Portugal
7 nights 9 Departures Available
View All Dates & BookStaying in hand-picked Pousadas (inns), formerly a monastery, manor house and convent, this tour reveals the sights and psyche of Portugal, from regal splendour to religious heritage, from port-wine cellar to Fado show, from Porto to Coimbra and the capital, Lisbon
“Porto works, Coimbra studies, Lisbon plays.” This popular Portuguese adage is a deft precis of the trio of cities, complementing each other in character and all serving, historically, as riverside sentinels, on the Douro, Mondego and Tagus respectively. This fascinating tour visits all three, Porto straddling the Douro and the centuries with Baroque churches, beaux-art buildings, merchant houses and an ethos of industry; Coimbra, with 300,000 ancient tomes in the gilded library of its 13thcentury, UNESCO listed university; and Lisbon, with fountains, Fado singers in Old Town cafés, and vintage trams, in sunshine yellow, climbing its steep streets. Three peacefully positioned Pousadas counterbalance the cities, all bringing modern amenities to old-world atmosphere, and each a refreshing retreat, serving regional food and wines; the Mosteiro set on a hillside above Guimarães, Conimbriga Hotel do Paco cushioned in large gardens in Condeixa-a-Nova, and Castelo crowning its Palmela hilltop with serene seclusion and splendid views. From these relaxing bases, varied tours take you to the religious hub of Braga, medieval Tomar, the walled town of Óbidos, Sintra’s royal summer palace and the scenic Arrábida Natural Park.
Fly from London to Porto and transfer to Guimarães for two nights at the 7th-century former Augustinian monastery, Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães.
(D)
A morning tour of UNESCO Guimarães, with the opportunity to visit the Ducal Palace independently. Continue to Braga, displaying its holy credentials in majestic monuments and the crowning glory of the Bom Jesus do Monte church, halfway to heaven atop a 17-flight stairway. Complete the day with a 17th-century manor house visit.
(B)
Travel to Porto and tour the country’s second-largest city, which includes a port wine cellar and time at leisure. Continue to Condeixa-a-Nova for two nights at the Conimbriga Hotel do Paço, a 16th-century manor house.
(B)
A morning visit to Coimbra includes a tour of the famed university, founded in the 13th-century. Continue to the charming town of Tomar, with time for independent exploration at the convent, Templar castle, and cross-shaped medieval area. Optional evening Fado show with dinner (pre-bookable).
(B)
Visit the historic Cistercian monastery of Santa Maria in Alcobaça. Continue to the historic town of Óbidos.
Travel to Palácio da Vila – Sintra National Palace. Continue to Palmela for three nights at the Pousada Castelo Palmela, an historic convent with panoramic views from its stunning hilltop setting.
(B)
A morning tour of Lisbon includes the large and lively Terreiro do Paço square, the riverbank Belém district, and the labyrinthine lanes of Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest district, where iconic landmarks include the Sé Cathedral and Castelo de São Jorge that you will pass by. Afternoon at leisure.
(B)
Visit Setúbal and the lively Livramento local market. Travel through the Arrábida Natural Park, its limestone
hills draped in the vines for muscatel wines, to Sesimbra, at the foot of the Serra da Arrábida hills, for time at leisure. Later visit a winery, with an included tasting; and visit a tile producer to see how the renowned Portuguese tiles are decorated.
(B)
Transfer to Lisbon airport for your return flight to London.
(B)
Visit a Baroque-style garden filled with Camellia trees forming artistic archways and alleyways, built around the 18th century, includes a tour of the splendid 17th-century manor house. Enjoy a Portuguese afternoon tea.
Here is a list of the accommodation you can stay in for this tour. Occasionally we use alternative hotels, or have a choice of hotels to choose from which will be detailed when booking.
A former 7th-century Augustin monastery, set on a hill overlooking the city with gardens and close to the historical centre of Guimarães. Restaurant, outdoor pool, WiFi (free) and 51 air-conditioned rooms with safe, mini-bar and TV.
A former noble manor house from the 16th century with large gardens and located near Coimbra. Restaurant, outdoor pool, WiFi (free) and 43 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, mini-bar and TV.
A former convent with amazing views overlooking Serra da Arrábida. Restaurant, bar, garden and WiFi (free) and 28 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and satellite TV.
Customize your tour by adding optional excursions or extend your journey with our curated add-on extensions.
Located in Coimbra, the show takes place in À Capella, a grand 14th-century chapel of Corpus Christi which served as a small hospital and hostel to support the pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela, later the building was restored in 2001.Fado is a genre of music with origins that date back to the 1820’s, a form of song with guitar accompaniment often about the sea or life of the poor. Includes a three-course menu and drinks.
Add extra nights to your tour at the starting or ending hotel.
You can find out more about the county on the travel guide.
Grand Tour of Portugal
13 May 25,9 Sep 25 and 1 more
By train from south to north visiting remarkable cities, crossing scenic landscapes to regional and cultural capitals, through Portugal’s past, to Roman ruins, Moorish enclaves, and medieval towns
From £1945 pp
incl Flight
Royal Barge on the Douro
9 May 25,6 Jun 25 and 13 more
From baroque castles to beautiful bucolic villages, from hilltop medieval ruins to valleys cloaked in the vineyards of age-old wine estates, from mountain scenery to ocean shore, enjoy the ever-changing landscapes of this unique Royal Barge cruise on the Douro
From £3295 pp
incl Flight
Highlights of the Douro
14 Apr 25,26 May 25 and 5 more
Cruising the Douro from its mouth on the Atlantic to its crossing into Spain, with daily excursions to medieval towns, majestic palaces, port wine cellars, and vineyard valley landscapes, this beguiling journey includes visits to Guimarães, Lamego, and Salamanca
From £2145 pp
incl FlightWe need to check availability for this departure date. Please proceed with the reservation, and we will get in touch within 72 hours to confirm and take payment.
The below departures are available - please click into the booking process for a quote and to book.
| Date | Two sharing | Solo traveller | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 May 25 (7 nights) | £1945pp | £2410pp | Book now | |
| 20 Sep 25 (7 nights) | £1695pp | £2160pp | Book now | |
| 25 Oct 25 (7 nights) | No Single Supplement (5 Rooms Remaining) | £1745pp | £1745pp | Book now |
| 14 Mar 26 (7 nights) | No Single Supplement (5 Rooms Remaining) | £1845pp | £2335pp | Book now |
| 02 May 26 (7 nights) | £1995pp | £2485pp | Book now | |
| 30 May 26 (7 nights) | £1995pp | £2485pp | Book now | |
| 05 Sep 26 (7 nights) | £1765pp | £2255pp | Book now | |
| 19 Sep 26 (7 nights) | £1765pp | £2255pp | Book now | |
| 17 Oct 26 (7 nights) | No Single Supplement (5 Rooms Remaining) | £1845pp | £2335pp | Book now |
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 7 nights' accommodation, breakfast daily, 1 dinner, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
The following extensions are available to book with this tour. Please click through to the booking process to check your preferred departure date and to make a reservation.
Extra nights are priced per person, per night.
Please contact us to check availability and book alongside your tour.
Extra nights are on request, please call to discuss your requirements
Palácio Estoril (per person, per night)
2025
Sep £145
Apr/Oct £105
May - Sep £142
Single supplement Sep £115 Apr/Oct £85 May - Sep £120
2026
March £105
May-Oct £155
Single supplement March £90 May-Oct £125
Arrival transfer from Palmela 2025 £130, 2026 £190
Departure transfer to Lisbon airport 2025 £40 , 2026 £62
An accommodation tax is payable locally in Estoril €2 per person per night.