Experience Portugal from two perspectives on a journey to the vibrant cities of Lisbon and Porto, and get a taste of history—and wine—on excursions to Sintra and the Douro River Valley.

Request a Tailor-Made Itinerary Request Itinerary or Ask Us A Question or Call 855-215-8690
 Traditional rabelo boats, used to transport port, on the Douro River in Porto
Traditional rabelo boats, used to transport port, on the Douro River in Porto
 Belem Tower, Lisbon
Belem Tower, Lisbon
 The Pena Palace, Sintra
The Pena Palace, Sintra
 The Regaleira Palace, Sintra
The Regaleira Palace, Sintra
 The town of Sintra, with the National Palace at center
The town of Sintra, with the National Palace at center
 Traditional guitar accompaniment for <i>fado</i> music
Traditional guitar accompaniment for fado music
 Traditional egg tarts
Traditional egg tarts
 The city of Porto and the Douro River
The city of Porto and the Douro River
 The quay along the Douro River, Porto
The quay along the Douro River, Porto
 <i>Rabelo</i> carrying port barrels on the Douro River, Porto
Rabelo carrying port barrels on the Douro River, Porto
 A tasting of port wine
A tasting of port wine
 Traditional port barrels, Porto
Traditional port barrels, Porto
 Vineyards along the banks of the Douro RIver
Vineyards along the banks of the Douro RIver
 Harvesting grapes along the Douro River
Harvesting grapes along the Douro River
 Landscape of vineyards along the Douro River
Landscape of vineyards along the Douro River
 Tile work at the São Bento train station in Porto
Tile work at the São Bento train station in Porto
 Azulejos facade at Igreja do Carmo, Porto
Azulejos facade at Igreja do Carmo, Porto
 Tile work at the Capela das Almas, Porto
Tile work at the Capela das Almas, Porto

Portugal's Historic Cities: A Tailor-Made Journey to Lisbon and Porto

7 days from $4,960

Experience Portugal from two perspectives on a journey to the vibrant cities of Lisbon and Porto, and get a taste of history—and wine—on excursions to Sintra and the Douro River Valley.

Request a Tailor-Made Itinerary

or call 855-215-8690

Overview

The following itinerary is a sampling of the experiences that we offer on a tailor-made journey to Portugal. Working with our country specialists, you can customize your itinerary to fit your timing, your budget, and your interests, including accommodations, activities, and the places you visit.

As European cities go, Lisbon and Porto are relatively small and brimming with charm and personality. Delve into Portugal’s music, cuisine, and history as you explore both of these vibrant cities with private guides. Enjoy an excursion to the royal retreat of Sintra, and spend a day among the terraced vineyards of the lovely Douro River Valley. Experience Portugal’s unique culinary offerings and visit port lodges and wineries on tasting tours.

Highlights Include

  • Listen to the nostalgic strains of traditional fado music during a dinner of Portuguese specialties in Lisbon.
  • Get an insider’s view of Lisbon and Porto on guided city tours, and sample local specialties—from pasteis de nata custard tarts to port wine. 
  • Spend a day in historic Sintra, exploring its whimsical villas and palaces.
  • Discover the World Heritage-listed landscapes of the Douro River Valley and visit the region’s renowned wineries on a full-day excursion.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 – Lisbon, Portugal

Arrive in Lisbon, and meet your private driver at the airport for the transfer to your hotel. After time to settle in, head to a fado restaurant for a special dinner accompanied by a live performance of Portugal's traditional melancholic fado music. (D)

Day 2 – Lisbon

Get to know Lisbon today with a guided walking tour of the city's highlights, exploring the  beautiful Bairo Alto neighborhood and the lively streets of the Chiado, lined with historic shops and bustling restaurants. Along the way, taste a variety of Portuguese delicacies and learn how they fit into the city's history and traditions. During free time after your tour, we recommend a visit to the waterfront Belém neighborhood, home to the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém. (B)

Day 3 – Sintra / Lisbon

Meet your private driver this morning and venture out to nearby Sintra, a town of misty forests and lavish palaces that tells the story of Portugal’s past. Once inhabited by the ancient Celts, who found it to be a place of spiritual power, Sintra bears traces of its Moorish occupation and its days as a 19th-century resort that enchanted famous travelers such as Lord Byron. Explore the sites of the town as you wish today. Venture to the ornate Quinta da Regaleira, steeped with mysticism and surrounded with hidden grottos and lush gardens. Step into Portugal’s royal history on a tour of the National Palace or ascend to whimsical Peña Palace, an extraordinary confection of Romanticist architecture in the hills above the town. You might also opt to hike to the ruins of the Moorish castle where you can climb the ramparts for a view all the way to the coast. Enjoy free time back in Lisbon this afternoon. Our suggestion: climb up to Castelo São Jorge for breathtaking views of the city at sunset. (B)

Day 4 – Porto

Head north by train to Portugal's second city, Porto, set on the steep banks of the Douro River and known as the center of the port wine industry. Upon arrival, you'll be met and driven to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the city on your own. Consider taking a walk along the quay or pay a visit to the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art to admire its art and architecture. (B)

Day 5 – Porto

Embark on a full-day panoramic tour of the city with a private guide, followed by a port wine tasting. Begin by exploring the city's historic heart on foot, passing landmarks such as the Sé Cathedral and the São Bento train station, where elaborate azulejos, or blue-and-white painted tiles, depict scenes from Portugal’s history. Stroll through the old town to the riverfront and see the Dom Luis I bridge, designed by a student of Gustav Eiffel. Then hop in a car to drive down to the bustling waterfront at Foz do Douro, where the Douro River meets the Atlantic. Cross the river to the Serra do Pilar viewpoint for expansive views of Porto and its bridges and the Atlantic coast. Continue to the port lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river from the city. Take a guided tour to learn about Porto’s long tradition of port production, and enjoy a tasting of the lodge’s different vintages. (B)

Day 6 – Porto

East of Porto, the vineyard-covered slopes of the Douro River Valley have produced port wine grapes for 2,000 years. Spend a full day discovering this landscape, named a World Heritage site for the terraced vineyards that represent many centuries of agricultural evolution. This beautiful area is wonderful to visit from the vineyards themselves. Set out on a tour of several wineries, learning about their winemaking traditions and sampling the wines and ports they produce. Enjoy a lunch of local specialties in one of the wineries and take an easy hike among the vineyard covered slopes if you wish.  Head back to Porto this afternoon, enjoying the scenic drive through the Douro River Valley. (B,L)

Day 7 – Depart for home

After breakfast, make your way to the Porto airport for your flight home. (B)

Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)

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