Overview
This 8-day journey across Portugal blends grand cities, seaside villages and UNESCO treasures into one smooth, luxurious experience. You move from the charm of Lisbon to the dramatic cliffs of the Atlantic coast, then into the storybook beauty of Sintra, before heading north through medieval towns, wine country and the elegant riverfront of Porto. Along the way you enjoy historic monasteries, palaces, ocean panoramas and cultural gems that define Portugal’s identity. It is an itinerary crafted for travelers who want richness and variety without rushing, and who appreciate destinations that feel both timeless and alive.
Palace Tours elevates this experience with the kind of thoughtful planning and premium service that makes luxury travel feel effortless. Their hand-selected accommodations, private transfers, and expert local guides ensure every moment feels polished and personal. Instead of navigating logistics, you get to savor Portugal at its best, with a team that understands comfort, reliability and detail. For travelers seeking a refined, stress-free way to explore the country’s most iconic scenes, Palace Tours is the partner that makes the entire journey feel exceptional.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Arrive in Lisbon
- Welcome to Lisbon, the sunniest city of Europe, well known by the city of the 7 hills.
- Meet your local assistant. Transfer to your hotel.
- Dinner on your terms. Overnight in the hotel.
Lisbon - Visit the Famous Belem Tower & Local Pastries
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- This morning we visit the lovely bay-side town of Belém, world renowned for its historic walking areas, magnificent Church and Cloisters of the Jerónimos (entrance in supplement) and famous Belem Tower (exterior). Of course we can’t leave this area without tasting the FAMOUS “pastel de belém,” a wonderful custard tart pastry from the Belem Pastry (Take-away included).
- Lunch on your terms.
- In the afternoon, we will go to the typical neighborhood of Alfama, with its winding streets and flowered balconies. Climb to the Belvedere of Santa Luzia from where we have one of the most beautiful panoramas on Lisbon. Continuation of the visit with Rossio and the “Praça do Comercio”, downtown and business. Free time to walk and discover this bright city.
- Dinner on your terms. Overnight in the hotel.
Lisbon to Sintra - Visit Pena Palace
- Breakfast in the hotel.
- After breakfast our day begins with an exhilarating sightseeing tour of the “Sunny Coast“, the cosmopolitan Estoril and Cascais. The colourful Bay of Cascais is both a traditional fishing village and a lively resort with bars, nightclubs and restaurants. We continue on to the Cabo da Roca cliff, which is the most westerly point of continental Europe.
- Lunch on your terms.
- A scenic drive takes us to the medieval village of Sintra (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Lord Byron called Sintra “the most delightful village in Europe.” Enjoy a walking tour of the village. Here we visit the Pena Palace (entrance in supplement) the colourful palace of the top of the Hill of “Serra de Sintra”.
- Continuation to your hotel in the Center Region.
- Dinner on your terms. Overnight in the hotel.
Obidos to Alcobaca - Cistercian Abbeys
- Excursion to the fortified medieval town of ÓBIDOS with its typical narrow streets and ramparts that encircle the city. Tasting of the famous Ginjinha (cherry liqueur) (included).
- Continue to NAZARÉ, a picturesque fishing village, at the foot of a steep cliff. The most typical and colorful beach of Portugal will seduce you with its ancestral traditions where women dressed in black wear up to seven petticoats.
- Lunch on your terms (we recommend a fish dish).
- Leisure time to stroll along this beautiful beach. Climb to the “Sítio” to admire the landscape.
- Departure for ALCOBAÇA where is one of the most beautiful Cistercian abbeys of Portugal, which was one of the richest and most powerful of the country. You will discover the church of the monastery and the moving love story of Pedro and Ines (entrance in supplement).
- Back to the hotel. Dinner on your terms. Overnight.
Porto - Gothic church of Sao Francisco
- Today we have a full day to discover Portugal’s second largest city: PORTO. This is the city that originated and named Porto Wine and Portugal, famed for its riverside hills, medieval alleys, Parisian-style plazas, historic monuments, churches and enchanting atmosphere. We’ll tour the city and visit the impressive gothic church of Sao Francisco (entrance in supplement), as well as the Stock Exchange Palace (entrance in supplement) and its famous Arab Room which is used for personalities.
