Self-Drive Portugal in Detail in 12 days (12 days)

Day 1 - Arrival in Lisbon and accommodation at hotel for 3 nights.

Level A - Pestana Palace *****

Level B - Inspira Santa Marta Hotel ****

Day 2 - Day to explore the city of Lisbon (if you wish a guided tour, please consult us).

Lisbon, capital of Portugal, located at the mouth of the Tagus River and from where the Portuguese boats set sail overseas in the 15th and 16th centuries towards East. At that time, the Maritime Discoveries period, the city became the centre of a large empire, still visible in the monuments of Belém section. Well known for its historic traditional neighborhoods you'll be amazed with the sections of Chiado, Bairro alto and Alfama as well as the Castle of Saint George and the gorgeous views you can enjoy from the top of its hill.

Day 3 - Car rental collection and Day to explore Sintra and Estoril Coast.

Sintra and Estoril Coast. Among the sites you shall not miss in Portugal there's Sintra, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for the great beauty of its nature and architecture, with fairy tale palaces and lush vegetation. Cascais and Estoril Coast are places of charm and aristocratic traditions that you'll meet along the Atlantic Ocean, the white sandy beaches and magnificent fortresses from the 17th century.

Day 4 - Departure to Évora (Alentejo) and visit the city. Accommodation for 1 night.

Level A - Convento do Espinheiro *****

Level B - M'Ar de Ar Muralhas ****

Évora is a beautiful small town in the Alentejo region. Still surrounded by the old walls it is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and will attract you for its medieval appearance, the narrow streets, the historic centre and the kindness of the locals. Amongst several interesting monuments, you shall not miss the Roman Temple from the 1st century, unique of this kind in both Portugal and Spain. This is also the perfect place for a great gastronomic and wine experience, as this is one of the regions in Portugal with more traditional and quality at this level. You shall not miss the opportunity of having a meal in one of the city's restaurants

Day 5 - Departure to the North, through the interior of Portugal, passing by Marvão, Castelo de Vide, Sortelha and Belmonte. Accommodation for 1 night in Belmonte.

Level A & B - Pousada de Belmonte

Marvão has a fabulous location which has granted it the nickname of "eagles' nest". On the top of high defensive rocks, its walls located at almost 1.000 meters high still embrace the old whitewashed houses overlooking the rolling hills of the Alentejo.

Castelo de Vide, located at São Mamede Mountain is one of the sites in Portugal that preserve more vestiges from the Jewish people. From the castle you'll enjoy a wonderful panorama overlooking the old Jewish quarter that still preserves its old Castle, Jewry and one of the oldest and most important Synagogues of Portugal.

Sortelha, just a few minutes away from Belmonte still preserves all the characteristics of the old and sometimes forgotten Portugal. This is one of the most beautiful villages of Central Portugal encircled by medieval walls and with houses built in stone, some sculpted from the rocks.

Belmonte is the most active Jewish centre of Portugal and still preserves some of the old traditions that allowed Jews to practice their religion in secret for centuries. Besides Lisbon and Porto this is the only place in Portugal with a Jewish community and synagogue still in function. The village was also the birthplace of the great Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral, who discovered Brasil in 1500.

Day 6 - Proceed towards North till the Douro Valley, passing by Guarda, Viseu and Lamego. Accommodation for 2 nights.

Level A - Six Senses Douro Valley *****

Level B - Delfim Douro Hotel ****

Guarda is considered to be the highest city in the country in one of the slopes of Estrela Mountain range (the highest mountain in mainland Portugal - 2000 meters high). You shall explore the narrow streets of the historic centre (which keeps also some vestiges of the Jewish heritage) and the beautiful Gothic cathedral.

Viseu is a developed small town, where a very wealthy medieval and Baroque past is still visible in the mains streets. Amongst the main attractions the Cathedral and the Grão Vasco Museum, with paintings from the 16th century from the master Vasco Fernandes and his collaborators, stand out.

Lamego is a true lovely countryside town. The elegance and wealthy of several historic buildings came from the thriving production and trade of Port wine. Lamego is dominated by the beautiful shrine in honor of Our Lady of "Remédios" with its famous staircase.

