Transfer to Lisbon Hotel - Lisbon City Private Tour

Lisbon Cathedral - Explore the exterior of this historic monument; entrance is optional and not included.

The Castelo de São Jorge is a prominent landmark in Lisbon, perched on the city’s highest hill.

The earliest known fortification here dates back to the 2nd century BC, with some remnants from as far back as the 6th century BC. Archaeological findings reveal traces of Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, and Muslims, indicating a long history of human settlement.

The castle was established in the 10th and 11th centuries when Lisbon was a significant Moorish port. In 1147, Portugal’s first king, Dom Afonso Henriques, seized the castle and city from the Moors. The castle’s most notable era was between the 13th and 14th centuries. In the 16th century, King Dom Manuel I welcomed Vasco da Gama here after his voyage to India, and the first Portuguese play by Gil Vicente was performed to celebrate the birth of King Dom João III.

Declared a National Monument in 1910, the castle underwent extensive restoration in the 20th century, resulting in its current appearance. It is a key site in the city and a popular leisure spot for locals. It offers arguably the best view of the city and the River Tagus.

Inside the walls, there is a museum presenting Lisbon’s history and the Torre de Ulisses (Tower of Ulysses). Named after the city’s legendary founder, it houses a camera obscura with a giant periscope for a 360º real-time panoramic view of the city.

Alfama - Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest and one of its most traditional neighborhoods. It spans parts of the Santa Maria Maior and São Vicente parishes. Its name comes from the Arabic al-hamma (الحمّة), meaning ‘hot water source, good water.’

The best views of Alfama are from the public promenade formed by the viewpoints of Portas do Sol, the Tower of the Church of Santa Cruz do Castelo (the highest tower in ancient Lisbon), and Santa Luzia. Surrounding Alfama are the hills of Castelo de São Jorge, a fortress and royal palace until the 16th century, and São Vicente. Key monuments in the area include the Cathedral, the Church of Santo Estêvão, and the Church of São Vicente de Fora.

Alfama is unique, resembling an old village in both appearance and community spirit. It is frequented daily by both Portuguese and international tourists and is considered the smallest neighborhood in Lisbon.

Lisbon Cathedral - Visit this 12th-century monument dedicated to the Mother of God since 1147.

Lisbon Cathedral is a city treasure and a significant national monument due to its historical, religious, and artistic importance. Construction began in 1147 when King D. Afonso Henriques reclaimed the city from the Moors. It was built on a Muslim mosque, which archaeological excavations confirmed was on a former Visigothic Christian temple.

Although the city had been a bishopric since at least the fourth century, with a Christian bishop at the time of the 12th-century Reconquest, English crusader Gilbert de Hastings was appointed bishop, and construction began under his guidance. The first architect was Mestre Roberto, likely of Norman origin, who also worked on Coimbra Cathedral and the Santa Cruz Monastery. King D. Afonso Henriques ordered the relics of St. Vincent de Zaragoza to be brought from the Algarve and placed in the Cathedral.

The original Romanesque building underwent changes between the 13th and 14th centuries. During King D. Dinis’s reign, the Gothic-style cloister was built. Later, King D. Afonso IV added the ambulatory for his family pantheon, enhancing the Cathedral’s ability to accommodate pilgrims visiting St. Vincent’s relics. The ambulatory led to ten chapels, some named after the Virgin: the Chapel of Our Lady of Penha de França, the Chapel of Santa Ana, Saint Mary Major, and Our Lady of the Conception.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Baroque-style work was done, especially in altar and main chapel decoration. In the early 20th century, the Cathedral’s medieval character was restored.

Inside, visit the chapel of Bartolomeu Joanes, a notable medieval Lisbon bourgeois; excavations of the cloister reveal the area’s successive occupations. While much of its former estate is in museums (like the Museum of Ancient Art), the Cathedral houses a collection called the Treasury of the Patriarchal See, open to visitors.

Rossio Square - Rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, this charming Lisbon square marks the northern end of the Pombaline Downtown. It forms a quadrilateral dominated by the neo-classical harmony of the D. Maria II Theatre, built on the former House of the Inquisition site.

The Marquis of Pombal envisioned Praça do Comércio as the city’s center and a symbol of the new social order he aimed to create for the Nation. However, Rossio, a bright and welcoming square, became Lisbon’s bourgeois forum.

The square thrived with hotels (now gone), stores, and tobacconists. The quintessential Portuguese institution - the café - was abundant, serving as forums for conversation, conspiracy, politics, and the arts.

Life has changed, but Café Nicola (on the western side) and Pastelaria Suíça (on the eastern side) remain as testaments to the past.

At the center stands a 28-meter-high column erected in 1870, topped by King Pedro IV holding the Constitution in his right hand. Two monumental fountains, added in 1889, now host florists displaying their goods.

To the south, observe the graceful arch connecting to Rua dos Sapateiros. This fine piece of late 18th-century Pombaline architecture features ornamental embellishments, including a window with a veranda opening onto the Square. Businessman Pires Bandeira funded its construction, later known as the Arch of Bandeira.

The entire square recently underwent a complete makeover, restoring the original Portuguese cobbling’s splendor, with the central area featuring blue and white stones tracing sea waves.

Parque Eduardo VII - Stop at the top of Parque Eduardo VII for a fantastic view over Lisbon.

Eduardo VII Park is located in the Parish of São Sebastião da Pedreira, north of Avenida da Liberdade, offering panoramic city views. Originally named Parque da Liberdade, the gardens were renamed after British King Edward VII’s visit to Lisbon in 1903.

Since their inception, the gardens have hosted fairs, exhibitions, and various entertainment forms. Designed by Keil do Amaral, the central lawn flanked by Portuguese cobblestone pavements is a landmark in Lisbon’s development.

Here, find a Sports Pavilion built in 1932 in the João V style, renamed the Carlos Lopes pavilion in tribute to the famous Portuguese athlete, a Greenhouse with a vast variety of plants from around the world, lakes, and various statues, including a bust of King Edward VII and a monument to the 25th April Revolution by João Cutileiro.

There is also a children’s playground, a viewpoint, a bandstand, a picnic area, the Club VII sports complex with tennis courts, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, and a restaurant.

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos - Visit the exterior of this monument; entrance is optional and not included.

On the Tagus banks stands a pinnacle of Manueline architecture.

Originally, a small hermitage dedicated to Santa Maria, built by Infante D. Henrique in 1452, occupied the site of the Jerónimos Monastery, next to the old Belém beach. In the early 16th century, King Manuel I’s intention to erect a large monastery was acknowledged by the Holy See and donated to the Order of the Friars of St. Jerome. This monastery, epitomizing Manueline architecture and intrinsically linked to the Discoveries, is the most remarkable Portuguese monastic ensemble of its time and one of Europe’s main churches.

