Grand Tour of Portugal

The castle of São Jorge, Alfama, Baixa and Belém.

Take Marginal or railway line along the Tagus estuary to the Cascais coquette (see the Boca do Inferno pit), continue to the Cabo da Roca - the westernmost point of Europe. Crossing the beloved Serra de Sintra and visiting the fairy Sintra: Royal Palace, National Palace da Pena and promenade in Monserrate Park. Then relax on one of the beaches of the coast like Praia das Maças and its beautiful cove.

Directorate Mafra: visit of the Basilica and the remarkable palace, which houses a museum of sacred art and a sumptuous library. Lunch break in Ericeira, small fishing port where you can still see the dry fishing boats. Return to Lisbon and judgment in Queluz: visit of the beautiful royal palace Rococo and its gardens.

Direction Setúbal (stopping in Palmela for a visit to the medieval castle and the São Pedro church). In Setúbal, visit São Filipe Castle, the Manueline Church of Jesus and the old districts. For relaxation, cruise on the Sado estuary to discover dolphins. Excursion through the Arrábida Natural Park, continuation to Sesimbra, a small fishing port with picturesque streets, the castle and the beach where fishermen go. Return to Lisbon via the mysterious Cabo Espichel, the magnificent Lagoa de Albufeira and the long beaches of Meco and Caparica.

Take the ferry to Tróia and its magnificent Bird beach, a secret place of the escapades of the whole world, followed by the road in the pine forests of the peninsula towards Santiago do Cacém - visit the Roman ruins of Miróbriga. Continue to Vila Nova de Alentejana along the ocean to discover the magic beaches: on the side of Porto Côvo, Ilha do Pessegueiro and Odexeixe, for example.

Crossing the beautiful and wild natural park of the Vicentine coast to the point of Sagres (via Zambujeira do Mar and its unforgettable landscapes): visit of the fortress and Cape Saint Vincent. Go to Lagos, charming city and Ponta da Piedade, marine site with caves and high cliffs.

Go to Silves. After the visit of the ancient capital capital of the Algarve. Continue to the Serra de Monchique. Return to the coast and swim at Carvoeiro beach. Join Faro by N 125: night visit of the dormant old town and strolling on the lagoon.

Natural Park of Ria Formosa in Marim, continue to Tavira - picturesque tour of the city - follow towards Vila Real de Santo António.

Walk along the banks of Guadiana, take the direction of Mértola (Alentejo) - visit the church church and museums. Take the direction of Serpa - stop in this white city. Continue to Beja, medieval town.

Visit of Evora, one of the most harmonious cities in Portugal: the cathedral, the regional museum, the convent of the Lóios, the fortifications and the Roman temple. Circuit of ancient megaliths. Go to Evoramonte and see his fortress, then Estremoz, marble town. Follow the direction of Elvas, fortress town, with a prior stop to Vila Viçosa - see his Paço Ducal.

Stop in Portalegre: city of famous tapestries with beautiful seigneurial houses, visit of the Serra de São Mamede nearby, the defensive village of Marvão and the Jewish quarter of Castelo de Vide. Arrival at the end of the afternoon in Castelo Branco, old fortified city.

By Covilhã: follow the road to Mount Torre, the highest in the country. Then, in the heart of the Serra d'Estrela, to Viseu, the birthplace of the Oficina da Viseu, an important painting school to be discovered at the Grão Vasco Museum. Join Guarda and its cathedral of Gothic origin. In the surroundings, Belmonte and its castle dating from the 13th and 14th centuries.

Stop to discover the archeological park of Vila Nova de Foz Côa. Join Bragança: visit of the medieval city and its main monuments and museums.

Join Chaves along the Serra de Montezinho - visit the church of Mercy. Arrival in Vila Real. Visit of the Solar Mateus, a manor house dating from the early 18th century.

Continue towards Guimarães to see its splendid medieval heart. Follow towards Guimarães: visit of the historic center, join Braga and its sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte.

Join Viana do Castelo, via Ponte de Lima known for its many seigneurial houses, along Lima to its mouth: visit of the old quarter and the municipal museum. Then, Porto the largest city in the north, on the other side of the Douro, and go to the cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Discovery of the historic centre classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the São Francisco Church and the Cathedral. Visit two eminent cultural sites: the Lello bookshop, one of the most extraordinary in the world, and the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art with its park. Relaxation program: half-day relaxing cruise on the Douro River to Pinhão.

Stop in Aveiro to visit the dynamic "Portuguese Venice" and promenade on the Ria. Join Coimbra, one of Europe's oldest university cities, by Montemor-o-Velho and his castle. In the evening: Fado party in Coimbra.

City visit: the university, the cathedral and the national museum of Machado de Castro. In the surrounding area, beautiful walks in the thick forests of Bussaco (Luso) and Lousã. Then, discover the Roman town of Conímbriga.

Direction Leiria. This area is rich in monuments; three of them are classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. Among the compulsory visits are: the monastery of Batalha, a Manueline masterpiece; Alcobaça and its imposing Cistercian abbey of Santa Maria; and the convent of Christ and its seven cloisters in Tomar, city of the Templars.

Walk to Nazaré, typical fishing port became star of postcards. Join Óbidos, a small jewel of medieval city surrounded by ramparts. Back to Lisbon.