Country Roads of Portugal – Small Group
Travel through Portugal across UNESCO sites, historic town centres and coastal communities. In Lisbon, you’ll visit the Belém quarter, walk through the cloister of Jerónimos Monastery and try a Pastéis de Belém made to the original recipe. In Évora, see the Roman Temple, the Capela dos Ossos and the cathedral with its mix of Romanesque and Gothic work, explored in the company of your Small Group. In the Algarve, you’ll move through Lagos’s walled old town and spend time in the Ria Formosa, the coastal lagoon known for its barrier islands, birdlife and long-standing fishing communities. Guimarães, Porto and Tomar add further depth to the journey, from azulejo panels in São Bento Station to the Templar Castle and one of Portugal’s oldest synagogues.
- 17 Apr 2027 – 27 Apr 2027
from $7,475 pp twin share * - 01 May 2027 – 11 May 2027
from $7,595 pp twin share * - 15 May 2027 – 25 May 2027
from $7,595 pp twin share * - 29 May 2027 – 08 Jun 2027
from $7,575 pp twin share * - 12 Jun 2027 – 22 Jun 2027
from $7,575 pp twin share * - 26 Jun 2027 – 06 Jul 2027
from $7,650 pp twin share * - 10 Jul 2027 – 20 Jul 2027
from $7,775 pp twin share * - 24 Jul 2027 – 03 Aug 2027
from $7,925 pp twin share * - 07 Aug 2027 – 17 Aug 2027
from $7,995 pp twin share * - 21 Aug 2027 – 31 Aug 2027
from $7,995 pp twin share * - 04 Sep 2027 – 14 Sep 2027
from $7,875 pp twin share * - 18 Sep 2027 – 28 Sep 2027
from $7,695 pp twin share * - 02 Oct 2027 – 12 Oct 2027
from $7,525 pp twin share * - 16 Oct 2027 – 26 Oct 2027
from $7,525 pp twin share * - 30 Oct 2027 – 09 Nov 2027
from $7,250 pp twin share *
* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Itinerary
- Day 1 – Welcome to Lisbon:
Arrive at Lisbon Airport and take your complimentary transfer into the city, passing the wide Tagus estuary and the hillside districts built in pale limestone and terracotta. Check in to your hotel and settle in, with time to get a sense of the surrounding streets and tram routes that cut through the Portuguese capital’s older neighbourhoods. In the evening, join your Travel Director and small group at a local restaurant for the first meal of the trip. - Day 2 – Discover Lisbon and the Belém Quarter:
Explore Lisbon with a Local Expert, travelling down the broad avenues of the Lower Town and tracing the city’s rebuilding after the 1755 earthquake. You’ll continue to Belém to see the riverside fortifications of the Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries, set along the Tagus where Portugal’s maritime journeys once began. Step inside the cloister of Jerónimos Monastery, known for its detailed Manueline stonework, before stopping to try a Pastéis de Belém in the district where the original recipe is still baked since 1837. In the evening, you can join an Optional Experience to explore more of Portugal’s food and culture. - Day 3 – Journey to Lagos and the Algarve Coast:
Cross the River Tagus and travel south towards the Algarve, following the main route across the Alentejo plains before reaching the coastal town of Lagos. You’ll join your Travel Director for an orientation through the historic centre and harbour linked to Portugal’s early maritime activity, with time to explore the lanes around the main square or stop for lunch before continuing south. Later, continue to your hotel in the Algarve. Once settled, you could walk to the beach for some time along the sand or find a nearby place serving grilled fish and other regional dishes common across the south. - Day 4 – Oyster Farms and on to Évora:
Today you’ll set off on a boat tour for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience through the Ria Formosa Natural Park, gliding past sandbanks and wetlands rich in birdlife. Pause at an oyster farm to learn about cultivation and export before a guided tasting of this local delicacy. Later, travel inland to the medieval walled city of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Roman remains, whitewashed streets and long history as a regional capital. - Day 5 – Discover Évora’s Roman and Medieval Centre:
Explore Évora with your Local Expert, visiting the Roman Temple, the Capela dos Ossos and Évora Cathedral, noted for its mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. In the afternoon, you might like to explore more of Évora’s centre at your own pace. You could stop at a wine bar near Praça do Giraldo to try regional reds, or join others from your small group for an early dinner in one of the simple restaurants tucked inside the old streets. - Day 6 – On to Fátima and Tomar:
Continue to Fátima, Portugal’s major pilgrimage site. Here, you can visit the basilica, step inside the Chapel of the Apparitions or walk through the large square that connects the sanctuary buildings. Later, travel across central Portugal to Tomar where you’ll explore with a Local Expert. Explore the UNESCO-listed Convento do Cristo, focusing on the Templars’ Rotunda and the Manueline Window that marks the later work of the Order of Christ. Walk through Tomar’s centre, including the medieval synagogue and the small museum that traces the history of the town’s former Jewish community. - Day 7 – Explore Coimbra and Dine in the Douro:
