Portugal’s Golden Cities

7 days, 6 nights

 

 

Discover Portugal’s golden cities – Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto – in this unforgettable trip for history buffs, foodies and architecture lovers!

 

Highlights

• Explore and marvel at Lisbon’s architecture and ride its charming trams up and down the city hills.
• Visit the famous wine region of Alentejo and the historic city of Évora.
• Spend some time at the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in the world.
• Head north to Porto, which is known for its fortified port wine and wealth of bridges.
• Explore the enchanted valley of Douro River, home to traditional quinta farmhouses and world-renowned wineries.
• Pay a visit to a local port wine cellar and enjoy a wine tasting or two before embarking on a relaxing cruise down the Douro River.

 

Overnight Stops

6 nights total

Lisbon (2) – Coimbra (1) – Porto (3)

 

Sample Itinerary

 

Day 1: Lisbon

You’ll be met by your private driver at the Lisbon airport and then transferred to your hotel. After checking in, head into Lisbon and explore the magnificent Portuguese capital. Meet your local guide for a walking tour of the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower, both of which have been classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites. In the evening, attend a dramatic fado performance with your dinner.

Highlights (Included): Guided visit to Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, Fado performance with dinner
Highlights (Optional): Lisbon river cruise

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

 

Day 2: Lisbon – Évora & Alentejo

After breakfast, meet with your guided tour group to head to the beautiful region of Alentejo where you’ll see fields of olive trees, cork trees and vineyards. You will visit a local vineyard and sample some of their wines and enjoy lunch. Then you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage town of Évora, where you’ll see an ancient Roman temple and a medieval aqueduct. In the evening, return to Lisbon where you’ll have free time for dinner on your own.

Highlights (Included): Wine tasting in Alentejo,Roman temple in Évora
Highlights (Optional): Guided half-day tour of Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril with entrance to Palacio da Pena

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

 

Day 3: Lisbon to Coimbra

Pick up your car rental and head toward Fátima. The city of Fátima is known as a site for one of the largest Catholic pilgrimages. After visiting the sanctuary, continue to Coimbra, one of Portugal’s oldest cities and home to one of the world’s first universities. Coimbra was the capital of the country from 1139 to 1256, and its university was founded in 1290. This impressive university is still one of the world’s most illustrious schools and the city’s biggest attraction. You will have free time in the evening for dinner on your own.

Highlights (Included): Sanctuary of Fátima and Coimbra
Highlights (Optional): Stop in Óbidos which has a castle, an aqueduct, and an ornate city gate with a small Baroque chapel built into it

Overnight in Coimbra
Tenon Recommends: Hotel Quinta Das Lágrimas, 5⭑
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 4: Coimbra to Porto

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then spend some time in Coimbra visiting the university and its serene botanical garden with a local guide. After lunch, continue north to Porto. Porto is one of the most ancient cities in Europe and it has plenty of historic and cultural traditions. You will have free time in the evening for dinner and to enjoy the city.

Highlights (Included): Coimbra and its historic university
Highlights (Optional): Buçaco Palace, a 19th century former royal residence in the Buçaco National Forest

Overnight in Porto
Tenon Recommends: Hotel Teatro, 4⭑
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 5: Porto

In the morning, explore the highlights of Porto with a half-day guided tour of the city. You’ll learn about Porto and its most important monuments, such as St. Johns Theater, the Famous Batalha Square with Santa Catarina Street, Aliados Avenue, Clerigos Tower, Carmelitas Church and more. Once you have seen Porto on dry land, you can take a Douro River cruise to see it from the water. This tour gives you a chance to admire the city from a comfortable boat as you drift down the Douro, passing under six of the city’s bridges and sampling local port wines.

Highlights (Include): Porto sightseeing, Douro river cruise, port wine cellar with tasting
Highlights (Optional): Guided full-day tour of Minho

Overnight in Porto
Tenon Recommends: Hotel Teatro, 4⭑
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 6: Porto – Douro Valley – Porto

Today we recommend taking a day trip into the Douro Valley and stopping in at some of the quintas and wineries along the way. You can also stop by the Côa Valley Archaeological Park, an open-air Paleolithic site with prehistoric rock art. Return to Porto in the evening for dinner and your last night in Portugal.

Highlights (Included): Explore Douro Valley and visit farmhouse (quinta) wineries
Highlights (Optional): Stop at Côa Valley Archaeological Park

Overnight in Porto
Tenon Recommends: Hotel Teatro, 4⭑
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 7: Porto to Lisbon

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

 

Pricing

From $1,709 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.

Ready to plan your trip to Portugal?

Request a custom quote