Portugal in Depth: Self-Launched Edition

Fly into Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport. Take the Aerobus or Metro (Linha Vermelha, ~£1.60) into the city centre and check in to your guesthouse in Baixa or Alfama. Spend the afternoon getting your bearings — wander Praça do Comércio, grab a pastel de nata at a local pastelaria, and head to a fado bar in Alfama for the evening. The group tour includes a welcome dinner; replicate this by booking a table at a traditional tasca and ordering bacalhau à brás and house wine.

🚌Metro from airport to city centre: £1.60. 24-hour Viva Viagem travel card: ~£6

🛏Lisbon Destination Hostel (Santa Apolónia) or Goodmorning Solo Traveller Hostel — private or dorm room, ~£30–45/night

• →Arrive at Lisbon Airport — take Metro Linha Vermelha to Baixa-Chiado (£1.60)
• →Explore Praça do Comércio and the waterfront
• →Wander Alfama neighbourhood at dusk
• →Welcome dinner at a traditional tasca in Alfama (~£18–22 pp incl. wine)

A full day to explore Lisbon's highlights. Take the iconic Tram 28 through the medieval Alfama and Mouraria streets — a direct replica of the 'Going Medieval' excursion. Head out to Belém by tram or bus to see the Torre de Belém and Monument to the Discoveries, then visit the Jerónimos Monastery (entry ~£10). Stop for a pastel de nata at the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery. In the evening, try ginjinha (cherry liqueur) at A Ginjinha in Rossio — the original tiny bar where it's served in a chocolate cup for under £2.

🚌Carris day pass covers trams and buses: ~£6

🛏Lisbon Destination Hostel or Goodmorning Solo Traveller Hostel

• →Tram 28 ride through Alfama and Mouraria medieval streets (~£3)
• →Walk to Miradouro da Graça for panoramic views (free)
• →Bus 728 or Tram 15E to Belém (~£1.60)
• →Torre de Belém entry (~£6)
• →Monument to the Discoveries (exterior free, panoramic lift ~£3.50)
• →Jerónimos Monastery entry (~£10)
• →Pastel de nata at Pastéis de Belém (~£1.20)
• →Ginjinha tasting at A Ginjinha, Rossio (~£2)

This is the tour's biggest day of driving. Replicate it with Rede Expresso or FlixBus connections, or hire a cheap rental car for the day (~£40–50 incl. fuel) to make the stops freely. Óbidos is a fairy-tale walled town — walk the ramparts and sip ginjinha from a chocolate cup. Nazaré is a dramatic cliffside fishing town; take the funicular up to Sítio for views. The Santa Maria Monastery in Alcobaça is a UNESCO site (entry ~£7). The Sanctuary of Fátima is free and profoundly atmospheric. End in Tomar, base for the night.

🚌Rede Expresso Lisbon–Óbidos ~£8; local buses between stops ~£5–8 each; or car hire ~£45/day

🛏Hostel dos Templários or Residencial União Tomar — guesthouse, ~£35–45/night

• →Bus or rental car from Lisbon to Óbidos (~£8–12 by bus or share car hire)
• →Walk Óbidos town walls and try ginjinha (free entry, ~£1.50 drink)
• →Continue to Nazaré — funicular to Sítio clifftop (~£1.50)
• →Santa Maria Monastery, Alcobaça (UNESCO) entry: ~£7
• →Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Fátima (free entry)
• →Evening stroll in Tomar alongside the Nabão river

Start the morning at the magnificent Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo) in Tomar — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former Knights Templar fortress (entry ~£6.50). Catch a bus or train to Coimbra and explore the University of Coimbra, one of Europe's oldest universities. The Joanine Library is a baroque masterpiece (timed entry ticket ~£13 — book ahead online). Then hop on the Alfa Pendular or Intercidades train to Porto (journey ~1hr 15min, ~£12–20). Check in to your Porto guesthouse.

