Portugal is a small country nestled next to the Atlantic Ocean and its neighbor Spain on the Iberian Peninsula. At just a sixth of the landmass of the peninsula (Spain occupies the remainder) and a total of 35,000 square miles, it boasts the location of the most western part of the continent of Europe, Cabo Da Roca. 

Itinerary

Our 22-day itinerary will include the major cities of Lisbon and Porto and highlights on the mainland, including the shimmering beaches of the Algarve in the southern part of the country. However, it will not include Madeira or the Azores, the Portuguese islands in the Pacific Ocean. We’ll save that for a future trip. 

Lisbon

We will start our travels in Lisbon with a few days of sightseeing and dining around the city. This trip is about exploring the Portuguese culture via food in addition to its many historical sites. 

Sintra, Obidos and Coimbra

After a few days in Lisbon, we will make our way to the other major city of Porto. Along the way, we will stop in Sintra – a longtime royal sanctuary, Obidos – a well-preserved medieval hilltop town, and Coimbra – home of the historic University of Coimbra. 

Porto

Stretching along the Duoro River, this city is known for its culinary scene and its wine. Our time in Porto will include a Duoro Valley Wine Tasting Tour and River Cruise. And one cannot visit Porto and not taste the port. 

Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês

After Porto, we’ll spend a few days in Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês, the only national park in the country. While Peneda-Gerês is the only national park, there are natural parks, wildlife reservations, and protected landscapes that make up more than 7% of Portugal’s mainland. 

Viseu and Evora

Heading south towards the Algarve via an inland route, we will make a stop at Viseu. Then we will venture into Spain for a couple nights at a farm stay before continuing to Evora and its ancient Roman ruins. 

Algarve

Our next destination will be the Algarve region, where we plan to stay in multiple locations in order to visit the towns of Tavira, Faro, Albufeira, and Lagos. However, the highlights will be the area’s clifftop views of the Atlantic Ocean, seaside caves, and beautiful beaches. 

After a few days of relaxing and exploring the Algarve, we’ll return to Lisbon on a coastal drive. We’ll spend a few more days shopping and eating till we end our journey with new perspectives and appreciation of Portugal’s culture and history. 

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.

St. Augustne