Portugal’s Golden Beaches

7 days, 6 nights

 

 

See Portugal’s dazzling coastline and vibrant capital city on this 6-night getaway! Explore medieval towns, melt your stresses away at golden beaches and soak in the rich history and unique traditions of this coastal country.

 

Highlights

• Explore one of Europe’s most charming cities and Portugal’s capital, Lisbon.
• Taste the best of Portuguese culinary treats and sample some of their exceptional wines.
• Visit the palaces and seaside resorts near Lisbon before heading south to the golden beaches of the Algarve.
• Unwind and relax at the beach or go in search of dolphins or other marine wildlife in the area.

 

Overnight stops

6 nights total

Lisbon (2) – Portimão (Algarve) (4)

 

Sample Itinerary

 

Day 1: Arrive in Portugal – Lisbon

Welcome to Portugal! You’ll be met by your private driver at the Lisbon airport and then transferred to your hotel. After checking in, your vacation will start with a traditional Portuguese lunch at a local restaurant. Then, cruise leisurely along the Tajo River and enjoy the city from a different perspective. You’ll have plenty of free time in the evening to unwind and have dinner on your own in the city. We recommend checking out the Baixa and Chiado areas of the city where you’ll find plenty of lively restaurants and shops.

Highlights (Included): Traditional lunch at a local restaurant, Tajo River cruise
Highlights (Optional): Lisbon by Night Tour

Overnight in Lisbon
Tenon Recommends: Hotel H10 Duque de Loulé 4⭑
(Lunch included)

 

Day 2: Lisbon – Sintra – Cascais – Estoril – Lisbon

Today you will enjoy a half-day guided tour of Lisbon’s surrounding areas. You will start with Sintra, which is the royal city around Lisbon and the summer residence of Portuguese kings. Your tour includes entrance to the royal palace located on the top of the hill. After Sintra, sightsee the coast flanking Lisbon with stops in the coastal towns of Cascais and Estoril, and explore the narrow streets and see the aristocratic houses of the area. In this charming region, you will also visit Europe’s westernmost point, Cabo da Roca, and the incredible Boca do Inferno.

Highlights (Included): Tour of Sintra, Cascais and Estoril with admission to Palacio de Pena
Highlights (Optional): Half-day guided tour of Fátima

Overnight in Lisbon
Tenon Recommends: Hotel H10 Duque de Loulé 4⭑
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 3: Lisbon to Algarve

Pick up your car rental, and then head about an hour east toward the city of Évora, the capital of Portugal’s Alentejo region. In the city center, you’ll find an ancient Roman temple, the temple of Diana, and a medieval aqueduct. For those who are not squeamish, you can also stop in at the Capela dos Ossos, a chapel lined with human bones. After Évora, drive another 2.5 hours south toward the sunny and golden beaches of the Algarve. Make sure to pack a bathing suit, sandals and sunscreen!

Highlights (Included): Évora and its Roman sites
Highlights (Optional): Wine tasting in the Alentejo region, photo stop in the whitewashed village of Beja

Overnight in Portimão (Algarve)
Tenon Recommends: Hotel Bela Vista 5⭑
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 4: Algarve

You will have free time in the morning to relax by the beach, get a spa treatment or play golf. In the afternoon, visit a winery located in an Algarve farmhouse (quinta). Upon your arrival at Quinta do Frances, you can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding hills and its vineyards. The area is often compared to a small version of Portugal’s famous wine region, the Douro Valley. You will then enter the wine shop and tasting room where you can purchase local and regional products. Enjoy a guided tour of the winery and cellar or simply taste the wines.

Highlights (Included): Wine tasting in a traditional quinta
Highlights (Optional): Lagos Zoo

Overnight in Portimão (Algarve)
Tenon Recommends: Hotel Bela Vista 5⭑
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 5: Algarve

This morning you will climb aboard a jet-powered boat and cruise along the coast of the Algarve. Look for dolphins and hidden caves on a half-day dolphin watching cruise of the Algarve from Albufeira. You’ll marvel at the rock formations as a marine biologist on board the cruise provides information about the wonderful creatures and creations you’ll see. Be aware that as dolphins are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Highlights (Included): Dolphin watching cruise
Highlights (Optional): Tavira’s Moorish Castle, Loulé Market

Overnight in Portimão (Algarve)
Tenon Recommends: Hotel Bela Vista 5⭑
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 6: Algarve

Today you’ll explore the Algarve region. Visit beaches with amazing rock formations like Ponta Piedade, a Moorish castle in Silves, a cobblestone street in Monchique and Sagres, the westernmost point of the Algarve. You’ll have free time to relax in the evening and have dinner on your own.

Highlights (Included): Ponta Piedade, Silves, Monchique, and Sagres
Highlights (Optional): Hopping around golden sand beaches

Overnight in Portimão (Algarve)
Tenon Recommends: Hotel Bela Vista 5⭑
(Breakfast)

 

Day 7: Return Home

Drop off your car rental at the Faro airport or continue onward to more Portuguese adventures!
(Breakfast included)

 

Pricing

From $1,545 per person based on double occupancy*
*Price shown is an example of what to expect for a self-drive vacation. Each itinerary is customized and can change depending on seasonality, availability, etc.

This trip can be booked as a self-drive tour or chauffeur tour.

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