Like to get out and explore the nature as well as the towns and culture in a country?  In this itinerary, you will climb the hills of Lisbon while exploring the charming neighborhoods, bike though meadows of cork and olive trees and vineyards, walk across the bluffs and cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, and enjoy the spectacular caves and rock formations from the water.  Come fill your lungs with fresh air, while enjoying spectacular landscapes.  Rejuvenate your body and soul while spending some activity-filled days surrounded by nature.

Active Portugal Vacation Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Lisbon

On your arrival in Lisbon, we will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your first hotel.  Depending upon your arrival time, a private guided afternoon walking tour will give you a good feel for the historic center of the city and its neighborhoods.

Day 2 – Lisbon

Take a guided walking and tram tour of Belém in the morning – the part of Lisbon along the Tagus River dedicated to the explorers and explorations.  In the afternoon, continue exploring this part of the city, take in a museum, or return to the historic center.  Or, take the boat across the river for a fantastic view of Lisbon from a different perspective.  Enjoy fresh seafood with some chilled wine, while watching the sun set over the city.

Day 3 – Lisbon / Évora + Afternoon Bike Tour

 

Pick up your rental car, and drive just 1.5 hours into the Alentejo, to Évora.  A World Heritage town, Évora lies in the countryside, in a region filled with fields of cork trees, olive groves, sheep and cattle, vines and vineyards.  It is a culturally and historically rich area, and it is known for some of the best food and wine in Portugal.

This afternoon, enjoy a biking tour where you will ride through the narrow streets of Évora’s historical center, and follow the aqueduct inside the city walls.  Then, you will head out into the countryside, where you will follow the eco trail, which runs along farms with typical countryside architecture, grazing animals, and the lovely aqueduct, originally from the 16th century.

Day 4 – Évora / Monsaraz / Évora

From Évora, drive along the wine route for a visit at a local winery where you will enjoy a tour and lunch.  Then continue through a pottery making village, where you can see artisans working the clay into lovely decorative pieces.  Then continue on to the tiny hilltop village of Monsaraz.  Originally fortified by the Knights Templar, this fairytale village still maintains its medieval atmosphere, yet is home to some 100-150 residents.

Day 5 – Évora / Vila Vicosa / Estremoz / Évora

Morning bike tour through the green area of Valverde, where you will see some of the most emblematic megalithic monuments of the region of Évora: the cromlech and the menhir of Almendres (more than 5000 years old!), and the big dolmen of Zambujeiro. You will also visit the ruins of Giraldo’s Castle, and the Roman ruins of Tourega.  Somewhere under a tree you will stop for a bite of local cheese and chorizos and, of course, a good glass of wine!

In the afternoon, relax in Évora, or head out of town to visit two of the ‘Marble Towns’ of Portugal – the marble rivals that of Carrera, Italy.  In Vila Viçosa, nearly everything you see – the palace, door and window frames, churches, benches, sidewalks, and even the toilets in the bus station are made of the “white gold,” that comes from the nearby quarries. Estremoz is the largest of the ‘Marble Towns’, with an upper and lower part of town, crowned by a castle, where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the town and the plains surrounding.

Day 6 – Évora / Costa Vicentina / Sagres

Continue south to the Algarve, to the southwestern-most point in Portugal.  This is the most beautiful part of the Algarve, having avoided the development of the central part.  It is more wild, and less touristy.  Take the ‘old road’ winding through villages and beautiful rolling countryside.  Stop at a beach along the way, for a walk or a drink with a wonderful view of craggy cliffs that plunge into foaming seas.

Sagres is a tranquil rustic town with a picturesque harbour, a pretty main square, beautiful beaches, and stunning views. While popular year round with fishermen and surfers due to the Atlantic waters and good waves for surfing, it is a laid back destination for tourists in the summer, who are looking for something a bit more off the beaten track.

Day 7 – Sagres / Hike + Eplore the Coast / Sagres

Morning guided hike along the cliffs and bluffs, with a stop at the lighthouse, then a tour of the Sagres Fortress, where Henry the Navigator established his navigation school in the 15th C.  In the afternoon, enjoy some local beach time, or explore a bit more of the Costa Vicentina or the southern coast to Salema, Ingrina and Zavial.

Day 8 – Sagres / Lagos + Boat Trip / Sagres

Visit Lagos for the day, with a half day sail along the coast where you will see the impressive caves and rock formations of the coast and the “Ponta da Piedade”, with picnic included.  (If you prefer, this could be a dolphin watching sail).  Spend the rest of the day in Lagos.

Lagos is one of the more popular towns in the Algarve due to its beaches, variety of bars and restaurants, and its vibrant summer nightlife. But Lagos also has a historic part, being a big part of the Portuguese Age of Discovery, with cobbled streets, 17th C fortifications, and the 15th C. “slave market”.

Day 9 – Sagres / Sintra

Return to the Lisbon area, to the fairytale village of Sintra.  Lush and green, Sintra is home to castles, palaces, lovely gardens, fantastic manor houses, and a charming village center.

After checking out the town, hike up through the forrest to visit Pena Palace and the Moorish castle.

Day 10 – Sintra

Spend the day in Sintra, visiting the palaces and gardens in the center of town.  Apart from the sites, there are some great walks and hiking paths in and around the town, as well as into the surrounding countryside.

Day 11  – Sintra / Explore the Coast / Cascais / Sintra

For your last day, take the car to explore the coast, and to visit the westernmost point in Europe – Cabo da Roca.  Visit a winery for a tour and tasting, then spend the afternoon and evening in Cascais, formerly a quaint fishing village, that became (along with Estoril) a popular resort and then refuge favored by European nobility and kings in the 20th century. Today it is a colorful town with cobbled streets, and plenty of shops and restaurants.

Day 12 – Departure

Return the rental car at the airport.

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Our tour pricing will include:

• Greeting at the airport (train station or cruise doc, etc.) on arrival
• Private transfers as noted
• Accommodations in your choice of lodging (we will suggest very charming and particularly well situated four and five star hotels, as well as very charming guest houses that can offer an excellent standard of service)
• Breakfast each morning
• Transportation – driver-guide, rental car*, or bus/ train/ transfer arrangements, pending your preference
• Private guided tours and/or special activities as outlined in the program
• Visits, entrances and activities as mentioned in the program
• Travel ‘Roadbook’ Manual personalized to your tour and specific itinerary
• Local phone support for help or assistance while in Portugal
• Personalized itinerary to Portugal/Travel Consultancy Service

The tour pricing will not include:

• Flights to and from Portugal
• Meals (other than breakfast each morning, and meals that will be outlined in your proposal)
• Entrances to sites and museums that are not outlined in your proposal
• Other expenses not mentioned
• Personal expenses

* Rental car (please confirm car group in the proposal) will include SCDW, TP insurance, 2 drivers, unlimited kms, pick up either at your hotel, and drop off at the  hotel, rental desk or airport, and 24 hr Roadside Assistance.