Best of Portugal - From £1,705

Europe Portugal
OVERVIEW
This Best of Portugal tour 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.
EXPERIENCES
Batalha: Join a Local Specialist to see the Monastery of Batalha, with included entry to the cloisters and chapels.

Casa de Mateus: Admire the Baroque architecture of Mateus Palace and its gardens.

Castelo de Vide: See the traditional cobblestone streets and whitewashed homes of Castelo de Vide.

Coimbra: With a Local Specialist, visit the University and witness the triumphal arches, painted ceilings, and walls of ancient tomes in the Joanina Library.

Douro Valley: Marvel at the extensive terraced vineyards as you travel through the Douro Valley.

Évora: Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site with your Local Specialist and see the famous Roman Temple. Witness the fascinating cathedral and its mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

Fátima: Join the faithful at one of the world's holiest sites and pay homage at the Chapel of the Apparitions or see the basilica.

Guimaraes: See Guimarães Castle and the Palace of Dukes before walking through the medieval squares of central Guimarães. 

Lisbon: Visit the Hieronymite Monastery, a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome and exquisite example of Manueline architecture.

Lisbon: With your Local Specialist, visit the Belém Quarter to see the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the medieval Belém Tower.

Nazaré: Enjoy time at leisure on Portugal's Costa de Prata.

Obidos: Stroll along the cobblestone streets and view the traditional azulejos of medieval Óbidos, perhaps stopping in a local shop to try the regional cherry liqueur, Ginja. 

Porto: Savour the flavours of Portugal's centuries-old Port heritage and gain insights into its local production at a tasting in a Port cellar.

Porto: See the Clérigos Tower, Avenida dos Aliados and the Palácio da Bolsa former stock exchange. 

The Algarve: Explore the history of the Algarve in depth.

Tomar: Dominating the town is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Templar Castle and the Convent of Christ. During your visit with a Local Specialist, see the Manueline Window and follow the story of the mysterious Knights Templar.
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
Tour
Departs		 Tour
Returns		 Starting From
(price per person)		 Definite Departure
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02/04/2027 12/04/2027 £2,317 Book
05/04/2027 15/04/2027 £2,575 Book
09/04/2027 19/04/2027 £2,317 Book
16/04/2027 26/04/2027 £2,317 Book
19/04/2027 29/04/2027 £2,575 Book
21/04/2027 01/05/2027 £2,575 Book
23/04/2027 03/05/2027 £2,317 Book
30/04/2027 10/05/2027 £2,335 Book
03/05/2027 13/05/2027 £2,595 Book
07/05/2027 17/05/2027 £2,335 Book
12/05/2027 22/05/2027 £2,595 Book
14/05/2027 24/05/2027 £2,335 Book
19/05/2027 29/05/2027 £2,335 Book
21/05/2027 31/05/2027 £2,595 Book
26/05/2027 05/06/2027 £2,335 Book
28/05/2027 07/06/2027 £2,595 Book
02/06/2027 12/06/2027 £2,295 Book
04/06/2027 14/06/2027 £2,550 Book
11/06/2027 21/06/2027 £2,295 Book
14/06/2027 24/06/2027 £2,550 Book
16/06/2027 26/06/2027 £2,550 Book
25/06/2027 05/07/2027 £2,295 Book
30/06/2027 10/07/2027 £2,295 Book
07/07/2027 17/07/2027 £2,295 Book
14/07/2027 24/07/2027 £2,295 Book
16/07/2027 26/07/2027 £2,550   Book
21/07/2027 31/07/2027 £2,295 Book
28/07/2027 07/08/2027 £2,595   Book
04/08/2027 14/08/2027 £2,335 Book
11/08/2027 21/08/2027 £2,595   Book
18/08/2027 28/08/2027 £2,335 Book
23/08/2027 02/09/2027 £2,595   Book
25/08/2027 04/09/2027 £2,335 Book
27/08/2027 06/09/2027 £2,335 Book
01/09/2027 11/09/2027 £2,625 Book
03/09/2027 13/09/2027 £2,625 Book
06/09/2027 16/09/2027 £2,362 Book
08/09/2027 18/09/2027 £2,625 Book
10/09/2027 20/09/2027 £2,362 Book
15/09/2027 25/09/2027 £2,625 Book
17/09/2027 27/09/2027 £2,625 Book
20/09/2027 30/09/2027 £2,362 Book
22/09/2027 02/10/2027 £2,625 Book
24/09/2027 04/10/2027 £2,625 Book
29/09/2027 09/10/2027 £2,335 Book
01/10/2027 11/10/2027 £2,595 Book
04/10/2027 14/10/2027 £2,595 Book
06/10/2027 16/10/2027 £2,595 Book
08/10/2027 18/10/2027 £2,335 Book
13/10/2027 23/10/2027 £2,595 Book
15/10/2027 25/10/2027 £2,595 Book
18/10/2027 28/10/2027 £2,335 Book
22/10/2027 01/11/2027 £2,595 Book
29/10/2027 08/11/2027 £2,550 Book
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ITINERARY

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 travellers and Travel Director for dinner and an orientation drive past some of the city's most iconic sights.

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 your Local Specialist, see the shimmering white Monument to the Discoveries, the iconic suspension bridge spanning the Tagus River, 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 trip through the Golden Triangle, visiting Estoril, Cascais and one of Lisbon’s stunning royal palaces, before perhaps enjoying a traditional Portuguese dinner accompanied by the soulful and touching sounds of the Fado this evening.

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 traditional Portuguese cuisine fills the air at your Be My Guest experience. You'll connect with locals over lunch in the family home of a historic stud ranch, where Lusitano horses were reared for King João VI in the 18th century. Your Portugal trip itinerary continues further south, bound for the sun-kissed shores of the Algarve – your home for the next two nights.

Today, visit the historic resort town of Lagos – once home to Henry the Navigator and a key port during the Age of Discovery. Later, stop in the lively coastal town of Albufeira and enjoy some free time to stroll through its charming streets, then enjoy some free time relaxing at the beach or exploring local cafes and shops.

Journeying north, 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 you dine at your hotel.

The 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.

Vineyard-clad hills provide an enchanting backdrop for your journey today through the Douro Valley, where Port wine is produced. Explore the magnificent gardens at the Baroque-style Palácio de Mateus, depicted on the label of the distinctive Mateus Rosé wine bottles. Continue via Guimarães for views of its impressive 10th-century castle, before arriving in the riverside town of Porto where you will spend the next two nights.

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 centre of Porto admiring the azulejo-clad facades, or visit Livraria Lello, the city's oldest bookstore.

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 centre of Fátima, visited by millions of Catholic pilgrims, where three young shepherds famously saw apparitions of the Virgin Mary.

En route to Lisbon, with a Local Specialist, 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 flavours.

Say a fond adeus to your fellow travellers at the end of an unforgettable Portuguese holiday.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Must-see sightseeing
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
  • Optional Experiences and free time
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Turim Lisboa - Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Turim Lisboa - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Holiday Inn Algarve Albufeira - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4: Holiday Inn Algarve Albufeira - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: M'AR de AR Muralhas - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6: Grão Vasco - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7: Turim Oporto - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: Turim Oporto - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9: Fátima - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10: Moxy Alfragide Lisboa - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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