Portugal in Depth with Madeira — Self-Launched

Fly into Humberto Delgado Airport and make your way to your hostel or guesthouse in central Lisbon. Take the Metro (Line Red, ~€1.80) or Aerobus (~€4) from the airport. Spend the evening exploring your neighbourhood, grabbing a bifana sandwich and a glass of vinho verde at a local tasca. This is your settling-in day — pick up a Lisboa Card if you plan to visit multiple attractions.

🚌Metro Line Red or Aerobus from airport to city centre (~£2–4)

🛏Generator Lisbon, Yes! Lisbon Hostel, or similar central hostel dorm/private room (~£25–40/night)

• →Arrive and check in to hostel/guesthouse
• →Pick up a Lisboa Card from the airport or tourist office
• →Evening stroll through Baixa or Bairro Alto
• →Welcome dinner at a local tasca — try bifana or caldo verde

Spend the day exploring Lisbon's iconic neighbourhoods and landmarks. Jump on the famous Tram 28 through Alfama's narrow cobbled streets (€3 single, or included with Lisboa Card), sip a shot of ginjinha at A Ginjinha in Rossio square, and head out to Belém in the afternoon to see the Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. The monastery entrance is ~€10; the tower is ~€6 but the exterior view is free. Round the evening off with pastel de nata at Pastéis de Belém.

🚌Tram 28 + Metro/bus to Belém (~£3 total)

🛏Generator Lisbon or similar (~£25–40/night)

• →Ride Tram 28 through Alfama
• →Taste ginjinha at A Ginjinha, Rossio
• →Stroll the cobbled streets of Alfama and Mouraria
• →Visit Jerónimos Monastery (~£9)
• →Photograph Belém Tower and Monument to the Discoveries (free exterior)

This is a long but rewarding day of medieval Portugal. The most flexible option is to rent a car for days 3–4 (~£35–50/day including insurance), or take a combination of Rede Expressos buses. Bus Lisbon→Óbidos (~£8, 1hr), then Óbidos→Nazaré (~£5), Nazaré→Alcobaça (~£3), Alcobaça→Fátima (~£5), Fátima→Tomar (~£5). Óbidos is a fairy-tale walled village — walk the ramparts for free. The Alcobaça Monastery (UNESCO) costs ~€6. Fátima's Sanctuary is free to enter.

🚌Rede Expressos buses between towns, or car hire (~£30–50 total for the day)

🛏Pensão/guesthouse in Tomar (~£30–40/night)

• →Walk the medieval walls of Óbidos (free)
• →Visit Alcobaça Monastery, UNESCO site (~£5)
• →Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima (free)
• →Explore Tomar's old town in the evening

Morning visit to the extraordinary Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo) in Tomar — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, entrance ~€6. Then catch a bus or drive to Coimbra (~1hr) and explore one of Europe's oldest universities. The Joanina Library costs ~€3 and must be booked in advance online. Late afternoon, take the Alfa Pendular or Intercidades train from Coimbra-B to Porto (from ~£8, ~1hr). Check in to your Porto hostel.

🚌Bus Tomar→Coimbra (~£7), train Coimbra-B→Porto (~£8)

🛏Pilot Design Hostel, Gallery Hostel Porto, or similar (~£25–40/night)

• →Visit Convento de Cristo, Tomar (~£5)
• →Explore the University of Coimbra and Joanina Library (~£3, pre-book online)
• →Walk the old city of Coimbra
• →Train from Coimbra-B to Porto (~£8)

Porto is one of Europe's most beautiful cities and rewards slow exploration on foot. Walk down to the Douro riverfront (Ribeira), admire the view across to Vila Nova de Gaia, and visit the stunning Church of São Francisco (entrance ~€5). Head to the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange) with its incredible Arabian Hall — guided tours run every 30 mins, ~€10. In the afternoon cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to Gaia and do a port wine cellar tour and tasting at Sandeman, Graham's, or Taylor's (~£12–15). Book via GetYourGuide or direct.

