DAYS 2 and 3

• Visit the oldest neighborhood of Lisbon - Alfama.

  • The steep streets of Alfama are lined with shops selling traditional crafts and cafes.

  • Castelo de Sao Jorge - is a medieval castle located at the top of the neighborhood. It also provides excellent views of the city. <Location>

  • Miradouro da Graça - a popular photo stop offering dramatic views of the city.

    • Location: Calçada da Graça, 1100-265 Lisboa.

    • Castelo de Sao Jorge and Miradouro da Graca are a 10-minute walk apart.

  • Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Miradouro das Portas do Sol – these two (2) viewpoints are located virtually right next to each other and are best visited in the late afternoon/early evening, when the sun will be shining on Lisbon's orange-hued rooftops.

  • Fado Museum – learn about the evolution of this melancholy type of music that Portugal is famous for.

• Electric Bike tours - a thrilling way to see the city. The bicycles are electric, so no hill will be too great of an obstacle. 

• Walking tours - a popular overview of Lisbon with a guide. The walking tour is usually one-half a day. Be advised Lisbon is a hilly city.

  • Lisbon Urban Adventures and Inside Lisbon Tours are two recommended companies.

• Visit Sintra - a fairy tale town known for its many historic palaces and castles. An excellent day trip.

  • Getting there: an easy 40-minute train ride from Lisbon.
    We strongly discourage driving to Sintra, as there are heavy traffic jams and very limited car parking.

    • Direct rail services run from Rossio Station in Baixa district to Sintra Station. 

    • <Learn more about the Train network>

  • Within Sintra, highlights include:

    • Stroll the historic center of Sintra along the narrow alleys, past shops selling regional products.

      • Sintra’s historic center is about a 20-minute walk from the Sintra train station.

    • Palácio Nacional da Pena - it is a stunning and colorful palace. It is one of the most famous examples of Romanticist architecture in Europe and is considered a prominent symbol of Portuguese national identity.

    • Sintra National Palace - it is one of the best-preserved medieval royal residences in the country. The palace dates back to the Moorish period.

    • Quinta da Regaleira - it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is often considered one of the most beautiful and fascinating places to visit in Sintra. The palace is a beautiful Neo-Manueline mansion with Gothic and Renaissance influences. The palace is richly decorated with intricate stonework, beautiful stained glass windows, and ornate detailing.

      However, what sets Quinta da Regaleira apart is its extensive and mystical gardens.

• Overnight: Lisbon

• Distance: Lisbon —> Sintra, 40 minutes.

DAY 4

• Embark to Coimbra with stops in Obibos, Nazarre and Fatima.

• Obidos is a charming Portuguese walled town and a popular destination. There are narrow-cobbled streets, traditional painted houses, and an imposing medieval castle. Obidos can be explored in a half a day.

• Best activity in Obidos is to Walk the Castle Wall.

  • The full walk is about 1.5 km and offers fabulous views of the historical center and surrounding countryside.

  • Be advised: the Wall Walk has no railings and is uneven at certain parts of the path.

• Óbidos is renowned for a popular Portuguese liqueur (cherry brandy) called ginjinha.  Ginjinha bars are popular in Óbidos.

• Next stop is Nazarre—a popular seaside resort on the western coastline.

  • Possibly the most famous fishing town in Portugal and some of the world’s highest waves are found here (30m), mostly in the wintertime.

  • Take the funicular to Sitio da Nazare (the top of Monte Sitio) for superb views.

• Afterward journey to Fatima.

• Fatima - is an important Catholic shrine, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

  • Its Sanctuary welcomes millions of pilgrims from all over the world.

• Continue to Coimbra.

• Overnight: Coimbra (1 night)

• Driving distance:

  • Lisbon to Obidos, 1 hr. 15 min. 85 km

  • Obidos to Nazaree, 40 min. 40 km

  • Nazarre to Fatima, 1 hr. 60 km

  • Fatima to Coimbra, 1 hr. 80 km

DAY 6

• Discover the Pinhao to Regu region.

  —The best approach to see the region is with a Guided Walk Tour. Highly recommended.

  —The renowned Douro Wine area is here, one of the oldest wine producing regions on the planet. 

  —The landscape is beautiful with lush green hills and small quaint villages. The drive is stunning and makes for great photo opportunities.  