Construction began in 1501, lasting a century, led by a remarkable group of architects and master builders, both national and foreign. With an initial design by Frenchman Boytac, the work continued under other Masters, including João de Castilho and, mid-century, Diogo de Torralva. After the Portuguese reached India, the crown funded the venture with trade profits from the East. King D. Manuel I allocated much of the “Vintena da Pimenta” (a ‘Spice Tax’, about 5% of trade revenues with Africa and the East, equivalent to 70kg of gold per year) to finance construction.

Classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the monument’s facades, church, and cloisters are noteworthy. On the south facade, admire the portal painted by João de Castilho, where figures are arranged hierarchically: below, Infante D. Henrique guards the entrance, the Virgin of Bethlehem blesses the monument, and Archangel Saint Gabriel, Portugal’s protector, completes the arc. The western portal, the sacred space entrance, is by Nicolau Chanterenne. To the left, protected by St. Jerome, is King D. Manuel’s statue, said to be a realistic portrait, and to the right is Queen D. Maria, his wife, protected by St. John the Baptist.

Inside is the church-hall, a Manueline masterpiece by João de Castilho. Note how the beautiful transept vault is unsupported by columns, a remarkable architectural feat. At the entrance, after the lower-choir, are the cenotaphs of poet Luís de Camões, author of “Os Lusíadas,” and Vasco da Gama, commander of the 1497 armada to India. The side chapels house the tombs of kings, princes, and D. Manuel I’s descendants. In the main chapel, later reconstructed by Jerónimo de Ruão, are the tombs of D. Manuel I, his son D. João III, and their wives. The solid silver tabernacle, a mid-17th-century Portuguese silversmith masterpiece, is noteworthy.

The church visit is free.

Torre de Belem - Visit the exterior of this monument; entrance is optional and not included.

The Tower of Belém’s harmony and delicate ornamentation resemble a finely cut jewel. However, contemporaries viewed it as a formidable bastion defending the Tagus entrance, capable of combining firepower with the St Sebastian tower on the opposite riverbank. King Manuel I (1495-1521) ordered its construction, built by Francisco de Arruda between 1514 and 1521. The tower was erected on a basalt island near the Tagus’s right bank, opposite Restelo beach. However, with the river’s gradual course change, the tower is now nearly engulfed by the bank.

The tower’s quadrangular shape is reminiscent of medieval castles, with a polygon bulwark, a defensive feature enabling it to withstand heavy bombardment from the sea. The watch posts, with burgeoning cupolas at each corner, demonstrate Moroccan fortification influence. Apart from Moorish influences, the decoration adopts the Manueline style in surrounding stone layouts, heraldic designs, and even the famous rhinoceros, Europe’s first stone statue of the animal.

The Tower’s most decorated side faces south, with a narrow balcony. On the cloistral wall above the bulwark, a sculptured Virgin with Child from the 18th century forms the tower’s prow.

The interior is worth visiting to reach the top floor, where the effort is rewarded with wonderful views over the Tagus estuary and the city’s western side, still evoking the Portuguese Discovery Era.

In 1983, UNESCO classified the Tower of Belém as a World Heritage Site.

Padrao dos Descobrimentos - Visit the exterior of this monument; entrance is optional and not included.

The imposing Monument to the Discoveries marks the riverside at Belém. Designed in 1940 to commemorate the “Exposition of the Portuguese World,” promoted by the Salazar government to celebrate the eighth and third centenaries of Portugal’s founding and restoration (1140 and 1640, respectively). However, it was only built in 1960 to commemorate 500 years since Prince Henry the Navigator’s death. Designed by architect Cottinelli Telmo, it features sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida’s work.

Standing 52 meters high, the monument symbolizes a caravel, led by Prince Henry the Navigator, followed by a cortege of 32 leading figures from the Discoveries Era, including King Afonso V (1432-81), the driving force behind the first discoveries, Vasco da Gama (1460-1524), who discovered the maritime route to India, Pedro Álvares Cabral (1467-1520), who discovered Brazil, and Fernando Magellan, who completed the globe’s circumnavigation in 1522, among others.

The façade facing the ground takes the form of a cross decorated by the Sword of the Order of Aviz, the main financial sponsor of the voyages.

Praca do Comercio (Terreiro do Paco) - This is one of Europe’s most beautiful squares, opening southwards onto the vast Tagus estuary.
Until the era of mass aviation, this was Lisbon’s grand reception hall for sea-arriving visitors, who could better appreciate its beauty from their vantage points on slowly docking vessels.
It was at this dock that Kings and Heads of State disembarked when visiting Portugal.

Before the 1755 earthquake, it was called Terreiro do Paço (Royal Yard). The Royal Palace had been on the square’s western side since the 16th century when King Manuel moved the court from the Castle of São Jorge (St. George).
In 1580, Filipe I of Portugal ordered a new square, with work by Filippo Terzi and Juan Herrera (the architect responsible for the Escorial).

Everything was destroyed by the earthquake. The name Praça do Comércio (Commercial Square) belongs to the Pombal era and represents the new social order that Minister to King José I wanted to favor and promote: the trading, financial, and bourgeois classes that contributed significantly to rebuilding the city.

In the Square’s geometric center, facing the river, stands a statue of José I, mounted on his horse Gentil, sculpted by Machado de Castro.
It was unveiled with pomp and circumstance on June 6, 1775, the king’s birthday. He discreetly viewed the event from a Customs building window. The celebrations lasted three days and included a gigantic banquet for all Lisbon’s people.
On a pedestal by the riverside, there is a likeness of Pombal (removed when the minister fell into disgrace but replaced by the Liberals in 1834) raised onto the royal shield. The sculpted figures on either side represent Triumph, with a horse, and Fame, with an elephant, alluding to Portugal’s overseas possessions. On the pedestal’s rear side, in low relief, there is an allegoric representation of royal generosity towards a city in ruins, with Commerce opening a chest full of money for this royal generosity.

Underneath the northern arcade, near Rua do Ouro’s entrance, visit the Martinho da Arcada café-restaurant. This is a city reference and a cultured destination.
Before heading up Rua Augusta, leading to Rossio, take a moment to admire the Triumphal Arch overlooking the thoroughfare.

Parque das Nacoes - Panoramic tour through Lisbon’s most modern district, Parque das Nações.

Imagine a site offering daring contemporary architecture, the Oceanarium, one of Europe’s largest, delightful thematic gardens, exhibition centers, shows, and events. All located along a breathtaking 5 km stretch of the Tagus riverfront, in Lisbon’s heart, with easy access and parking, and a wide array of shops, restaurants, and bars.

Only five minutes from Lisbon International Airport, Parque das Nações builds on EXPO’98’s heritage - the last world exposition of the twentieth century. An invented city turned into reality.

Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré and Óbidos Private Tour

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima - The Shrine of Fatima, formally titled by the Catholic Church as Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, is a Marian shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, located in Cova da Iria, in Fatima city, Ourém municipality, Portugal.

