A TASTE OF PORTUGAL
VISIT LISBON, PORTO AND THE DOURO VALLEY
FOOD & WINE, HISTORY, NATURE AND THE WARMTH OF THE PORTUGUESE SPIRIT
Trip Highlights
Stay at unique, locally owned boutique hotels
See urban art in Lisbon and learn about its role in social inclusion
Visit numerous heritage sites throughout the itinerary
Watch the sunset while drinking wine in the Douro Valley
Enjoy a privately guided experience with our fave Portuguese people
This 9-day Portugal itinerary takes you through the colorful streets of Lisbon, the picturesque castles of Sintra, the historic city of Porto and the lush Douro wine region. Experience both urban and rural, from Portugal's famed art & architecture to an overnight in wine country. We also get away from the main attractions and visit several small towns, including medieval Tomar. En route back to Lisbon, we take a leisurely route stopping at some of the most beautiful coastal cities in the country including Nazaré and Óbidos. Join us for our group trip or our self-guided option that combines trains & private drivers as you traverse your way across the country.
Book our Custom Dates for a self-guided Portugal itinerary year round! Starting at $2895 per person. See all inclusions, itinerary details and complete pricing in the drop downs below.
Consider continuing your adventure with our Morocco custom itinerary for the fascinating historic, cultural and architectural connections between the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa!
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STARTING AT $2895 per person
Fully planned & booked 9-day Portugal itinerary
Blend of train travel & private transit
Minimum of 2 people
Pairs with our Morocco self-guided itinerary
Trip Inclusions
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8 nights’ accommodations in boutique hotels and B&Bs
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Public transit pass in Lisbon
Private van and guide for Sintra exploration day
Sintra-Porto train tickets
Porto-Régua train tickets on the historic, scenic train
Régua-Tomar private transfer
Private van and guide for coastal drive day
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Cultural fado music night with wine & tapas
Urban art barrio visit to see Lisbon’s best graffiti with social & historical significance
Guided visit to Sintra
Entry to the Peña Palace & Quinta da Regaleira
Porto city orientation & port tasting (group trip only)
Douro vineyard visit & wine tasting
Tomar historic walking tour
Seaside village stops in Nazare and Obidos
Optional hiking excursion (group trip only)
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6 breakfasts
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Visit to our local community partner + donation to their organization
Dedicated local guides and drivers
Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
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Food tours in Lisbon and/or Porto
Extra nights in Lisbon
Hike at Passadiços do Paiva (group trip only)
Historic city tour in Porto
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International airfare
Additional meals, excursions and activities not listed
Tips to your local guide, Traverse guide, drivers, etc.
Alcohol, unless specified
Required travel insurance
Testimonials
DAILY ITINERARY
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Welcome to Lady Lisboa! Upon arrival at the Lisbon airport (LIS), you will be transferred to your boutique hotel in the heart of the city (group trip). Self-guided will take a quick & easy taxi or Uber.
Get settled in and rested—the cobblestone streets, sounds of music, and tastes of the city await.
If you arrive, consider adding our Lisbon food tour - a perfect culinary introduction to the incredibly varied and fresh cuisine of Portugal!
The afternoon is yours to explore before our group trip Welcome Dinner tonight to meet your travel companions and taste a variety of Portuguese specialties paired with fabulous house wine.
Self-guided will have lots of options in walking distance for a delicious dinner of your choice!
Meals: D (group trip only)
Add-ons: Lisbon food tour (for early morning arrivals)
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Portugal’s magic is best felt through the eyes of those who live it. A striking aspect of this city is the amount of street art, graffiti and murals found on nearly every corner, wall or trolly. We will spend the morning on a leisurely 3-ish hour walking tour with our community partner walking several neighborhoods including Graça and Mouraria where urban art has been a medium for social inclusion. We’ll learn why this form of urban art has historic significance, particularly since the end of the dictatorship in the 1970s and how it continues to be an important social force today, uniting and giving voice to the local communities. We’ll also make sure to snag pasteis de nata, the famous Portuguese egg tarts, along the way.
In the afternoon you’ll have free time. Consider the then tram to the LX factory tram our way to the LX factory, a newer area of the city (dare we say hipster) with boutique shops, restaurants, and best of all – a Sunday farmer’s market! Or explore other areas of the city. Lisbon is famous for its 7 hills, including the Moorish Alfama neighborhood, the Castelo de São Jorge, incredible views of the Tagus river, 19th century historical squares, and stones that resemble the waves of the nearby ocean.
