The Best of Portugal: Self-Launched 11-Day Adventure

This is a big first day covering central Portugal's most iconic religious and medieval landmarks — best done by hiring a rental car for days 1–4 or booking a day-trip bus from Lisbon. Budget car hire from Lisbon starts around £30/day; alternatively Rede Expressos runs a coach to Fátima (~£12, 1.5 hrs) with stops possible en route. Start at Óbidos, a perfectly preserved walled medieval town — wander the ramparts for free and sample ginjinha (cherry liqueur) served in a chocolate cup from a local shop (~£1.50). Continue to Alcobaça Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage, entry ~£6), then the fishing village of Nazaré with its dramatic clifftop views. Stop at Batalha Monastery (entry ~£6) before arriving in Fátima in time for the atmospheric candlelit evening procession, which is free to attend.

🚌Take Rede Expressos coach from Lisbon Sete Rios to Fátima (~£12, 1.5 hrs). For Óbidos, Alcobaça, Nazaré and Batalha en route, consider renting a car (~£30/day from Lisbon) or booking a combined day-trip via GetYourGuide (~£35–45).

🛏Residencial Estoril Fátima or similar guesthouse (~£25–35/night) — comfortable, central, a short walk from the Sanctuary.

• →Walk the walls of Óbidos medieval town — free entry to the town, ramparts walk free
• →Sample ginjinha in a chocolate cup in Óbidos (~£1.50)
• →Visit Alcobaça Monastery — UNESCO site, entry ~£6 (book via GetYourGuide or direct)
• →Explore Nazaré fishing village and clifftop Sítio viewpoint — free
• →Visit Batalha Monastery (Santa Maria da Vitória) — entry ~£6
• →Attend the candlelit evening procession in Fátima — free

Head north via Coimbra, one of Portugal's most charming university cities. The University of Coimbra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — entry to the Joanina Library and university buildings costs ~£12 (book ahead online to guarantee access to the library). Stroll to Santa Clara-a-Nova Church and browse the ceramics shops in the Baixa. Continue to Aveiro, Portugal's 'Venice', where you can take a moliceiro boat tour along the canals (~£12 via GetYourGuide) and try the local sweet ovos moles (~£2 from a bakery). Arrive into Porto by early evening.

🚌Rede Expressos or Transdev bus from Fátima to Coimbra (~£7, 1 hr). Regional train from Coimbra-B to Aveiro (~£4, 45 mins). Intercity train from Aveiro to Porto Campanhã (~£6, 1 hr). Total transport ~£17.

🛏Tattva Design Hostel, Gallery Hostel, or similar well-rated boutique hostel in Porto (~£20–30/night in a private or dorm).

• →Visit Coimbra University and the Joanina Library — entry ~£12, pre-book online
• →Visit Santa Clara Church in Coimbra — free or small donation
• →Browse Coimbra ceramics shops in the Baixa — free
• →Moliceiro canal boat ride in Aveiro — ~£12 via GetYourGuide or direct
• →Try ovos moles sweet pastry in Aveiro — ~£2

A fantastic day trip from Porto into the Minho region — the birthplace of Portugal. Guimarães is another UNESCO World Heritage city: visit the hilltop castle (entry ~£2) and the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança (entry ~£5). Then head to Braga, Portugal's religious capital, to see the baroque Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, reached via a monumental staircase (free) or funicular (~£2 each way). Visit Braga Cathedral (entry ~£3). Return to Porto for the evening — have a glass of port wine at a riverside cave in Vila Nova de Gaia (~£4–6).

🚌Train from Porto São Bento to Guimarães (~£4, 1 hr 20 mins). Bus from Guimarães to Braga (~£3, 45 mins). Bus from Braga back to Porto (~£5, 1 hr). Total ~£12.

🛏Same Porto hostel as Day 2 (~£20–30/night).

• →Visit Guimarães Castle — entry ~£2
• →Visit Palace of the Dukes of Bragança in Guimarães — entry ~£5
• →Explore Braga Cathedral — entry ~£3
• →Walk the baroque staircase at Bom Jesus do Monte — free; funicular ~£2
• →Evening port wine tasting at a riverside cave in Gaia (~£5)

Use your free day in Porto to explore at your own pace. The city is incredibly walkable — wander the UNESCO-listed Ribeira waterfront, cross the iconic Ponte Luís I bridge on foot for free panoramic views, and explore the Lello bookshop (entry token ~£5, redeemable against a book purchase). The São Bento train station's azulejo tilework is free to admire. Consider a free walking tour (tip-based) to get oriented, or book a port wine cellar tour in Gaia (~£15 including tastings via GetYourGuide).

