Around Lisbon
7-day tour departing from Lisbon
Our tour explores the dazzling landscapes and memorable monuments that are Lisbon’s natural surroundings. Then, in the city of sloping hills itself, we discover how Atlantic light meets Mediterranean culture and an ancient heritage mixes with contemporary architecture along the banks of the magnificent river Tagus.
Program
We start our itinerary on an ancient headland, in the dazzling Atlantic surroundings of Arrabida, where the unmistakable scent of the Mediterranean somehow hangs in the air. The 16th-century fort of São Filipe, above the sea, will be our hotel. We`ll spend a day visiting the Renaissance-style summer residences of Azeitão and savouring renowned regional cheeses and wines.
Then we leave for Sintra, made a UNESCO World Heritage site for its cultural landscape. We climb to the mythical Castelo dos Mouros and the Palácio da Pena - a romantic fantasy that enchanted both Byron and Richard Strauss. In the afternoon, we`ll visit his royal palace of Islamic origin, with its imposing chimneys, and the house and secluded gardens of Quinta da Regaleira, themselves imbued with their own symbolism and mystery. That night, we will rest in the old quarters of the court guard, at the Royal Palace of Queluz, now a Pousada.
The following days will be dedicated to Lisbon itself. We will stay at the Palácio Valle Flor, which has been converted into an exquisite hotel, complete with its own leafy, luxuriant gardens. Each day will be organised according to a different theme, in order to appreciate the singularity of this city of contrasts.
We start with a ramble through the Lisbon of the 18th century, through the grand arches facing the Tagus and the streets in the Baixa. This is followed by a visit to the more modern area of Chiado, with its charming cafés, bustling boutiques and brimming bookshops.
The day`s itinerary will also take us back to the remote origins of the city. Starting from the medieval castle of São Jorge, with its unparalleled views, we descend into the ancient Alfama area, with its narrow, labyrinthine alleys - once Arabic and still evoking the atmosphere of the Discoveries. This is the place where lived the seafarers who boarded the ships that discovered exotic new worlds, and remains home to the city`s ancient Sé, or cathedral. In the afternoon, amid the calmness of the distinguished Museu de Arte Antiga, we can marvel at what the discovery of new worlds meant to Lisbon and to Europe. After this, we head to the nearby Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Torre de Belém, both listed as World Heritage sites and both the stunning fruits of the same rich historical era.
Baroque Lisbon - the theme of our sixth day - takes us on an illuminating course through the city. We will discover examples of extraordinary religious architecture with gilded woodcarved interiors, plus palaces and gardens set with stunning statues and tiles.
Finally, we bid the city farewell at the thoroughly modern and expansive Parque das Nações. Here, the city is rich with world-class contemporary buildings, such as the Pavilhão de Portugal, built by the architect Siza Vieira for Expo 98, and the fantastic Oceanário - itself a fitting contemporary monument to the never-ending relationship between this city and the sea.
We start our itinerary on an ancient headland, in the dazzling Atlantic surroundings of Arrabida, where the unmistakable scent of the Mediterranean somehow hangs in the air. The 16th-century fort of São Filipe, above the sea, will be our hotel. We`ll spend a day visiting the Renaissance-style summer residences of Azeitão and savouring renowned regional cheeses and wines.
Then we leave for Sintra, made a UNESCO World Heritage site for its cultural landscape. We climb to the mythical Castelo dos Mouros and the Palácio da Pena - a romantic fantasy that enchanted both Byron and Richard Strauss. In the afternoon, we`ll visit his royal palace of Islamic origin, with its imposing chimneys, and the house and secluded gardens of Quinta da Regaleira, themselves imbued with their own symbolism and mystery. That night, we will rest in the old quarters of the court guard, at the Royal Palace of Queluz, now a Pousada.
The following days will be dedicated to Lisbon itself. We will stay at the Palácio Valle Flor, which has been converted into an exquisite hotel, complete with its own leafy, luxuriant gardens. Each day will be organised according to a different theme, in order to appreciate the singularity of this city of contrasts.
We start with a ramble through the Lisbon of the 18th century, through the grand arches facing the Tagus and the streets in the Baixa. This is followed by a visit to the more modern area of Chiado, with its charming cafés, bustling boutiques and brimming bookshops.
The day`s itinerary will also take us back to the remote origins of the city. Starting from the medieval castle of São Jorge, with its unparalleled views, we descend into the ancient Alfama area, with its narrow, labyrinthine alleys - once Arabic and still evoking the atmosphere of the Discoveries. This is the place where lived the seafarers who boarded the ships that discovered exotic new worlds, and remains home to the city`s ancient Sé, or cathedral. In the afternoon, amid the calmness of the distinguished Museu de Arte Antiga, we can marvel at what the discovery of new worlds meant to Lisbon and to Europe. After this, we head to the nearby Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Torre de Belém, both listed as World Heritage sites and both the stunning fruits of the same rich historical era.
Baroque Lisbon - the theme of our sixth day - takes us on an illuminating course through the city. We will discover examples of extraordinary religious architecture with gilded woodcarved interiors, plus palaces and gardens set with stunning statues and tiles.
Finally, we bid the city farewell at the thoroughly modern and expansive Parque das Nações. Here, the city is rich with world-class contemporary buildings, such as the Pavilhão de Portugal, built by the architect Siza Vieira for Expo 98, and the fantastic Oceanário - itself a fitting contemporary monument to the never-ending relationship between this city and the sea.
Request Availability →
Tailor this Tour →
Prices
- 7-day tour departing from Lisbon
- Price per person from €1.574 Group of 8 people
- Single supplement of € 375
The Tour includes
- 6 nights; 3 at Historic Pousada & 3 at Pestana Palace Hotel
- Breakfast daily, 4 lunches & 4 dinners (water,wine and coffee included)
- Private transportation
- Full accompaniment by tour leader
- All entrance fees
- Guided wine tastings
The Tour does NOT include
- Air travel tickets
- Beverages not included in the meals
- Meals not shown in the price panel for each tour
- Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls, laundry, etc)
- Gratuities to guides and drivers
- Personal travel insurance
- Visa cost where applicable
Highlights
As spring arrives, the vines of the Alentejo begin to blossom and the villages and wine cellars of the São Mamede Route are waiting to share their stories with you…
Discover the charm of an Algarve away from the crowds – and be enchanted by the colours of nature and the echoes of an ancient past with our Mediterranean story.
Lisbon – a stunning city of light, of hills, of vivid history and a dazzling river. Our Around Lisbon Around Lisbon tour is the way to discover the unique character of this beautiful city and its rich hinterland…
Discover the charm of an Algarve away from the crowds – and be enchanted by the colours of nature and the echoes of an ancient past with our Mediterranean story.
Lisbon – a stunning city of light, of hills, of vivid history and a dazzling river. Our Around Lisbon Around Lisbon tour is the way to discover the unique character of this beautiful city and its rich hinterland…
