Best Portugal Tour from Lisbon

Today will be devoted to the Sintra Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the former summer vacation destination for Portugal’s royals, it is famous for the old palace and castle exploration. We will first visit Pena Palace, the most striking and eclectic architecture in all palaces, with a blending style of Gothic, Manueline, and Moorish. The fairytale-like palace offers more than the stunning pink-yellow structure, and its super high location makes it a good point to enjoy a panoramic view. Then we will head to Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors). The medieval castle ruin is just located on a hilltop, offering a glimpse for Moorish history with supreme views of the surroundings. The next stop is Quinta da Regaleira, located near the Sintra’s Historic Center. Also known as the Palace of the Monteiro Millionaire, it allures visitors for its Romanesque-style white buildings, picturesque lush gardens, and mysterious caves. After that, we will drop by Cascais, a beautiful fishing village where you can enjoy coastal views and sea cliffs.

★ Enjoy Sunset at Europe’s Westernmost Point - Roca Cape
Afterward, you will be guided to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime sunset experience at the west extreme of continental Europe. This is the place where the land ends and the sea begins. Standing on the cliff, it’s interesting and romantic to observe how the light changes as the sun goes down. The rocks would be dyed a golden glow by the light, and the silhouettes under the sunset are impressive.
Tips:
1. If you want to take a photo with the famous monument of Roca Cape, wait till after the sunset, when the light is gentler with fewer crowds.
2. Remember to take a coat to prevent strong winds on the cliff.
3. Ladies don’t wear high-heeled shoes and prepare a pair of sneakers for stony mountainous trails.

Finish the visit, and you will be escorted back to the hotel in Lisbon.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Marques de Pombal, Lisbon (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, your private guide will pick you up from the hotel and lead you first to see Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) from the outside. Standing at the mouth of the Tagus River, the 16th-century fortress witnessed the glory of the Age of Discoveries and remained as the symbol of Lisbon and even the whole of Portugal. Then we will head to the Monument of the Discoveries (Padrao dos Descobrimentos), depicting the great story of Prince Henry the Navigator and other leading figures from the Age of Discoveries, like the King Afonso V and Vasco da Gama. The next stop is Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos), a fine example of Manueline architecture. It’s also home to the tomb of the famous explorer, Vasco de Gama. After the monastery visit, if time permits, your guide will lead you to taste Pastel de Nata at its birth place, Pstéis de Belém, and that would be a really nice try. Then we will pay a visit to the National Coach Museum, which collects various kinds of century-old coaches and carriages, with luxurious and beautiful decorations. At noon, you will have a chance to Time Out Market, the leading food market in the city, offering a variety of tasty specialties and drinks from over 30 food stalls.

After lunch, follow the guide to stroll around the old town area. First, view the Elevador da Bica Funicular, boasting Lisbon’s most beautiful photographed funicular shuttling between the hill top and bottom. Then we will continue to the Igreja de Sao Roque Church to see the oldest Catholic church in Lisbon, successfully preserved from the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. Apart from appreciating the Baroque architecture, exquisite carvings and gorgeous decorative interiors, you can also see some intricate sacred arts and relics in the nearby small museum. After that, we will pass by the spectacular industrial-era elevator, Elevador de Santa Justa, and then stop by the Rua Augusta Arch, the city’s famous landmark constructed in honor of the reconstruction of the city from the large earthquake. Next, we will pass by the Praça do Comércio (Commercial Square) facing the Tagus River. Later, we will continue the visit to the Alfama District to see Lisbon Cathedral, the oldest church in the city. Today’s last stop is Castelo de S. Jorge (São Jorge Castle), standing on the highest hill of Lisbon. The castle surrounded by old walls cannot only take you to travel to the medieval era but also offer a stunning panoramic view of the city.

► Tips:
1. Make sure to wear a pair of sneakers because the roads are stony, with many ups and downs. 
2. Wear a coat for your visit to the viewing platform and the wind is strong during the sunset.