🚌All on foot or by metro (~£1.50/journey).

🛏Same Porto hostel (~£20–30/night).

• →Walk the Ribeira waterfront and cross Ponte Luís I — free
• →Visit Livraria Lello bookshop — entry token ~£5
• →Admire azulejo tile panels at São Bento station — free
• →Free walking tour of Porto (tip-based, ~£5–10 tip recommended)
• →Optional: port wine cellar tour in Vila Nova de Gaia — ~£15 via GetYourGuide

A scenic drive through the Douro and Dão wine regions — this day is best done with a rental car (~£30/day). Amarante is a beautiful riverside town; cross the São Gonçalo bridge and visit the convent for free. In Vila Real, stop at the baroque Mateus estate to admire the gardens (entry ~£8). Lamego has a spectacular pilgrimage church above the town — the staircase is free to climb — and is famous for its presunto ham and Bola de Lamego bread. Pick some up at a local deli (~£5). End the day in Viseu, a handsome granite city with a fine old quarter.

🚌Rental car recommended for this day (~£30/day). Alternatively, Rede Expressos runs Guimarães–Viseu coaches with changes; allow a full day.

🛏Casa de Hóspedes or guesthouse near Viseu or Urgeirica (~£25–35/night).

• →Explore Amarante riverside town and São Gonçalo Church — free
• →Visit Mateus Estate gardens near Vila Real — entry ~£8
• →Climb the staircase to Lamego's Nossa Senhora dos Remédios sanctuary — free
• →Buy local presunto ham and Bola de Lamego from a deli — ~£5
• →Stroll Viseu's historic Rossio and cathedral square — free

En route back to Lisbon, stop at the mystical Buçaco Forest — a royal hunting ground with a fairy-tale palace hotel (free to walk the forest paths). Then visit Tomar, one of Portugal's most atmospheric towns, home to the extraordinary Convent of Christ (UNESCO, entry ~£6) — a Knights Templar fortress-monastery full of Manueline stonework. Book ahead via the official site or GetYourGuide. Arrive in Lisbon by late afternoon and check in to your Lisbon base.

🚌If continuing with rental car, drop off in Lisbon (~£30 car day + fuel ~£15). Alternatively, bus from Viseu to Tomar (~£10) then Rede Expressos from Tomar to Lisbon (~£8). Total bus ~£18.

🛏Lisbon Lounge Hostel, Home Lisbon Hostel, or similar well-rated central hostel (~£20–35/night).

• →Walk the forest paths of Buçaco — free
• →Visit Tomar's Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo) — UNESCO site, entry ~£6
• →Explore Tomar town centre and the Templar castle — free

The Sintra–Cascais day trip is easily done by public transport from Lisbon — one of the country's finest day trips. Take the train to Sintra (40 mins, ~£2.50) and visit the National Palace of Sintra in the town centre (~£10 entry) or the more dramatic Pena Palace on the hill (~£14, book ahead on getyourguide.com). Walk or take a local bus up to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe — free to visit, bring a jacket. Continue by bus along the coast past Hell's Mouth (Boca do Inferno) to the elegant resort town of Cascais (free to explore), and stroll the Estoril Casino gardens before catching the train back to Lisbon.

🚌Lisbon Rossio to Sintra by Comboios de Portugal train (~£2.50, 40 mins). Local Scotturb buses between Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais (~£2.50 each leg). Cascais to Lisbon train (~£2.50, 40 mins). Total transport ~£13.

🛏Same Lisbon hostel as Day 6 (~£20–35/night).