The Shrine of Fatima is a premier Christian pilgrimage and Catholic devotion site, preserving the memory of the events leading to its foundation, namely Our Lady’s apparitions to the three shepherds - Lucia dos Santos, Francisco, and Jacinta Marto - in 1917. Its religious significance is widely recognized nationally and internationally. By the Holy Apostolic See’s express will, this is a National Shrine. It is also one of the world’s most important Marian shrines belonging to the Catholic Church and the largest international religious tourism destination, receiving about six million visitors annually. It has been honored with three papal golden roses and visited by Pope Paul VI (1967), John Paul II (1982, 1991, and 2000), Benedict XVI (2010), and Francis (2017).

Construction began in 1919 with the Chapel of the Apparitions; over the years, the sanctuary expanded to include two basilicas, significantly increasing indoor pilgrim capacity. However, various urban plans for its growth had little practical effect, and the current complex results more from timely interventions meeting immediate needs than unified long-term planning. Conversely, the powerful impetus generated by the Fatima Shrine spurred exponential growth in a previously undeveloped country area.

Stylistically diverse, incorporating revivalist buildings alongside more modern ones, the Fátima Sanctuary mainly comprises the Chapel of the Apparitions, the Prayer Hall (outside), the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and its Colonnade, the vast Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, the retreat houses of Our Lady of Carmo and Our Lady of Sorrows, a Way of the Cross in the Valinhos, and the Paul VI Pastoral Center. It also features cultural spaces and several other buildings for administrative sectors, pilgrim reception, medical care, commerce, meetings, congresses, and other activities. The sanctuary also benefited from contributions by artists of various generations, national and international, who created numerous and diverse works there.

Basilica of the Holy Trinity - This Basilica is the latest construction in the Fatima Sanctuary complex, dedicated to the Holy Trinity’s worship. The intention to build a new temple dates back to 1973, as the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima was no longer large enough to accommodate all pilgrims, particularly on Sundays and other medium-affluence days. In 1997, through Monsignor Luciano Guerra, the Shrine of Fatima organized an international competition for a new building design next to Pius XII Square, appropriately scaled to real needs. The first stone was laid on June 6, 2004, Solemnity of the Holy Trinity; three years later, the work was completed, and the church was dedicated on October 12, 2007, by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, then Vatican Secretary of State and Benedict XVI’s legacy to close the 90th anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions. On August 13, 2012, the church was elevated to Basilica status.
The new church was dedicated to the Holy Trinity for several reasons, including the following: the Angel of Peace’s apparitions, with his insistent invitation to worship God, the Holy Trinity; John Paul II’s words in May 1982, spoken in the Chapel of Apparitions, raising his thanksgiving to the Holy Trinity; the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, also dedicated to the Holy Trinity.

Valinhos Sanctuary - The Valinhos correspond to the lands the three little shepherds of Fatima traveled from their houses in Aljustrel to Cova da Iria for grazing their herds. It was here that two Angel of Portugal (or Angel of Peace) apparitions occurred in 1916 (where the children learned the Angel’s Prayers), and a Virgin Mary apparition on August 19, 1917.

Today, the Valinhos are visited by thousands of Portuguese and foreign pilgrims who travel along the Via Sacra to the Hungarian Calvary, visit St. Stephen’s Chapel of Hungary, and from there visit Lucia’s House and Francis and Jacinta Marto’s House in Aljustrel village.

Batalha Monastery - Santa Maria da Vitória Monastery, better known as Batalha Monastery, is a Dominican monastery in Batalha village, Centro region, Beira Litoral province, Portugal, built in 1386 by King D. João I of Portugal to thank the Virgin Mary for victory against Castilian rivals in the battle of Aljubarrota. This Order of Saint Dominic monastery was built over two centuries until about 1563, during the reign of seven Portuguese kings, although the first Dominican friars lived there since 1388. An example of late Gothic Portuguese architecture, or Manueline style, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and on July 7, 2007, was elected one of Portugal’s Seven Wonders. In Portugal, IPPAR classifies it as a National Monument since 1910. Since 2016, it has National Pantheon status.

Nazare - Nazaré beach, with a mild climate and natural beauty, has one of Portugal’s oldest traditions linked to fishing arts.

The long, crescent-shaped sandy beach, also the city’s seafront, is known for its grandeur and brightly colored awnings decorating the white sand beach in contrast to the blue water.

This is Portugal’s beach where fishing traditions are most colorful, and it is not uncommon to meet fishmongers still wearing the seven skirts, as tradition dictates. On a late Saturday afternoon in summer, it is essential to sit on the wall watching the “Arte Xávega” show, where nets loaded with fish come from the sea, and women shout their trading sessions. If the words are not understood exactly, it is nothing to worry about. These are codes often only they know.

Facing the sea, on the right side, is an impressive promontory. This is Sítio, where one of the best-known panoramic views of the Portuguese coast is found. There are 318 meters of rock falling to the sea, reachable on foot for the bravest or by elevator. At the top, find the small Hermitage of Memory, telling the legend of the miracle Our Lady performed by preventing a nobleman, D. Fuas Roupinho’s horse, from jumping off the precipice. True or not, at the Suberco Viewpoint, the sign left on the rock by the horseshoe is shown, on this foggy morning of 1182. At the Site, visit the Nossa Senhora da Nazaré Sanctuary and, not far away, the Dr. Joaquim Manso Museum to learn more about Nazarene traditions.

From Sítio, with time for a walk, crossing Parque da Pedralva, arrive at Pederneira, a natural viewpoint with an unmissable view over Nazaré’s coast.

Currently, the city’s great attraction is the waves and surf, thanks to the “Canhão da Nazaré,” an underwater geomorphological phenomenon allowing giant and perfect wave formation. It is Europe’s largest submerged gorge, about 170 kilometers along the coast, reaching 5000 meters in depth.

Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara gave it world visibility when, in 2011, he rode the world’s biggest wave on a sandy bottom, about 30 meters, at Praia do Norte, winning the Billabong XXL Global BigWave Awards and breaking a Guinness Book record. Like him, surfers worldwide visit Nazaré annually to venture into the sea, especially during winter. Between November and March, the biggest waves are patiently awaited during a long stage of the world championship of giant waves, the Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge. On the beach, sunbathing is also appreciated, providing an excellent audience to admire these young people’s achievements.

To get to know Nazaré, take a relaxed walk through the narrow streets, perpendicular to the beach, and pause at one of the restaurants to enjoy fresh seafood, grilled fish, or an appetizing stew. In the evening, enjoy the setting sun on any terrace overlooking the sea, as the lights come on and it gets dark.

Obidos Village - Due to its excellent seaside location and the lagoon’s arms reaching the hill, these lands have always been inhabited, confirmed by the Lower Paleolithic station of Outeiro da Assenta. Here, a Celtibero castro formed, facing west. The Phoenicians traded here, and today, with more property than the Romans settled here, it is likely the south tower of the Facho originated from a Roman-built watchtower as the outpost of Eburobrittium city, a large urban city found and undergoing archaeological work.

