Journeys: Discover Portugal

4.9Based on
8 daysDuration
Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers
16 peopleMaximum group size
12 - 100 yearsAge range for participants
EnglishGuide language
Easy
Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Highlights

Discover an array of architectural gems.

from the colorful manors of Sintra to the Roman temples of Évora.

Venture into the countryside to learn about the production and harvesting of cork at a traditional farm.

Enjoy a mesmerizing Fado music performance in Lisbon.

Float down Porto’s "river of gold

” taking in timeless scenes of rolling green hills.

Itinerary

Portugal’s charm lies in its layers of history, scenic beauty, and vibrant traditions—discover them all on the "Journeys: Discover Portugal" trip, an 8-day cultural adventure from Lisbon to Porto. Roam the ancient lanes of Coimbra and Evora, glide along meandering rivers, and visit UNESCO World Heritage sites that reveal the legacy of Portuguese royalty, knights, and poets.

This guided tour offers a rich tapestry of experiences, from sampling port with winemakers to meeting fado singers and cork farmers. The pace is ideal for those seeking immersive, yet comfortable exploration, weaving together storied towns and lively cultural encounters.

The standout feature of this tour package is the opportunity to connect personally with Portugal’s living traditions—meeting local craftspeople and artists who sustain the country’s unique heritage. For travelers who want more than just sightseeing, this journey delivers cultural depth and memorable interaction at every stop.

day 1 - Lisbon

Arrive at any time. This evening, savour a traditional Portuguese dinner and performance of fado, a local folk singing tradition, in one of Lisbon's oldest neighbourhoods.
To ensure you are able to join the group for dinner, please arrive in Lisbon by 6pm at the latest.

Portugal features diverse terrain, including regions with steep streets and uneven surfaces. Please bring sturdy walking shoes and be prepared for a lot of walking.

Meal:Dinner
Accomodation:My Story Hotel Tejo Lisbon (or similar)
Included Activities:Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting Duration : 1.0 hr, Fado Night with Traditional Portuguese Meal Duration : 2.0 hr

day 2 - Lisbon

Travel back in time to the fairytale castles and hills of Sintra, a 19th-century resort town and UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the colourful manors, medieval palaces, and lush gardens that enchanted English Romantic poet Lord Byron as well as Portuguese royalty. Enjoy a short orientation walk followed be a free afternoon to discover Lisbon’s pastel-hued architecture and lively plazas. Opt to soar over Lisbon on the historic Santa Justa lift, an engineering marvel that ascends 147 feet to an epic viewing platform.

Meal:Breakfast
Accomodation:My Story Hotel Tejo Lisbon (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 0.5 hr Distance : 28 km, Private Vehicle Duration : 0.5 hr Distance : 29 km
Included Activity:Pena Palace and Park Guided Visit Duration : 2.0 hr
Optional Activities:Rossio Square Stop in this lively square to get a taste of the local hustle and bustle., Sao Jorge Castle Climb up to this Moorish castle for a wander around the impressive grounds on a guided tour, and a great view over Lisbon and Tagus River., Santa Justa Lift Take a ride up 147ft from the lowest to highest points of Portugal. Sit back and enjoy the views., Alfama District Visit Explore Lisbon’s past in Alfama, one of the city’s oldest quarters. Wander along narrow medieval streets lined with typical tile-covered façades and take a step back in time; the area largely survived the great earthquake of 1755, and still retains much of its original layout. Listen for Portugal's traditional music, fado, gracing the streets at night.

day 3 - Lisbon/Évora

Head to medieval Évora, in the heart of the bucolic Alentejo region, for a fascinating foray into the past. Be mesmerized by the haunting Chapel of Bones, erected by 16th-century Franciscan monks. Then pay a visit to one of the best preserved Roman temples on the Iberian Peninsula, known as Diana’s Temple.

Meal:Breakfast
Accomodation:Vitoria Stone Evora (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 2.0 hr
Included Activities:Chapel of Bones Visit, Diana Roman Temple

day 4 - Évora

Venture into the Alentejo countryside, home to centuries-old cork forests. Join a local expert at a traditional farm, and learn about cork harvesting and production. Then sit down to a traditional cork stripper’s lunch at the cork farm. This afternoon, return to Évora and explore its UNESCO World Heritage–designated city centre on your own, walking past whitewashed houses decorated with azulejos and wrought-iron balconies.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch
Accomodation:Vitoria Stone Evora (or similar)
Included Activity:Cork Farm Visit and Lunch
Optional Activities:Clock Museum A remarkable collection of watches on display from different eras, this family run watch museum will take you back in time., Évora Cathedral

day 5 - Évora/Coimbra

Spend the Day in Tomar and delve into the Crusades era in Portugal. Go on a guided walk with a local expert around the vast medieval complex of the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Templar Castle, founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais—grand master of the Knights Templar. Continue on to Coimbra for the evening.

