Captivating Portugal - 9 day tour

Lisbon - Evora. On arrival at the airport in Lisbon, you'll be met and transferred straight to Evora in the Alentejo region.

The Alentejo, spanning nearly a third of Portugal, is a land of rolling fields, vineyards, cork forests and historic hilltop towns. Meaning ‘beyond the Tejo’, it stretches south from the River Tejo to the Algarve’s northern ranges. Rich in history, the region is dotted with Roman ruins, Moorish castles and whitewashed villages. Its UNESCO-listed capital, Évora, captivates with its temples, towers and timeless charm.
Overnight: Evora

After breakfast, you will embark on a guided tour of Evora. A UNESCO World Heritage Site often described as an open-air museum, Evora showcases over two millennia of history, from Roman foundations to Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical influences.

In the heart of the city, Praca do Giraldo is a lively square where we see the 16th-century St Anton’s Church and the elegant Henriquina Fountain. You also visit the striking Chapel of Bones, built by Franciscan monks and lined with the remains of around 5,000 people. Evora’s grand Cathedral, the largest in Portugal, dominates the skyline.

There's free time for lyou to grab unch at a local restaurant before you visit one of Alentejo’s most renowned wineries for a guided tour and wine tasting. You then return to your hotel.
Overnight: Evora  |  Breakfast

Evora - Lisbon. This morning, you will travel back to Lisbon for a guided tour of Portugal’s capital. Your visit begins along Avenida da Liberdade, one of Lisbon’s grandest boulevards, once favored by nobility and the royal family for their public promenades. Continuing to Parque Eduardo VII, the largest park in central Lisbon, named in 1903 in honor of King Edward VII of England. From here, enjoy panoramic views over the city.

Next, you will explore some of Lisbon’s most traditional neighborhoods, including Alfama and Bairro Alto. See Praca do Comercio, one of Europe’s grandest squares, framed by elegant arcades and government buildings. Overlooking the Tagus River, it offers wonderful views and a glimpse of Lisbon’s lively waterfront. Next, you will visit the Belem district, an area rich in history from the Age of Discoveries. Here you can admire landmarks such as the Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries and a chance t0 sample the famous pasteis de Belem at the original bakery.

There's free time for lunch before you enjoy an included cooking class this afternoon. Learn how to make Portugal’s beloved custard tarts, pasteis de nata . After the class, you'll be transferred to your hotel in Lisbon.

Please note: the cooking class is not available on Sundays and bank holidays
Overnight: Lisbon  |  Breakfast

Lisbon - Sintra - Cabo da Roca - Cascais - Estoril - Lisbon. Your first stop on today's excursion is Sintra, just 30 kilometers from Lisbon. You’ll have free time to take in one of Sintra’s iconic landmarks like the National Palace of Sintra, the colorful Pena Palace, the exotic Monserrate Palace or the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira, for example.

From Sintra, continue to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, where the dramatic cliffs offer breathtaking views over the Atlantic Ocean. Then, visit Cascais, a delightful seaside town that began as a humble fishing village in the 12th century and has since become a stylish coastal retreat. Before arriving back in Lisbon, pass through Estoril, home to golden beaches and graceful seaside architecture.

In the evening, experience the true soul of Portugal at one of Lisbon’s traditional fado venues, where you enjoy a Portuguese dinner accompanied by a live performance. Fado, recognized by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is a deeply expressive art form that captures the Portuguese spirit of saudade - a profound sense of longing and emotion.

Please note: the monuments in Sintra are closed on 24–25 December, 1 January and Easter Sunday).
Overnight: Lisbon  |  Breakfast, Dinner

Lisbon - Obidos - Nazare - Tomar - Lisbon. Today's first stop is Obidos, often described as one of central Portugal’s most charming and beautifully preserved medieval towns. Enclosed by ancient walls, it's home to narrow cobbled lanes, whitewashed houses trimmed with bright colors, and a striking castle that overlooks the surrounding countryside.

After free time here, travel west to Nazare for a lunch break. This traditional fishing village, nestled against dramatic sea cliffs, is filled with the scent of freshly grilled fish and the sound of waves crashing below. Nazare has become world-famous among surfers. It was here, in 2011, that American big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara rode a record-breaking 24-meter (79-foot) wave.

In the afternoon, visit Tomar, home to the magnificent Templar Castle and Convent of Christ, which once served as the headquarters of the Knights Templar and later the Order of Christ, key players in Portugal’s Age of Discoveries.

After a full day of exploring, you transfer back to Lisbon for the night.
Overnight: Lisbon  |  Breakfast

Lisbon - Fatima - Coimbra - Porto. On your journey north towards Porto, you first stop to visit Fatima, one of the world’s most important Catholic pilgrimage sites, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The town’s spiritual significance stems from the Apparitions of Our Lady of the Rosary, who is said to have appeared to three shepherd children in 1917.

You then continue to Coimbra, stopping for lunch to enjoy some of the region’s delicious traditional dishes. Later, visit the University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest universities in Europe. Stroll through the narrow streets of the old Moorish quarter, where the roots of Portuguese nationhood were formed. After some time in Coimbra, complete the journey to Portugal's second city: Porto.
Overnight: Porto  |  Breakfast

After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a half-day sightseeing tour of Porto.

Begin in the city’s UNESCO-listed historic center with a leisurely walk through its atmospheric streets. Along the way, pass some of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, including the world-famous Lello Bookstore, said to have inspired the Harry Potter series, the ornate Church of St Francis, often called the ‘Golden Church’, and the grand Palácio da Bolsa, celebrated for its intricate granite work and magnificent Neo-Arabic Hall (entrances not included).

The tour continues to the picturesque Ribeira district, where colorful houses line the Douro riverfront. From here, admire the city’s most iconic structure: the Dom Luís I Bridge, and look across to the renowned Port Wine cellars that made Porto’s name known around the world.

As you stroll through the city, pause at a few traditional establishments to sample some of Porto’s delicious local delicacies. The experience concludes with a visit to one of the Port Wine cellars, where you enjoy a tasting of the region’s famous fortified wine. You're then returned to the hotel, and the rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Porto  |  Breakfast

Porto - Douro Valley - Porto. Set out on a full-day excursion to the magnificent Douro Valley, one of Portugal’s most celebrated wine regions and a UNESCO World Heritage landscape.

The tour offers a wonderful insight into the history and traditions of the Douro, the world’s first officially demarcated wine region, renowned for its terraced vineyards, winding river views and timeless beauty. Lunch, included today, is served in a unique restaurant designed to resemble a train carriage, offering spectacular views over the Douro River. Here, you enjoy regional cuisine paired with some of the valley’s finest wines, raising a toast to one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world.

After a relaxing afternoon amid the vineyards and river scenery, a transfer will take you back to your hotel in Porto.
Overnight: Porto  |  Breakfast, Lunch