Best of Portugal
Tour Type: Country Explorer
Brochure Type Europe & Britain 2025 v1
This Best of Portugal journey 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.
Be My Guest
Brochure Type Europe & Britain 2025 v1
This Best of Portugal journey 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.
Be My Guest
- Panoias-Ourique Saddle up for a superb stud farm visit, the tragic story of unrequited love and a traditional home-cooked Be My Guest lunch with Tiago and Vera in Portugal's beautiful Alentejo.
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 1 Lunch (L)
- Porto Savor the flavors of Portugal's centuries-old Port heritage and gain insights into its local production at a tasting in a Port cellar.
- Lisbon Visit the Hieronymite Monastery, a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome and exquisite example of Manueline architecture.
- Coimbra With a Local Specialist, visit the University and witness the triumphal arches, painted ceilings, and walls of ancient tomes in the Joanina Library.
- 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.
- 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 See the Clerigos Tower, Avenida dos Aliados and the Palácio da Bolsa former stock exchange.
- evora 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.
- Guimaraes See Guimarães Castle and the Palace of Dukes before walking through the medieval squares of central Guimarães.
- Nazare Enjoy time at leisure on Portugal's Costa de Prata.
- 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.
- Lisbon Explore with your Local Specialist, from the Lower Town, beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco. Visit the Belem Quarter to see the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the medieval Belem Tower.
- Batalha Join a Local Specialist to see the Monastery of Batalha, with included entry to the cloisters and chapels.
- 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.
- Douro Valley Marvel at the extensive terraced vineyards as you travel through the Douro Valley.
- Lisbon Bid farewell to your Portuguese adventures at the award-winning organic vineyard Vale da Capucha. This family-ran farmhouse prides itself in producing organic and biodynamic wines.
- View the Castle of Guimarães and the Shrine at Fátima
- Discover the Algarve, Lagos, Castelo de Vide, Viseu, Nazare and Óbidos
- Explore Lisbon, Coimbra, Tomar, evora and Porto with a Local Specialist
- Visit the Hieronymite Monastery in Lisbon, the cathedral in evora, the Palace Gardens at Palacio de Mateus, the Stock Exchange Palace, Arabian Hall and a local port wine cellar in Porto, the University Library of Coimbra, the Convent of Christ in Tomar
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Optional Experiences and free time
Call (580) 924-9201 for more information or to book today! Mention code 18547525
- Tour Operator
- Trafalgar Tours
- Duration
- 11 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Lisbon | Welcome to Lisbon: 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 travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive past some of the city's most iconic sights. Accommodations: Olissippo Marquês de Sá |
| Day 2 | Lisbon | Discover Colorful Lisbon Dive Into Culture: 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 our Local Specialist, see the shimmering white Monument to the Discoveries, the iconic suspension bridge spanning the Tagus, and Belem 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 Experience to the historic towns of Cascais and Sintra, before perhaps enjoying a traditional Portuguese dinner amidst the soulful and touching sounds of the fado this evening. Accommodations: Olissippo Marquês de Sá |
| Day 3 | The Algarve | Journey to the Algarve Region Connect with Locals: We 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 Portuguese chicken fills the air at our Be My Guest experience as we Connect With Locals over a traditional lunch at a stud ranch, where Lusitano horses were once reared at the pleasure of King João VI. Our journey continues further south, bound for the holiday paradise that is the Algarve - our home for the next two nights. Accommodations: Água Hotels Riverside |
| Day 4 | The Algarve | Cliffs, Beaches and More in the Algarve: The dramatic landscapes of the Sagres Peninsula provide a stunning backdrop for our morning drive. Admire spectacular views across Baleeira Beach, before continuing along the coast to Cape St. Vincent, the site of many sea battles centuries ago. Enjoy your free afternoon in the resort town Lagos - once the home of Henry the Navigator. Accommodations: Água Hotels Riverside |
| Day 5 | Evora | Onwards to Elegant evora: Journeying north, we travel to the ancient Alentejo city of evora. 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 we dine at our hotel. Accommodations: M'ar de Ar Muralhas |
| Day 6 | Viseu | Venture Past Mountains to Viseu: Our 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 Se, standing imposingly on a hill overlooking much of the city. Accommodations: Grão Vasco |
| Day 7 | Porto | Through the Douro Valley to Porto: Vineyard-clad hills provide an enchanting backdrop for our journey today through the Douro Valley, where Port wine is produced. We explore the magnificent gardens at the Baroque-style Palácio de Mateus, depicted on the label of the distinctive Mateus Rose wine bottles. We continue via Guimarães for views of its impressive 10th-century castle, before arriving in the riverside town of Porto where we will spend the next two nights. Accommodations: Carris Ribeira |
| Day 8 | Porto | Explore Vibrant Porto Dive Into Culture: 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 center of Porto admiring the azulejo-clad façades, or visit Livraria Lello, the city's oldest bookstore. Accommodations: Carris Ribeira |
| Day 9 | Fátima | On to Coimbra and Pilgrimage to Fátima: 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 center of Fátima, visited by millions of Catholic pilgrims, where three young shepherds famously saw apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Accommodations: Fátima |
| Day 10 | Lisbon | Experience Village Life Returning to Lisbon: En route to Lisbon, with a Local Specialist we 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 Nazare, before we visit the medieval walled city of Óbidos with its whitewashed houses and cobblestone streets. Celebrate our last evening in Portugal together at a Farewell Dinner in an family ran vineyard, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience. Toast to an incredible journey over organic wine and locally sourced flavors. Accommodations: Olissippo Marquês de Sá |
| Day 11 | Lisbon | Farewell Lisbon: Say a fond adeus to your fellow travelers at the end of an unforgettable Portuguese holiday. Accommodations: |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- Twin prices are per person.
- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
- All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
- For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.
- Hotel Class Key: D: Deluxe SF: Superior First Class F: First Class
