Lisboa Trip Overview
The ancient civilizations of Europe left behind a wealth of wonders.
The monks of Porto created delicious drinks for religious ceremonies, the Romans shaped entire mountains in their pursuit of gold, and the 16th-century kings used their riches to build ostentatious plazas and palaces.
On this journey, you leave behind the modern world and venture to the edge of ancient Europe to discover the tastes, traditions, and treasures of the past.
You wander through the cobbled lanes of Portugal’s old towns. You learn about the influential universities of Coimbra and Salamanca. You explore the cathedral that marks the end of the world-famous pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago. And you experience some of the greatest achievements of the Roman Empire.
It’s the perfect trip for someone who loves ancient history, delicious seafood, and stunning natural landscapes.
Additional Info
* Duration: 6 days
* Starts: Lisboa, Portugal
* Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
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What to Expect When Visiting Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
The ancient civilizations of Europe left behind a wealth of wonders.
The monks of Porto created delicious drinks for religious ceremonies, the Romans shaped entire mountains in their pursuit of gold, and the 16th-century kings used their riches to build ostentatious plazas and palaces.
On this journey, you leave behind the modern world and venture to the edge of ancient Europe to discover the tastes, traditions, and treasures of the past.
You wander through the cobbled lanes of Portugal’s old towns. You learn about the influential universities of Coimbra and Salamanca. You explore the cathedral that marks the end of the world-famous pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago. And you experience some of the greatest achievements of the Roman Empire.
It’s the perfect trip for someone who loves ancient history, delicious seafood, and stunning natural landscapes.
Itinerary
Day 1: Lisbon – Obidos – Coimbra – Aveiro – Porto
Stop At: Obidos, Obidos, Leiria District, Central Portugal
You say ‘bom dia’ to your guide and fellow travellers, leave the coastal capital city of Lisbon, and travel the short distance to Óbidos.
This quaint walled town has wealth of wonders for you to discover. You can study the sturdy walls of their Moorish Castle; amble through the little cobbled shopping lane; or combine two of your favourite guilty pleasures in a drink of Ginjinha d’Óbidos, a sweet liqueur served in a chocolate cup.
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Stop At: Coimbra, Coimbra, Coimbra District, Central Portugal
Back on the road, you venture further north to Coimbra. This former Portuguese capital is famous for being the home of one of the oldest universities in the world. You have time here to explore the town’s churches and history and eat some of the delicious local food for lunch.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Aveiro, Aveiro, Aveiro District, Northern Portugal
After you’ve soaked up the history, it’s time to head to Aveiro. You feel like you’ve been teleported into Venice in this town that’s lined with canals and art-nouveau architecture.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Porto
Day 2: Porto – Douro Valley or free day in Porto
Stop At: Porto, Porto, Porto District, Northern Portugal
Today, you have an important decision to make.
Do you lounge around and take in the cathedrals, cellars, and cuisine of beautiful Porto? Or do you hop on the mini-coach with us and venture through the Douro Valley?
Lucky for you, there’s no wrong option.
Duration: 6 hours
Stop At: The Douro Valley, Lugar Da Ponte, Pinhao 5085-060 Portugal
If you join our half day tour, you begin with a traditional rabelo boat cruise down the Douro Valley. This is a chance to ogle at the famous wine producing hills of the region from a new angle. Once you’re back on dry land, you travel to Pinhão, a small port-producing town surrounded by vineyards. Savour this delicious tipple with your lunch and enjoy the stunning vistas before you return to Porto mid-afternoon. The rest of the day is yours to discover more of the city and indulge in its wines and flavours in your own style. And if you’re a fan of live music, don’t miss out on a performance of Fado, Portugal’s emotionally stirring traditional music.
