Day 1 – Arrival in Porto
Airport Collection & First Night in Porto
Upon arrival in Porto, you’ll be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel. The first day is intentionally simple to allow time to settle in and adjust after travel.
In the evening, step out for your first walk through the nearby streets. Whether dining by the river or in a traditional restaurant tucked into the old town, it’s a gentle and enjoyable way to begin your time in Portugal.
Drop off at your Porto accommodation.
Day 2 – Porto by Bike & Fado Evening
Private Bike Tour Through Porto’s Highlights
The morning starts in Miragaia, right by the river, where you set off by bike along the Douro. It’s an easy way to move through the city, following the waterfront before gradually heading uphill toward the Crystal Palace Gardens for open views across the river. From there, you ride past the Church of Massarelos and continue through Cordoaria Garden.
Ride through Avenida dos Aliados, Porto’s grand central boulevard, before stopping near Clérigos Tower and Livraria Lello, two of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
At São Bento Station, take time to see the azulejo panels inside before crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge by bike. From here, enjoy views back across Porto as you ride through the Ribeira district and up toward Jardim do Morro and Serra do Pilar Monastery, where one of the best viewpoints in the city awaits.
The route loops back to Miragaia, giving you a complete sense of Porto’s layout and character.
Porto Wine Tasting & Fado at Caves Cálem
In the evening, cross to Vila Nova de Gaia for a wine tasting at Caves Cálem. Learn about port wine production before settling in for a live Fado performance. The music, intimate setting, and traditional atmosphere make for a memorable second night in Portugal.
Drop off at your Porto accommodation.
Day 3 – Peneda-Gerês National Park & Guimarães Day Tour
Peneda-Gerês National Park
This morning, you leave Porto behind and drive into Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal’s only national park. You’ll visit villages built from the same grey granite as the surrounding hills. You stop in one of these small settlements to walk between stone houses and raised grain stores before taking a short trail through the hills for open views across the valley.
Guimarães Historic Centre
In the afternoon, head to Guimarães. Walk through its UNESCO-listed historic center, where medieval streets and arcaded squares remain intact and fully in use.
Guimarães Castle
Visit the castle overlooking the town, closely associated with Portugal’s early formation as a kingdom. The compact fortifications and elevated position give a strong sense of its defensive purpose.
Drop off at your Porto accommodation.
Day 4 – Douro Valley Legacy
Amarante
Begin the journey east with a stop in Amarante, a charming riverside town known for its bridge and church dedicated to São Gonçalo. The old center is easy to explore on foot, with quiet streets and traditional houses lining the riverbank.
Douro Valley Scenic Drive
Continue into the Douro Valley, where terraced vineyards rise steeply above the river. The road winds through one of Portugal’s most distinctive landscapes.
Pinhão
In Pinhão, pause along the river to see the azulejo-covered train station, which depicts scenes of harvest and rural life. It’s a small town but an important center within the valley.
Wine Experience in the Douro
Visit a local estate to taste Douro wines and port, learning how the region’s steep terrain shapes production and flavor.
Drop off at your Douro Valley accommodation.
Day 5 – Aveiro, Nazaré & Óbidos to Lisbon
Aveiro
Depart from your Douro Valley accommodation and begin the journey south to Lisbon. Your first stop is Aveiro, often known for its canals and colorful moliceiro boats. Walk along the waterways and see the Art Nouveau buildings that line parts of the town.
Nazaré
Continue to Nazaré, a coastal town famous for its fishing traditions and Atlantic waves. Walk through the town center and, if conditions allow, visit the clifftop Sítio area for views over the beach and ocean.
Óbidos
End the day in Óbidos, a walled medieval town with narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses. Walk along the walls and explore small shops and squares before continuing to Lisbon.
Drop off at your Lisbon accommodation.
