Day tours in Lisbon & surroundings
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Program
Cross the central Marques de Pombal square and go down by the XVIII century boulevard called Liberdade
avenue to the popular Restauradores and Rossio squares; it's the heart of Lisbon since Roman times, and the
Pombaline downtown which has been the shopping area for more than 2000 years.
The majestic waterfront Comercio square, facing the extraordinary estuary of the river, once the welcome gate
to seafarer and caravels. Close by is the nucleus of ancient Lisbon. Visit the oldest quarter, Alfama, with the
structure of the medieval city, with labyrinthine narrow streets, steep stairways and alleys, tiny squares. If
possible, we'll stop in a handicraft shop for a taste of Port wine.
The tour continues along the riverside by the harbour with sights of one of world's leading cruise destinations.
Cross the 25 Abril bridge for a superb panorama.
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Returning to Lisbon we cross again the bridge and go to Belem, the most monumental and historical quarter, we pass by Belem palace, official residence of
the President of Portugal. Stops at Belem Tower – icon of the Age of Discovery (stop for photos, drinks and toilettes), the Monument to the Discoveries –
evoking the maritime expansion. Close by is Jeronimos Monastery, magnificent example of the Manueline style, the most impressive symbol of Portugal's
power and wealth during the Age of Discovery - stop to see the church (closed on Mondays, replaced by Ajuda palace).
Visit the Coach Museum, housing the best carriages’ collection in the world (closed on Mondays, replaced by Ajuda palace).
Abounding in history, Sintra village is dominated by the two conical chimneys of the Palácio Nacional da Vila, dating from the XIV century; this is the
oldest royal palace in Portugal, where sea conquerors planned their trips and navigators where welcomed by the king, like Columbus and Vasco da Gama.
Visit the palace. (Closed on Wednesdays, replaced by Regaleira Palace).
Free time for lunch (no included).
Free time at Sintra’s historical town centre. It is made up of a charming maze of steep, narrow streets lined with fine examples of old palatial homes hiding
behind lichen-covered walls, while local pastry shops provide the famous Sintra ‘queijadas’ (cheese pastries), ‘travesseiros’ (egg and almond pastries) and
local wine. The town is also full of shops that carry many of the local crafts like pottery, ceramics and lace.
Drive across the luxuriant Sintra Mountain and its gardens - "The Glorious Eden" - by twisted roads bordered by several plants, its mystical hills dotted
with fairytale palaces and extravagant villas that have bewitched visitors for centuries. Pass by Colares, famous for its "Ramisco" vines, some of the oldest
in Portugal and belonging to a demarcated area of wine.
Go up the mountain by twisted roads with breathtaking views of the coastline and arrive to Cabo da Roca - the westernmost point of continental Europe, a
promontory of Sintra Mountain, a granite cliff, 472 feet (144 m) high - for a fantastic view of the seaside. Stop. (From the 1st March to the 31st October).
Next is Guincho beach, backed by dunes and with some of the best rollers in Europe, it is a true paradise for surfers.
Continue by the seaside with rocky and sandy beaches and the picturesque cliff - the Mouth of Hell - where high waves crash into gigantic caves carved out
of the rock by the sea.
Cascais fishing port swiftly expanded to an elegant, cosmopolitan, coastal resort. Once stop of navigators like Columbus and Vasco da Gama. From the hill
there’s a nice view of Estoril bay and the typical fishing boats unloading the catch, a flash marina and a castle.
We return to Lisbon by Estoril Coast where we can have a panoramic view of the Casino and its gardens. The Estoril coast, incorporating holiday hotspots
offers great beaches and a choice of historic sights.
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...Lisbon’s history dates back to 300,000 years ago and ranks as one of the world's longest founded cities. As the
legend tells, it is a city founded and named by Ulysses, which has its origins in the Phoenician words "Allis Ubbo",
meaning "enchanting port". Lisbon was a battlefield for Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians, however it was
Romans who started their two-century reign in Lisbon in 205 BC. In 714, the Moors arrived and stayed till the 12th
century. In the 13th century, Lisbon became the capital of Portugal. The 15th century was the point of departure for
the Portuguese Discoveries, an era during which Portugal enjoyed abundant wealth and prosperity through its newly
discovered off shore colonies in Africa, the Americas and Asia. Today, Lisbon still maintaining the marks of its early
history, is one of the most beautiful capitals of Europe...
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... Described by Lord Byron as “Glorious Eden,” Sintra’s charms have long been celebrated. Once the
summer residence of the kings and Moorish lords, today Sintra is a romantic getaway for people from all
around the world. Inhabited since the pre-history period and by Celts and the Romans who called this area
“The Mountain of the Moon”. In the 8th to 9th century, Muslims built a castle here. During Medieval times,
the Portuguese royal family, overflowing with the pomp and riches from their colonial triumphs abroad, first
came here to escape the heat (and stench) of the summer in Lisbon. Beginning in the 14th century, the
Portuguese aristocrats followed the royals to Sintra, a dwelling place for hunting and relaxing. Stormy and
mysterious, the mountain is covered by more than 1000 different species of plants. Several artists from
different countries came here to work, inspired in the beauty of this place, extolling its beauty: “The Garden of
Paradise”, “Garden of Europe”, “Glorious Eden”…
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...One of the most beautiful parts of the Estoril Coast is a succession of hills dotted with pine trees and houses,
sweeping down to the sea and the local villages with their typical houses and the old palatial villas along the sea
front. Villas from the Roman period have been excavated and inscriptions found of family names, names of the Gods
they worshipped and names chosen for their sons. Cascais became a lookout for Lisbon in the great maritime era of
discovering new worlds. It was the first place the navigators saw when they returned from long and adventurous
voyages seeking their homeland. It was in Cascais during the latter part of the XIX century, that the Royal Family
first began to bathe. It was a custom which was becoming popular in Europe and Cascais was an ideal place owing
to its mild climate. Over the years, many important families have made Cascais into a cosmopolitan town...
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