In the evening we’ll head out on foot to enjoy some local wine and fado (meaning “fate” or “destiny”), a traditional Portuguese music style noted for its melancholic tones and lyrics of the sea.
Meals: B, evening fado with wine and tapas
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Situated in the lush hills outside of Lisbon, the storybook castles of Sintra served Portugal’s most elite and royal families. Incorporating several architectural styles and surrounded by gorgeous gardens, this UNESCO World Heritage site makes you feel like you’ve stepped straight into a fairy tale.
We’ll start at the impressive Peña National Palace then visit the intriguing and lesser-known Quinta da Regaleira, the estate of a Brazilian sugar baron with gardens, a tunnel system and spiral wells that can all be explored. The day is structured flexibly so that there will be free time for a meal or further exploration of Sintra.
In the evening, our group trip will head back to Lisbon for the evening. Self-guided will head to Porto the way the locals do - a scenic train ride!
Meals: B
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Porto is said to feel like a pop-up book for the way its incredible architecture, treasure trove of street art, and color filled markets pop up along the winding banks of the Douro River. The city is filled with retro cafes, cool bistros and, of course, Port – which is stored in barrels along the river.
Self-guided departures have a free day to explore, or consider one of our favorite add-ons: A food tour! Spend 5-6 hours exploring all of the culinary secrets this city has to offer, meeting restaurant owners, chefs and culinary stars along the way.
Our group trip will drive from Lisbon to Porto, about 4 hours, with a midway stop in the cozy village of Aveiro, said to be Portugal’s Venice for its scenic canals. Check out the fish market and get some lunch at an outdoor cafe. We’ll then check into our boutique Porto hotel. Once settled in we’ll enjoy an orientation tour of the city followed by a uniquely Porto experience – Port tasting! In the evening, opt to dine on your own to enjoy Portuguese ingredients and flavors with a contemporary twist.
Meals: B, port tasting (group only)
Add-ons: Porto food tour
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Today you’ll have several options! The first is to take a deep dive into Porto with a 3-hour historic walking tour with a local expert. This is not just your textbook history, but the heart and soul of what makes this city alive!
The second is to spend the day eating your way through Porto in a comprehensive food tour of the city. You’ll get to know the city’s unique food traditions, the most revered kitchens and the culinary heroes that infuse the city with flavor.
The third option for the group departure is for the nature lovers: to take a hike in the Aveiro region at the Passadiços do Paiva. This nature reserve also includes the longest pedestrian bridge in the world at 516 meters. We’ll cross the bridge then take a day hike along the river and forest scenery that also includes unique wooden walkways along the Paiva River with gorgeous untouched scenery and also serves as a habitat for several endangered species. We’ll return in the late afternoon with evening free time to rest up.
Meals: None
Hiking notes: About 8 km / 3 hours with stops. Medium difficulty with mixed terrain.
Optional add-ons: Food tour (about 5-6 hours), Historical walking tour (3 hours), hike at Passadiços do Paiva (about 3 hours plus driving)
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Today we get to explore the magical vine-draped land of the Douro Valley, the birthplace of port wine and another UNESCO World Heritage Site on our trip. Douro was the first wine region to be regulated with its own legislation in 1756. You’ll see vineyards dotted throughout the hills. We’ll visit a Quinta located in Douro’s heart with a magnificent view of the river. The vineyard stay is a unique contrast of beautiful, modern accommodations against the backdrop of the old traditions of the Douro Valley.
Our group departure will drive, and self-guided will take a scenic 1-hour train ride into the region.
We’ll have an afternoon wine tasting with the opportunity to explore the vineyard to learn about the Douro Valley’s special terroir and wine production techniques. You can enjoy the beautiful winery grounds which has many hiking paths and beautiful views of the valley. You’ll have the evening free there or can join our guide to head down to Régua to walk by the river and enjoy more Douro wine.
Meals: None, wine tasting
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Self-guided departures will enjoy a leisurely morning followed by a private transfer to Tomar.
Situated in central Portugal, this was a stronghold constructed by an order of knights, which was dissolved in the 14th century after the Moors were defeated. We’ll enjoy a walk around the medieval historic center of Tomar to learn about its important role in Portugal’s history. You’ll see a number of sites including a 15th century synagogue and Gothic churches along with surrounding rivers and gardens. The lands surrounding the Convent of Christ, another UNESCO World Heritage site, were a gift from Portugal’s first king Afonso Henriques to the Templar Order. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy and perhaps catch the sunset at our favorite spot!
