SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Lisbon is the second oldest capital city in Europe, after Athens. It is known for the role it played in the ‘Age of Discovery’, its ornate architecture and the tradition of Fado music.

The old rickety Tram 28, which extends from Martim Moniz to Campo Ourique, is an interesting way to see the city, as it passes through some of the city's most notable neighbourhoods such as Graça, Baixa and Bairro Alto, as well as St. George's Castle atop Lisbon's highest hill in Alfama.

The castle served as a fortification for the Romans, Visigoths and the Moors, who turned it into a royal palace before it was eventually taken over by Portugal's first king, Afonso Henriques. You can see old canons, underground chambers and 18 towers, one of which houses a camera obscura, as well as enjoy spectacular hilltop vistas over the Tagus Estuary and the 25th April Suspension Bridge.

From here walk down the hill to the historic waterfront of Belém, which was the port of departure for adventurers such as Vasco da Gama, who was the first person to sail from Europe to India, and Ferdinand Magellan, who successfully circumnavigated the globe. Christopher Columbus also stopped here on his way back to Spain from the Americas. In this neighbourhood you will find the ancient Monastery of St. Jerome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with intricately carved pillars, cloisters and vaulted ceilings, Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries built in the 1960s to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator's death, Belém Palace (the official residence of Portugal's president), the Berardo Collection Museum of modern art and several lovely gardens. Nearby is the National Tile Museum, which displays five centuries of decorative ceramic ‘azulejos’.

The UNESCO World Heritage town of Sintra is situated in rolling hills north-west of Lisbon, a 30 minute train ride from the city. It has many beautiful palaces, villas, castles and steep cobblestone streets. Sintra National Palace is the best-preserved medieval royal palace in Portugal, with beautiful ‘azulejo’ tiles adorning its interiors and colourful Pena Palace is a romantic castle that was built as a getaway for Queen Maria II. Monserrate Palace is a palatial villa and the Castle of the Moors is a medieval fortress. Quinta da Regaleira is an historic manor house and country estate. 

Once you have finished exploring Lisbon, collect your hire car and head inland to Alentejo and the old walled city of Évora, with its whitewashed houses and cobbled streets. Very few tourists find their way to this rural region and you will have the roads to yourself, despite Evora being one of Portugal’s best preserved medieval towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Romans were the first to settle here, building its defensive walls and leaving behind the ruins of a temple (also called the Temple of Diana). Évora’s pink granite cathedral is a massive Gothic structure begun in the 12th century, with a jumble of architectural styles. The impressive Monument of St Francis features both Gothic and Baroque architecture, along with an eerie skeleton-adorned Chapel of Bones. Évora Museum is situated in the old episcopal palace, which dates to the 1500s and has collected over 20,000 paintings, sculptures, jewellery, furniture, textiles, goldwork and ceramics relating to the town’s history. Stunning Loios Convent has elegant Gothic cloisters and is now an upmarket hotel, whilst the impressive university is the second oldest in the country.

Outside the town, Évora has a striking 16th century aqueduct that channels water to the city for over 12 miles. This Renaissance structure follows the same course as the original Roman aqueduct and incorporates some of its stonework.

A short way west of Évora is the ancient Almendres Cromlech megalithic complex that dates back 8,000 years. With 95 standing stones, forming two huge circles, it is the largest arrangement of ‘menhirs’ on the Iberian peninsula. Many of the stones have carvings of circles, spirals, crescents, dimples and inverted shepherd’s crooks. Not far away is the Great Dolmen of Zambujeiro, a megalithic funerary chamber.

In the other direction, close to the border with Spain, the awesome medieval village and castle at Monsaraz is definitely worth visiting as a day trip.

Alentejo has the largest cork forests in the world, so you can visit a cork factory if this is of interest. Évora is also a major wine producing region, so many wine tasting tours are available and good quality wines. The regional cuisine is simply delicious. Do try the traditional cheese made from sheep’s milk.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. Local car hire and flights from London are included, with regional departures on request.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information including recommended routes and suggestions on places to visit, to help you get the most from your holiday.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance and an appropriate driving licence. The AA and the FCO should also be consulted.