Day 6 – Lisbon Highlights & Local Dinner
Lisbon Highlights: Viewpoints, Alfama & Belém
For your first full day in Lisbon, your guide focuses on showing some of the city’s most famous landmarks and attractions. You begin the day at Eduardo VII Park, where you take in a clear view across Lisbon before continuing to São Pedro de Alcântara and Nossa Senhora do Monte for views over the rooftops and the river.
From there, you move into Alfama, stepping inside Lisbon Cathedral and walking through the narrow lanes of the old quarter, where tiled façades, small squares, and local life give the area its character.
In the afternoon, you travel west to Belém to visit Jerónimos Monastery and walk through its detailed cloisters, one of Portugal’s most important historic sites. A short stroll along the river brings you to Belém Tower, standing directly at the water’s edge, followed by a stop at Pastéis de Belém to try the city’s most famous custard tarts while they’re still warm.
Dinner in a Portuguese Home
In the evening, you’re welcomed into a private Portuguese home for dinner. The setting is informal and personal, with traditional dishes served in a relaxed atmosphere that feels very different from dining in a restaurant. It’s an easy, authentic way to end the day and experience everyday hospitality in Lisbon.
Drop off at your Lisbon accommodation.
Day 7 – Mafra & Countryside
Mafra Royal Palace
Travel north to Mafra to visit the Royal Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in Europe. Inside, you’ll walk through grand halls, royal apartments, and the vast library lined with thousands of leather-bound books. The building’s scale is impressive, and its symmetry and size reflect the ambition behind its construction.
Mafra Basilica
Within the palace complex, visit the basilica, where ornate marble and carved details contrast with the simpler countryside outside. The organ lofts and high ceilings convey how this space was designed to impress.
Aldeia da Mata Pequena
From Mafra, continue into the countryside to Aldeia da Mata Pequena, a restored rural village. The stone houses and narrow lanes show what traditional village life looked like in this region. It’s quiet and compact, making it easy to explore on foot and get a feel for rural Portugal away from the main cities.
Drop off at your Lisbon accommodation.
Day 8 – Santarém & Fátima
Santarém Historic Center
Begin in Santarém, a hilltop town overlooking the Tagus River. Walk through the historic center, stopping at the Church of Santa Maria da Graça and the Convent of Saint Francis. The streets are easy to navigate, with small squares and traditional façades lining the route.
Portas do Sol Viewpoint
From the center, head to Portas do Sol, where the view opens out across the Tagus plains below. The viewpoint is one of the town’s highlights and offers a clear sense of Santarém’s elevated position.
Municipal Market
Before leaving, stop at the municipal market, where local produce and regional goods are sold. It’s a simple but authentic glimpse of everyday life in the town.
Fátima Sanctuary
Continue to Fátima, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Catholic world. Visit the basilica and the large open square where pilgrims gather. The scale of the site is striking, and the atmosphere is calm and reflective.
Drop off at your Lisbon accommodation.
Day 9 – Azeitão & Setúbal
Livramento Market in Setúbal
Begin the day at Livramento Market, known for its seafood counters and tiled interior walls. Walk through the stalls and see the range of fresh fish, fruit, and regional produce that defines the area’s cuisine.
Setúbal Harbour Area
After the market, spend time near the harbor and town center. The waterfront setting gives the town a working feel, and small cafés and shops line the streets nearby.
Arrábida Coastline
From Setúbal, drive into the Arrábida Natural Park. The road follows the coastline, offering stops where you can step out and see the clear blue water and forested hills meeting the sea.
Azeitão Village
Continue to Azeitão, known for wine and traditional sweets. Walk through the small center before heading to one of the region’s established wine producers.
José Maria da Fonseca Winery
Visit José Maria da Fonseca for a tasting and introduction to the estate’s history. The property includes gardens and historic cellars that give context to the wines produced here.
Adega do Bacalhoa
Finish at Adega do Bacalhoa, another respected winery in the region, where you can compare styles and settings before returning to Lisbon.
Drop off at your Lisbon accommodation.
Day 10 – Departure
Your private driver drops you off at the airport to conclude your tour. Depending on your flight time, we can add a few final attractions for you to visit before heading to the airport.