Day 7 - Day to explore the Douro Valley: visit a winery and enjoy this region that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We suggest that you take a private river cruise in the River Douro amongst other activities (please consult us)!

Douro Valley is where the terraced hill slopes hide one of the country's most valuable treasures: the beautiful vineyards from where the worldwide famous Port wine is still nowadays produced. Driving through Marão Mountain range get prepared to enjoy one of the most wonderful landscapes in the world, with endless rows of vines dotting the slopes in the banks of the Douro River. We advise you to visit one of the wineries in the region and taking a river cruise.

Day 8 - Continue to Porto, visiting Guimarães and Ponte de Lima. Accommodation in Porto for 2 nights.

Level A - The Yeatman *****

Level B - Hotel do Teatro ****

Guimarães is the cradle of Portugal as this is where our first king, Afonso Henriques, was born and where he began the nation. You shall not miss the visit of the Ducal Palace, the Castle and walking along the narrow streets of the historic centre (declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO) till the charming Praça da Oliveira (Oliveira Square).

Ponte de Lima is located at the banks of the Lima River. It's considered the most ancient village in Portugal, for having been given charter in 1125 by the mother of our first king. With a beautiful historic centre there are a large number of manor houses and palaces. In Ponte de Lima you can take the chance to enjoy a genuine cuisine and the locally produced Vinho Verde (green wine).

Day 9 - Day to explore the city of Porto (if you wish a guided tour, please consult us).

Porto is at the same time the name of a city and a fortified wine, one of the most famous in the world, aged at the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, next to the Douro River. Its historical centre has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and preserves many beautiful monuments, namely from the Baroque period which is contemporary to the glory and wealth achieved with the trade of Port Wine. You shall not miss a visit to the Cathedral (Sé), the Church of Saint Francis and the Clérigos Tower.

Day 10 - Morning to relax in Porto and after check-out, return South. Visit the city of Coimbra and accommodation for 1 night.

Level A - Quinta das Lágrimas ****

Level B - Hotel Vila Galé Coimbra ****

Coimbra is the city of the students because it was here that the first university in Portugal was created, nowadays the oldest and one of the most important in the country. You shall not miss the Baroque Library from the 18th century that is one of the highlights of the visit to Coimbra. In its city centre you'll wander among Romanesque and Manueline churches at the same time you stroll across its commercial busy area.

Day 11 - Hotel check-out early in the morning and departure to Fátima (if you have interest for a religious visit), Batalha, Alcobaça and Óbidos. Last night in Portugal on a very special place (Santa Cruz or Óbidos) and 40 minutes driving to Lisbon Airport.

Level A - Areias do Seixo ***** (Santa Cruz)

Level B - Rio do Prado **** (Óbidos)

Fátima is one of the most important shrines in the Catholic world since the apparitions of Our Lady to three little shepherds in this small town in the year of 1917. Since then, thousands of pilgrims have been coming to Fátima every year to visit the sacred sites of the apparitions and to attend the religious ceremonies, chiefly between May and October, in whose months the visions of the Virgin Mary occurred.

Batalha is famous for the monastery of great dimensions and refined Gothic architecture, built between the 14th and 16th centuries. Its construction was due after a vow made by the future king John I to the Virgin Mary, before a battle against the Spaniards: the Aljubarrota Battle (1385). For the artistic value of this monument UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.

Alcobaça famous for the majestic Cistercian monastery from the 12th century, with the oldest Gothic church in Portugal, that lodges the artistic tombs of King Pedro and his beloved Inês, characters of the most famous Portuguese love story.

Óbidos is for sure one of the loveliest medieval villages in Portugal, still surrounded by walls and whose traditional whitewashed houses are decorated with blue and yellow trims around doors and windows. The multicolored flowerbeds decorating the houses prove the female touch in this village that used to be the wedding gift of our kings to their queens.

Day 12 - Hotel Check-out and departure to Lisbon Airport. Car drop-off at the airport rental desk.