🚌All on foot + tram/metro if needed (~£2)

🛏Gallery Hostel Porto or similar (~£25–40/night)

• →Walk the Ribeira waterfront along the Douro
• →Visit Church of São Francisco (~£5)
• →Tour Palácio da Bolsa & Arabian Hall (~£9)
• →Port wine cellar tour and tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia (~£12–15)
• →Sunset from the top of Dom Luís I Bridge

Take an early train or bus from Porto to Guimarães (~£5, 1hr) — the 'birthplace of Portugal' is a UNESCO-listed medieval town. Stroll the historic centre and Largo da Oliveira for free. En route back toward Viseu, stop at Quinta da Aveleda near Penafiel for a garden and winery visit (book direct, ~£8 with tasting). Evening in Viseu — a charming and underrated city. Dinner at a local restaurant with petiscos (Portuguese tapas) and regional wine.

🚌Train Porto→Guimarães (~£5), bus/taxi Guimarães→Viseu via Penafiel (~£15)

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Viseu (~£35–50/night)

• →Train/bus Porto→Guimarães (~£5)
• →Orientation walk through Guimarães historic centre (free)
• →Visit Quinta da Aveleda winery and gardens (~£8 with tasting)
• →Evening petiscos dinner in Viseu

This is a scenic cross-country day best done with a hire car (~£40–50/day) as public transport connections are sparse. Belmonte is a tiny medieval town with significant Jewish heritage — visit the Museu Judaico de Belmonte (~£3). Castelo de Vide's Jewish Quarter and castle area are free to wander. Arrive in Évora by evening — a walled Roman city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pick up groceries or eat at a local restaurant.

🚌Hire car recommended for this day (~£40–50/day incl. fuel)

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Évora (~£30–45/night)

• →Visit Belmonte Jewish Heritage Museum (~£3)
• →Explore Castelo de Vide castle and Jewish Quarter (free)
• →Drive through Alentejo's cork oak landscapes
• →Arrive and settle in Évora

Spend the morning doing a thorough self-guided tour of Évora. The Roman Temple (Templo Romano) is free and in the town centre. The Cathedral of Évora costs ~£5 to enter the cloister and museum. The São Francisco Church and the haunting Chapel of Bones (Ossuary/Capilla dos Ossos) is ~£5 — not to be missed. After lunch, catch an Rede Expressos bus to the Algarve (~£15–20, 3–4hrs). Lagos is the best base for independent travellers — great beaches and a buzzing but charming old town.

🚌Rede Expressos bus Évora→Algarve (~£15–20)

🛏Rising Cock Hostel Lagos or similar (~£20–35/night)

• →Visit Roman Temple of Évora (free, exterior)
• →Visit Cathedral of Évora (~£5)
• →Visit São Francisco Church and Chapel of Bones (~£5)
• →Bus Évora→Lagos/Algarve (~£15–20)

Take a local Eva Transportes bus from Lagos to Sagres (~£4, 1hr) and explore the dramatic Promontório de Sagres and its 15th-century fortress (~£5). Walk 5 minutes or take a taxi to Cabo de São Vicente — the southwestern-most point of mainland Europe, with some of the most dramatic cliff scenery on the continent. The lighthouse is free to visit. Explore the colourful resort town of Lagos on your return — browse the old town, sea caves, and beaches. Book a kayaking or sea cave tour via GetYourGuide (~£25–35).

🚌Eva Transportes bus Lagos↔Sagres (~£8 return)

🛏Rising Cock Hostel Lagos or similar (~£20–35/night)

• →Bus Lagos→Sagres (~£4)
• →Visit Sagres Fortress and Promontory (~£5)
• →Walk to Cabo de São Vicente (free)
• →Optional: kayaking and sea cave tour near Lagos via GetYourGuide (~£25–35)
• →Explore Lagos old town and Meia Praia beach

Take an early morning Rede Expressos bus back toward Lisbon (~£18, 3.5hrs). Ask to alight near Setúbal or book a day tour from Lisbon to Serra da Arrábida (stunning turquoise-water coastal nature park, ~£35 via GetYourGuide). Stop in Azeitão to visit a traditional azulejo (tile) workshop — José Maria da Fonseca winery and tile shop is a great stop. Arrive back in Lisbon by early evening and check in to your Lisbon hostel ahead of the Madeira flight tomorrow.