On January 11, 1148, the first king, D. Afonso Henriques, supported by Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, took Obidos from the Arabs after the previous November siege. The Memory Cruise is a simple monument of the time, later restored. Obidos belonged to the defensive pentagon (of the five castles) of the kingdom’s center, idealized by the Templars.

With Óbidos as a wedding gift from D. Dinis to his wife D. Isabel, the village belonged to the House of Rainhas, only extinct in 1834, and most of Portugal’s queens passed through here, leaving great benefits. D. Catarina ordered the aqueduct and fountains built. D. Manuel I’s administrative reform gave Óbidos a new Foral in 1513, a time of intense urban requalifications.

The 1755 earthquake strongly impacted the village, knocking down parts of the wall, temples, and buildings, altering some aspects of the Arab and medieval hull and layout. Óbidos was also the scene of Peninsular War fights, with the great battle of Roliça occurring here, which belonged to Óbidos’s “term.”

More recently, the village was the scene of the preparatory meeting of the April 25 Revolt, linking it to the brave and heroic captains’ movement.

Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Cascais and Estoril

Park and National Palace of Pena - The fantastic Pena Palace is one of the greatest examples of the 19th-century romantic revival in Portugal.

Located in Monte da Pena, the Palace was built on the site of an old convent of friars of the Order of São Jerónimo. It was the result of D. Fernando de Saxe Coburgo-Gotha’s imagination, who married Queen D. Maria II in 1836. In love with Sintra, he decided to acquire the convent and surrounding lands to build the royal family’s summer palace.

The consort king adopted Portuguese architectural and decorative forms for the palace, in the revivalist style (neo-gothic, neo-manueline, neo-islamic, neo-renaissance) and in the surroundings, he decided to create a magnificent English-style park, with the most varied exotic tree species.

Inside, still decorated to the taste of the kings who lived there, the chapel stands out, where a magnificent alabaster marble altarpiece attributed to Nicolau Chanterenne (one of the Jerónimos Monastery architects in Lisbon) can be seen. Also noteworthy are the trompe l’oeil mural paintings and tile coverings.

Centro Historico de Sintra - Time to stroll through Sintra village’s narrow streets and taste its conventual confectionery.

The following are two options for viewing:

1 - National Palace;
2 - Quinta da Regaleira

A beautiful town at the foot of the mountain range of the same name, its unique characteristics led UNESCO to classify it as a World Heritage site. A special category was even created for this purpose - “cultural landscape” - considering its natural riches and historic buildings in the town and mountains. Endowed with luxuriant vegetation, the mountains are part of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.

From early times, Sintra has been a settlement choice for various peoples passing through the Iberian Peninsula, leaving traces of their presence, now displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Odrinhas, on the town’s outskirts.

In the 12th century, Dom Afonso Henriques, Portugal’s first King, captured the Moorish Castle, and his successors later built their holiday residence. Their physiognomy is marked by the two enormous conical chimneys built in the Middle Ages.

Much appreciated by kings and nobles as a country resort, and praised by writers and poets like (inevitably) Lord Byron, who called it “glorious Eden,” Sintra has a wealth of cottages and manor houses, some now providing accommodation as country-house tourism.

The palaces, too, are outstanding, such as the Pena Palace, built in the Romantic period on one of the mountain peaks, and the 18th-century Palace of Seteais, now converted into an elegant hotel, and the Palace of Monserrate, famous for its beautiful gardens with unique exotic species in the country.

Sintra’s confectionery deserves special mention, particularly the travesseiros (puff pastries stuffed with a sweet eggy mixture) and the famous cheese-cakes, which, according to ancient documents, were already made in the 12th century and were part of rent payments.

Near Sintra are the beaches (das Maças, Praia Grande, Praia da Adraga), Cabo da Roca (the westernmost point of mainland Europe), Colares (after which a demarcated wine-growing region is named), and the picturesque village of Azenhas do Mar, inset in a cliff.

Sintra National Palace - The ancient history of Paço da Vila de Sintra begins during the Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. Already mentioned in the 11th century, the primitive Moorish palace - owned by the Portuguese crown after Lisbon’s conquest by D. Afonso Henriques (1147), Portugal’s 1st King - was first intervened in 1281, during D. Dinis’s reign. New construction bodies were added over time, under D. Dinis, D. João I, and D. Manuel I’s reigns, maintaining their silhouette since the mid-16th century.

The arrangement of spaces in height, adapting to the terrain; the intimate organization of the indoor open-air patios, where water running can be heard; its windows with outdated arches; and the tile coverings of rich geometric patterns, show the Moorish connection of the craftsmen who built and embellished the Palace.

Quinta da Regaleira - Quinta da Regaleira is one of the most amazing monuments in the Serra de Sintra. Located at the end of the historic village center, it was built between 1904 and 1910, in the monarchy’s last period.

The romantic domains formerly belonging to Viscondessa da Regaleira were acquired and expanded by Dr. António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro (1848-1920) to found his place of choice. Holder of a prodigious fortune, earning him the nickname Monteiro dos Milhões, he associated with his unique architecture and landscape project the creative genius of Italian architect and scenographer Luigi Manini (1848-1936) and the mastery of sculptors, stonemasons, and carvers who worked with him at the Palace Hotel in Buçaco.

A man of scientific spirit, vast culture, rare sensitivity, remarkable bibliophile, discerning collector, and great philanthropist, he left in this stone book the vision of a cosmology, a synthesis of humanity’s spiritual memory, whose roots immerse in the Lusa and Universal Mythic Tradition. The palace, chapel, and other buildings’ architecture and art were designed in an Edenic garden context, highlighting neo-Manueline and Renaissance styles’ predominance.

The garden, a microcosm representation, is revealed by the succession of places imbued with magic and mystery. Paradise materializes in coexistence with an inferius - a Dantesque underground world - to which the neophyte would be led by Ariadne’s thread of initiation.

With these scenarios, the representation of an initiatory journey, like vera peregrinatio mundi, through a symbolic garden where the Harmony of the Spheres can be felt and the alignment of an asceticism of consciousness traveling through the great epics is examined, materializes. References to mythology, Olympus, Virgil, Dante, Camões, the Templar mission of the Order of Christ, great mystics and thaumaturges, the enigmas of Real Art, the Magical Work of Alchemy are glimpsed. In this stone symphony, the poetic and prophetic dimension of a Portuguese Philosopher’s Mansion is revealed. Here, Heaven and Earth merge in a sensitive reality, presiding over the Beautiful, Architecture, and Music theory, propagated infinitely by the Terrace of the Celestial Worlds’ acoustic shell.