Travel north to Coimbra, a city long tied to Portugal’s academic life. Your Local Expert will guide you through the Old Town and the University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll visit the baroque university library, known for its carved woodwork, vaulted ceilings and vast historical collection. Your journey continues through hills lined with vineyards as you approach the Douro Valley. Enjoy a Farm-to-Table lunch made with local produce, where you’ll also taste Port wine made from grapes grown along the Douro’s terraces. - Day 8 – Guimarães Old Town and Porto’s UNESCO Centre:
Travel north towards Guimarães, often referred to as the birthplace of Portugal. See the medieval castle and walk through the historic centre, where narrow lanes and small squares show how the town developed around its fortified core. Continue to Porto, a city defined by the Douro River and a UNESCO-listed centre shaped by trade, port wine and layered architecture. With your Local Expert, you’ll visit São Bento Railway Station to see its azulejo panels illustrating key moments from Portuguese history. You’ll also walk across the Dom Luís I Bridge, built by a student of Eiffel, with clear views over the riverfront. Later, you might like to join an Optional Experience through the Ribeira district or take a cruise on a traditional Rabelo boat before trying local dishes along the riverside. - Day 9 – Porto at Leisure:
Spend the day in Porto, exploring at your own pace. You might like to wander through the Ribeira district, where narrow lanes lead down to the riverfront lined with tall, pastel-colored houses. Another option is to cross to Vila Nova de Gaia to visit one of the long-established Port wine lodges and learn how the barrels are aged before bottling. You could also meet members of your small group for lunch near the Douro or take a tram along the river towards Foz do Douro for a walk by the Atlantic. - Day 10 – Explore Óbidos and Return to Lisbon:
Travel south to the fortified town of Óbidos, entered through a gate marked with 18th-century azulejo panels. Inside the medieval walls, you’ll walk along narrow streets with small bookshops, craft stalls and houses that reflect how the town developed around its castle. Continue to Lisbon for your final evening. You’ll join your Travel Director and your small group for dinner at a local restaurant and raise a glass to your journey through the country roads of Portugal. - Day 11 – Farewell Lisbon:
After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Lisbon International Airport. Bid farewell to your Travel Director and fellow travellers, marking the end of your journey through Portugal’s towns, coastlines and inland roads.
Highlights
- Explore Lisbon’s Belém quarter and try the famous Pastéis de Belém.
- Uncover the Roman Temple, Capela dos Ossos and Gothic cathedral in Évora.
- Wander the walled old town of Lagos and the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon.
Travel through Portugal across UNESCO sites, historic town centres and coastal communities. In Lisbon, you’ll visit the Belém quarter, walk through the cloister of Jerónimos Monastery and try a Pastéis de Belém made to the original recipe. In Évora, see the Roman Temple, the Capela dos Ossos and the cathedral with its mix of Romanesque and Gothic work, explored in the company of your Small Group. In the Algarve, you’ll move through Lagos’s walled old town and spend time in the Ria Formosa, the coastal lagoon known for its barrier islands, birdlife and long-standing fishing communities. Guimarães, Porto and Tomar add further depth to the journey, from azulejo panels in São Bento Station to the Templar Castle and one of Portugal’s oldest synagogues.
Inclusions
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
- Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards.
- Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included – you’ll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency.
FAQs
- Douro Palace Resort & Spa, Douro Valley
- M’Ar de Ar Aqueduto, Évora
- Mercure Centro Santa Catarina, Porto
- Ria Park Hotel & Spa, Algarve
- Templários, Tomar
- The Editory Riverside Hotel
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 11 days and 10 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 17 Apr 2027 and 09 Nov 2027, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
Are discounts available?
Seasonal or loyalty discounts may be available on selected departures at the time of enquiry.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
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