Lisbon Coast - Historic Towns and Spectacular Sintra

Once you’ve checked in and cleared security, why not treat yourself to a pre-holiday drink as you wait to board your flight to Lisbon.
When you arrive in Portugal, we’ll drive you to your hotel in the charming seaside town of Cascais, which is situated on the western edge of the Lisbon coastline. After time to relax and settle in, we’ll meet for a drink before dinner this evening.

Portugal's capital is home to countless attractions, and today we’ll discover many of them on a guided tour. Our first stop is at the National Tile Museum, where we’ll learn about the history of hand-painted tiles and admire beautiful examples of these decorative works of art. We’ll then discover the traditional side of the city as we wander around the narrow streets of the ancient Alfama district before driving past Praça do Comércio, Rossio and Restauradores, three grand, symbolic squares. We’ll also drive along the tree-lined boulevard, Avenida da Liberdade, and see the bronze statue of the Marquês de Pombal who rebuilt the city after the 1755 earthquake.
After free time for lunch, we’ll go to Belém, where you’ll see the 16th-century Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries and the immense, UNESCO-listed St Jerome Monastery.

After breakfast, we’re going to head to the charming region of Sintra with its rolling hills and fairy-tale castles and palaces. We’ll visit the medieval Sintra National Palace, a gleaming white building topped with a red roof and two huge cone-shaped chimneys. Once the home of the Portuguese royal family, you’ll step inside and discover a host of lavish rooms decorated with colourful tiles and mosaics.
Enjoy some free time to explore the pretty streets of Sintra and browse the one-of-a-kind shops selling unique handicrafts and souvenirs. If you wish, you can stop for coffee or lunch in one of the town’s delightful cafés or restaurants. We highly recommend you try two of the delicious local delicacies, queijadas, a cheesecake-like tart and travesseiros, a pastry filled with almond cream.
Later, we’ll enjoy a panoramic tour Sintra’s scenic woods and palaces before we head to visit the rugged cliffs of Cabo da Roca - the most westerly point of Continental Europe, driving along the coast and passing by the stunning Guincho beach – a popular spot for surfers.

After a few busy days, you now have some time to relax and do your own thing. Perhaps enjoy the hotel’s facilities or wander to a nearby beach and soak up the sun.
Alternatively, if you’d like to do some more sightseeing, join your Holiday Director for today’s optional excursion. It begins, as we cross the Tagus River on one of the longest suspension bridges in Europe, the 25th of April Bridge. We’re heading to the town of Setúbal and are going to visit the lively and colourful Mercado do Livramento, one of the best fish markets in the country.
Our journey then takes us into the coastal Arrabida National Park, which was created to protect the area’s beautiful landscape and wide variety of wildlife and birds. We’ll admire stunning views of Setúbal and the Tróia Peninsula and visit a wine cellar in Azeitao for a tasting of Moscatel de Setúbal, a local fortified dessert wine.
Finally, as we make our way back to Cascais, we’ll stop at the iconic statue of Christ the King and enjoy magnificent, panoramic views of Lisbon. 

You have another free day to explore Cascais at leisure. Stroll through the winding streets of the Old Town and stop for coffee in an al-fresco café or visit the custard-coloured Condes de Castro Guimarães. This early 20th-century villa sits right beside the sea and houses a museum with an impressive collection of art.
If you prefer, you could choose to join an optional excursion to UNESCO-listed Evora. We’ll explore this well-preserved, walled city on foot, discovering highlights including the handsome Giraldo Square, the remains of a Roman temple and one of Portugal’s largest medieval cathedrals. We’ll also step inside the Chapel of Bones, a macabre chapel whose walls are decorated with the bones and skulls of thousands of people. The day ends with a visit to a cork factory, where we’ll learn how this Portuguese material is transformed into a wide variety of products.

Enjoy another free day doing as much or as little as you please. Relax with a book and a refreshing drink at the hotel or, if you’re feeling energetic, why not hire a bike and cycle along the ocean-front bike path. Another option is to walk to Boca do Inferno, a sea arch where you can watch the power of the Atlantic waves crashing against limestone cliffs.
Later, you might choose to head into town and explore what’s on offer for dinner. You’ll find an array of enticing restaurants with many specialising in seafood. Ask your Holiday Director if you would like a recommendation!

We’re heading north to the picturesque, medieval town of Óbidos on today’s included tour. Presented to Queen Isabel as a gift in the 13th century, the town was the property of Portuguese queens for centuries. We’ll see the hilltop castle, with its imposing towers and battlements and explore the town’s maze of cobblestone streets, squares and bougainvillea-adorned whitewashed houses. Our visit also includes a tasting of the local speciality, ginjinha, a sour-cherry liquor served in a chocolate cup.

Your holiday comes to an end today as we drive you to the airport for your flight back to the UK.