Journeys: Discover Portugal

G Adventures · 8 days

Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply

Journeys: Discover Portugal
Journeys: Discover Portugal
Journeys: Discover Portugal
Journeys: Discover Portugal
Journeys: Discover Portugal
Journeys: Discover Portugal
Journeys: Discover Portugal
Journeys: Discover Portugal
Journeys: Discover Portugal
Journeys: Discover Portugal
Journeys: Discover Portugal
Journeys: Discover Portugal
Journeys: Discover Portugal
8 Days
From AUD $3119 Was AUD $3899
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


(1 reviews)

Journeys: Discover Portugal

Journeys: Discover Portugal

G Adventures · 8 days
3.0
1 Reviews

Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply

Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

On the western edge of mainland Europe, Portugal packs an alluring punch for curious travellers. Embark on an exploration rich in scenic beauty, fascinating history, and vibrant cultural traditions.

Includes

Activities

  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Cork Farm Visit and Lunch, Évora Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Knights Templar Historic Tour, Tomar Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group Your Hands-On Moment: Port Wine Cellar Visit, Porto
  • Lisbon orientation walk
  • Guided tour of Palace of Pena in Sintra
  • Chapel of Bones visit in Evora
  • Diana's Temple visit in Evora
  • Guided tour of Coimbra University
  • Porto orientation walk
  • Douro River boat cruise
  • Transport to/from all included activities and between all destinations

Accommodation

  • Hotels – 7 nts.
  • 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

  • Walking, bus, boat, train.

Group Leader

  • National Geographic Expedition Leader throughout, local guides.

Highlights

  • Discover an array of architectural gems
  • From the colorful manors of Sintra to the Roman temples of Évora
  • Venture into the countryside to learn about the production and harvesting of cork at a traditional farm
  • Enjoy a mesmerizing Fado music performance in Lisbon
  • Float down Porto’s "river of gold
  • ” taking in timeless scenes of rolling green hills.
Journeys: Discover Portugal

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Walking, bus, boat, train.

Guide Language

English

Starts

Lisbon, Portugal

Finishes

Porto, Portugal

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

National Geographic Journey, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Lisbon

Arrive at any time. This evening, savour a traditional Portuguese dinner and performance of fado, a local folk singing tradition, in one of Lisbon's oldest neighbourhoods.
To ensure you are able to join the group for dinner, please arrive in Lisbon by 6pm at the latest.

Portugal features diverse terrain, including regions with steep streets and uneven surfaces. Please bring sturdy walking shoes and be prepared for a lot of walking.

Meals included: Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Activity - Sit down to a traditional meal and lend your ears to the sound of a performance by Portuguese folk music artists.Accommodation - My Story Hotel Tejo Lisbon
2

Day 2: Lisbon

Travel back in time to the fairytale castles and hills of Sintra, a 19th-century resort town and UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the colourful manors, medieval palaces, and lush gardens that enchanted English Romantic poet Lord Byron as well as Portuguese royalty. Enjoy a short orientation walk followed be a free afternoon to discover Lisbon's pastel-hued architecture and lively plazas. Opt to soar over Lisbon on the historic Santa Justa lift, an engineering marvel that ascends 147 feet to an epic viewing platform.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Situated in the hills of Sintra, Pena Palace and its surrounding park are one of the greatest expressions of 19th-century romanticism in Portugal. With clear Manueline influence and Moorish architectural styles, the palace is built in a such a way as to be visible from any point in the park. Tour the Palace and park and learn about the Palace's origins and influences throughout Portuguese history.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - My Story Hotel Tejo Lisbon
3

Day 3: Lisbon/Évora

Head to medieval Évora, in the heart of the bucolic Alentejo region, for a fascinating foray into the past. Be mesmerized by the haunting Chapel of Bones, erected by 16th-century Franciscan monks. Then pay a visit to one of the best preserved Roman temples on the Iberian Peninsula, known as Diana's Temple.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Visit the most famous sight in Évora, the Capela dos Ossos, or Chapel of Bones. Take care if squeamish – built in the 1500s by a Franciscan monk, the walls are covered with human skeletons as a reminder to fellow monks that life is fleeting.Activity - Take a visit to the best preserved Roman structure on the Iberian Peninsula, assumed to have been constructed in 1 AD.Accommodation - Vitoria Stone Evora
4