Cabo da Roca - Cabo da Roca is the European continent’s westernmost point or, as Luís Vaz de Camões wrote, the place “Where the Earth ends and the sea begins” (in Os Lusíadas, Canto VIII). A stone pattern with a headstone marks this geographical feature for all visitors.
Cabo da Roca is also called “Focinho da Roca” by those linked to the sea, and more poetically “Promontório da Lua.” It is part of the Sintra Cascais Natural Park, encompassing a vast area of ​​natural interest and landscape beauty from Cascais Citadel to the Falcão River mouth. From Cabo da Roca, several eco-trails can be followed.
In Cabo da Roca, visitors face a spectacular landscape, an imposing lighthouse, and various infrastructures. It is also here that one of the rarest plant species, the “armeria pseudoarmeria,” is found.
Being located in an easily accessible area with many tourists, many people visit it.

Guincho Beach - Near Cascais, the extensive sandy Praia do Guincho is popular with swimmers during summer and year-round for surfers and windsurfers, sports for which this beach offers excellent conditions.

Along the seaside road, numerous excellent quality restaurants offer fresh fish and seafood dishes.

Cascais - Located by the sea and traditionally a fishing village, Cascais developed significantly in the 14th century when it was a busy port of call for ships heading to Lisbon.

However, from the 2nd half of the 19th century, when sea baths became appreciated, Cascais experienced a transformation, becoming a fashionable summer resort. The main driver of this transformation was King of Portugal D. Luís I, who in 1870 converted the citadel fortress into the Portuguese monarchy’s summer residence. This example was followed by the nobility, who built mansions and beautiful houses for spending the hottest time of the year, completely transforming the old fishing village.

Cascais also began attracting strollers, with access made easier by the 1889 inauguration of the Railway Line between Pedrouços and Cascais. Today, Cascais is a lively and cosmopolitan place, retaining its aristocratic air.

It is recommended to stroll through its streets with excellent quality stores or rest on one of the many terraces. The beaches remain a major attraction, with choices between those in the sheltered village bay or those further away in the Guincho area (part of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park) offering excellent surfing and windsurfing conditions. Boca do Inferno, a coastal indentation surrounded by steep cliffs and caves, remains a natural curiosity attracting many visitors to witness the sea’s strength.

Highlighting gastronomy, especially fresh fish and seafood, which can be enjoyed in the region’s many restaurants.

Evora and Monsaraz

Centro Historico de Evora - Topped by an imposing cathedral, Évora is laid out over a gently sloping hill rising from the vast Alentejo plain. It guards its historic center with a vast outer wall and represents a valuable cultural legacy that UNESCO has classified as World Heritage.

The city, with its narrow streets of Moorish origin contrasting with squares where light floods in, holds two millennia of history. Conquered in 59 B.C. by the Romans, they named it “Liberalitas Julia.” In this period, Évora gained great importance, as evidenced by the remains of that time: the ruins of a fine temple dated towards the end of the second century, various parts of the wall, and the gateway more recently called Dona Isabel, in addition to the remains of thermal baths below what is now the Municipal Council building.

Little remains of the Visigoth period (5th - 8th centuries). The Moorish period followed, beginning with the city’s conquest by Tárique, lasting until the 12th-century Christian reconquest. Yeborah, as it became known, had already received an indelible Moorish influence, most clearly seen in the Mouraria neighborhood.

After the Reconquest, urban development moved beyond the city’s walls, in addition to between the inner and outer walls. The city was home to various Portuguese kings’ courts of the first and second dynasties. During this period, it was endowed with various palaces and monuments, particularly during kings João II and Manuel’s reigns (15th and 16th centuries).

Wander its streets and absorb the secret soul that a diverse range of cultural influences has laid down in this World city. There are also excellent restaurants and bars, esplanades, arts and handicraft stores, and the youthful nature of those attending its university, all adding up to a dynamic present with roots firmly in the past.

Templo Romano de Evora (Templo de Diana) - The Roman Temple, over 2000 years old, is Évora’s ex-libris monument and one of the country’s most important historic ruins.

The Roman temple in Évora was built in the first century, during Caesar Augustus’s time. It has a long history, serving as testimony to many transformations and different uses over the centuries. It was practically destroyed when the Barbarians occupied the Iberian Peninsula in the fifth century and served as a bank vault and butcher’s to Evora castle in the 14th century.

Its original Roman design was only recovered in the 19th century, in one of Portugal’s first archaeological interventions. It is a testimony to Évora’s Roman forum, consecrated to the Imperial cult, thus clarifying a 17th-century tradition claiming the temple was consecrated to the goddess Diana. For this reason, it was identified for many years as the Temple of Diana. Recent excavations have shown it was surrounded by a portico and water mirror.

Cathedral of Evora (Se Catedral de Evora) - The largest medieval cathedral in Portugal.

A fortified church with Gothic features, Évora Cathedral is Portugal’s largest cathedral. Initiated in 1186, consecrated in 1204, and immediately used as one of the main Marian cult temples, it was only completed in 1250. It showcases the transition from Romanesque to Gothic style, with Renaissance and Baroque additions introduced later.

The facade is flanked by two towers, both medieval, with the bells placed in the south tower. The north tower houses valuable treasures belonging to the Museum of the Sacred Art; some unique priceless pieces, such as the Virgin of Paradise image, a figurine of the Virgin and Child that opens up from the lap and portrays an altarpiece with various scenes of the Birth and Passion. The remarkable central dome, built at the end of the 13th century during King Dinis’s reign, is the Cathedral’s true showstopper. The main portico is one of the most impressive Portuguese gothic portals, with master sculptures of the Apostles made in the 14th century by Master Pêro, a leading name in national Gothic sculptures. Besides the main portico, there are two other entrances: the Porta do Sol, facing south, with Gothic arches; and the North Gate, rebuilt in the Baroque period.

The interior is divided into three naves about 80 meters long. In the central nave, see the altar of Our Lady of the Angel (locally known as Nossa Senhora do Ó), with polychrome marble images of the Virgin and the Angel Gabriel. The 18th-century altar and the marble chapel in Estremoz are Baroque works by J.F. Ludwig, known as Ludovice, who was the Palace of Mafra architect, at King John V’s service (1706-1750). In the chapel, a beautiful crucifix known as the “Father of the Christ” is displayed above the painting of Our Lady of the Assumption.

In the transept, see the ancient Chapels of Saint Lawrence and the Holy Christ, and the Chapels of the Relics and the Blessed Sacrament, decorated with gilded carvings. At the northern tip is the spectacular Renaissance portal of the Chapel of the Morgados do Esporão. In the upper-choir is a very valuable renaissance chair carved in oak wood, and an organ of great proportions, also from the 18th century.

You can also visit the gothic cloister, dated 1325, and climb to the terrace, from where you can enjoy a beautiful panorama over the entire city of Évora, as the Cathedral is located at its highest point.