- Lunch on your terms.
- After we’ll walk along the historical center of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Pass the beautiful cathedral (exterior) and visit the São Bento Station, well worthy of a visit with the huge entrance hall covered with some twenty thousand pictorial tiles. The work of Jorge Colaço, they feature historical and ethnographic images. In the end of your day visit a wine cellar and enjoy a Port wine tasting (in supplement). Back to your hotel. Dinner on your terms. Overnight in the hotel.
Porto to Viana do Castelo - Bom Jesus Sanctuary
- Today we’ll venture to the countryside in Portugal’s beautiful northern district to the town of Barcelos, known as the origin of the most famous symbol of Portugal, the colourful ceramic cockerel. Visit a local artisan. From here we’ll continue on to Braga, one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal and visit the Bom Jesus sanctuary (included) and the famous stairway, one of country’s best-know sites. Look forward to leisure time for sightseeing, shopping and lunch in this beautiful city.
- Lunch on your terms.
- Continue on to the charming town of Viana do Castelo with its beautiful setting on the north bank of the Lima River estuary. Known for its opulent mansions in the Manueline, Renaissance and Baroque styles and nearby beaches we’ll enjoy the afternoon in the pedestrians-only historic center before returning to Porto for an evening at leisure.
- Dinner on your terms. Overnight in the hotel.
Porto to Coimbra - Visit Portugal's oldest University
- Today we travel to the city of AVEIRO to capture the essence of this “picture-book” destination, with its colourful gondola-shaped boats, natural lagoons, elegant 19th century architecture and traditional cobblestone passageways. Known as “The Portuguese Venice” due to its system of canals and boats, the quality of life is very high in Aveiro. It is a special place where old meets new. Walking tour of the village. Enjoy a mini boat Tour on tradicional “Moliceiro” (entrance in supplement).
- Lunch on your terms.
- In the afternoon we travel to Coimbra, a charming university town, known as Portugal’s Oxford (the university library is one of the masterpieces of baroque art). We’ll have the opportunity to visit the main buildings of Portugal’s oldest university (subject to availability) and walk along the maze of narrow streets.
- Road to your hotel in center region. Dinner on your terms. Overnight in the hotel.
Center Region - Lisbon Airport
- Breakfast.
- Transfer to Lisbon airport.
Book This Tour
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Terms & Conditions
Palace Tours Terms and Conditions will apply to this tour.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Bed and breakfast from the 1st night to the breakfast of the 8th day in 4* hotels;
- Grand Tourism Bus according to the program;
- Tour guide according to the program;
- Braga Bom Jesus entrance
- Tastings according to the program
Not Included
- Travel insurances.
- Any other expenses not mentioned in "Included"
Payment Fees:
- 20% due at time of booking
- 80% due at 45 days prior to departure
Cancellation Fees:
- 10% of official price refundable up to 45 days prior to departure
- 25% of official price refundable up to 30 days prior to departure
- 100% of the total is payable within 30 days prior to departure
Note:
- Rates per person in Dollars
- Rates are subject to changes in availability
- Maximum of 2 children may share a room with their parents
- Suggested activities are not included in program price
- If selected hotel is not available at the time of booking, a hotel of a similar category will be found
Cancellations should be intimated by FAX to the corporate office in Miami, FL.
Guests need to add 3 business days to the above timeframes. An administration fee of 15% on any monies paid by the client will be charged prior to refund.
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover the losses incurred in case of cancellation. For information on available plans or to purchase travel insurance, please visit www.palacetours.com/insurance.
Travel tips and FAQs for this tour will be provided upon booking.
Media Gallery
View of the old city skyline in Porto from the Douro River
Moliceiro boats along the central canal in Aviero
Panoramic sunset of Lisbon from Belvedere of Santa Luzia
Coastal city of Nazare
Pastel de Belém
Monument to the discoveries in Lisbon
Row of wooden porto wine barrels in wine cellar Porto, Portugal.
Wine with a view of the Douro river in Porto
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