🚌Train Tomar–Coimbra ~£8; Train Coimbra–Porto ~£15 (book via CP Comboios de Portugal)

🛏Gallery Hostel Porto (award-winning) or Tattva Design Hostel — private room ~£40–55/night

• →Convent of Christ, Tomar — UNESCO site entry ~£6.50
• →Train or bus Tomar to Coimbra: ~£8
• →University of Coimbra campus walk (free) + Joanine Library timed entry ~£13 (book ahead)
• →Intercidades or Alfa Pendular train Coimbra-B to Porto Campanhã: ~£12–18
• →Evening walk along Porto's Ribeira waterfront

A full day to savour Porto. Walk down to the mouth of the Douro via the Foz do Douro neighbourhood. Back in the city, visit the ornate Church of São Francisco (entry ~£5) with its breathtaking gilded interior. The Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange) and its stunning Arabian Hall can be visited on a timed tour (~£10 — book at the door or via GetYourGuide). Cross the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge on foot to Vila Nova de Gaia for port wine tasting at Sandeman, Ferreira, or Graham's cellar (~£10–15 for a tasting flight — book direct or via GetYourGuide).

🚌Porto Metro day pass: ~£5. Walking-focused day.

🛏Gallery Hostel Porto or Tattva Design Hostel

• →Walk or take tram to Foz do Douro — Douro river mouth (free)
• →Church of São Francisco interior visit ~£5
• →Palácio da Bolsa & Arabian Hall guided tour ~£10 (book via GetYourGuide)
• →Cross Dom Luís I Bridge on foot to Vila Nova de Gaia (free)
• →Port wine cellar tasting at Sandeman or Ferreira ~£12–15
• →Sunset from Miradouro da Serra do Pilar (free)
• →Dinner: francesinha sandwich at a local tasca ~£10–14

Take the Metro to Campanhã and train to Guimarães (~50 min, ~£5). The medieval city centre is a UNESCO site — explore independently: the Castle of Guimarães, the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, and the narrow cobbled streets are all walkable and mostly free (castle entry ~£2). Head to Penafiel area to visit Quinta da Aveleda winery — self-guided garden and winery visits are bookable directly (~£8–12 incl. wine tasting). Continue by bus or rental car to Viseu for the night. Dinner at a local restaurant — try arroz de cabidela (chicken rice) and local Dão wine.

🚌Train Porto–Guimarães ~£5; taxi/bus Penafiel–Viseu ~£15

🛏Casa da Sé Guesthouse Viseu or Hotel Príncipe — ~£40–55/night

• →Train Porto to Guimarães via CP (~50 min, ~£5)
• →Walk UNESCO medieval centre of Guimarães (free)
• →Castle of Guimarães entry ~£2
• →Palace of the Dukes of Braganza ~£5
• →Quinta da Aveleda winery garden visit + wine tasting ~£10
• →Bus or taxi to Viseu (~£12–18)
• →Dinner with local Dão wine and petiscos tasting ~£15–20

This long driving day is best done with a rental car (~£45/day) as public transport connections between these villages are infrequent. Belmonte is a fascinating small town with Jewish heritage — visit the Museu Judaico (~£3) and the medieval castle. Castelo de Vide's Jewish quarter (Judiaria) is one of Portugal's best-preserved — free to wander the narrow stone streets. Head south to Évora for the night. Visit a traditional cork factory on the outskirts (~£5–8 with a self-guided or small-group tour bookable on GetYourGuide).

🚌Rental car for the day: ~£45 incl. fuel

🛏Évora Olive Hostel or Albergaria do Calvário — ~£35–50/night

• →Drive Viseu to Belmonte (rental car recommended ~£45/day incl. fuel)
• →Museu Judaico de Belmonte ~£3
• →Belmonte castle and medieval streets (free)
• →Drive to Castelo de Vide — Judiaria Jewish Quarter wander (free)
• →Drive south to Évora (approx 1.5 hrs)
• →Traditional cork factory visit near Évora ~£5–8 (book via GetYourGuide)
• →Dinner in Évora: black pork (porco preto) at a local restaurant ~£15–20

Spend the morning on a self-guided or GetYourGuide walking tour of Évora (~£15 for a guided group tour, or free with Rick Steves' self-guided audio walk). Must-sees: the Roman Temple (exterior free), the Gothic Cathedral (~£3.50), São Francisco Church (~£4), and the haunting Ossuary Chapel (Chapel of Bones, included with church entry). Then catch a Rede Expresso bus south to Faro or Lagos in the Algarve (~£12–18, ~3.5 hrs). Arrive and settle into your Algarve hostel or guesthouse.

