Portugal coastal cities tour with cultural excursions

Explore Portugal from historic Lisbon and sacred Fátima to pretty Porto, with city tours, amazing excursions, all travel and breakfast included

Day 1: UK/Ireland - Lisbon, Portugal

After touching down in the Portuguese capital, you’ll transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of your day at your leisure. Settle into your hotel and unwind from the journey or head out to get a feel for this vibrant city before your adventure begins tomorrow.

Day 2: Lisbon

You won’t have to wait long until you can immerse yourself in Portuguese history and culture, with a full-day tour of Lisbon scheduled for the first morning of your trip. Admire the vast Belem Tower, the Monument of Discoveries and the Monastery of Jerónimos, resting place of the famous explorer, Vasco da Gama. After that, it’s time for a real treat - a pastry tasting where you’ll get to sample the iconic Pasteis de Belem (also known as Pasteis de Nata). End the tour with a walk around Alfama, the oldest area of the city, and enjoy the views from its hillside vantage point. The rest of the day is then yours to continue your discovery of the city. Why not explore lively Praça do Comércio Square and Rossio Square, or head for a bite in a local café? In the evening you have the option of enjoying a delicious Portuguese dinner alongside a traditional Fado music show.

Day 3: Sintra

Today sees you embark on an excursion to the town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its 19th-century Romanticist architecture and brightly-coloured castles. You’ll visit the Quinta da Regaleira, home of the magical gardens that are filled with intriguing symbolism and enchanting structures. After a tour, spend some free time discovering more of beautiful Sintra, before heading to Cape Roca, the westernmost point on the European continent. From there you can explore the village of Cascais, once the chosen holiday spot for Portuguese aristocracy, before returning to Lisbon to spend the evening as you wish.

Day 4: Lisbon - Óbidos - Nazaré - Fátima

After saying goodbye to Lisbon, you’ll head to the sacred city of Fátima, but not before making a few stunning side trips. Stop at Óbidos, a medieval walled town that is well-known for its pretty cobblestone streets and charming architecture, and Nazaré, home to some of the largest waves in the world and the most popular beach destination on the Silver Coast. After these detours, you’ll arrive in Fátima, one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites. Fátima’s sacred sights include the Capelinha das Aparições, where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared to local children in 1917, the striking Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário and the modern church of Igreja da Santíssima Trindade. Spend the evening wandering amidst the wonders of this place at your leisure.

Day 5: Fátima - Coimbra - Porto

On day five you leave Fátima and travel to the UNESCO-listed Convent of Christ complex in Tomar, where you’ll discover the history of the 12th-century Templars who made their stronghold here. Afterwards, you continue onto Porto - stopping at Coimbra, a lively student city and home of the oldest university in the country, along the way - to arrive in the evening. Grab a delicious dinner and wander the atmospheric streets, soaking up the unique atmosphere in this gem of a city.

Day 6: Porto

Kickstart the day with a panoramic tour of Porto and tick off some of the city’s top-billed sites, like Clérigos Tower, Aliados Avenue and the impressive São Bento train station. After that, you have time to explore under your own steam; other fantastic landmarks await you, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bolsa Palace and the ornate Baroque Church of Saint Francis. Want to uncover a different side of Porto? You could seek out some local port cellars and sample the tipple that got its name from this very city. You also have the option of adding a boat tour on the Douro River to your itinerary, perfect for seeing the city from a new perspective.

Day 7: Porto - Aveiro - Lisbon

On your way back to Lisbon you’ll stop off at the characterful coastal city of Aveiro; wander the streets amidst colourful fisherman’s houses and street art, discover the local Art Nouveau architecture or board a moliceiro (like the local equivalent of a gondola) and take a trip along the charming canals, soaking up the small-town charm. When you get back to the capital, you have a final afternoon to hit any top spots you might have missed or track down those hidden gems you’ve heard about on your travels.

Day 8: Lisbon - UK/Ireland

After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye and start your journey home.