Highlights
- Hop into a vintage car to explore Porto in style
- Wind your way through the vineyards of the Douro Valley
- Get swept away by the haunting melodies of Lisbon's fado music
- Discover the fantastical palaces & castles of Sintra
- Take your pick of picture-perfect beaches on the Algarve coast
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Porto, Afternoon Culinary Experience | Porto |
| Day 2 | Vintage Car Porto Tour & Port Wine Tasting | Porto |
| Day 3 | Wine Tasting Experience in the Douro Valley | Porto |
| Day 4 | Explore Porto & Northern Portugal | Porto |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Lisbon via Coimbra | Lisbon |
| Day 6 | Get to Know Lisbon with a Local, Evening of Fado | Lisbon |
| Day 7 | Day Trip to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril | Lisbon |
| Day 8 | Free Day in Lisbon | Lisbon |
| Day 9 | Train Journey to Lagos & the Algarve | Lagos |
| Day 10 | Explore the Algarve Coast | Lagos |
| Day 11 | Train Journey to Lisbon | Lisbon |
| Day 12 | Depart Lisbon |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Porto, Afternoon Culinary Experience
Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival at Porto's airport, you will be met by your driver, who will transfer you to your hotel in the city center. After settling in, get to know the city and its cuisine with a walking tour of the historic downtown. Guided by a local expert, this small-group excursion offers a first-hand look at the culinary renaissance Porto is experiencing, including the rebirth of specialty food shops and new restaurants that are adopting old methods.
You'll take part in several distinct tasting locations that harken back to an era of simple, quality products. Learn about these family-owned businesses and why they are integral to Porto's gastronomy. Along the way, you'll witness the revival of Portuguese cuisine while you explore local restaurants, cafés, and stores offering the best of Porto. End the evening with an introduction to the region's most famous export: port wine. Taste three different versions, including one vintage, as you learn about the history of this timeless drink.
Day 2: Vintage Car Porto Tour & Port Wine Tasting
Today's glamorous tour—half on foot, half by vintage car—is one of the most memorable experiences that you can encounter in Porto. Discover the city's most important highlights and hidden corners in style, then take a drive toward the fishing village of S. Pedro da Afurada or head to the city's colorful Foz neighborhood to get a glimpse of local life, Porto-style. End the excursion with a guided visit to a port cellar for a tasting of the area's famous fortified wine.
After lunch, you can explore some of Porto's characterful neighborhoods at your own pace. A good place to start is Ribeira, which sits alongside the Douro River and is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. Famed for its narrow and colorfully-tiled dockside houses and its views of the iconic double-decked Dom Luís Bridge, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is simply a must-see. For a true taste of Porto, be sure to also explore the warren of winding streets behind the riverside.
Day 3: Wine Tasting Experience in the Douro Valley
Today, your private driver will be waiting to whisk you into the mountains and valleys of the famous Douro Valley wine region, where you'll visit traditional wineries accompanied by your expert guide. Learn about the history and process of wine-growing in the region, and discover the varietals that thrive in the valley's unique terroir.
After a leisurely wine tasting, you can enjoy a traditional lunch at one of the valley's famous quintas (estates). Your return to Porto will be just as memorable as you follow one of the most beautiful roads in the world—winding along the Douro River and past terraced vines and steep mountain hillsides.
Day 4: Explore Porto & Northern Portugal
After breakfast in Porto, you'll have a free day to discover more of the city on your own. You can also opt to explore further afield, where you can hit the beach, go wine tasting, or visit some noteworthy towns and historic sites. Within easy reach, you'll find the charming cities of Braga, home to the oldest cathedral in the country, and Aveiro, nicknamed the "Venice of Portugal" for its colorful canals.
History buffs can head to Guimarães to see the medieval Guimarães Castle and the birthplace of the country's first king. Just a quick half-hour drive away, Esposende offers white sand beaches and picturesque dunes for a relaxing retreat, while a little further north lies the beautiful beach town of Viana do Castelo, the perfect spot for sampling some excellent seafood.
Day 5: Transfer to Lisbon via Coimbra
Today, after breakfast and check-out, you'll meet your driver for the transfer south to Lisbon. About halfway through the trip, stop to spend some time exploring Coimbra. This medieval capital of Portugal wears its weighty importance in Portuguese history with dignity and pride, witnessed by its multicolored collage of buildings that span nearly a millennium. The historic core cascades down a hillside to create a lovely setting along the east bank of the Rio Mondego.
