Portugal is an up and coming destination. Despite its relatively small size (a population over 10 million), the country boasts a great diversity of geographical features, from golden plains to mountainous zones. In terms of activities and things to see and do, there is no shortage of recommendations. The bonus is that it is not (yet) as popular as some of its European neighbors and it offers terrific value; so go now, before all of that changes!
Here’s a sample of a 9 day itinerary which can be customized for solo travelers, couples or families:
Day 1 – Arrive in Lisboa (Lisbon)
As the birthplace of Portugal, Lisboa has seen days of immense splendor, visible in the spectacular castles, churches and plazas, followed by deep sorrow as it fell into ruin during 20th century political clashes. Thanks to its extraordinarily creative residents, Portugal’s crown jewel is today reborn and exploding with excitement. Utmost importance is placed on honoring the past, all while reinventing tradition in the most fabulous of ways as they fill Lisboa with indie shops, quirky galleries and inventive restaurants. Through interactions with shopkeepers, waiters and locals that are happy to chat, you will learn about the rich history that is laced in their modern interpretations, always with a personal touch.
After checking into your hotel, enjoy a wonderful gourmet experience in Lisboa, Petiscos Dinner Walking Tour. This is a unique opportunity to get acquainted with Portuguese traditional cuisine. Petiscos are the Portuguese cousin of Spanish tapas, small portions of different dishes, served at the centre of the table so that each guest is free to choose when and what to eat. “Having petiscos” or eating “petiscos style” is probably the most enjoyable way of having dinner in a friendly atmosphere. There is even a verb: “petiscare.” Its approximate translation means to nibble or snack a few little bites with a glass of wine. Petiscos are meant to be simple, eaten with your hands or with a toothpick or a slice of bread to sop of the sauces.
Day 2 – Lisboa Highlights Tour
Today, enjoy a panoramic view of the city and learn about its history as well as its urban and architectural evolution. This half-day tour allows you to discover Lisboa, capital of Portugal, colonized by many civilizations along the centuries: Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors and finally the Portuguese after 1147. We will visit Castle of Saint Jorge, including its surrounding quarter and Alfama, Lisboa’s oldest quarter.
This city is linked with the heroic deeds of the Portuguese maritime exploration, in the 15th and 16th centuries. This was the Age of Discoveries and the Golden Era of Portugal, transforming Lisboa into the opulent center of a vast empire. Part of the wealth from these expeditions was used to build magnificent monuments in a unique Portuguese style: the extravagant Manueline architectural style. Some of these monuments can still be seen, especially in the area of Belem.
But Lisboa has more than just monuments! You will visit also the traditional commerce zones of the city, with their 18th century buildings: the Baixa and the Chiado neighborhoods. In short, our tour includes all the best that Lisboa has to show!
Day 3 – Full Day Excursion to Sintra and Cascais
Leave the city and journey to explore the traditional Portuguese towns of Sintra and Cascais. Start in Sintra where hundreds of years of history and culture await you. Doing a short walk in the old city center you will find yourself surrounded by the old houses now converted into small quaint handicraft shops and traditional pastry shops. Visit the Palacio da Pena, located in the Sintra hills, Quinta da Regaleira classified as World Heritage Site by UNESCO within the “Cultural Landscape of Sintra”, Montserrate Palace an exotic palatial villa or the National Palace of Sintra a present-day historic house museum and the best-preserved medieval royal residence in Portugal.
Afterwards, you will visit the Convento dos Capuxos. A Franciscan convent built in direct contact with nature and in keeping with a philosophy of extreme architectural and decorative simplicity. The Capuchos Convent is extremely small in size, being notable for the great poverty of its construction. It is also known as the “Cork convent” because of the extensive
use of cork in the protection and decoration of its tiny spaces. Its rustic appearance and great austerity are inseparable from the surrounding vegetation, since the building is completely integrated into the natural environment, to the extent that enormous granite boulders have been incorporated into its construction.
Cascais, a coastal town just 20 miles west of Lisboa was once a small fishing village, but its idyllic scenery attracted the attention of artists, writers and expelled European nobility in the 20th century. Today, it still attracts high society, but all society comes in force to enjoy the gorgeous beaches and adventure options.
Day 4 – Lisboa – Monsaraz: Full Day Excursion with a Riding Lesson and Picnic at Herdade da Mata
Located in the Portuguese of Alentejo, the Herdade da Mata is a 740 ha farm where they breed cattle, horses, goats, donkeys and other animals in an extensive way. You will have the opportunity to see 200 mother cows, 100 of them are of the particularly endangered Portuguese “Garvonesa“ breed. You will also see the other animals and, in particular, the Lusitano mares with their fillies, pygmie goats, or a large artificial lake where a variety of birds can be observed.
Day 5 – Monsaraz: Half Day Experience at Herdade do Esporão Winery: Private Visit & Wine Tasting
Located in Reguengos de Monsaraz, in the Alentejo, Herdade do Esporão showcases all the stages of wine production. It features extraordinary conditions for agriculture with over 700 hectares of vineyards, olive groves and the other crops they grow using always organic methods and integrated production. Enjoy a private visit to the winery and cellars. If you have kids in tow, fear not. While you are enjoying the wine, the kids can enjoying tastings of grape juice and/or olive oil and it is a very family friendly winery, so there’s lots of space for them to run around and explore the property.
Day 6 – Monsaraz – Porches (Algarve)
Today, head to the seaside town of Algarve. Enjoy the views and take in the blooming sub-tropical gardens and distinctive Moorish-influenced architecture.
Day 7 – Porches (Algarve): Algarvian Traditional Cooking Class Experience from Market to Table
Thorough this culinary experience your will discover a local market with your chef and learn about the traditional Algarvian dish named Cataplana and how to choose best the ingredients for your recipes. After that, you will prepare and cook the ingredients at the cooking class like a real Chef and taste it for lunch.
Day 8 – Porches (Algarve): Full Day Hiking Excursion to to Paisagens da Amoreira: Vincentian Coast
Enjoy a hiking trail at one of the most well preserved coastlines in Europe: the Vincentian Coast. Start this tour with a hike into the Vincentian Coast and walk in the company of the magnificent Atlantic Ocean and colored cliffs. Discover the Sagres Biogenetic Reserve and pace through an untouched landscape of huge diversity.
Day 9 – Porches – Faro – Home
Now that you have soaked in the history, culture and culinary treasures of Portugal, it’s time to head home. But there’s so much more to explore here, so be sure not to wait too long for your return visit!
For more information or to customize a trip to Portugal, contact us at info@journeysunparalleled.com.