🚌Rede Expresso bus Évora–Lagos: ~£15, approx 3.5 hrs

🛏Rising Cock Hostel Lagos or Algarve Surf Hostel — ~£28–40/night

• →Self-guided or GetYourGuide walking tour of Évora ~£0–15
• →Roman Temple of Évora (exterior, free)
• →Cathedral of Évora entry ~£3.50
• →São Francisco Church & Chapel of Bones (Ossuary) ~£4
• →Rede Expresso bus Évora to Lagos or Portimão ~£15 (book at rodoviaria.pt)
• →Evening swim or beach walk on arrival in the Algarve

Head west to the wild southwestern tip of Europe. Local buses (Eva Transportes) run from Lagos to Sagres (~45 min, ~£4). Visit the Promontory of Sagres and its historic fortress (entry ~£3.50) — a dramatic clifftop fort with sea views. A short taxi or hitch (~£5) takes you to Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St. Vincent), the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe. Dramatic cliffs and crashing Atlantic waves. Return to Lagos for a leisurely afternoon exploring the old town, the famous Ponta da Piedade rock formations (free, 30-min walk from town), and the beaches.

🚌Eva Transportes day bus pass Lagos–Sagres: ~£8 return

🛏Rising Cock Hostel Lagos or Algarve Surf Hostel

• →Eva Transportes bus Lagos to Sagres (~45 min, ~£4)
• →Fortaleza de Sagres entry ~£3.50
• →Taxi or hitch Lagos to Cabo de São Vicente (~£5 shared)
• →Cabo de São Vicente — most SW point of mainland Europe (free)
• →Bus back to Lagos (~£4)
• →Walk to Ponta da Piedade rock formations (free)
• →Afternoon leisure: Meia Praia or Batata beach
• →Seafood dinner in Lagos old town ~£14–18

Take an early Rede Expresso or FlixBus back towards Lisbon (~£18–22). Detour via the Serra da Arrábida natural park — ask the driver to stop at Setúbal or arrange a day trip from Lisbon via GetYourGuide (Arrábida + Azeitão tours from ~£35). The Arrábida coastline has stunning turquoise coves. Visit a traditional azulejo (tile) workshop in Azeitão — Oficina das Azulejos runs walk-in sessions. Return to Lisbon for a farewell dinner in the Mouraria or Príncipe Real neighbourhood.

🚌FlixBus/Rede Expresso Algarve–Lisbon ~£20; local bus Setúbal–Lisbon ~£5

🛏Lisbon Destination Hostel or Goodmorning Solo Traveller Hostel (back in Lisbon)

• →FlixBus or Rede Expresso Algarve to Lisbon/Setúbal ~£18–22
• →Serra da Arrábida scenic coastal drive/stop (self-drive or GetYourGuide tour ~£35)
• →Tróia Peninsula views from Arrábida headland (free)
• →Traditional azulejo tile workshop, Azeitão ~£15–20 (book direct or GetYourGuide)
• →Return to Lisbon — check back into Baixa/Alfama guesthouse
• →Farewell dinner in Mouraria or Príncipe Real ~£18–25

Final morning in Lisbon. Depending on your flight time, squeeze in a last pastel de nata at a local café and a browse of the LX Factory Sunday market (if departing on a Sunday) or a final walk along the Tejo waterfront. Take the Metro (Linha Vermelha) back to the airport from Alameda (~£1.60, ~30 min).

🚌Metro to airport: £1.60

• →Final pastel de nata breakfast at a local café (~£3)
• →LX Factory market browse if Sunday (free entry)
• →Tejo waterfront walk (free)
• →Metro Linha Vermelha to Lisbon Airport (~£1.60)