Day 4: Évora

Venture into the Alentejo countryside, home to centuries-old cork forests. Join a local expert at a traditional farm, and learn about cork harvesting and production. Then sit down to a traditional cork stripper's lunch at the cork farm. This afternoon, return to Évora and explore its UNESCO World Heritage–designated city centre on your own, walking past whitewashed houses decorated with azulejos and wrought-iron balconies.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Since this is the region where most of Portugal's cork is grown you'll learn about cork harvesting and production from a local expert at a traditional cork farm in the Alentejo countryside, home to centuries-old cork forests and about 30 minutes from Évora. After the guided walk of the farm sit down for a traditional cork stripper's lunch at a local restaurant in town.Accommodation - Vitoria Stone Evora
5

Day 5: Évora/Coimbra

Spend the day in Tomar and delve into the Crusades era in Portugal. Go on a guided walk with a local expert around the vast medieval complex of the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Templar Castle, founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais—grand master of the Knights Templar. Continue on to Coimbra for the evening.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - In Tomar, 14th-century Portugal’s headquarters for the Knights Templar Order, take an expert-led walk to learn about the country during the time of the Crusades. Visit the impressive Templar Castle and Convent of Christ, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Vila Gale Coimbra
6

Day 6: Coimbra/Porto

This morning, enjoy a tour around the centuries-old University of Coimbra, Portugal's most prestigious university and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enter through the 10th-century Porta Férra, the old entrance to the citadel of Coimbra. Following mosaic cobblestone paths around campus, stopping to see the baroque stylings of the Joanina Library, elaborate azulejo wall tiles adorning the Chapel of São Miguel, and the 18th-century Botanical Garden. Later, catch the train to Porto on the coast.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Portugal's most prestigious university, the University of Coimbra is a must see landmark. Explore the World Heritage Site as you enter through the Porta Férra, the old entrance to the citadel of Coimbra constructed in the 10th century. Walk through the campus along mosaic cobblestone paths, explore it's botanical gardens and Chapel of S. Miguel and opt to visit the ornate Joanina Library.Transport - Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.Accommodation - Mercure Porto Centro
7

Day 7: Porto

Board a boat down Portugal's Douro River, or "river of gold". Float on the typical Rabelo Boat along the riverbanks of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia and marvel at the historical bridges connecting the two cities. Famous for centuries as a port wine shipper's centre, discover the rich tradition of port making at a local wine cellar, then cap off the day with a tasting of this distinct regional specialty. In your free time, explore the cobblestone streets of Porto's medieval Ribeira district, marvel at the baroque São Francisco Church, and admire the palatial Palácio de Bolsa, a one time stock market.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Board a boat down Portugal's Douro River, or "river of gold". Float along this ancient route used for centuries as a port wine shipper's route.Free_time - Enjoy all the gems of this coastal city. Visit the medieval Ribeira district with its narrowed cobbled stone streets. Marvel in the baroque architecture of São Francisco Church and discover the palatial 19th century Palácio de Bolsa, formerly a stock market, built to impress potential European investors. But most importantly, make sure to try a glass of port wine. Activity - Finish off the day with a tour of the cellars of the region's famed export - Port wine. Learn about the art of Port making and the processes that render its rich taste. Indulge in a tasting and raise a glass to a day well spent. Saúde!Accommodation - Mercure Porto Centro
8

Day 8: Porto

Depart at any time.

Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

From
AUD $3899

AUD $3,119
(Tour only)
Offer ends 03 Apr, 2026 Per Person Standard
20% Off

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

On the western edge of mainland Europe, Portugal packs an alluring punch for curious travellers. Embark on an exploration rich in scenic beauty, fascinating history, and vibrant cultural traditions.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 08 Apr 2026

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
3.0
Craig
Traveled, September 2024

09/28/2024

Guide Summer was terrific, humorous an knowledgable. Tour was overpriced for level of a couple of hotels (Portugal not expensive). Had to pay for farewell dinner, really. Not a very nice gesture. Could have pulled this off by myself and saved approximately $2,500. Boat trip needs to include Duro Valley for this price.

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990