Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Portugal – Porto – Coimbra – Lisbon
100% customisable for you
Your journey across Portugal begins today with a flight to Porto. Head to the airport, whizz through security, pick up a new read and settle in for take-off. The two-and-a-half-hour flight gives you just enough time to watch a film or brush up on your Portuguese before the adventure begins.
When you touch down, a private transfer will whisk you away to your hotel in the heart of the city, your home for the next two nights.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Head out for a gentle stroll or slip straight into Portugal’s blissfully relaxed way of life and enjoy a dip in the pool – tomorrow promises plenty more excitement.
Hit the ground running today with a private walking tour of pastel-toned Porto. Meet your local guide and wander through its cobbled alleyways, stopping by an indie café to fuel up the Portuguese way: with a pastel de nata and a strong espresso. If there’s a queue spilling out the door, even better – that's where the locals go for the creamiest bites.
Along the walk, admire the Art Deco details adorning the streets as you tick off the big hitters: the 12th-century Porto Cathedral, the 18th-century Clerigos Tower, the iconic Dom Luis I Bridge, and Sao Bento station, famed for its striking blue-and-white azulejo tiles.
All this exploring is bound to work up a thirst. Cross the Douro to Vila Nova de Gaia, the historic heart of the port wine scene. Step inside grand cellars and tasting rooms to sample a glass (or two), from bold vintages to sweeter pours – each one simply divine and dangerously easy to sip...
Still raring to go? We can also arrange an electric bike tour, perfect for seeing even more of the city without tiring out your legs.
This morning, make your way to the station and board a direct one-hour train to Coimbra. Nab a window seat and ease into the rhythm of the rails: admire the view, deal out a round of cards and meet your fellow passengers as the countryside tumbles by.
When you arrive in Coimbra, head to your hotel (your base for the next two nights), then spend the rest of the day as you like.
As evening draws in, ask your Concierge for a restaurant recommendation – just tell them what you’re craving. Afterwards, head to a bar for a sundowner overlooking the city’s terracotta rooftops and distant rolling hills, all bathed in that golden-hour glow. Cheers to that.
Coimbra wears its university-town status proudly – often dubbed Portugal’s equivalent of Oxford or Cambridge. At the heart of the city is the 13th-century university, where students still sweep through the courtyards in traditional black robes.
Feeling inspired by all this academic flair? Step inside the Joanina Library, where gilded ceilings, carved woodwork and shelves stacked with ancient books feel frozen in another era. Then continue on to the Church of the Holy Cross, another architectural showstopper, before spending the rest of the day exploring at your own pace.
Fancy a proper introduction? We can also organise a guided tour of Coimbra, led by a local who’ll bring the city’s legends to life.
After a day spent oohing and aahing across the city, dine al fresco at a local tapas bar and tuck into a spread of small plates paired with a glass of something refreshing, as the sounds of soulful fado drift through the evening air.
It’s all aboard to Lisbon this morning, swapping the medieval charm of Coimbra for the lively buzz of Portugal’s capital. The train journey takes around two hours, so settle into your seat, tune into our destination-specific playlist and watch the scenery roll by as you travel south.
When you arrive in Lisbon, check into your central hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. Then amble through a maze of street art-covered lanes, where colourful murals, tiled facades and laundry-strung balconies give the city its unmistakable character. Keen to extend your locomotive adventure? Hop on one of the yellow trams to explore different neighbourhoods, rattling between grand plazas, historic quarters and viewpoint-studded hills.
As the sun sets, pull up a chair at a nearby restaurant. Expect plate after plate of flavour-packed dishes before finishing things off with a scoop of gelato – because you’re on holiday after all.
Another day, another adventure. Meet your local guide for a morning of sightseeing – this is very much a go-with-the-flow kind of experience, so follow whatever catches your eye. Fancy yourself an art aficionado? You’re spoilt for choice. Browse masterpieces at the National Museum, admire world-class collections at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum or learn all about Lisbon’s love affair with azulejos at the National Tile Museum.
Make your way to Belem’s Electricity Museum for all things science and innovation or visit the Oceanarium for some sea life spotting. Round off the tour with a stroll along Lisbon’s revamped docks, home to microbreweries and lively markets. Another drink, anyone?
The rest of today is yours. Upgrade your wardrobe in the designer boutiques of Bairro Alto or sail across the Tagus River to discover the pretty town of Cacilhas. Craving an escape from the big city? We can arrange a private guided tour in the nearby town of Sintra.
This evening, ask your Concierge for another restaurant recommendation. Whether it’s late-night seafood, candlelit port or sunset views over Ponto Final, Lisbon knows exactly how to deliver a memorable send-off.
Swap your train ticket for a boarding pass this morning, as sadly, it’s time to bid Portugal a warm adeus (farewell). You’ll be privately transferred to Lisbon Airport for your return flight, with one final mission before you go: seeing just how many boxes of pasteis de nata you can squeeze into your suitcase, making going home that little bit sweeter.
You’ll spend around two and a half hours in the air – plenty of time to start dreaming up your next European escape...
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
