This fairly gentle walking holiday takes in the best of Portugal's culture and history - the wonders of Lisbon and Porto, the castles and palaces of Sintra and the lush vineyards of the Douro Valley whilst staying in our gorgeous selection of hotels. Truly Portugal at its most perfect!
Starting in Lisbon with its pastel hues, enjoy the historical monuments of this proud city on the majestic River Tagus, which deserves an extra night or two to discover all its secrets. In Sintra, castles, palaces and quintas emerge from the rock or from a luxuriant sub-tropical forest where plants from all continents have been introduced. The Moorish castle or the Palacio da Pena allow a better understanding the layers of Portuguese history: Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths and Arabs succeeded one another in this territory before the Lusitanian people set sail to discover and colonize other lands.
At the end of the Sintra massif, Cabo da Roca rises up - the western most point of continental Europe. The journey continues towards the Douro Valley - classified as a World Heritage Site. Centuries old terraced vines adorn the hillsides and long stone cellars stand proudly along the river. The rabelo boats that were once used to transport the barrels adorn its banks. Enjoy a river cruise before a historic train journey to Porto with its famous 6 bridges. Explore the back streets, culinary delights, and historic buildings before a visit to Vila Nova de Gaia, where the precious port wines mature before being exported all over the world. Say farewell to the wonders of Portugal, where the warm hospitality will make your encounters wonderfully authentic and sincere, and where culture and nature are totally intertwined and tell the same story of an exceptional land.
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
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from £2,330 per person
depending on season - Luxury
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from £3,800 – £4,250 per person
depending on season
Based on two people sharing a room. Price range due to seasonal variations
Duration
7 nights
Start & Finish
Starts Sunday to Thursday throughout the year from Lisbon, ends Porto. For Friday or Saturday starts lunch not available at Quinta do Tedo. Lisbon and Porto airports are less than 30 mins by car to the hotels.
Hotels
- Classic
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Two boutique hotels, family owned winery, and a small guesthouse.
- Luxury
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Four 5 star hotels, including a period palace and a boutique hotel.
Holiday type
Self-guided so you are free to explore at your own pace. More info...
Activity level
Gentle walking (2) More info...
Mileage
5 days of walking 2 - 8 miles (3-14km).
Terrain
Some hills and rocky outcrops.
What’s included?
Ensuite accommodation every night with breakfast. The services of our friendly local Hosts. Luggage transfers between hotels. 24/7 phone contact number. Adventure Handbook with our local tips. GPS Routes on an App with waterproof phone holder. Guidebook or OS maps. Protection of your funds. Advice, help and guidance planning your trip.
Entrance to Sintra Park, wine tasting and lunch at Quinta do Tedo. Boat cruise from Pinhao and historic train to Porto. Visit & tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia. All transfers including airport transfers. Read About Our Trips for further details
Options
- Additional nights in Lisbon or Porto where you can walk to the fishermen's village of Girolata (6 miles or 10 km)
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic & Luxury
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1. Day one
Arrive Lisbon
We greet you at Lisbon airport for a private transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city. Settle in and sample the delights of Lisbon: stroll through the charming black and white mosaic streets, enjoy an evening of Fado music in the districts of Mouraria or Alfama or take a tram around the city or walk up to the Saint Jorge castle with its stunning panoramic views of a city teeming with character, culture and history.
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2. Day two
SINTRA circular walk
A private transfer this morning will take you to the entrance to the Palacio de Pena near the summit of the Sintra Hills. Many different species of plants and trees from around the world flourish here as you enter a 19th Century Romantic sub-tropical paradise adorned with small pools and bridges. The Palacio de Pena – the architectural fantasy of King Fernando II – dominates atop the massif summit. After visiting the palace follow a series of paths to the Castelo de Mouros with incredible views as far as the ocean. Then descend through lush green forest to the historic centre of Sintra. Enjoy exploring the winding alleys of the old town, or visit the Sintra National Palace or Quinta da Regaleira.
5 miles (8km) plus exploring
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3. Day three
Cabo da Roca Coastal Walk
Here's a day to explore the wild coastline from Cabo da Roca. A short transfer finds you soaking up the beauty of this westernmost point of mainland Europe, from atop a 140m high cliff with the rolling waves beneath. Enjoy the stunning views here before following the coastal path across cliff tops and moors, passing a number of fantastic beaches - Adage, Praia Grande and Praia das Macas with swimming opportunities and seaside cafes aplenty. Return to Sintra later in the day with plenty more delights to soak up including the Quinta da Regaleira palace with its numerous hidden passages and a spiral staircase descent down the Initiation Well. Quite the adventure!
5.5 miles (9km)
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4. Day four
Douro valley wine estate walk and Pinhão
Head north this morning with a private transfer (3.5 hours) to the The Quinta do Tedo wine estate in the Douro valley. This is an enchanting place set in the lush green valleys of what is said to be the oldest wine region in the world. Here you will have a delicious lunch and wine tasting before taking a stroll in the vineyard and along the pretty Tedo river, a tributary of the Douro. The Golden River, as the Douro is known is where you stay for the next two nights based in Pinhao, a typical wine town on the banks of the river.
2 miles (3.2km)
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5. Day five
PROVESENDE to PINHÃO
The perched and tiny picturesque village of Provesende is where you start your walk today after a short transfer - think all stone, whitewashed walls and warm accent coloured doorways. From here there are stunning panoramic views of the Douro Valley before you descend through terraced vines and olive and almond trees. Follow the Pinhão river back to your hotel and opt to visit the Quinta de la Rosa winery for a wine tasting if you wish at the end of your walk. If time allows visit the small train station in Pinhão which has beautiful azulejo frescoes depicting the life of the vineyard.
5.5 miles (9km)
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6. Day six
Douro valley BOAT CRUISE and Historic train to PORTO
For a magical day from the small port of Pinhão, a traditional Rabelo boat heads upstream along the magnificent river to Tua, one of its main tributaries. This leisurely 2-hour cruise offers a different perspective on the valley, showcasing a wilder and more unspoilt stretch of landscape. Enjoy lunch at leisure back in Pinhão, and in the afternoon, you’ll take the historic Douro railway line that runs all the way to Porto. Built in the 19th century, the railway played a key role in developing the export of Port wine and in opening up the valley to the rest of the country. Upon arrival in Porto, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the historic city centre
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7. Day seven
Explore Porto with Wine Tour and Tasting
Explore at your leisure today or take our city walk that includes many of the city’s highlights including the cathedral and clerics tower, the Bolhao Market, a Beaux Arts style building containing 81 stalls, to some of the city’s most emblematic places to sample cod fritters, cold cuts, cheeses and the famous Pasteis de Nata. Then cross the Douro river to Vila Nova de Gaia – the famous cellars where the precious wines of Porto mature – for a guided tour and tasting before making your way back to your hotel.
Optional 5 miles (8 km)
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8. Day eight
DEPART PORTO
Enjoy a final stroll through Porto before departing at leisure. We say farewell and transfer you to the airport, hoping that you enjoyed the best that Portugal had to offer.