Highlights of Portugal

Highlights of Portugal

8 Days Starting in Porto and ending in Lisbon

Visiting: Porto, Porto / Coimbra, Coimbra, Schist Villages/Aldeia das Dez, Lisbon

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

ZMSZ

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

15-99 years

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

From: $2055

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Take in the highlights of the sun-kissed splendour of Portugal on an eight-day sightseeing adventure from Porto to Lisbon. Taste port in its birthplace, explore riverfront Coimbra and its historic university, and weave through the verdant countryside all the way to the capital. From the leafy Schist Villages to a traditional Fado show, you’ll be experiencing the best of Portugal’s arts and culture. Oh yes – they have pretty good custard tarts too. Put Portugal on your itinerary today with a small-group journey that gets you to the places you need to see.

Highlights

  • Take a walk through the idyllic coastal city of Porto and understand why the birthplace of fortified wine is renowned for its narrow lanes, charming buildings and delicious cuisine.

  • Explore the country’s oldest university when discovering the historic riverfront city of Coimbra – once the capital of Portugal.

  • Take in all the highlights of Portugal’s arts and culture scene with an included traditional Fado show in Coimbra.

  • Walk through the secluded Schist Villages, hidden between the mountain slopes, and consider the option of an authentic cooking class run by local residents.

  • Join your leader in Lisbon for sunset views over a picnic of local cheese and wine – this is European living.

  • Walk through the secluded Schist Villages, a set of 27 settlements hidden between the mountain slopes and away from daily life.

  • Join your leader in Lisbon for sunset views while enjoying a glass of local wine and some tapas – this is European living.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Porto

Location: Porto

Accommodation: Hotel

Welcome to Portugal! Stretching along the banks of the River Douro, Porto is one of Portugal's most romantic cities. Known for majestic bridges, medieval riverside district with its cobbled streets, merchants’ houses and cafes, Porto is also well known for one more thing; surprise surprise – Porto is the birthplace of the fortified wine, port. Today, there’s an important welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. After your meeting, why not get the crew together and head out to an optional dinner – your group leader will know of some great spots to go.

Day 2: Porto

Location: Porto

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Take a leader-led orientation walk with your group this morning to get your bearings. Otherwise, the day is free to do as you please. The city's World Heritage-listed Ribeira district is packed with twisting alleys, staircases, and baroque churches, and is great to explore on foot. Sao Francisco church is known for its lavish interior with ornate gilded carvings. The palatial 19th-century Palacio de Bolsa, formerly a stock market, was built to impress potential European investors. Make sure you also visit Mercado do Bolhao, Porto's market, one of the city's institutions since 1914. For a sensational view of the whole town head to the Torre dos Clerigos (Clerigos Tower), or head down Allies Avenue to see the French-inspired buildings. Late afternoon, meet your leader and the rest of the group again to test out Portugal’s famed wine on an included port tasting. Oh, and in the evening, why not book yourself on a Rio Duoro cruise on one of the historic 'rabelo' boats to see the city from the water.

Included Activities:
-Porto - Port Wine Tasting

Optional Activities:
-Porto - Clerigos Tower
-Porto - Bolhao Market - Free
-Porto - Livraria Lello
-Porto - Serralves Foundation
-Porto – Tile-Painting Workshop

Day 3: Porto / Coimbra

Location: Porto / Coimbra

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

The morning is free for you to explore Porto at your own pace. As you’ll be traveling over to Coimbra after lunch, there will be a place to store your luggage for the day. With early evening arrival at your hotel, you can either relax or embark on a stroll to begin exploring Coimbra.

Day 4: Coimbra

Location: Coimbra

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Enjoy an easy day in Coimbra at your leisure. Sitting dignified on the banks of the River Mondego, Coimbra was once the capital of the country, and its royal heritage can be felt in its historic streets and buildings. Join your group leader on a wander through the lanes and squares of the Old Quarter and be sure to pass by the University of Coimbra – the oldest in Portugal. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy as you please before meeting with your group again for an evening Fado show. Coimbra's version of the fado is linked to the academic traditions of its university and musicians wear the traditional academic outfit: dark robes and capes. The music is characterized by sombre tunes and lyrics, often about the life of the poor, and inspired by mourning and melancholia.

Included Activities:
-Coimbra - Evening Fado Performance

Optional Activities:
-Coimbra - Mondego River Boat Trip
-Coimbra - Cathedrals
-Coimbra - Joanine University Library

Day 5: Schist Villages/Aldeia Das Dez

Location: Schist Villages/Aldeia das Dez

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meals Included: breaksfast

Travel to Piódão, an enchanting historical Schist Village celebrated for its distinctive architecture and breathtaking natural setting. Tucked away in the Serra do Açor mountains, Piódão resembles a scene from a fairytale, showcasing charming schist and slate houses nestled into the verdant mountainside. Take a leisurely stroll through the village's narrow, winding streets before heading towards Aldeia das Dez, a typical mountain village located on the slopes of Serra da Estrela. Also known as Aldeia das Flores, its inhabitants have it as a tradition to decorate their streets with beautiful and colourful flowers. Experience the allure of rustic beauty, picturesque landscapes, and a slower pace of life, and immerse yourself in the rich local culture, creating lasting memories in a quaint setting that seamlessly blends tradition with modern comfort.

