiday.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Optional Experiences and free time
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On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
What's Not Included
Specific transfer information can be found here: Airport Transfers
Mode of Transport
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Accommodation
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Dive Into Culture
- Lisbon: Visit the Hieronymite Monastery, a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome and exquisite example of Manueline architecture.
- Porto: Savor the flavors of Portugal's centuries-old Port heritage and gain insights into its local production at a tasting in a Port cellar.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the maximum group size?
40 to 45 people on an average.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Low.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, 5 years and above.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Oct 30, 2026 - Nov 09, 2026Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Enquire for huge savings
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