Best of Portugal
Experience Overview
This Best of Portugal tour reveals a nation’s proud history, warm-hearted locals and soul-warming cuisine. Starting in Lisbon, you’ll travel north and south to explore a Templar stronghold, watch thoroughbreds perform at an Alentejo farm and visit the Algarve.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
- Panoias-Ourique: Visit a family ranch and learn about Portugal's Lusitano horse. Hear an ancestral story of unrequited love that defined the character (and color) of the ranch before sitting down to a home-cooked lunch with Tiago and Vera in the heart of the Alentejo region.
Dive into Culture
- Lisbon: Visit the Hieronymite Monastery, a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome and exquisite example of Manueline architecture.
- Porto: Savor the flavors of Portugal's centuries-old Port heritage and gain insights into its local production at a tasting in a Port cellar.
Iconic Experience
- Lisbon: With your Local Specialist, visit the Belém Quarter to see the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the medieval Belém Tower.
- The Algarve: Explore the history of the Algarve in depth.
- Évora: Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site with your Local Specialist and see the famous Roman Temple. Witness the fascinating cathedral and its mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
- Castelo de Vide: See the traditional cobblestone streets and whitewashed homes of Castelo de Vide.
- Casa de Mateus: Admire the Baroque architecture of Mateus Palace and its gardens.
- Douro Valley: Marvel at the extensive terraced vineyards as you travel through the Douro Valley.
- Guimaraes: See Guimarães Castle and the Palace of Dukes before walking through the medieval squares of central Guimarães.
- Porto: See the Clérigos Tower, Avenida dos Aliados and the Palácio da Bolsa former stock exchange.
- Coimbra: With a Local Specialist, visit the University and witness the triumphal arches, painted ceilings, and walls of ancient tomes in the Joanina Library.
- Tomar: Dominating the town is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Templar Castle and the Convent of Christ. During your visit with a Local Specialist, see the Manueline Window and follow the story of the mysterious Knights Templar.
- Fátima: Join the faithful at one of the world's holiest sites and pay homage at the Chapel of the Apparitions or see the basilica.
- Batalha: Join a Local Specialist to see the Monastery of Batalha, with included entry to the cloisters and chapels.
- Nazaré: Enjoy time at leisure on Portugal's Costa de Prata.
- Obidos: Stroll along the cobblestone streets and view the traditional azulejos of medieval Óbidos, perhaps stopping in a local shop to try the regional cherry liqueur, Ginja.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Lisbon: Bid farewell to your Portuguese adventures at the award-winning organic vineyard Vale da Capucha which prides itself in producing organic and biodynamic wines. Your experience supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Lisbon, Évora, Porto, Coimbra and Tomar
- Discover the Algarve, Lagos, Castelo de Vide, Viseu, Nazaré and Óbidos
- Visit the Hieronymite Monastery in Lisbon, the cathedral in Évora, the Palace Gardens at Palacio de Mateus, the Stock Exchange Palace, Arabian Hall and a local port wine cellar in Porto, the University Library of Coimbra, the Convent of Christ in Tomar and Batalha's Gothic Monastery
- View the Castle of Guimarães and the Shrine at Fátima
Trip Details
Product Code: 28163
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 38.112D
Starts: Lisbon, Portugal
Finishes: Lisbon, Portugal
Duration: 11 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,715 ($338 /day)
Itinerary
A sea of pastel pinks, yellows and blues dot the seven hills of the romantic Portuguese capital, which you will have an opportunity to explore today before meeting your fellow travelers and Travel Director for dinner and an orientation drive past some of the city's most iconic sights.
Accommodation: Olissippo Marquês de Sá
Meals: Dinner
Delve into Lisbon's centuries-old seafaring heritage today, paying tribute to the brave men who set off from these shores to discover the ‘New World’. With our Local Specialist, see the shimmering white Monument to the Discoveries, the iconic suspension bridge spanning the Tagus, and Belém Tower, built as a fortress protecting the city of Lisbon. Dive Into Culture on a sightseeing tour of the UNESCO-listed Hieronymite Monastery, an exquisite testament to 16th-century Manueline architecture and art. There’s time to join an Optional Experience to the historic towns of Cascais and Sintra, before perhaps enjoying a traditional Portuguese dinner amidst the soulful and touching sounds of the Fado this evening.
