Best of Portugal
Porto & the Douro Valley, the university town of Coimbra, Fatima, medieval Óbidos, enchanting Lisbon with a day trip to fairy-tale Sintra. Optional Azores extension
Overview
| Style | Small Group TourTravel with a small, intimate group of no more than 16 likeminded travelers (and often much fewer), escorted by an English speaking guide and/or tour manager for some or all of your journey. (Some exceptions, including special promotional packages, may accommodate up to 30.) More of these packages
Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout |
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| Departures | September 2025 – November 2026 | Group Size | 16 travelers max |
| Themes | Active, History & Culture, City Stays | ||
| Activity Level | Moderate | ||
| What to Expect | This fast-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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Once a global superpower and rejuvenated as one of the trendiest destinations in Europe, Portugal impresses with its eclectic repertoire of vibrant cities and historic towns, old-world countryside, and some of the best cuisines on the continent. Start your journey in Porto, along Portugal’s river of gold, sampling the region’s famous Port wine from the centuries-old cellars in the city. Then, dive into the stunning landscapes and rich history of the Douro Valley, immersing yourself in the breathtaking vineyards and winemaking region. Traveling south, discover Aveiro, Coimbra, and Fatima, towns that color the country’s cultural offerings. Explore medieval Portugal within the walled city of Obidos with its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses before you glide smoothly into your three-night stay in Lisbon. The country’s capital is bound to enchant, with its lovingly restored yellow trams that ply the hills and the sound of melancholy and introspective Fado music joining you over a meal with your fellow travelers.
Looking for more adventure? Extend your trip with a post-tour Azores extension!
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK or EWR), including taxes & fees
- All ground transportation and transfers
- 8 nights accommodations in First Class hotels
- 12 meals: 8 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 3 dinners; plus Port wine, olive oil and Ginginha tastings
- Comprehensive tour program including entrance fees
- Professional, English-speaking tour director and local guides
Optional add-ons
- Optional post-tour Azores extension
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.
Why you'll love it
- Visit one of Porto's famous wine cellars and sip various renowned wines from the region.
- Enjoy a delicious picnic in the Douro Valley overlooking the vineyards.
- Cruise along the Douro River in a traditional Rabelo boat and revel in the stunning views of Porto.
- Taste delicious ovos moles, a traditional Portuguese pastry, during a pastry demonstration.
- Navigate through the canals of Aveiro aboard a traditional Moliceiro.
- Peacefully reflect at the Shrine of Fatima, the religious epicenter of Portugal.
- Stop by Fatima’s Olive Oil Museum to learn about olive oil production, followed by a tasting.
- Learn about the history, evolution, and flavors of Ginginha during a tasting.
- Try your hand at the ancient art of tile painting during a workshop at the Tile Museum in Lisbon.
- Discover Portugal’s greatest expression of 19th century romanticism at Pena National Palace.
- Stand atop the granite cliffs of Europe’s westernmost point, Cape Roca.
Itinerary at a Glance
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Depart USA/Overnight Flight
- Your journey to Portugal begins this evening as you depart from the USA
Day 2 Porto
- Upon arrival in Porto, Portugal, you will be met and transferred to your hotel
- This afternoon, enjoy a panoramic tour
- Get to know your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner with wine
Hotel da Música or similar Dinner
Full Day ItineraryUpon arrival and clearing customs formalities, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, depart for a panoramic tour. See the Clerigos Tower, the University of Porto, the Lello Bookshop, and the Carmo Church. Later this evening, get to know your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner with wine.
Day 3 Porto
- Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Porto
- Visit Porto Cathedral, Sao Bento Train Station, and Palácio da Bolsa
- Taste Port wine during a visit to one of the famous Port wine cellars
Hotel da Música or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Porto. Visit the historical center, starting with the Sé do Porto Cathedral, built in the 13th century. Continue to the Sao Bento Train Station, the interior of which is covered by historic tile paintings. Proceed on foot towards the river through Flores Street, passing the Misericordia Church from the 16th century. Arrive in the Ribeira and visit the Palacio da Bolsa, the Stock Exchange Palace. Continue to explore Ribeira, the most typical neighborhood of Porto along the Douro River, where fishermen and merchants used to live. Choose from a great variety of restaurants for an independent lunch.
This afternoon, cross the historic Dom Luis I Bridge, built in the 19th century. Visit one of the famous Port wine cellars and learn more about this fantastic wine during a tasting. Round out the afternoon with a visit to the old town.