🚌Rede Expressos bus Algarve→Lisbon (~£18)

🛏Generator Lisbon or similar (~£25–40/night)

• →Bus Algarve→Lisbon (~£18)
• →Optional: Serra da Arrábida day tour from Lisbon via GetYourGuide (~£35)
• →Visit traditional tile workshop in Azeitão (free or small fee)
• →Return to Lisbon, recheck in

Book your own Lisbon (LIS) → Funchal Madeira Airport (FNC) flight independently — TAP Air Portugal and Ryanair both fly this route, typically from £40–80 return if booked in advance. The airport is right in Santa Cruz. Spend the afternoon on an orientation walk around Santa Cruz's seafront promenade and historic church. The town is quieter than Funchal and a great base.

🚌Self-booked flight LIS→FNC (~£40–80), local bus or taxi from airport (~£5)

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Santa Cruz, Madeira (~£35–50/night)

• →Fly Lisbon→Funchal (Madeira) — book TAP or Ryanair in advance (~£40–80 one-way)
• →Check in to guesthouse in Santa Cruz
• →Orientation walk along Santa Cruz seafront and town centre
• →Admire the waterfront and rocky coastline

Take a local bus from Santa Cruz to Funchal (~£2, 30 mins). Visit the vibrant Mercado dos Lavradores (Workers' Market) — free to enter, full of exotic fruit, flowers, and local produce. Explore the Santa Maria Zone (Zona Velha), Funchal's atmospheric old quarter, now famous for its painted doors street art. In the afternoon, take the cable car up to Monte (~£15 return, book at the station) for spectacular views over Funchal Bay. Don't miss the famous Monte Palace Tropical Garden (~£8). End the evening with Madeira wine tasting at a local bar — Henriques & Henriques and Blandy's both offer cellar tours from ~£10.

🚌Local bus Santa Cruz↔Funchal (~£4 return)

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Santa Cruz (~£35–50/night)

• →Bus Santa Cruz→Funchal (~£2)
• →Visit Mercado dos Lavradores (free)
• →Explore Zona Velha / Santa Maria old town (free)
• →Cable car to Monte (~£15 return)
• →Monte Palace Tropical Garden (~£8)
• →Madeira wine tasting at Blandy's Wine Lodge (~£10)

Rent a car for the day (~£35–45 incl. insurance) or book a shared island tour via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£30–45). Drive west to the picturesque fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, painted in primary colours and beloved by Winston Churchill. Continue to Cabo Girão — Europe's second highest sea cliff at 580m — with a terrifying glass-floored viewpoint (free). Cross the Paul da Serra plateau (Madeira's highest plateau, dramatic moorland) and descend to Porto Moniz on the north coast, famous for its natural lava rock pools — entry ~£2. Return via the scenic north coast road.

🚌Car hire for the day (~£35–45), or shared island tour via GetYourGuide (~£30–45)

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Santa Cruz (~£35–50/night)

• →Visit Câmara de Lobos fishing village (free)
• →Cabo Girão glass viewpoint — Europe's 2nd highest sea cliff (free)
• →Drive across Paul da Serra plateau
• →Swim in Porto Moniz natural lava pools (~£2 entry)
• →Scenic north coast road return drive

Take your self-booked return flight from Funchal to Lisbon (~£40–80). The Globus tour uses this as a half-day in Lisbon before the final night. On arrival at Lisbon airport, head back into the city. Visit any museums you missed — the Museu Nacional do Azulejo (tile museum, ~£5) is a highlight. Stroll through the Príncipe Real neighbourhood, browse independent shops, and treat yourself to a proper farewell dinner of bacalhau (salt cod) or grilled sardines at a local restaurant.

🚌Self-booked flight FNC→LIS (~£40–80), Metro to city centre (~£2)

🛏Generator Lisbon or similar (~£25–40/night)

• →Fly Funchal→Lisbon (~£40–80, book in advance)
• →Visit Museu Nacional do Azulejo (~£5)
• →Stroll Príncipe Real and Chiado neighbourhoods
• →Try local pastel de nata, ginjinha, and farewell dinner

Final morning in Lisbon. Grab a last pastel de nata and galão (coffee) at a local pastelaria. Head to the airport via Metro (~£2) or Aerobus (~£4) in good time for your onward flight home. The Red Line Metro runs directly to the airport. If you have time before check-out, take a final wander through Rossio or the riverside Praça do Comércio.

🚌Metro Line Red to airport (~£2)

🛏Check out

• →Final breakfast — pastel de nata and galão at a local pastelaria
• →Last wander through Rossio or Praça do Comércio
• →Metro or Aerobus to airport (~£2–4)
• →Fly home