Accommodation: Olissippo Marquês de Sá
Meals: Breakfast
Journey across the Tagus this morning and drive south towards the Serra da Arrábida Mountains and to the golden pastures of the Alentejo. The hearty aroma of traditional Portuguese cuisine fills the air at your Be My Guest experience. You'll connect with locals over lunch in the family home after you visit the historic stud ranch that has been passed down through generations. Your Portugal trip itinerary continues further south, bound for the holiday paradise that is the Algarve – your home for the next two nights.
Accommodation: Água Hotels Riverside
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
The dramatic landscapes of the Sagres Peninsula provide a stunning backdrop for our morning drive. Admire spectacular views across Baleeira Beach, before continuing along the coast to Cape St. Vincent, the site of many sea battles centuries ago. Enjoy your free afternoon in the resort town Lagos – once the home of Henry the Navigator.
Accommodation: Água Hotels Riverside
Meals: Breakfast
Journeying north, travel to the ancient Alentejo city of Évora. Join your Local Specialist for a visit to the elaborate cathedral, Roman temple and the Chapel of Bones. Then, spend the rest of your day delving into the medieval history of this enchanting city. Trace centuries of history along its city walls, kick back with a bica and bolo in Praça do Giraldo or perhaps join an Optional Experience to the medieval village of Monsaraz. This evening you dine at your hotel.
Accommodation: M'ar de Ar Muralhas
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
The first stop today is in the quaint hilltop town of Castelo de Vide with its charming white façades, narrow alleys and fascinating Jewish Quarter. Travel north towards the Serra de Estrela mountains and arrive later in Viseu, set high on a plateau near the famous Dão vineyards. Explore the city's rich art and architectural history, and see the 12th-century Sé, standing imposingly on a hill overlooking much of the city.
Accommodation: Grão Vasco
Meals: Breakfast
Vineyard-clad hills provide an enchanting backdrop for your journey today through the Douro Valley, where Port wine is produced. Explore the magnificent gardens at the Baroque-style Palácio de Mateus, depicted on the label of the distinctive Mateus Rosé wine bottles. Continue via Guimarães for views of its impressive 10th-century castle, before arriving in the riverside town of Porto where you will spend the next two nights.
Accommodation: Carris Ribeira
Meals: Breakfast
Join a Local Specialist today for a sightseeing tour in Porto, which takes you past baroque churches and along the winding cobblestone lanes that tumble down towards the Douro River. See the remarkable bridges that span the river and the Gothic Church of St. Francis. Visit the Stock Exchange Palace with its splendid Arabian Hall inspired by Granada's Alhambra, then Dive Into Culture and into the centuries-old tradition of local port production at a tasting in a port cellar. Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling through the historic center of Porto admiring the azulejo-clad façades, or visit Livraria Lello, the city's oldest bookstore.
Accommodation: Carris Ribeira
Meals: Breakfast
Soak up the grand atmosphere of one of Europe's greatest and oldest universities with a Local Specialist, then stroll through the ancient streets and squares of Coimbra, before journeying to the Templar city of Tomar. We join a Local Specialist to visit the Convent of Christ, originally built as a Templar stronghold in the 12th century. Later, we arrive in the pilgrimage center of Fátima, visited by millions of Catholic pilgrims, where three young shepherds famously saw apparitions of the Virgin Mary.
Accommodation: Santa Maria , Fátima
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
En route to Lisbon, with a Local Specialist we stop at the imposing monastery of Batalha – a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best example of late Gothic architecture in Portugal. Our next stop is the fishing village of Nazaré, before we visit the medieval walled city of Óbidos with its whitewashed houses and cobblestone streets. Celebrate our last evening in Portugal over dinner in a family-run vineyard, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Toast to an incredible journey over organic wine and locally sourced flavors.