Day 4 Porto & Douro Valley
- Explore the Douro Valley
- Visit a traditional winery and enjoy a picnic overlooking the vineyard
- Relax on a cruise along the Douro on a traditional Rabelo boat
Hotel da Música or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, board the coach and head for the Douro Valley to visit one of the most prestigious and recognized properties in the Douro Demarcated Region. The vineyard on this property dates back to the 16th century, and you'll be immersed in its rich history and current winemaking operations. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch, and indulge in the sounds of nature with the best view of the vineyards.
Later, cruise the Douro River in a Rabelo boat, a traditional Portuguese cargo boat used to transport goods and people along the river. Travel along a fantastic stretch of the Douro River on a round-trip ride from the Pinhão pier. Admire the terraced vineyards down to the river and centuries-old buildings from wine estates, all amongst a unique landscape considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later this afternoon, return to Porto by coach. Spend the balance of the evening at leisure.
Day 5 Aveiro & Coimbra
- Enjoy a panoramic tour of Aveiro and Costa Nova Beach
- Cruise the canals of Aveiro in traditional Moliceiros, or flat-bottom boats
- Learn how to make Ovos Moles, a typical pastry, during a pastry demonstration
- Visit the University in Coimbra, including the prison and the Joanina Library
Vila Galé Coimbra or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, depart from Porto for the historic city of Coimbra. En route, stop in Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal due to its canals. Begin a panoramic tour of Aviero and the city's outskirts at Costa Nova Beach, formally a fisherman village turned coastal resort town famous for its colorful striped houses. Then, see the train station covered with tile paintings, the Cathedral, and the Jeronimo Pereira Campos factory, once a ceramic factory and now a cultural center. Later, board your Moliceiro, a brightly painted flat-bottom boat traditionally used to collect algae from the lagoon, and cruise through the canals of the quaint, traditional town. Lastly, participate in a pastry demonstration where you will learn about and create Ovos Moles, a typical Portuguese pastry made from egg yolk and sugar, put inside rice paper or wheat flour casings.
Continue to Coimbra to visit the University. Here, you will see the Academic Prison, Portugal's only existing medieval prison. Next, visit the Joanina Library. This Baroque library houses collections dating from the 16th century and is easily considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. One of its most unique features is that it is one of only two libraries in the world where bats protect books from insects. Visit San Miguel Chapel, the Armory, and the Great Hall of Acts, the main room of the University of Coimbra and where the most important ceremonies of academic life occur. Later, take a short walk through history on cobblestone streets and make your way to the city's medieval old town.
Day 6 Tomar, Fátima, Nazaré & Caldas da Rainha
- Visit the Convent of Christ in Tomar
- Visit the Shrine of Fátima
- Stop at the Olive Oil Museum and enjoy a tasting
- Explore the fishing village of Nazare
Hotel SANA Silver Coast or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, depart Coimbra and head to Tomar, where you will enjoy a city tour and visit the Convent of Christ. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, this vast monumental complex is testament to seven centuries of Portugal's history.
After an independent lunch, head to the Shrine of Fátima, home to one of the leading Marian Shrines throughout the world and the religious epicenter of Portugal. Here, you will have the opportunity to visit the Sanctuary and the Basilicas. Next, stop at the Olive Oil Museum, which tells the story of olive oil production in the region and displays the equipment used in the past. At the end of the visit, enjoy a tasting.
Travel to the fishing town of Nazaré , whose inhabitants have retained their longstanding and colorful fishing traditions. You may have the opportunity to see the typical fishing boats—colorful and narrow—that resemble those used by the first fishermen of this region, the Phoenicians. Or perhaps you will witness the nazarenas (local women) wearing the traditional "seven skirts," using an ancient method to dry fish along the seawall. Continue to Caldas da Rainha and check in to your hotel.
Later this evening, enjoy dinner at A Ribatejana, a typical Portuguese restaurant with rustic decor that serves traditional Portuguese cuisine.
Day 7 Óbidos & Lisbon
- Explore the medieval village of Óbidos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a UNESCO Creative City of Literature
- Experience a Ginginha tasting
Hotel Marquês de Pombal or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, board the coach and head to the walled town of Óbidos, a medieval village suspended in time and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a UNESCO Creative City of Literature. Stroll along the picturesque cobblestone streets to admire the castle, charming churches, and traditionally painted houses. As part of your visit, you'll have the opportunity to explore 1-2 of Óbidos' uniquely themed bookshops, each offering a delightful literary escape that reflects the town's rich cultural heritage.
