Portugal Last Minute Holiday
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Lisbon
Your tour of Portugal begins in the vibrant capital, Lisbon. After arriving at the airport, you will travel independently to your comfortable accommodation in the city. Settle in and then take a stroll through the Bairro Alto or Alfama district, where music sounds from open windows and trams rattle through the narrow streets. Around the Praça do Comércio and along the Tagus, you will immediately experience the relaxed atmosphere of the city. In the evening, there’s plenty of restaurants for a first introduction to Portuguese cuisine.
Day 2 – Discover Lisbon & Polaroid city tour
A creative introduction to Lisbon is planned for today. During the included Polaroid city tour, a local guide who knows the city extremely well, will take you to well-known and lesser-known places. As you walk you’ll learn how to take photos with an old-fashioned Polaroid camera. You will take unique photos that you can take home with you right away. It’s a fun way to discover the city. The rest of your day is free to explore independently.
Day 3 – From Lisbon to the Costa da Prata
In the morning, pick up your rental car and drive north to the Costa da Prata (also known as the Silver Coast). Along the way, you can stop at the fairy tale palace of Mafra or the monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha, both impressive UNESCO monuments. The region is full of historical sites and charming towns. Stroll through the narrow streets of medieval Óbidos, with its white houses and colourful flowers, or taste fresh fish in one of the coastal towns such as Nazaré or Peniche. You’ll spend two nights in a rural accommodation.
Day 4 – Explore the area around Costa da Prata
There are several places you can easily visit today with your hire car. You could drive to the colourful town of Alvados in the limestone hills, or visit the vast beach of Nazaré, where fishermen still dry their catch in the sun. In Peniche you can walk along rugged cliffs and taste fresh seafood in the harbour. A visit to the mysterious gardens of Buddha Eden, a sculpture garden full of Asian influences, is also a special experience. The alternation of coast, culture and nature makes this day particularly versatile.
Day 5 – To the Douro Valley vineyards
Today you head away from the coast to the rolling hills of the Douro Valley, where vineyards dominate the landscape. Along the way you can stop in the pilgrimage site of Fátima or have lunch in the university city of Coimbra. In the afternoon you arrive at a traditional winery, beautifully situated between the vineyards. You spend the night here in the middle of the landscape where the famous port wines come from. After arrival you can explore the grounds at your leisure or relax by the pool. In the area there are hiking trails with breathtaking views over the valley and the winding river.
Day 6 – Welcome to Porto: the home of Port
After breakfast, take a leisurely drive to Porto (a journey of approx 2 hours). There you will return the rental car, because this atmospheric city is best explored on foot. You will stay in a comfortable hotel, conveniently located in the centre of the city. Porto is a city of colourful houses, beautiful street art, delicious food and unique architecture. Stroll through the historic Ribeira district, where the colourful houses are located on the quay, or admire the ceramic facades of the Igreja do Carmo. Architecture enthusiasts should not miss the São Bento train station, with its impressive tile tableaus.
Day 7 – Port tasting & free time in Porto
Today, a visit to a renowned port wine house is on the program, including a tour and tasting. You will learn how the wine is produced and stored in centuries-old barrels, and will receive an explanation of the different types of port. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish: visit the modern art museum Serralves, book a boat trip on the Douro River, or climb the Torre dos Clérigos for a view of the entire city. In the evening, there are plenty of places to eat and drink.
Day 8 – Depart Portugal
It’s time to depart from Portugal. Make your own way to the airport in time for your homebound flight.
Accommodation
