Highlights of Portugal – Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve

Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then to Plymouth for the overnight crossing to Santander.

We disembark in Santander and head to our hotel in northern Spain for an overnight stay.

We continue to the picturesque city of Porto today, known for its ancient heritage and colourful cityscape. This medieval city is also well-known for port wine. We stay in Porto for three nights.

Relax at the hotel, explore Porto at leisure, or join our optional tour to enjoy a Port wine tasting in the atmospheric cellars.

Our excursion today takes us firstly to Braga, known as the ‘Rome of Portugal’. Once the centre of the Roman province of Galicia in Roman times, and known as Bracara Augusta, the wonderful city of Braga is filled with incredible sights, including the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary. Take in this beautiful scenery and architecture with our optional guided tour, visiting the Braga Cathedral. We continue to Guimaraes, considered the birthplace of Portugal, where we visit the stunning Palace of the Dukes of Braganza. This is one of the city’s most important monuments, and its magnificent façades features incredible Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

Continuing southwards today, we call at beautiful Fatima. Famous for being a well-known pilgrimage site, Fatima is home to one of the most important Catholic shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary. During our en route visit, spend time admiring Fatima’s Sanctuary. This beautiful sanctuary was constructed after three children witnessed the apparitions of an angel. We continue to the capital Lisbon, the City of Seven Hills, for a two-night stay.

Enjoy a full day exploring Lisbon and join our optional guided tour. We’ll discover gothic cathedrals, majestic monasteries and quaint museums, as well as many other delights in Portugal's capital city. Bright yellow trams wind their way through hilly, tree-lined streets, whilst the locals stroll peacefully through the old quarters. The city is set on seven hills where a number of spectacular monuments sit protectively, such as the iconic Belem Tower. Whilst in Lisbon, enjoy the local delicacy Pastel de Nata, a local custard tart.

Spend a leisurely morning in Lisbon before we continue to the southern tip of Portugal and to the Algarve, where we stay in Albufeira for three nights.

Explore the eastern Algarve, beginning in the ancient city of Faro, the capital of the Algarve. We’ll then continue to the Moorish town of Olhao, known for its important fish market; then to Tavira, with its attractive Old Town. Our final calling point will be Vila Real de Santo Antonio, situated on the Spanish border. Throughout our excursion, our experienced tour guide will give us extra insight into this fascinating towns.

Explore the beautiful Western Algarve with us, taking a scenic drive through stunning scenery on our optional excursion. We’ll visit Lagos first, where we can uncover Portugal’s fascinating history. This city was integral to Portugal’s ‘Age of Discovery’, when the country’s naval exploration was at its peak. Admire the city’s ancient walls, which circle the Old Quarter, and perhaps visit one of its stunning beaches.

Leaving the Algarve behind, we’ll head northwards to Seville, where we stay for two nights.

Uncover Seville’s fascinating history and ancient sights. See the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Alcazar, the Cathedral, and the General Archive of the Indies. Be amazed by the expansive Plaza de Espana, and soak up the bustling atmosphere this city is so well-known for.  Join our optional guided city tour, including a visit to the Jewish Quarter of Santa Cruz which is known for its winding streets and as the prettiest area of the city. See the incredible Cathedral, the third largest church in the world and over 500 years old.

We leave Seville and head north to Salamanca, where we stay for two nights.

Enjoy a day at your leisure in Salamanca, where there is much to see, including the new and old cathedrals, bustling Plaza Mayor square and the Casa de las Conchos, named after the 300 scallop shells on the buildings façade. Salamanca dates back to the Celtic era and is known for its ornate sandstone buildings. Its Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its University is one of the oldest in Europe.

It is time to leave Spain behind and start our journey back towards the UK. We will cross the border into France and overnight in the Bordeaux area.

We continue our journey through France to the Paris area for our last overnight.

Return home.