Included Activities:
-Schist Villages - Village Walk

Day 6: Lisbon

Location: Lisbon

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Travel back to Coimbra in a private vehicle and from there transfer to Lisbon by train. After a brief orientation walk, you are free for the afternoon. Much of Lisbon’s character and charm lies in its beautiful renovated buildings, grand boulevards, impressive castles and churches. Maybe visit one of the most symbolic buildings in the city, Lisbon Cathedral, which was built on the site of an old mosque in 1150 by Lisbon’s first bishop, Gilbert of Hastings. Inside are nine chapels, each with their own story to tell, and the wonderful Gothic cloister. Another option is to visit the medieval citadel of Sao Jorge Castle. The citadel dates back to Moorish times and sits on the highest point of the Old Town. Although much of the original castle has been destroyed throughout history, some sections of walls and 18 different towers remain today. Look down on a city swarming with endless angular white houses and buildings with distinct red terracotta rooftops.

Day 7: Lisbon

Location: Lisbon

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Make some further discoveries of Lisbon in the morning at your own pace. Roam through the charming narrow streets of local neighbourhoods do a spot of people watching, visit Belem Tower (a wonderful building originally designed as a lighthouse) and the vast, spectacular Monastery of the Jeronimos. Otherwise, head out for a day trip to Sintra – a royal sanctuary full of pastel coloured Romanticist buildings. In the evening, regroup and experience more of Portugal’s way of life by enjoying a glass of wine and some local bites while watching the sunset with your group.

Included Activities:
-Lisbon - Drink and Local Bites

Optional Activities:
-Lisbon - Oceanarium
-Lisbon - Naval Museum
-Lisbon - Experience Lisbon Walk Urban Adventure
-Lisbon - Puppet Museum
-Lisbon - Folk Art Museum
-Lisbon - National Art Museum
-Lisbon - Gulbenkian Museum
-Lisbon - Belem Tower and Monastery
-Lisbon - Ginginha Tasting
-Sintra - Day Trip

Day 8: Lisbon

Location: Lisbon

Meals Included: breaksfast

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave at any time. That doesn’t mean your Portuguese adventure has to come to an end! If you wish to spend more time in Lisbon, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotel (6 nights), Guesthouse (1 night)

  • Porto - Port Wine Tasting

  • Coimbra - Evening Fado Performance

  • Schist Villages - Nature & Village Walk

  • Lisbon - Sunset Picnic

  • Meals

    7 breakfasts

  • Schist Villages - Village Walk

  • Lisbon - Drink and Local Bites

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • International Travel

Included Activities

  • Porto - Port Wine Tasting
  • Coimbra - Evening Fado Performance
  • Schist Villages - Nature & Village Walk
  • Lisbon - Sunset Picnic

Transport

  • TRANSPORT IN EUROPE
  • Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.
  • TRAIN TRAVEL
  • In mainland Portugal you will predominantly travel by train. Portuguese trains are known to be comfortable and punctual. Between Coimbra and the Schist Villages you will travel on a private minibus.

Accommodation

  • The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
  • Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
  • OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
  • The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
  • TWIN SHARE BASIS
  • Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
  • CHECK-IN TIME
  • Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
  • PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
  • If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
  • FACILITIES
  • Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.

Meals

5 breakfasts

Important Information

  • 1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip, excluding Day 5. Availability is limited due to small property we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Mode of Transport

  • TRANSPORT IN EUROPE
  • Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.
  • TRAIN TRAVEL
  • In mainland Portugal you will predominantly travel by train. Portuguese trains are known to be comfortable and punctual. Between Coimbra and the Schist Villages you will travel on a private minibus.

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    Don’t let the heat keep you from exploring the world! Summer temperatures can be extreme in Portugal (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season. Please note that only some of our hotels and public trains in this region have air-conditioning.

    Less time spent travelling; more time to explore each destination. The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Trains are a fast way to cross long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. They are comfortable and all have toilets, however, can sometimes be quite busy. Please note that you'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find specifics under ‘Packing’ in the ‘Essential Trip Information’ section.

    Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart.

    If you have more time to explore the region or can't find a suitable date for this trip you may want to check out our other trips in the region, such as 'Explore Spain & Portugal' (trip code ZMSI), or 'Madrid to Marrakech (trip code ZMSH) which continues on into Morocco.

    On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)  

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I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

V Open (Google Reviewer)  

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I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

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Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

I have just completed a...

29-Feb-2024

I have just completed a 12 day food tour of Vietnam, and had an amazing time. Our tour leader was great, knowledgeable and kind, who helped throughout the trip with recommendations for places on our free days, and spas. All the food we tried was delicious. It is a very fast paced tour, and Bon tried to maximise our experiences for the best.

Henry Guy Robinson   United Kingdom

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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