Then, experience the rich flavors of Ginjinha, a beloved Portuguese liqueur crafted from sour cherries, during a tasting. Learn about the history and evolution of this traditional drink at a pioneering local producer, and sample an array of sour cherry delights, including cookies, infusions, jam, and custard tarts. Conclude your visit with a toast of the finest Óbidos Sour Cherry Liqueur for a truly memorable experience.
Later today, arrive in Lisbon and check in to your hotel.
Day 8 Lisbon
- Enjoy a full-day tour of Lisbon
- See Lisbon's iconic sites, including Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower, and more
- Visit the Tile Museum and join a tile painting workshop
Hotel Marquês de Pombal or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryToday, enjoy a full-day tour of Lisbon, Portugal's capital city. Walk through the historical city center and see Rossio Square, Augusta Street, and Terreiro do Paco Square.
Start with a visit to the Belem district, which houses some of the city's main attractions. Visit Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower, and the Monument to the Discoveries. Along the way, stop and sample some traditional Belem pastries.
Later, visit the Tile Museum to learn about tile painting, an ancient art prevalent throughout Portuguese history.
Finally, return to the hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.
Day 9 Sintra, Cascais, & Lisbon
- Explore Pena National Palace in Sintra
- Stand on the westernmost point of Europe at Roca Cape
- Visit the coastal city of Cascais
- See Casino Estoril and Hotel Palacio in Estoril
- Enjoy a Fado show with your fellow travelers during a farewell dinner with wine
Hotel Marquês de Pombal or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, travel north to Sintra, a fantastic and romantic location where several Portuguese kings used to vacation. Visit Pena National Palace, the most significant expression of 19th-century romanticism in Portugal, located in the Sintra hills. The palace was built to be visible from any point in the park, consisting of a forest and luxurious gardens with over five hundred species of trees.
Continue along the coast until Roca Cape, the westernmost point of Europe. From here, proceed to Cascais, a beautiful coastal city with 18th and 19th-century buildings once belonging to Portuguese nobles and aristocracy. Enjoy a panoramic visit along the coast and the city, stopping in the center for free time. Continue to Estoril and drive by Casino Estoril, the biggest in Europe, and the Hotel Palacio, both locations rumored to be the inspiration for Ian Fleming's first novel, Casino Royale.
Return to Lisbon to freshen up before dinner. This evening, share one last experience with your fellow travelers while listening to a traditional Fado show during your farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Notes
- Visiting Pena Palace requires a timed-ticket and our team reserves the earliest timed-ticket available for the day. After an early morning departure from Lisbon, please be aware that there will be a line upon arrival at the palace to enter. A visit to the National Palace of Sintra will be substituted should Pena Palace be unavailable.
Day 10 Depart Lisbon/Arrive USA
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA
Breakfast
Azores Optional Post-Tour Extension
Take advantage of your already-included international airfare to visit Ponta Delgada, the capital city of the island of São Miguel. You'll return to the USA 4 days after the return dates listed.
Day 10 Lisbon & Ponta Delgada
- Transfer to the airport for your short flight to Ponta Delgada
- Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check in
- Join a walking tour of the city
Vila Galé Collection S. Miguel Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryWelcome to the Azores! Upon arrival at the Ponta Delgada airport, transfer to your centrally located hotel.
This afternoon, join a walking tour of Ponta Delgada, the largest city in the Azores. Stroll through the historic city center, where centuries-old architecture and lively streets offer a deep dive into Azorean culture and heritage. Later, return to the hotel.
Day 11 Ponta Delgada
- Admire Lagoa do Fogo, a crater lake set within the Serra de Água de Pau mountain range
- Sample Ribeira Grande's famous passion fruit liqueur
- Tour the Gorreana Tea Plantation factory and sip teas
- See the Chapel of Our Lady of Victories at the Furnas Lagoon
- Taste Cozido das Caldeiras, a hearty stew slowly cooked underground using volcanic heat
- Walk through Terra Nostra Park, home to the famous Caldeira Pero Botelho
- Stop in Vila Franca do Campo, the island’s original capital
Vila Galé Collection S. Miguel Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast at the hotel, get ready for an unforgettable day of discovery on São Miguel! Meet your local guide and head out on an island tour, beginning with a scenic drive to Lagoa do Fogo (“Lake of Fire”), a breathtaking crater lake nestled in the heart of the island. Set within the Serra de Água de Pau mountain range, this pristine lagoon glistens in a volcanic basin, framed by white-sand shores and untouched natural beauty.