• →Train Lisbon Rossio → Sintra (~£2.50 each way)
• →Visit National Palace of Sintra — entry ~£10
• →Bus Sintra → Cabo da Roca — ~£2.50 each way; westernmost point of Europe, free
• →Bus Cabo da Roca → Cascais — ~£2.50; explore the town for free
• →Walk past Hell's Mouth (Boca do Inferno) coastal rock formation — free
• →Stroll Estoril Casino gardens — free
• →Train Cascais → Lisbon (~£2.50)

Take the morning Rede Expressos coach to Évora, the stunning walled Alentejo capital (UNESCO World Heritage City). The afternoon is full of unmissable sights — all within easy walking distance. The Roman Temple of Évora stands free in the town square. The Cathedral of Évora charges a small entry for the cloister and rooftop (~£4). The eerie Chapel of Bones (Igreja de São Francisco) is the highlight — walls and ceilings lined with the bones of 5,000 monks, entry ~£5. Explore the University of Évora courtyards (free) and browse the local market for Alentejo wine, cheese and olive oil.

🚌Rede Expressos coach from Lisbon Sete Rios to Évora (~£12, 1.5 hrs). Évora is completely walkable.

🛏Albergaria do Calvário, Évora Olive Hostel, or similar well-regarded guesthouse/hostel (~£25–40/night).

• →Visit Évora Roman Temple — free (exterior)
• →Visit Évora Cathedral and cloister — entry ~£4
• →Visit St. Francis Church and the Chapel of Bones — entry ~£5
• →Explore the University of Évora courtyards — free
• →Browse the local market for Alentejo wine, cheese and olive oil (~£8–10 to sample and buy)

Head south through the Alentejo plains to the Algarve. Break the journey in Beja to climb the medieval keep of Beja Castle for sweeping views over the plains (~£2 entry). Continue through to Silves, the old Moorish capital of the Algarve — the dramatic red sandstone Silves Castle is one of the finest in Portugal (~£3 entry). Arrive into Lagos by late afternoon — the old town is a delight to explore on foot.

🚌Rede Expressos from Évora to Beja (~£8, 1.5 hrs). Bus Beja to Silves via Albufeira or Portimão (Rede Expressos, ~£10, 2 hrs). Local bus or taxi Silves to Lagos (~£5–8, 30 mins). Total ~£23.

🛏Rising Cock Hostel, Bura Hostel, or similar well-rated Lagos hostel (~£18–28/night dorm or private).

• →Visit Beja Castle keep — entry ~£2
• →Visit Silves Castle — entry ~£3
• →Explore Silves old town and cathedral — free
• →Explore Lagos old town and city walls — free

The dramatic Algarve coastline at its very best. Start with Ponta da Piedade — a 20-minute walk south of Lagos — where golden sea stacks and grottos rise from turquoise water. Book a boat tour of the caves from the beach (~£15 via GetYourGuide or direct from local boat operators). Take a local bus or taxi (~£8) to Sagres, where the wind-scoured Sagres Fortress sits at the edge of Europe (entry ~£3). A short walk or taxi (~£5) brings you to Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse — the southwesternmost point of mainland Europe, free to visit. Return to Lagos for a final evening.

🚌Walk to Ponta da Piedade (~20 mins from Lagos centre). Local EVA bus to Sagres (~£4, 1 hr). Taxi or walk between Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente (~£5 or 6 km walk). Return bus Sagres to Lagos (~£4).

🛏Same Lagos hostel as Day 9 (~£18–28/night).

• →Walk to Ponta da Piedade viewpoint from Lagos town — free
• →Boat tour of Ponta da Piedade grottos — ~£15 via GetYourGuide or local operators
• →Visit Sagres Fortress (Fortaleza de Sagres) — entry ~£3
• →Visit Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse — free

The final leg takes you back to Lisbon via the glorious Arrábida Natural Park, where limestone cliffs drop into the clearest blue water in Portugal. The quickest route back is by Rede Expressos direct to Lisbon (~£18, 4 hrs), but for the scenic Arrábida experience, take the bus to Setúbal (~£15, 3.5 hrs) and hire a local taxi or join a small group tour (~£20) to explore the park before continuing the final stretch to Lisbon (~£4). Arrive back at Marquês de Pombal by early evening.

🚌Rede Expressos direct Lagos to Lisbon (~£18, 4 hrs). For Arrábida: bus Lagos to Setúbal (~£15) then local taxi into the park (~£15–20) then bus/train Setúbal to Lisbon (~£4). Scenic option total ~£34.

🛏N/A — end of trip.

• →Scenic drive/bus through Arrábida Natural Park
• →Stop at Setúbal waterfront — free
• →Optional swim at Portinho da Arrábida beach (summer) — free
• →Arrive back in Lisbon — celebrate with a pastéis de nata at a local café (~£1)