Igreja de Sao Francisco - Church of São Francisco - Évora

One of the striking features of the façade is a church porch with arches of different styles - a typical example of the “marriage” between Gothic and Moorish style found in many monuments of this region in Portugal. Over the Manueline doorway, see the emblems of the kings who commissioned its construction - D. João II and D. Manuel I - whose emblems were the pelican and armillary sphere, respectively.

One particularity of the Church is that it has a single nave, terminating in a ribbed vaulted ceiling, with the largest span of all Portuguese Gothic architecture. On the sides, see twelve chapels, all covered in Baroque carved woodwork. The main chapel, dating from the early 16th century, still maintains important Renaissance features such as the pulpits. Note the harmonious decoration of stone, carved woodwork, and azulejo tiles in the chapel of the third order, on one of the transept arms.

Capela dos Ossos - Inside Church of São Francisco, visitors can see the strange Bones Chapel, built during the Filippine period (17th-century). The pillars and walls are completely covered by bones. Note the late Renaissance doorway where the column capitals seem decorated differently depending on whether viewed from the exterior or interior.

Monsaraz Castle and Walls - This extremely beautiful medieval town has preserved its distinctive characteristics over the centuries. Walking through Monsaraz’s streets is like going back in time, as it is a truly unique place where all the peace and tranquility forgotten by the modern era can be found.

The most immediate visual impression in the town is the whitewash and schist of its houses and buildings. Every year, throughout July, Monsaraz becomes an open-air museum, offering visitors the opportunity to learn more about Alentejo handicraft production customs and habits, appreciate regional cuisine delights, and enjoy various cultural events, including music, theater, dance, and art exhibitions.

Regarding the town’s architectural heritage, highlights include the medieval castle and keep, the former court building (built between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries), and the parish church of Nossa Senhora da Lagoa (dating from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries).

Serra da Estrela

Covilha - Lying among rivers and mountains, Covilhã is one of the gateways to Serra da Estrela.

The original inhabitants were Lusitanian shepherds. Covilhã was reconquered from the Moors by King Dom Sancho I, who built city walls to protect it. It became a strategic point in the Middle Ages, especially during Dom Dinis’s reign, who reinforced the territory’s defense.

The town was granted royal status by Dom Manuel, who gave it a new charter in 1510, and it was also a land of discoverers. Prince Henry the Navigator was given the title Lord of Covilhã by his father, King Dom João I, after conquering Ceuta in 1415.

It was the birthplace of Pêro da Covilhã, the explorer sent to the Orient by King Dom João II, whose information helped Vasco da Gama discover the sea route to India.

One of Covilhã’s claims to fame is the art of making woolen goods. This began during Dom Sancho I’s time and was developed by the Jewish community that settled here, remaining until the 15th century. The textile industry, which produced all the Portuguese army’s uniforms during Dom João V’s reign, was boosted when the Marquis of Pombal established the Royal Cloth Factory here, making it the country’s largest woolen goods production center. Due to the economic growth that followed, Covilhã was raised to city status in 1870.

A visit to Covilhã’s historic heritage should not omit the old Judiaria (Jewish Quarter), with its narrow streets and Manueline windows, the Chapel of São Martinho, the Chapel of Santa Cruz, and the Wool Museum.

In Covilhã and surrounding areas, discover the Land of Castles and Historical Villages, the Wool Route, the Old Judiarias Route, and the Serra da Estrela Nature Reserve, by taking one of the itineraries showcasing the region’s natural and cultural heritage. Find us on the Covilhã Council website.

Serra da Estrela - In summer or winter, mainland Portugal’s highest mountain is the perfect scenery for a few relaxing days in contact with nature.

At 1,993 meters at its highest point in Torre, Serra da Estrela is an area of rare landscape beauty, with striking mountain drops, where you can have a deep experience of the silence of the heights. Take advantage of those moments of communion with nature to observe it, discovering the diversity of plants and birds and the flocks of sheep herded by Estrela dogs from the breed named after the Mountain.

You can also follow the course of some major Portuguese rivers from their sources: the Mondego at Mondeguinho, the Zêzere at Covão de Ametade, and the Alva at the Rossim Valley are breathtaking places. Or admire glacier valleys at Loriga, Manteigas, or Covão do Urso and Covão Grande. In the warmest months, the best suggestion will certainly be the 25 Lagoon Itinerary, leading you to some refreshing locations.

In cold weather, Serra da Estrela is the only place in Portugal where you can try skiing, sledging, snowboarding, or riding a snowmobile. There are several pistes with support infrastructure, as well as synthetic snow pistes for skiing at any time of the year.

This natural park is excellent for trekking, horse-riding, or mountain biking. It boasts some 375km of marked trails of varying degrees of difficulty, so you’ll no doubt find one fitting your physical condition. And who has not dreamed of flying like a bird? You can experience the sensation of paragliding in Linhares da Beira, soaring over this historical village - which you shouldn’t miss exploring on foot either.

Torre - The highest point of continental Portugal and where there is the only ski resort in Portugal.

Lagoa Comprida - Dam at the top of Serra da Estrela.

Porto - > Arrival in Porto;

Check-in;
Hotel not included in the program cost;

Cruise in Douro River

Douro River - 08H15 – Board in Cais de Gaia.

08h30–Departure to Régua.

08h45 – Breakfast on board.

09h45 – Crestuma/Lever’s Dam. Locking. Difference of 14 meters.

12h30 – Appetizer.

12H45 – Carrapatelo’s Dam. Locking. Difference of 35 meters.

13h15 – Lunch on board.

16h00 – Arrival to Régua. Landing of passengers.

18h08 – Departure by train or bus to Oporto.

20h30 – Arrival to Porto.

Porto - > Arrival at the hotel in Porto

Hotel not included in the program cost;

Douro Valley

Peso Da Regua - It is thought that the town’s name originated from a Roman house that once stood here - the “Villa Reguela.” Its great development began after 1756 with the creation of the Real Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro (Royal Company of Vine-Growers from the Alto Douro Region), which set up the world’s first demarcated region for wine production.

Situated on the Douro River banks, Peso da Régua played a fundamental role in Port wine production and sale, as barrels were transported from here in special boats known as barcos rabelos to Vila Nova de Gaia, where the wine aged in local wine lodges.

In this region, vines are grown on terraced slopes leading down to the river, providing visitors with spectacular views, best admired from the area’s many viewpoints, such as São Leonardo at Galafura and Santo António do Loureiro.

In the surrounding area, the Caldas de Moledo spa, situated on the Douro River’s right bank, has its moorage points and is a delightful place for those wishing to spend a relaxing holiday.

The Douro Valley - Departing from Porto, where the river flows into the sea and where Douro wines (table wines and Port wine), produced on its hillsides, also end up, there are various ways to explore this cultural landscape, listed as a World Heritage Site: by road, by train, on a cruise boat, and even by helicopter. None will leave you indifferent.