Next, descend to the charming town of Ribeira Grande, known for its striking 17th- and 18th-century Baroque architecture. Stop at a traditional liqueur shop to sample the island’s famous passion fruit liqueur, a treat full of bold Azorean flavors.
Continue on through the countryside, stopping at the Gorreana Tea Plantation—the only tea plantation in all of Europe. Tour the factory and sip freshly brewed green and black teas as you learn about this unique local tradition.
Then, make your way to the Pico do Ferro viewpoint for sweeping views over the vast volcanic crater of Furnas Valley—a vibrant landscape blanketed in lush greenery and colorful blooms. At the Furnas Lagoon, admire the striking Gothic silhouette of the Chapel of Our Lady of Victories mirrored on the water’s surface.
Nearby, witness a fascinating Azorean tradition: Cozido das Caldeiras, a hearty stew slowly cooked underground using volcanic heat. Enjoy this local specialty for lunch in the village of Furnas, followed by a stroll through Terra Nostra Park, home to bubbling geothermal springs, mineral-rich mud, and the famous Caldeira Pero Botelho.
On your return journey to Ponta Delgada, stop in Vila Franca do Campo, the island’s original capital. Admire its offshore islet and natural volcanic pools, a final reminder of the Azores’ enchanting geothermal wonders. Return to your hotel for your overnight stay.
Day 12 Ponta Delgada
- Enjoy a morning tour of Sete Cidades
- Explore the pineapple greenhouses of Fajã de Baixo and taste locally made pineapple liqueur
Vila Galé Collection S. Miguel Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryEnjoy breakfast at the hotel before setting off on a morning tour to one of São Miguel’s most iconic natural wonders—Sete Cidades. With your local guide leading the way, take in views of the island’s north and south coasts, as well as its central region.
Stop at the famous Vista do Rei viewpoint, offering a postcard-perfect panorama of the twin lakes of Sete Cidades—one emerald green, the other sapphire blue—resting in the heart of a massive volcanic crater. Continue descending into the caldera, pausing at Santiago viewpoint to take in the peaceful beauty of Lagoa de Santiago.
Then, visit the tranquil parish of Sete Cidades, where traditional homes reflect the island’s charming local architecture. Stroll through the landscape, where seasonal blooms, still waters, and steep crater walls come together to create one of the Azores’ most unforgettable scenes.
Before returning to Ponta Delgada, stop in the nearby parish of Fajã de Baixo to explore the island’s unique pineapple greenhouses. Learn how this tropical fruit is grown in volcanic soil using time-honored methods—and enjoy a taste of locally made pineapple liqueur. Return to your hotel for your overnight stay.
Day 13 Ponta Delgada & Lisbon
- Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lisbon
- Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check in
Hotel Marquês de Pombal Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryToday, check out of your hotel and transfer to the Ponta Delgada Airport for your flight to Lisbon. Upon arrival in Portugal’s capital, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 14 Depart Lisbon/Arrive USA
- Transfer to the airport as you bid farewell to Lisbon and board your return flight to the USA
Breakfast
Hotels
Hotel da Musica is conveniently located in a new, attractive and modern space above the Bom Sucesso market. The iconic building marries modernity and comfort with culture and tradition. The picturesque building was created in 1949 by architects Fortunado Leal, Cunha Leão and Morais Soares, and housed a bustling market.
Vila Galé Coimbra is a modern hotel in the heart of Coimbra, Portugal. Coimbra is also the home of the University of Coimbra, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is situated within walking distance of Coimbra's historic center, with easy access to the University of Coimbra, the Old Cathedral, and the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova.
Located in the heart of Caldas da Rainha, within walking distance from the village of Óbidos, the SANA Silver Coast Hotel offers a privileged location on the West Coast, right in the center of Portugal. The building’s original façade and characteristic design were maintained, transporting each guest to a universe of history and elegance, with neoclassical and 19th-century influences.
Hotel Marquês de Pombal is located in the heart of Lisbon along the Avenida da Liberdade. Stroll to nearby highlights such as Eduardo VII Park, the Baixa district, or the cultural treasures of Chiado. With its central location and easy access to public transport, you’re perfectly positioned to uncover the rich history, delicious cuisine, and captivating energy of Portugal’s capital.
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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