► Night Activities Recommended: Enjoy a Live Fado Show in Alfama District!
Fado is a traditional musical singing popular from the 19th century in Lisbon. Famous for sorrow-stricken tunes, a fado is mainly for expressing sorrow, thoughts of the departed, everyday life and conquests. The combination of the high-pitched Portuguese guitar and the tenor Spanish guitar creates a unique lyrical atmosphere of sweet sadness. You cannot miss the charm of Fado when visiting Lisbon. Alfama District is considered the birthplace of the beautiful music, home to a lot of classic fado houses, like Tasca do Chico and A Baîuca. Generally, the show starts after 21:00.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Marques de Pombal, Lisbon (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, you will take a morning train from Lisbon - Oriente Railway Station to Porto on your own. From your hotel to the Oriente Station, walk northwest about 300 meters to Marquês de Pombal to take Metro Am to Saldanha and then transfer to Metro Vm to the train station. It takes about 30 minutes and costs about 2 euros by metro, and remember to depart in advance to catch the train.

After about 3-hour train journey, you will arrive in Portugal’s second largest and most romantic city, Porto, situated along the Douro River. Upon arrival, you need to reach the hotel that is about 5km away from the station. It is suggested to take Bus Line 400 directly from Lagarteiro (Norte) to Batalha. Getting off the bus, the hotel is only about 50 meters from the stop.

► Activities Recommended:
After check-in, you can take a break at the hotel and then get a first impression of the city on your own. In the afternoon, take an aimless stroll in the old town area and look for some hidden gems like Cafe Majestic and Livraria Lello, which are both famous for being the inspiration for Harry Potter. It is also suggested to sip a cup of coffee in famous local cafes along the Douro River, overlooking the beautiful water views. A Duoro River boat tour is also recommended to take in the cityscape from a different angle, which takes about 50 minutes at the cost of 15 euros. There is no problem with buying tickets on-site.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina (4 stars) or similar

On this day, your private guide will accompany you to some city star attractions, beginning with the Chapel of Souls (Capela das Almas), featuring its beautiful exterior walls covered by azulejo tiles. Then we will stop by Mercado do Bolhão, a popular traditional market offering meat, fruits, flowers, and fresh seafood. Apart from sampling some food delights, here is also the best place to feel the local atmosphere. Then we will move to Porto São Bento to witness one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world. Located in the heart of Porto’s old town, it boasts blue-white azulejo panels. After that, we will head to Clerigos Church & Tower, the most striking architecture standing in the city, high at 249 ft (76 meters). Climbing high onto the tower and you can enjoy a perfect bird view of the city. The next destination is Sé do Porto (Porto Cathedral), constructed in the 12th century, which boasts the gorgeous architecture of a blending style of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque and intriguing interiors like a silver altarpiece, delicate vestments, and sculptures. Then you will be guided to Igreja de Santa Clara, a Catholic church offering amazing gilded woodwork and intricate design. Finish the church visit, and we will go to Bolsa Palace, also known as the Stock Exchange Palace. With the guide’s explaining, you will have a glimpse of the palace’s beautiful interior decorated with tiled floors, gorgeous staircase and old paintings. The gold-gilded Arabian Room is the highlight.

★ Special Arrangement: Port Wine Tasting Tour
We will then cross the Ponte Luís I Bridge for a unique Port wine tasting in Caves Cálem, one of the top wine cellars in the city. You will have an insight into Port wine producing and see barrels of various sizes. The best part is of course the wine tasting, and you will have a chance to taste several kinds of good wine.

Finish the visit, and we will head to Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, a former monastery located high on a hill, offering the best view of the city with the spectacular Ponte Luís I Bridge, especially beautiful at the sunset time. In the end, you will be sent back to the hotel.

► Dining Recommendation: Taste Authentic Portuguese Cuisines at Brasão Aliados
The restaurant provides visitors with fine Mediterranean cuisines. If you want to taste some local specialties, it is unmissable. Some recommended dishes include Meat, Mushroom and Truffle “Rissol”, La minated Octopus with Green Sause, and Francesinha in the Oven with Egg. The average cost per person is from €15 to €25 and advanced booking is necessary.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina (4 stars) or similar

This is the last day of your Lisbon tour of Portugal with Sintra & Porto. You need to go to the airport on your own for a flight back home. Wish you a nice journey with us!

► Transport Suggestion: Walk north about 500 meters to Bolhão Station to take Metro Line E to Aeroporto Station, which takes about 40 minutes and costs 2.25 euros. 

If your flight is late today, it is suggested to spend a half-day in the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley. Here you can not only enjoy stunning landscapes but also pay a short visit to wineries and get to know the area’s wine production plus the wine tasting.

Meals: Breakfast