t Casa das Histórias Paula Rego.
Discover Itineraries
Your journey begins in Porto, with a coffee at the belle époque Majestic Café. Next, browse the fashionable jewellery and leather shops on the pedestrianised Rua de Santa Catarina.
For lunch, order a françesinha at Café Santiago. Pop into São Bento Station to admire the azulejos, then take a trip on a rabelo boat from Praça Ribeira.
After disembarking back at the square, enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal at Cantinho do Avillez, before retiring to 1872 River House.
Start the day admiring the Romanesque Sé – the city’s cathedral – and the monumental Paço Episcopal, the bishop’s palace.
Petiscos (Portuguese tapas) is a good choice for lunch before walking across the magnificent Ponte de Dom Luís I to the city of Vila Nova da Gaia, which lies on the other side of the iconic iron bridge.
Savour a glass of chilled white port at one of the city’s many lodges, such as Ramos Pinto, before crossing back over to Porto for the night.
It’s time to leave Portugal’s second city. Drive south on the A29 to canal-latticed Aveiro.
Busy Praça Humberto Delgado is the perfect spot for lunch before embarking on a one-hour trip on a colourful moliceiro boat.
Aveiro is renowned for its seafood restaurants – our pick is Mercado do Peixe, which is found on top of the city’s fish market. Spend the night at the Veneza Hotel (www.venezahotel.pt/en).
Continue south on the N235 to the magical woodlands of Buçaco. There are many shaded walks to explore here. The lavish Bussaco Palace Hotel serves up excellent lunches.
Take the A14 to Figueira da Foz, which has an enormous beach. Can you think of a better way to spend the afternoon than relaxing on the sand?
Spend the night at one of the resort’s many beachside hotels.
Head down the A1 to the extraordinary pilgrimage town of Fátima. Wonder at the imposing basilica, before continuing on to Santarém.
Taberna do Quinzena I is a good choice for lunch. After exploring the town, return to the A1 to reach Lisbon.
Cervejaria Trindade is a sumptuous place for dinner and Hotel do Chiado has a fashionable rooftop bar to while away the rest of the day.
Have a coffee at the historic A Brasileira and then hop on the clacking tram 28 from Chiado to Alfama.
Portas do Sol (www.portasdosol.pt), which overlooks the Tagus, is the perfect spot for an alfresco lunch. Alfama, with its impossibly narrow streets, is best explored on foot. After wandering, end up at the Castelo de São Jorge for sunset.
Spend the evening at a fado house such as A Baiuca.
The lively seaside resort of Cascais has some fine beaches and plenty of restaurants for lunch – and the journey there is just as good, with the train winding from the city along the Lisbon coast.
Explore the striking Casa das Histórias Paula Rego, a museum dedicated to the contemporary visual artist who was born in Lisbon, before returning to the capital.
End your trip with a cocktail at the impossibly cool Cinco Lounge.
Discover A Portugal Itinerary
t Casa das Histórias Paula Rego.