Duration: 6 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Porto
Day 3: Peneda- Peneda Geres National Park – Arado Waterfall – Soajo – Santiago de Compostela
Stop At: Peneda-Geres National Park, Peneda-Geres National Park, Northern Portugal
You head to the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the only national park in Portugal. You spend the whole morning here enjoying views of lakes, mountains, and waterfalls before travelling to the tiny town of Soajo.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Soajo, Soajo, Viana do Castelo District, Northern Portugal
This town not only boasts beautiful views, it’s also one of the most rustic villages you’ll have ever laid your eyes upon. You have time here to take look at their famous 17th-century granite granaries and grab lunch here
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Province of A Coruna, Galicia
And now, it’s over the border and into Spain. You arrive in Santiago de Compostela with enough time to admire the huge cathedral that’s famously built over the remains of St. James, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Santiago de Compostela
Day 4: Santiago de Compostela or Costa da Morte – Carnota Bay – Cape Finisterre – Muxía
Stop At: Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Province of A Coruna, Galicia
Today, you can relax and enjoy the sights of Santiago de Compostela at your own pace or come on an adventure with us to the Costa da Morte, ‘Coast of Death’.
Today, you can relax and enjoy the sights of Santiago de Compostela at your own pace or come on an adventure with us to the Costa da Morte, ‘Coast of Death’.
And no, this isn’t a shoreline infested with pirates and cannibals, it’s a place that was once notorious for shipwrecks.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Cape Finisterre, Cape Finisterre, Province of A Coruna, Galicia
If you join our trip to the coastline, you start the day by going to Ézaro waterfall. Here, you go for a small walk to take in the views of a rare wonder – the Ézaro River tumbling straight into the sea. After you’ve enjoyed the waterfall, we travel to the ‘End of the World’ at Cape Finisterre. Ancient civilisations believed this was the end of the earth. You have time here to admire the lighthouse and look out over the wild Atlantic Ocean
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Muxia, Muxia, Province of A Coruna, Galicia
Your next stop is in Muxía. This lovely, historic harbour town is the perfect spot to sample the fresh seafood that this region is famous for and watch the ships set off to sea.
You arrive back in Santiago de Compostela in the afternoon. The evening is yours to soak up the atmosphere of the city, try Galician specialities, and explore more historical treasures and hidden gems.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Santiago de Compostela
Day 5: Lugo – Las Médulas – Mirador de Orellán – Salamanca
Stop At: Lugo, Lugo, Province of Lugo, Galicia
Your first stop of the day is in Lugo. This town has a lot to be proud of. They have the only fully intact Roman city walls in the world, a stunning cathedral, and oodles of charm. You have free time here to choose what you visit.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Las Medulas, Las Medulas, Province of Leon, Castile and Leon
You continue to follow in the footsteps of the ancient Romans and travel to Las Médulas. Strange red pinnacles and holes in the mountains make this landscape look and feel otherworldly. The Romans created what you see before you by boring into the earth in their quest for gold.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Mirador de Orellan, Parque de las Medulas, Orellan Spain
You explore this area, have your lunch, and make the journey to one of the best viewpoints in the area, Mirador de Orellán.
From here, you travel to Salamanca for your overnight stay. This mesmerising city is adorned with the riches of the Spanish Golden Age.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Salamanca
Day 6: Salamanca – Ávila – El Escorial – Madrid
Stop At: Salamanca, Salamanca, Province of Salamanca, Castile and Leon
You have time in the morning to explore the cathedral, university, and pretty plazas of Salamanca before we head off. Or you can enjoy a lie-in if you decided to enjoy the famous nightlife a little too much the night before.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Avila, Avila, Province of Avila, Castile and Leon
Your first stop is in Ávila. Orson Welles once said this was the place he would most like to settle down in. And you can see why; the huge medieval walls and gothic churches are cinematic and steeped in stories. You have time here for lunch and a walk around town.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: El Escorial, El Escorial
You travel further east to El Escorial. This is one of the most remarkable historical buildings in all of Spain. The huge structure was built by king Philip II and has functioned as a monastery, basilica, royal palace, pantheon, library, museum, university, school and hospital.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
