Lisbon, the Douro & Porto in 10 Days
A private journey on foot in Lisbon and Porto and by car in between: Sintra by train, the road north through Óbidos and Nazaré, the Douro by boat, and Guimarães and Braga on the way to Porto, with your hotels, rental car and own MLH roadbook all taken care of.
You have ten days, and the two great cities of Portugal at either end. Walk Lisbon and Porto without a car, take the road north at your own pace, and rest in the vineyards between them: the days are shaped so that all you have to do is turn up and enjoy it.
The shape of the journey
Lisbon
Arrive, and a private transfer takes you to your hotel. An evening stroll up the Avenida da Liberdade, and a first sunset drink at a viewpoint over the castle. Settle in for four nights.
Lisbon on foot
A free morning in the pombaline Baixa and the lanes of Alfama, then a private guided half-day walk through the old quarters and the viewpoints, ending where the evening begins: Chiado and the Bairro Alto.
Parque das Nações, Belém & fado
Morning at the Parque das Nações, with the Oceanário and the cable car over the river. In the afternoon, Belém: the Jerónimos cloister, the Belém Tower and the custard tarts that made the district famous. In the evening, a fado dinner in Alfama.
Sintra
By train to Sintra, a green hill of palaces: Pena in its colours, the Moorish Castle, Regaleira and Monserrate, with the old town for pastries between them. Back in Lisbon for your last night.
North, to the Douro
Collect your rental car and take the road north, your own MLH roadbook riding along. Stop in walled Óbidos, climb to the clifftop at Nazaré, and take in the great monastery of Batalha before the road reaches the vineyards. A long day, so an early start, and your home for the next two nights in the Douro.
The Douro
A slow morning above the valley, then a cruise on a traditional rabelo boat from Pinhão, and the blue-tiled station there. In the late afternoon, a guided visit and tasting at a quinta, with the terraces turning gold around you.
Guimarães, Braga & Porto
Leave the valley for the north's two old cities: Guimarães, its castle and the ducal palace, then Braga and its cathedral. Arrive in Porto and return your car, with three nights in the city ahead of you and no more driving.
Porto on foot
A free morning, then a private guided half-day walk: São Bento station, the cathedral, the Palácio da Bolsa, the Livraria Lello and the riverside Ribeira.
Porto at your pace
A free day. Cross to Vila Nova de Gaia to taste port, climb the Clérigos tower, walk the river down to Foz, or cross the iron bridge at dusk.
Until next time
A private transfer takes you to Porto airport.
Everything taken care of
In your private journey
- Private airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Four nights in Lisbon, two in the Douro and three in Porto, breakfast included
- A rental car from Lisbon to Porto, with your own MLH roadbook
- Private guided half-day walks in Lisbon and in Porto
- The days shaped to your style and pace
- A fado dinner in Alfama, and a rabelo cruise and quinta tasting in the Douro
Where you'll stay
A central hotel in Lisbon, a hotel above the Douro valley and a hotel in Porto, breakfast each morning throughout. Should you prefer something more refined, or a particular address you have in mind, simply tell us. We will tailor the stay to suit you.
Tailored to you
There is no off-the-shelf price, because there is no off-the-shelf journey. Tell us your dates, how many you are and what you love (the cities, the river, the wine), and we will send a tailored proposal, accommodation, car and all. A shorter or longer version, with more days in the vineyards or a free afternoon by the river, is always possible.
Curious about Lisbon, Porto or the Douro Valley on their own? Read more about Lisbon, Porto and the Douro Valley.
Good to knowQuestions, answered
Do we need to drive?
Only between the cities. Lisbon and Porto are done on foot, and the car comes in for the road from Lisbon to the Douro and on to Porto, with your own MLH roadbook as your companion. If you would rather not drive, we can shape this journey with a private driver instead.
Is the road from Lisbon to the Douro long?
It is the longest day of the journey, which is why we plan it with an early start and a few unhurried stops: Óbidos, Nazaré and Batalha. The days either side are short.
Are the boat and the tasting included?
Yes. The rabelo cruise from Pinhão and a guided visit with a port tasting at a quinta are part of the journey. Entrance fees to monuments are paid on the day.
What kind of accommodation is it?
A central hotel in Lisbon, a hotel above the Douro and a hotel in Porto, all with breakfast. If you would prefer something more refined or a particular address, tell us and we will tailor it to you.
Can you arrange this for a family or a larger group?
Yes. Tell us your numbers and we will tailor the whole journey, accommodation and all.
Let's plan your journey
Tell us when you would like to come and who is travelling. Your travel designer will shape the ten days around you and send a tailored proposal.