Following a route between the viewpoints offering the best vistas, you need to cross the river from north to south and back again. Along the way, admire breathtaking landscapes over the river and visit vineyards, towns, and villages until reaching Miranda do Douro, the point where the river enters Portugal.

Start at Vila Nova de Gaia with a visit to the lodges where Port wine is aged. Here, get to know this wine better, taking the opportunity – how could you do otherwise? - to taste the precious nectar. You can still see the old rabelo boats on the river, the vessels that carried the wine from the quintas where it is produced to the river’s mouth, before the various dams that made the river navigable were built.

In Peso da Régua, the Douro Museum provides a different perspective on the region and wine growing. Not far away, on the south bank, is Lamego, one of Northern Portugal’s most beautiful cities, located at the base of an immense blue and white tiled flight of steps leading to the Shrine of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. In Pinhão, right by the river, the railway station is a must-see to admire its ancient tiles dedicated to vine cultivation.

Before arriving in Pocinho, make a detour on the south bank to visit Numão castle and enjoy the skyline view. A little further east is the Vale do Coa Archaeological Park, an open-air rock art gallery, classified as a World Heritage Site, and the attached Museum in Vila Nova de Foz Coa.

Once you reach Barca de Alva, enter the International Douro Natural Park, as the river from here to Miranda do Douro forms the border between Portugal and Spain. At this point, the river narrows, running between tall escarpments until reaching the small border town on entering Portugal.

The Douro Wine Region Valley, up to Barca de Alva, is the world’s oldest demarcated wine region. First, the river carved the deep valleys out of the land, and then Man transformed the schist mountains into soil and walls and planted the vines, green in summer, flame-colored in autumn. With knowledge handed down from generation to generation, he inclined the terraces to expose the vines to the sun’s rays, giving the grapes the warmth the wine craves. From the land’s fruits and Man’s labor, this unique wine and landscape were made.

Quinta do Crasto - Located in a prime spot in the Douro Demarcated Region in Northern Portugal, Quinta do Crasto has been in Leonor and Jorge Roquette’s family for over a century. Like all great Douro estates, Quinta do Crasto dates far back into ancient times. The name Crasto comes from the Latin castrum, meaning “Roman fort.”
The earliest records mentioning Quinta do Crasto and its wine production date back to 1615. It later received Feitoria status (the highest vineyard classification of the time), along with other noteworthy Douro Valley estates. Between 1758 and 1761, the Marquis of Pombal ordered the installation of 335 granite markers – each standing two meters high and 30 x 20 centimeters – to delineate the world’s first Demarcated Region. One of these stone pillars, or “marcos pombalinos” in Portuguese, dates back to 1758 and can still be seen today at Quinta do Crasto near the century-old farmhouse. In the 1940s, all these markers were inventoried and declared property of national interest.
In the early 20th century, Quinta do Crasto was bought by Constantino de Almeida, founder of the renowned Constantino wine house dedicated to Port wine and brandy production and export. Their slogan “A fama do Constantino já vem de longe” (“The fame of Constantino dates far back in the past”) remains popular today. Following Constantino de Almeida’s death in 1923, his son Fernando Moreira d’Almeida took over Quinta do Crasto’s management, continuing the tradition of producing the highest quality Port wine.
In 1981, Leonor Roquette, Fernando Moreira d’Almeida’s daughter, and her husband Jorge Roquette took over majority ownership and management of the estate. With their sons, they began renovating and extending the vineyards, producing the Douro DOC wines Quinta do Crasto is now famous for domestically and abroad. They are the fourth generation of the family managing this emblematic estate, seducing all with the exquisite quality conferred upon all its products.
Quinta do Crasto today offers a full range of products, from white and red Douro wines to premium Port wines and Extra Virgin Olive oils. Prices vary, although the focus is on premium and super-premium products. In recent years, the entire Quinta do Crasto range has received great acclaim from the general public and specialized critics. Quinta do Crasto is especially proud that, year after year, clients and partners honor their brand with their preference.

Porto - > Arrival at the hotel in Porto

Hotel not included in the program cost;

Porto City Tour

Porto - Porto Baixa (Downtown) is laid out around Avenida dos Aliados (Avenue of the Allies), the city’s focal point. At the top of this thoroughfare, there is the imposing Municipal Council building. At the other end, it opens onto Praça da Liberdade (Liberty Square), where there is a statue of a mounted Pedro IV (19th c.), emperor of Brazil and, like much of Oporto, a supporter of the Liberalism movement. In recognition, the king literally gave his heart to the city, now watched over in the Church of Lapa.

To the side of the square, visit São Bento (Saint Benedict) railway station to see the pictured tiles in the entrance hall. Then head down Rua das Flores (Street of Flowers), with its goldsmiths and the exuberant baroque façade of the Church of Misericórdia (Compassion), a masterpiece by architect Nicolau Nasoni.

Surrounding this center, there is a dense network of streets packed with stores and cafes. Of the latter, the magnificent Majestic and the cheerfully bustling Mercado do Bolhão are well worth a visit. On the streets 31 de Janeiro Galeria de Paris and Cândido dos Reis, check out the facades with their Art Nouveau finishings.

Heading up Rua de São Filipe Néry, there is the Church and Tower dos Clérigos (Ecclesiastics), the city’s centerpiece and the most original design by Nicolau Nasoni. From 75 meters up in the tower, there is a wonderful panoramic view over Porto and beyond. On the way, nip into the Lello bookshop and admire the lavish decoration bestowed on this temple to culture.

Cafe Majestic - Café Majestic is a historic café located on Rua de Santa Catarina in Porto, Portugal.

Its significance stems from the cultural ambiance surrounding it, particularly the café tertúlia tradition, where various cultural and artistic personalities gathered, as well as its Art Nouveau architectural identity. In 2011, it was considered the sixth most beautiful café in the world.

Livraria Lello - Livraria Lello, also known as Livraria Lello & Irmão or Livraria Chardron, is located at Rua das Carmelitas, 144, in Porto’s Historic Center, Portugal.

Due to its unique historical and artistic value, Lello has been recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores by several personalities and entities, such as Spanish writer Enrique Vila-Matas, British newspaper The Guardian, and Australian travel guide publisher Lonely Planet.

Torre dos Clerigos - A genuine baroque work by Nicolau Nasoni, an ex-libris monument of Porto.

The Church of Clérigos (Ecclesiastics) is a genuine baroque masterpiece dating from the mid-18th century. It was designed by Nicolau Nasoni, an architect of Italian origin. He stamped his mark on many monuments around Oporto and northern Portugal. Nasoni, on his request, was buried here in a small chapel with its gateway at the same level as the top of the double bolster stairway.

The church’s front showcases its highly interesting and beautiful baroque finishing with its contours, domes, and spires worthy of closer inspection. The interior has a single nave in granite and marble, covered in baroque carvings, again demonstrating the architect’s skill. In the main chapel, attention is drawn to the polychromatic altarpiece by Manuel Porto.