Meals: B
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Going south by the coastline is the perfect goodbye to Portugal, a country and culture inextricably linked to the sea. We’ll make stops in the historic town of Nazaré and Óbidos and possible a few other places, time permitting. Take advantage of the opportunity for some of the highest quality seafood in the country before we finish our drive back to Lisbon.
Enjoy some free time in the city for the afternoon. Our group trip will reconvene in the evening for an amazing farewell dinner and weather permitting enjoy one of Lisbon’s spectacular sunsets.
Meals: B (all), D (group trip only)
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Depart any time today from the Lisbon airport (LIS). Checkout is at 11:00; if your flight is later in the day you can leave your bags at the hotel until your pickup time.
Meals: B
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Trip price based on double occupancy. Single rooms will require the single supplement.
Minimum 2 people to book this tour
$2895 per person - double occupancy
+$695 'My own room' option - applied if you specifically want your own room or for an odd number booking (3 people, 5 people, etc.)
High Season Surcharge: June-July-August starting at +$150 per person
Holiday Surcharge: If your dates fall +/- 5 days around US Thanksgiving, December 25th, or January 1st there will be a holiday surcharge of $150 per person.
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Prices are per person unless indicated otherwise
+$150 Food tour in Lisbon on Day 1 (5-6 hours) (requires an extra night or arrival before 9:00 a.m.)
+$150 Food tour in Porto on Day 4 (5-6 hours)
+$75 Historical walking tour in Porto on Day 4 (about 3 hours)
+$25 Passadiços do Paiva hike, including entry and transit on Day 4 (group trip only)
Starting at +$200 full day Lisbon tour, including airport pickup (self-guided)
Extra nights in Lisbon, pricing on request
Faqs
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Shoulder season in spring (March-May) and fall (Sept/Oct) is our favorite time to visit for fewer crowds and less heat. The summer tends to be quite busy, especially at key tourist sites. That said, you can book the self-guided version of this tour any time of year that suits you!
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Yes! There are opportunities for some light hikes, particularly in the Douro wine country. You’ll also find that you do a lot of walking in the cities - so if you’re trying to hit 10,000 steps a day you won’t have a problem!
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Absolutely, we welcome solo travelers and there’s no doubt you’ll leave with new friends!
About Your Traverse GUIDE
Marta David is a self-described travelholic, someone addicted to enjoy the best of her beautiful home country of Portugal. “Driving is in my DNA and smiling is almost unconscious. I may talk non-stop but always to say something interesting, and to tell you the little details and curiosities that make all the difference. I'm ready to share some of your memories of Portugal,” she says. “Showing you my city of Lisbon, and the rest of the country, is not just my profession... It's a pleasure. Researching about new places, adding more restaurants and special places to my Google Maps list is a daily routine. I like that everyone around me seems to think I don't really work... but the truth is that when you love what you do it will never feel like a job.”
Terms & Conditions
Please refer to your Registration Packet for complete Terms & Conditions, which can also be obtained by submitting a request to hello@traversejourneys.com
Deposit
A $250-500 non-refundable deposit is required for each traveler to secure the booking (varies by trip). 50% remainder due 30 days from booking. Balance due 60 days prior to trip start. Refer to the Flexible Booking Policy for cases in which the deposit may be transferrable.
Payment
Payments can be made either by 1) full payment on booking 2) Deposit on booking + payment schedule below. Payments will be invoiced via e-mail for credit card or Paypal payment online.
Cancellations Policy
Cancellations, less the trip deposit, are refundable up to 90 days prior to the trip start date unless otherwise specified.
Flexible Booking Policy Specific to COVID-19
In the wake of COVID-19, Traverse has implemented a flexible booking policy that allows for deposits and payments to be transferrable to the greatest extent possible to new trip dates should a recurrence of COVID-19 render travel impossible due to border closures and related travel restrictions.
Travel Insurance
The trip price does not include travel insurance. Trip protection-style travel insurance that includes travel medical coverage is required for all trips with Traverse. The coverage must have a minimum $200,000 of medical coverage and include injury, medical, evacuation, and repatriation. See more info at https://traversejourneys.com/insurance
Documents, Personal Identification, Vaccinations
Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for all required travel documents including passport, visas, entry or exit fees, and vaccinations. Traveler is also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from incomplete or defective documentation. Traverse does not cover the cost or assist in obtaining any of the above, and reserves the right to collect information on all.