Upon arrival, you'll meet with a local guide for a private tour of the city. The 13th-century University of Coimbra remains the star attraction, with a tremendous amount of history and knowledge accumulated within its walls. A must-see is the Baroque Library, home to an incredible collection of over 200,000 books stored in carved and gilded bookshelves. The Chapel of Saint Michael next door is also worth the visit, and make sure to take a stroll through the atmospheric medieval streets of the historic center before getting back on the road and continuing to Lisbon.
Day 6: Get to Know Lisbon with a Local, Evening of Fado
First things first, you’ll get your bearings on a privately guided tour of the city’s most happening neighborhoods as you hop on board an iconic tram and head into Bairro Alto. Continue onto Chiado and discover a cultural enclave where the great writers and philosophers of the 20th century used to gather to hone their ideas. Next up is the picture-perfect neighborhood of Alfama. Here, you’ll get a feel for traditional Lisbon with its narrow cobblestoned streets and the stunning 12th-century Sé de Lisboa Cathedral.
In the evening, head back into the Bairro Alto and enjoy a night at one of the city’s best fado restaurants, where good food, the perfect setting, and the melancholic tones of traditional fado music come together for a truly authentic night in Lisbon.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 7: Day Trip to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
After breakfast, your private driver will pick you up to start today's adventure in Sintra. Located just half an hour east of the city, this resort town in the Sintra Mountains is known for its forested hills, upscale villas, and Moorish palaces. Start with a visit to the Palacio Nacional da Pena (Pena Palace). This 19th-century Romanticist castle mixes Moorish and Portuguese late-Gothic architectural styles with distinct features like gargoyles, ornate battlements, and colorful terraces.
After touring the palace, you'll have a break for lunch, at which point you can also stroll through the historic village of Sintra and do some shopping and/or sightseeing. Then it's off to Sintra Cascais Natural Park. Some can't-miss locales in this area include the dramatic coastal cliffs of the Cabo de Roca, the wide and inviting Guincho Beach (a popular surf spot), and the glamorous towns of Cascais and Estoril. After the tour, a private transfer will take you back to your hotel in Lisbon.
Day 8: Free Day in Lisbon
Take a free day in Lisbon to enjoy the city any way you'd like! Head to the LX Factory for cool street art alongside a selection of restaurants, bars, and shops, or treat your tastebuds to an afternoon at the Timeout Market, where the shining stars of Lisbon's gastronomy are gathered under one roof.
The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian should be at the top of the list for any art lovers visiting the capital, while the fascinating Museu Nacional do Azulejo or National Tile Museum offers a deep dive into the city's most famous decorative art. Head to Belém at sunset for views over the breathtaking Jeronimos Monastery and Torre de Belém, and make sure to sample a pastel de Belém (custard tart) or two while you're there.
Day 9: Train Journey to Lagos & the Beaches of the Algarve
Lagos is known for its charming inner-walled Old Town, pretty harbor, dramatic sandstone cliffs, and beautiful beaches, as well as authentic restaurants, and buzzing nightlife. Locals are proud to say that Lagos has not succumbed to mass tourism like other cities in the Algarve, and the city still retains its distinctive character and laid-back charm.
Day 10: Explore the Algarve Coast
Spend some more time discovering the 16th-century city of Lagos and its cobblestone streets, inviting squares, and great restaurants. Near the city center are a number of dreamlike beaches, with plenty of watersports and boat excursions on offer. Pinhao Beach is a peaceful cove known for its secluded setting, while Ponta da Piedade offers more dramatic sandstone cliffs and bright turquoise water. Praia do Camilo is a gorgeous spot accessed by walking down 200 wooden steps to a sheltered sandy cove.
You could also head further east for more beautiful sights and attractions, ranging from bustling resort towns to white-washed villages offering mouth-watering cuisine and exhilarating coastal scenery. Lovers of quiet should explore more of the massive Costa Vicentina Natural Park, which extends all the way north to Odeceixe. The park covers a whopping 182,857 acres (74,000 ha) of protected land, including beaches, cliffs, rolling hills, and marshland, with more than 750 species of flora and 200 species of birds.
Day 11: Train Journey to Lisbon
Day 12: Depart Lisbon
It's time to say goodbye to Portugal! You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Safe travels and boa viagem!
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