• Wine Tasting.

  —Surrounded by wineries, you can do a formal wine tour or can just wander in when you see an “open” sign.

• Walk Along the Banks of the Douro.

  —Route of Walk—Leave the town of Pinhão, cross the bridge over the River Pinhão and walk along the banks of the River Douro. Pass the Restaurante Cais da Foz, head upwards towards Quinta de La Rosa and continue in the direction of Chanceleiros. Venture through the Douro terraces.

  • Take in the beauty of the hillside and the winding river below. Experience the tranquility and beauty of this extraordinary place. Distance: 10 km round-trip, 3 hours.

• Take a ride on the Historic Douro Train.

  • The journey runs from Pinhao to Tua. The train offers a serene journey back in time and the opportunity to appreciate the landscape of the Douro River.

• Enjoy a 1 or 2-hour traditional Rabelo boat tour on a breathtaking stretch of the Douro river.

  • Similar to the train ride, the round-trip boat journey runs from Pinhao to Tua. Boat tours takes one (1) hour and are available through either Companhia Turistica do Douro or Magnifico Douro.

    • Tickets can be purchased at the jetty in Pinhão at The Vintage House Hotel.

• There are a couple picturesque villages if you have extra time.

  • Provesende - is a charming village. Explore the village by foot as it is very quiet and almost untouched town.

  • Another village further away is Aramante. <video>

• Visit the Mateus Palace. This palace set in beautiful gardens on a vast farm and is one of the finest examples of baroque civil architecture in Portugal.

• Food lovers—Douro Valley is known for its various gastronomic specialties, such as roast kid (goat) and carne maronesa (the meat from a special kind of cattle only found in this area of Portugal) and doces cristas de Galo (pastries in the shape of a rooster´s comb).

• Overnight: Pinhao

• Driving distance:

  • Pinhao ---> Provesende, 20 min.

  • Pinhao ---> Mateus Palace, 45 min.

  • Regua ---> Pinhao, 30 min.

DAY 7

• Continue to tour the Douro River Valley as described on Day 6.

• Afterward journey to Porto via the N-222 road.

  • One of the world's best scenic roads is the N-222 from Pinhao to Peso de Regua.

    • Details: 27 km, 93 bends and views of the Douro Valley.

• Porto is a coastal city known for its stately bridges, pictureque waterfront, and a vibrant cultural scene with numerous art galleries, theaters, and music venues.

• Porto is the birthplace of port wine production. Port wine is typically richer, sweeter, heavier, and higher in alcohol content than unfortified wines.

• Some of the best food in Europe can be found here. Gourmet steakhouses, brunch cafes and food markets.

• Overnight: Porto, (3 nights)

• Driving distance: Pinhao ---> Porto, 1.5 hr. / 130 km

DAYS 8 and 9

• Discover the medieval Ribeira (riverside) district of Porto with its cobbled streets, shops and cafes. The riverside area is a picturesque piazza where tourists and locals mingle. There are bars and restaurants around every corner.

• Explore the Ribeira area by take a one (1) hour cruise. Your guide will share interesting information about Porto's history, the significant landmarks in the city, and the different bridges that you'll encounter along the way.

  • The Six Bridges Cruise is particularly popular among tourists.

• Discover the Bolhão Market, a famous market in the city, where products such as vegetables, fruits and among others are sold.

• Book a Walking Tour. Porto is a city that offers Portuguese charm and history.

  • The historic center is compact, and a walking tour is ideal.

• Walk the Dom Luis I Bridge. An industrial symbol for Porto, this double-decker arched bridge opened in 1886.

  • The upper deck has a pedestrian walkway. The bridge crosses the banks of the Douro and rises to almost 45 meters.

• Hop on the Gaia Cable car for great views which connects the upper deck of the Luís I Bridge and the Pier of city of Gaia.

  • <Learn more> <Tickets>

• Head over to the Foz do Douro - Porto’s seafront and finest neighborhood. Facing the Atlantic, you will get to enjoy great sunset views. Getting there: taxi, 10 minutes and inexpensive.

• Overnight: Porto.

DAY 10 

• Depart from Porto airport for your flight home.

Sources: Tapooz Travel, wikipedia.org

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