Accommodation: Olissippo Marquês de Sá
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Say a fond adeus to your fellow travelers at the end of an unforgettable Portuguese holiday.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Marcello - Traveled, September 2024
Excellent service. Our main tour guide, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, was charming, knowledgeable and always enthusiastic. The local guides also were well-versed in Portuguese history and architecture and spoke excellent English. Our bus driver, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, was so skillful in maneuvering the bus through narrow streets. Wonderful itinerary. Portugal is so picturesque. Trafalgar took us all around this fascinating country.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, October 2024
A memorable trip in Portugal. The service we received from the tour guide, and the bus driver were exceptional. The driver was very experienced, we felt safe at all times and amazed with his driving skills, especially in the very narrow streets. The tour director made sure that all of our needs (and more,) were met. He was always there for us. The itenerary is very good. The guide is exceptional and able to deliver his service and present the itenerary in a memorable way. *Personal information removed by Feefo*, the guide was going out of his way to make us feel comfortable. All areas visited were amazing and full of wonderful history which we enjoyed immensely. The route chosen was great, allowing us to see and experience the country as it is. The bus, and the driver were very comfortable and safe. The hotels and meals were not what we expected of Trafalgar. The hotel locations were great, however comparing this to our past travel with Trafalgar, we felt that the standards have decreased in both the quality/comfort of hotels selected, and the meals.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2025
Our tour guide, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, catered to all of us & made the trip a lot of fun! I would have liked more time to explore myself, but I took all the optional tours. The local specialties were so knowledgeable! The food was delicious!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/29/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2025
Overbooked! I felt tour was overbooked. 49 persons too many, Guide was OK, but did not impress either with knowledge or manner. Fellow travelers were lovely though.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/29/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2025
Excellent mix of locations covered. Tour Director *Personal details removed by Feefo* was fabulous. Great hotel locations. Good balance of info & free time to discover. Well organized itinerary to fit in as much as practical (with options) without wearing everyone out.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/28/2025
Richard Dipasquale - Traveled, April 2025
Bus, driver and tour guide were very good. All of our needs were addressed and satisfied. Tour guide went out of his way to make sure we were entertained, and all needs were addressed. Need more time at the wine tastings, we were rushed thru the Ferreira Winery tour and could not enjoy the port like one should. Tour guide was very good, very helpful with every concern we had. Air conditioning could be an issue in the warm months.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/29/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2025
Best of Portugal, by Trafalgar was wonderful! Trafalgar took care of everything expertly, well planned and organised. Will Excellent tour to take one through the country and history of towns in Portugal. The specialist are knowledgeable and make history fascinating. If you’re not willing to walk a lot, this would not be for you, it is not a view from bus window tour. do another tour soon.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/28/2025
Beatrice Zulak - Traveled, March 2025
Excellent! Portugal is beautiful country!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/28/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2025
First time travelers! See previous comments. This was our first Trafalgar trip and we absolutely enjoyed it and will definitely consider doing it again! We had a great time. The quality of the people, the local specialists, the selection of the places to visit – all top notch! We are also extremely grateful to *Personal information removed by Feefo* and Trafalgar for responding so quickly with the unfortunate passing of Trent’s father (our beginning tour director). This could have easily upended our tour but instead they did not miss a beat! Says a lot about both the people and the organization. I am sure you get a lot of feedback that the Best of Portugal tour is a little long (11 days) and exhausting (we visited 20 cities in the 11 days). While all that is true, it also is a fantastic overview of the country. Maybe consider one or two less stops and a little more free time. But as we said before, it was a great tour! There was one item we wanted to mention: For the visit to the Algarve, in the brochure it had the tour of Lagos and the cliffs as part of the included experience and a trip to Faro as the optional experience. But after we started the tour we found out the optional experience to Faro was deleted and the tour of Lagos and the cliffs was now an optional experience (at an additional cost). We definitely felt that was not appropriate – it essentially took something we already paid for and made us pay for it again. That was the only disappointing part of the trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/24/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, November 2024
Jorge was a wonderful guide. Very caring and considerate. He was always concerned with our safety and enjoyment. Fernando was an amazing driver. How he negotiated that huge bus was unbelievable There was too much time on the bus. The hotels were beautiful very upscale. Trafalgar was tasked with our flight reservations and it was a nightmare. Over 20 hours of travel each way and totally unnecessary stops and waits. We went from Florida to Texas, had a 5 hour delay and then to Philadelphia for another wait. On return we went to Philadelphia then Charlotte for long delay. We could have gone directly to Atlanta and then Lisbon with minimum waits. This will make me reconsider my next trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/27/2024
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