Luxury Adventure in Portugal: Lisbon & the Algarve - 7 Days

Highlights

• Stay exclusively at luxurious 5-star hotels, including an adults-only coastal retreat
• Explore the hills of Lisbon with a private e-bike tour
• Spend a day exploring UNESCO-listed Pena Palace in Sintra
• Charter a private boat to explore the famous Benagil Cave
• Get active with a private kayaking tour around the cliffs of Ponta da Piedade

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon, Dinner at Cervejaria Trindade

Olá and welcome to Lisbon, the colorful capital of Portugal. On arrival, a private driver will be waiting to transfer you to one of Lisbon's most prestigious 5-star hotels, the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade. This landmark hotel has seen celebrities, heads of state, and royalty walk through its doors since opening in 1933, and over the next three nights, you'll enjoy its exceptional hospitality (and views) too. Drop your bags and wander down to the oasis swimming pool and tropical garden, then go explore Lisbon.

You'll step out of the hotel and onto Avenida Liberdade, Lisbon's chic tree-lined avenue with top restaurants and luxury boutiques. Follow the flow to Baixa-Chiado, where you'll find souvenir shops, small markets, and centuries-old sweet shops. If you have your walking shoes on, continue to Praça do Comercio and the Tejo River, where you can watch sailboats and the sunset. For dinner, you have a reservation at Cervejaria Trindade, the city's oldest and most beautiful seafood restaurant, where you can taste the finest fresh shellfish and prawns plucked from the icy Atlantic Ocean.

Day 2: Lisbon E-Bike Tour, Dinner & Fado Performance

Those who know Lisbon's geography may think a bike tour is something worthy of an Olympic feat. But today, you'll take to the steep streets in the form of electric bikes. E-bikes make it surprisingly easy to ride and explore a handful of the city's seven hills. Your private ride will take in some of the most iconic places and highlight the best historic architecture in town over 2.5 hours. Your active local guide will share some cheeky curiosities and hidden spots along the way.

Return to your hotel to refresh ahead of this evening's special dinner experience. A private driver will collect you for the transfer to a fado house, where you'll experience one of Portugal's greatest art forms. Everything stops when fado is performed. Silence rules the room, the lights dim, and only then the show begins. More than a traditional style of music, fado is an emotional experience that will be further enhanced with your creative and contemporary Portuguese meal. Enjoy a multicourse dinner with paired wines, then wait for the show to begin.

Day 3: Day Trip to Sintra: Palaces, Parks & Coastline

Today you'll experience the charms of Sintra and its crown jewel, Pena Palace, in the lap of luxury. A private driver will collect you for a full-day tour through the area's enchanting landscapes and historic wonders. Journey from Lisbon to the picturesque mountain town, starting with a visit to the fairy-tale Palácio da Pena (Pena Palace). After exploring the famous red-and-yellow Disney-like palace and Pena Park, venture into the historic Sintra village for lunch and delicious local pastries. Continue exploring winding roads through the verdant Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, then head to the coast.

On the return journey to Lisbon, your private driver will stop at the towering cliffs of Cape Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, and then follow the coast south. Cruise past the beautiful Guincho Beach, a paradise for surfers and windsurfers, and stroll through Cascais, an upmarket resort town made popular in the 19th century. For dinner, you might like to try SEEN by Olivier at your hotel or take in the sunset with a drink at Sky Bar.

Day 4: Transfer to Lagos & the Algarve, Dinner at Luca's Rooftop Restaurant

After breakfast this morning, a private driver will transfer you to the Algarve, a three-hour drive south. Your final destination is Lagos, a charming coastal destination with a walled Old Town, dramatic sandstone cliffs, beautiful beaches, authentic restaurants, and buzzing nightlife. While the Algarve is a popular destination for summer vacations, Lagos still retains its distinctive character and laid-back charm. Check into the Palmares Beach House, an adults-only 5-star hotel with just 20 rooms and its own golf course located just 2,300 feet (700 m) from the beach.

Use the rest of the afternoon to laze on the nearby beach at Meia Praia or play a round of golf. For dinner, take a taxi to the other side of town. Luca's Rooftop Restaurant offers some of the best Portuguese food in Lagos with unmatched ocean views.

Day 5: Boat Trip to Benagil Caves, Discover the Algarve's Beaches

Explore the Algarve's iconic soaring cliffs and curious coastal formations today with a private boat cruise. Depart Lagos destined for the world-famous Benagil Cave. Along the way, you'll pass the beaches of Carvoeiro and Algar Seco, as well as the Alfanzina Lighthouse and Praia da Marinha's stunning views. Relax on the catamaran's twin sunbathing nets and enjoy the gentle breeze as you cruise along this rugged coastline, exploring secret spots only accessible by sea. Anchor in the coves of João de Arens to swim and snorkel before returning to shore.

The rest of the day is yours to relax and soak up the Algarve's warm Mediterranean climate. The 96-mile-long (155 km) coastline has dozens of beaches, big and small, where you can enjoy the soft sand and sun's rays and take a refreshing dip in crystal-clear waters. From secluded coves nestled between towering cliffs to vibrant stretches with beachside bars and water sports, there's the type of beach for every traveler—perhaps you spotted one you'd like to explore from the boat this morning.

Day 6: Kayaking Tour to Ponta da Piedade, More Beach Time

The caves of Ponta da Piedade in Lagos are among the most popular and unmissable attractions on the Algarve coast. In this area, you'll find a wide variety of caves and rock formations resembling familiar figures, such as the Titanic, the Elephant, and the Cathedral. This morning you'll board a catamaran, which will take you to the place where the kayaking begins. Then an experienced kayak guide will navigate through the labyrinths of caves, grottoes, and rock formations as you paddle along this unique piece of coast, learning its secrets, culture, and history. 

After kayaking, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your pace. Keep exploring the Algarve's famous beaches, return to the green for another round of golf, or seek out an alternative adventure. You could organize a private tour to Sagres, where you can watch the sun sink into the Atlantic Ocean while enjoying a glass of Portuguese wine with bread and chorizo from the clifftop, or visit a traditional winery to taste native grape varietals beneath a 2,000-year-old olive tree.

Day 7: Transfer to Lisbon, Depart

Your week of luxury and adventure in Portugal comes to an end today. Depending on the time of your flight, you may be able to squeeze in one last swim before your return three-hour transfer to Lisbon's airport. At the designated time, you'll be collected from your hotel by a private driver and transferred to the airport for your departure onward or home. Safe travels!

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