This fairly gentle walking holiday takes in the best of Portugal's culture and history - the wonders of Lisbon and Porto, the castles and palaces of Sintra and the lush vineyards of the Douro Valley whilst staying in our gorgeous selection of hotels. Truly Portugal at its most perfect!
The tour offers a wonderful mix of the natural and cultural highlights of this magical country. Starting in Lisbon with its pastel hues, enjoy the historical monuments, culinary treats (including the domed 19th century market hall) and a warm and welcoming reception. Sample some of the finest wines and ports in Europe in the Douro valley, and finish with a magical boat tour 181arriving in Porto - Unesco listed and one of the most charming cities in Europe - cobbled narrow streets, port lodges and a real soulfulness to boot. This trip is not one to be missed!
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
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from £1,915 – £2,090 per person
depending on season - Luxury
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from £2,995 – £4,260 per person
depending on season
Based on two people sharing a room. Price range due to seasonal variations
What’s included?
Entrance to Sintra Park, wine tasting and lunch at Quinta do Tedo, boat cruise from Regua to Porto, food tour in Porto, visit & tasting Vila Nova de Gaia, all transfers including airport transfers. See what’s included as standard
Duration
7 nights
Start & Finish
Starts daily throughout the year from Lisbon, ends Porto (boat trip to Porto only runs from April to October.) Lisbon and Porto airports are less than 30 mins by car to the hotels.
Hotels
- Classic
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One boutique hotel, a 2 star hotel, family owned winery, and a small guesthouse.
- Luxury
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Four 5 star hotels, including a period palace and a boutique hotel.
Holiday type
Self-guided
This tour is priced without a guide and you are free to explore on your own. If you would like a guide for part or all of your trip, we are happy to provide a knowledgeable, local guide
Activity level
Gentle walking (2) More info...
Mileage
5 days of walking 2 - 8 miles (3-14km).
Terrain
Some hills and rocky outcrops.
Options
- Additional nights in Lisbon
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic & Luxury
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1. Day one
Arrive Lisbon
We greet you at Lisbon airport for a private transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city. Settle in and sample the delights of Lisbon: stroll through the charming black and white mosaic streets, enjoy an evening of Fado music in the districts of Mouraria or Alfama or take a tram or walk up to the Saint Jorge castle with its stunning panoramic views of a city teeming with character, culture and history.
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2. Day two
SINTRA circular walk
The Palacio de Pena and the sub-tropical forests of the Sintra hills are the real highlights today. With a brief transfer after breakfast to Sintra, follow a series of paths as you ascend through lush green forests to reach the paradise of the Palacio Park with small pools, bridges and sculptures. The palace itself is a beautiful example of 19th century Romanticism and its fairy tale like gorgeous coloured tones are a sight to behold. Sitting high on a massif summit, there are fantastic views of the coastline from here before you amble back to Sintra where you stay the next two nights. Don't miss the delights of a local pastry shop, and the Portuguese highlight of the sumptuous Pastel de nata!
7.4 miles (12km)
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3. Day three
CABO DA ROCA coastal walk
Here's a day to explore the wild coastline from Cabo da Roca. A short transfer finds you soaking up the beauty of this westernmost point of mainland Europe, from atop a 140m high cliff with the rolling waves beneath. Enjoy the stunning views here before following the coastal path across cliff tops and moors, passing a number of fantastic beaches - Adage, Praia Grande and Praia das Macas with swimming opportunities and seaside cafes aplenty. Return to Sintra later in the day with plenty more delights to soak up including the Quinta da Regaleira palace with its numerous hidden passages and a spiral staircase descent down the Initiation Well, quite the adventure!
5.5 miles (9km)
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4. Day four
Douro valley wine estate walk and Pinhão
Head north this morning with a private transfer (3.5 hours) to the The Quinta do Tedo wine estate in the Douro valley. This is an enchanting place set in the lush green valleys of what is said to be the oldest wine region in the world. Here you will have a delicious lunch and wine tasting before taking a stroll in the vineyard and along the pretty Tedo river, a tributary of the Douro. The Golden River, as the Douro is known is where you stay for the next two nights based in Pinhao, a typical wine town on the banks of the river.
2 miles (3.2km)
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5. Day five
PROVESENDE to PINHÃO
The perched and tiny picturesque village of Provesende is where you start your walk today after a short transfer - think all stone, whitewashed walls and warm accent coloured doorways. From here there are stunning panoramic views of the Douro Valley before you descend through terraced vines and olive and almond trees. Follow the Pinhao river back to your hotel and opt to visit the Quinta de la Rosa winery for a wine tasting if you wish at the end of your walk.
5.5 miles (9km)
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6. Day six
Douro valley BOAT CRUISE TO PORTO
For a magical day, embark aboard a river boat at the Regua river port, for a relaxing cruise downstream on the Douro to your final destination of Porto (6 hours). This leisurely treat of a day on the water admiring the landscape of terraced vineyards that this region is so famous for, follows the route boats used to transport barrels of wine to arrive in Porto under its impressive bridges. Encounter two locks, (one 35 metres deep!) and enjoy lunch on the boat's panoramic deck. Take a stroll to your hotel on arrival in Porto. If you are taking this tour in November to end of March, you will be transferred to Porto by car giving you additional time to explore this Unesco listed town.
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7. Day seven
PORTO city walk
We have created a food lovers delight for today with a city walk from the Bolhao Market, a Beaux Arts style building containing 81 stalls to some of the city's most emblematic places to sample cod fritters, cold cuts, cheeses and the famous Pastel de Nata. Then it's onto the cathedral and clerics tower before crossing the Douro river to Vila Nova de Gaia - the famous cellars, for a guided tour and tasting. Return to your hotel for a second night.
8.6 miles (14km)
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8. Day eight
DEPART PORTO
Enjoy a final stroll through Porto before departing at leisure. We say farewell and transfer you to the airport, hoping that you enjoyed the best that Portugal had to offer.