Meal:Breakfast
Accomodation:Vila Gale Coimbra (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 2.0 hr Distance : 225 km, Private Vehicle Duration : 0.9 hr Distance : 75 km
Included Activity:Knights Templar Historic Tour

day 6 - Coimbra/Porto

This morning, enjoy a tour around the centuries-old University of Coimbra, Portugal's most prestigious university and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enter through the 10th-century Porta Férra, the old entrance to the citadel of Coimbra. Following mosaic cobblestone paths around campus, stopping to see the baroque stylings of the Joanina Library, elaborate azulejo wall tiles adorning the Chapel of São Miguel, and the 18th-century Botanical Garden. Later, catch the train to Porto on the coast.

Meal:Breakfast
Accomodation:Mercure Porto Centro (or similar)
Transport:Local Train Duration : 1.5 hr Distance : 120 km
Included Activity:University of Coimbra Visit

day 7 - Porto

Board a boat down Portugal's Douro River, or "river of gold". Float on the typical Rabelo Boat along the riverbanks of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia and marvel at the historical bridges connecting the two cities. Famous for centuries as a port wine shipper's centre, discover the rich tradition of port making at a local wine cellar, then cap off the Day with a tasting of this distinct regional specialty. In your free time, explore the cobblestone streets of Porto’s medieval Ribeira district, marvel at the baroque São Francisco Church, and admire the palatial Palácio de Bolsa, a one time stock market.

Meal:Breakfast
Accomodation:Mercure Porto Centro (or similar)
Included Activities:Porto Ribeira Cruise Duration : 1.0 hr - 2.0 hr, Port Wine Cellar Visit
Optional Activities:Ribeira Square Take some time to walk around this charming square and get in with the local hustle and bustle., Sao Bento Railway Station The blue painted tiles on the inside of São Bento railway station makes it one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. See for yourself., Lello Bookstore Take a wander around this incredible, and beautifully ornate bookstore built in 1906. , Palacio da Bolsa Join a half-hour guided tour of this neoclassical monument.

day 8 - Porto

Depart at any time.

Meal:Breakfast
Journeys: Discover Portugal

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What's Included

Accommodation
Hotels – 7 nts.
Meals
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Note: Allow USD325-425 for meals not included.
Transport
Walking, bus, boat, train.
Guide
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Included activities
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Cork Farm Visit and Lunch, ÉvoraYour Journeys Highlight Moment: Knights Templar Historic Tour, TomarYour Foodie Moment: Fado Night with Traditional Portuguese Meal, LisbonYour Hands-On Moment: Port Wine Cellar Visit, PortoLisbon orientation walkGuided tour of Palace of Pena in SintraChapel of Bones visit in EvoraDiana's Temple visit in EvoraGuided tour of Coimbra UniversityPorto orientation walkDouro River boat cruiseTransport to/from all included activities and between all destinations

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

Read what other travelers have to say about Journeys: Discover Portugal

4.9

based on 15 reviews
14
1
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J
Judy SVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

Excellent

Wonderful trip. Loved the culture and the food. A nice mix of cathedrals and castles and monasteries. Sintra was excellent and loved the Cork Farm tour and also the winery. River boat ride in Porto was good as well as the Port tasting. Excellent trip overall and exactly what I was expecting. Fredy was always available and communicative. He really made the trip spectacular.

S
Sarah HVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

Excellent

We had a wonderful time. Had enough down time and enjoyed all the tours and guides. Fredy was always trying to find us new things to see. We had spectacular weather too.

R
Rosalie HVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

Excellent

AMAZING!!

M
Maureen DVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

Excellent

Freddy, our ceo, made the trip wonderful. Also worth an extra shout out is margarita, from the cork tour. She was a great tour guide.

J
JaniceVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

Excellent

I had excellent overall experience on this tour. The travellers were all friendly and welcoming (important to me as a solo traveller) and the Tour CEO was excellent in every way. Rui Lima is the 'gold standard' of Tour CEOs! I would highly recommend this tour to friends and family.

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