However, what sets this construction apart is the Tower; constructed in granite protruding out of the church’s western side. This is Porto’s highly distinctive landmark. The tower extends upwards through 75 meters of elegance, forming rhythmic stages before rising to its crowning glory, the spherical clock house. The baroque decoration is thoroughly delicate and wonderfully light.

In 1917, the Tower of Clérigos was successfully climbed by two Spanish acrobats, the Puertullanos, a father and son team, in front of an enormous crowd. This is a feat that, on looking up at the Tower, would seem impossible.

An inner staircase (240 degrees) enables access to the top. For those wishing to avoid the Puertullanos’ feats, this is the best means to gain access to one of the most beautiful panoramic views over all of Porto.

Sao Bento Railway Station - The cornerstone was unveiled in 1900 by King Carlos I on the former convent S. Bento de Avé Maria (Saint Benedict of Hail Mary) site. The initial project was designed by architect Marques da Silva, with its external lines demonstrating then-contemporary French influences.

Well worth a visit is the huge entrance hall covered with some twenty thousand pictorial tiles. The work of Jorge Colaço, they feature historical and ethnographic images. The colored frieze running around the entire atrium details various forms of transport in chronological order from the earliest times through to the train’s appearance. Below, great panels depict scenes from Portugal’s history.

On the northern wall, the upper panel depicts a scene from the Valdevez Archery Tournament, while below, there is a greeting from Egas Moniz. On the southern wall, the upper panel features João I’s royal entry into Porto, with his bride, Philippa of Lancaster, and the lower scenes from the Ceuta Chronicles. Other small panels show aspects of regional life.

Porto Cathedral (Se Catedral) - Sé Catedral do Porto

The many names of Marian Devotion.

Porto Cathedral, like the first band of city walls, was born in the 12th century by its first bishop, D. Hugo’s initiative. The temple is also known as the church of Santa Maria do Porto, de Nossa Senhora do Porto da Eterna Salvação, or Nossa Senhora da Vandoma – attesting to the Marian cult’s importance.

The building reached its present dimensions in the 13th century, and the following century the cloister was added on, built in Gothic style, as was the Knight João Gordo’s tomb in the chapel of St. John the Evangelist.

Kings D. João I and D. Filipa de Lencastre were married in Porto Cathedral, also in the 14th century, on February 14, 1387. Porto’s people dressed in their finery, and the city was covered with flowers and fragrant herbs for the celebration feast.

Later, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the cathedral’s exterior and interior look was changed by baroque taste. The transformation of the portal (which still conserves the medieval rose window), the north facade, and several other sites, such as the main chapel and the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, which has since housed a large silver altarpiece, executed by Porto goldsmiths, stem from this period.

Various altarpieces and chapels show the Marian cult under different titles, such as Nossa Senhora do Presépio, Nossa Senhora da Silva, Nossa Senhora da Piedade, Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Nossa Senhora da Expectação, Nossa Senhora da Conceição, and Nossa Senhora da Vandoma – with this latter being the most important, as the patron of the city and included in the municipal coat of arms since the 16th century.

Also part of this architectural trove is the grandiose Episcopal Palace building, whose construction dates back to the 12th century.

Ribeira - Ribeira is one of Porto’s oldest and most typical places, Portugal. Located in São Nicolau parish, next to the Douro River, it is part of Porto’s Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is currently a tourist hotspot and a concentration of bars and restaurants.

In Ribeira, Praça da Ribeira, popularly known as Praça do Cubo, is worth mentioning; Rua da Fonte Taurina, one of the city’s oldest streets; the Wall of Bacalhoeiros and Casa do Infante, where Infante D. Henrique is believed to have been born in 1394. It was in this Porto area that one of the city’s most charismatic figures lived, the so-called Duque da Ribeira, known for saving several drowning people.

Lunch Time!

Igreja de Sao Francisco - The Church of São Francisco was built in the 14th century, during King D. Fernando’s reign, on the site of a modest church belonging to the order of Franciscan Friars who established a presence in Oporto in 1223.

The Church’s layout follows the mendicant Gothic style rules - with three naves, a prominent transept, and a tripartite top section, with a main chapel inside. Several innovative elements were introduced, such as the decoration of balls in the main chapel’s window slits.

In the 16th century, João de Castilho designed the chapel of São João Baptista, but it was only in the 18th-century that the main works were carried out, resulting in this magnificent Baroque church preserved to the present day, appearing covered in gold due to the abundance of gilt-edged woodcarvings.

The woodcarvings inside the church include the notable altarpiece of the main chapel, dedicated to the Tree of Jessé, reformulated between 1718 and 1721 by Filipe da Silva and António Gomes.

Palacio da Bolsa - The Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange) is one of Porto’s most important historic monuments and a must-see for all city visitors.

Built in the second half of the 19th century in the neoclassical style, it was destined to become the Porto Commercial Association’s headquarters, reflecting this activity’s importance in the city’s history. The building began to be used as the Stock Exchange at Queen Dona Maria II’s orders in 1841, although it was handed back to the Association in 1911.

Designed by Porto architect Joaquim da Costa Lima Júnior, the building is remarkable in architectural terms, making unmistakable references to English Palladianism and other city buildings, such as the Hospital de Santo António designed by John Carr, the Academia da Marinha e Comércio (Naval Academy) by Carlos Amarante (the present-day Science Faculty), and the Feitoria Inglesa (Factory House) by John Whitehead.

Inside, visit the Pátio das Nações (the main courtyard) and the magnificent Salão Árabe (Arabian Hall). Neo-Moorish in style, this is a unique space of great decorative wealth created by Gonçalves e Sousa in 1862. It was here that the most important official ceremonies in the city were once held, with receptions organized for many of the world’s leading statesmen. It is now used for cultural events.

Ferreira Cellars - Four unique locations to explore Porto Wine’s different facets in a relaxed yet informed way.

Throughout the vineyard-rich Douro region and the Vila Nova de Gaia ageing cellars, each estate and wine cellar’s individuality presents visitors with a unique experience, steeped in the tradition, history, and identity of centuries-old Porto wine brands.

Porto - > Arrival at the hotel in Porto

Hotel not included in the program cost;

Transfer to Lisbon or Porto Airport

Lisbon - If the option is to take the flight to Lisbon, you can schedule the day to visit Aveiro on your return to Lisbon, if the flight schedule allows.

Lisbon - If the option is to take the flight to Lisbon, if the flight schedule does not allow stopping in Aveiro, the trip will be direct.

Porto - If the option is to take the flight in Porto, the transfer will be made directly from the hotel in Porto to Porto airport, in convenience with the flight schedule.

• Private transportation
• On-board WiFi
• Bottled water
• All fees and taxes included

• Hotel
• Food
• Drinks
• Entries to places to pay
• Tips

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.