Portugal never fails to surprise and delight the intrepid travelers who venture to it. The striking landscapes, ornate, traditional architecture, sun-drenched coastlines and exquisite wines make Portugal one of Europe’s most delightful destinations.
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Arrive in Lisbon and settle in at your hotel, the evocative 10-suite Palácio Belmonte occupying an exquisitely restored 15th-century palace in the hillside Alfama district.
Wander through the evocative and labyrinthine streets of Lisbon’s oldest district and ascend to the Castle of St. George for panoramic views.
Dig deeper into Lisbon. Visit the extraordinary National Coach Museum and the ornate Jerónimos Monastery where Vasco da Gama is buried. Wander the white streets of the Baixa, lined with outdoor cafés and restaurants. Mr. Harper notes that Lisbon’s best wine shop, Manuel Tavares, is at the top of this district on Rua da Betesga. The fashionable and atmospheric Bairro Alto district, just to the west of Baixa, is the traditional home of fado music.
Make a day trip to seaside Sintra to tour its dramatic palaces and imposing Moorish fortress. It’s worth the 30-minute journey; in 1809, Lord Byron wrote to a friend, “I must just observe that the village of Cintra … is the most beautiful in the world.” Sintra was once the favorite summer retreat of the Portuguese royal court, and it continues to rank as a top day-trip destination. Major sights include the 19th-century Palácio Nacional de Pena, which looks straight out of a fairy tale, and the equally enchanting Palácio Nacional de Sintra, the summer residence of the kings of Portugal. Many people miss the elaborate Quinta de Regaleira, a Manueline/Gothic mansion filled with enigmatic symbols relating to the Freemasons, Rosicrucians and Knights Templar.
Make the short drive to Obidos, a picturesque hill town overflowing with bougainvillea. Obidos is no stranger to tourists — an overabundance of souvenir shops clutters its main pedestrian street — but off the beaten track, the city still has plenty of atmosphere within its dramatic walls. The balconies of whitewashed houses overflow with colorful flowers, and charming cafés and restaurants set up outdoor tables along the winding side streets. Have lunch at whichever catches your fancy. For something more upscale, opt for the stylish restaurant in the hotel Pousada de Obidos (open daily) or the fine Restaurant Cozinha das Rainhas (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
If not traveling in the high season, also visit Nazaré, Portugal’s most famous (and famously overrun) fishing village. This traditional town on the coast is undeniably lovely, but it can be quite crowded in summer. Continue north to the historic university town of Coimbra, which Andrew Harper describes as “gracious, cultivated and hospitable.”
Take a full day to meander the winding alleys of the old town of Coimbra. In the 700-year-old university, the astonishingly ornate Baroque library merits special attention, Mr. Harper notes.
Bid farewell to Coimbra and drive north to the lovely provincial capital of Viseu, and then on to the Douro Valley.
In addition to its fine cathedral and notable museum focusing on the works of Vasco Fernandes, Viseu is known for its excellent selection of local handicrafts. After lunch, continue on to the Douro Valley, home to many of Portugal’s best vineyards and wineries.
Explore the scenic grandeur of the Douro Valley region, where “the river winds languidly between steep hills planted with vineyards and dotted with handsome quintas (wine estates) and villages framed by cypress trees,” writes Mr. Harper. Take a leisurely river cruise, and visit some of the world-class wineries.
Vidago and a day trip to visit Bragança.
After a leisurely morning, make the short drive north to Vidago, and take a well-earned afternoon of leisure to enjoy the grounds and facilities of your palace resort, including perhaps the best spa in Portugal, according to Mr. Harper.
Make a day trip to remote Bragança, Portugal’s best-preserved medieval town. Inside the city walls, tour the citadel and ancient Upper Town. If time and energy permit, advance into the nearby Parque Natural de Montesinho, one of the wildest regions in Europe. A host of rare birds and mammals inhabit this ruggedly beautiful landscape, dotted with a number of tiny villages where life carries on much as it did a century ago.
From Vidago it’s a short drive to Guimarães, Portugal’s first capital. Stroll through the atmospheric medieval core, with its weathered noble townhouses, craft shops and 10th-century castle. Drive on to neighboring Braga, Portugal’s religious capital and its most conservative city, known for its profusion of churches, fountains and gardens. End the day in Oporto.
Enjoy a full day in Oporto, the historic center of which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tour the ornate stock exchange, visit some port wine lodges and do some final shopping.
Depart from Oporto’s airport and connect to your flight home.
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