Portugal short range tours
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Day 1 - Obidos, Alcobaça, Nazaré, Batalha, Fatima, Estremoz
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Travel northwards through the countryside by a landscape of vineyards, cork trees, pine and eucalyptus forests.
Beautiful Portuguese typical homes with laid out gardens and an outlook of windmills toping the hills, make us feel we
left the big city.
We step back in time when we arrive at the stunning and very ancient walled town called Obidos. A medieval city
surrounded by the walls of the castle with picturesque narrow streets, whitewashed houses, iron balconies, flower pots
in every window.
Time to visit the many handicraft shops and wine taverns with the local liqueur “Ginginha”. Just walk around and let
the streets lead you into the steep alleyways with colourfully framed houses.
Drive to Alcobaca and stop in this charming ancient town. You may wish to visit the XII century Alcobaca Monastery.
Is one of the few European monuments that has managed to preserve intact an entire group of medieval buildings and
its church is the largest early Gothic creation in Portugal.
Moreover, it’s the longest church in the country, an amazing construction which resisted time and earthquakes. See in
the transept the tombs of king Pedro and Ines, the 2 lovers of the most dramatic Portuguese love story.
Arrive at Nazare, the most colourful of Portuguese fishing villages and the richest fishing region in Portugal. A lot of
restaurants serve a great variety of the local speciality, which is of course fish and seafood.
Continue to XIV century Batalha Monastery, the supreme achievement of gothic architecture in Portugal. Manueline
additions in the 15th and 16th centuries, gave the monastery it's finer detail. Here you can admire the highest church in
Portugal.
Finally Fatima - the center of Christian faith and a local of world's pilgrimage. See the chapel on the place where Our
Lady appeared to the shepherds, the Basilica and the vast square where people crawl on their knees towards the heart
of the shrine, in a impressive sign of faith and devotion, lightning a candle, praying and making a vow to Our Lady or
fulfilling a promise. If possible, religious services can be attended.
Accomodation in Crato castle or Estremoz castle.
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Previously a Palace, Convent and Castle,
built in different periods resulted in this
architectural masterpiece. Pousada do
Crato is located in the Alentejo region.
It´s in the restored fortress of the order of
the Hospitaller Knights.
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The castle of Estremoz is the result of the
restoration of the magnificent Palace that
King D. Diniz built for his wife, Queen
Isabel with the finest decor including
museum pieces.
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Day 2 - Estremoz, Vila Viçosa, Evora, Alcacer do Sal
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Estremoz - The region has been inhabited since pre-historic times. King Dinis rebuilt the castle as a Royal Palace,
turning the village into an important political centre. Estremoz is internationally known for its fine to medium-grained
marble that occurs in several colors. There is so much marble around Estremoz that it is used everywhere; even the
doorsteps, pavements and the cobble stones are made out of marble.
Proceed to Vila Viçosa, inhabited by the Romans, Visigoths and Moors. In the early 14th century, King Dinis I built a
castle in the village and in 1502 began the building of the Ducal Palace, remodelled between the 16th and 17th centuries
in a sober late Renaissance style. Time to visit this palace.
Drive across the largest cork region in the world for an exciting journey into the past.
Next is Evora, capital of Alentejo, called the “town museum”. Evora has been a cultural oasis for 2,000
years. Part of the town is enclosed by ancient walls and has been preserved in its original state, as well as its
monuments dating from various historical periods.
Stop at Saint Francis church where you can see the “chapel of the bones”, made with thousands of human skeletons. A
walk along its streets will help you enjoy this typical town considered World Heritage by UNESCO, with narrow
streets decorated with manors, white washed houses and antique palaces and churches. Stop at the Diana Temple, the
best well preserved Roman temple in Portugal and time to see the Romanesque Gothic Cathedral, the biggest in
Portugal. Not far, the centenary University, where you can mingle with students and admire this superb XVI century
building.
Accomodation in Alcacer do Sal castle or Alvito castle.
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Pousada de Alcacer do Sal overlooks the
River Sado in Alentejo. It has a history
stretching back 5000 years and has been
converted into luxurious accommodation.
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Alvito was a 15th Century castle, it has
fascinating architectural details of
Mudejar, Gothic and Manueline styles,
with the round towers and high walls
which are most unusual in this region.
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We take the motorway towards south, to cross the biggest cork tree region in the world.
Our first stop will be Silves, the most historical castle in Algarve. Standing proudly on a hill, the origin of the town
traces back to existing some 1.000 BC. Already a notable place in Roman times but it really became an important place
during its occupation in the early 11th Century by the Moors. Giving it the name of Xelb, they constructed lavish
palaces and it became the cultural centre. The impressive remains of the castle dates back to Moors. Under the control
of the Portuguese Kings it continued in its importance. The city’s earlier 13th Century Cathedral was built on the site
of a Mosque. Free time to taste the delicious local pastry. Next is Lagos, with a very nice seaside resort, the most
historically interesting coastal town in the Algarve. Its fame derives from its association with Portugal's 14th-and 15th-
century Age of Discovery. It’s here that we’ll have lunch, near the ocean, opportunity for you to try the fresh and
delicious fish of the coast coming straight from the ocean. We’ll proceed to Sagres, to visit the old fortress of the
Portuguese school of navigators "who brought new worlds to the World". It can be a powerful sensation to sit quietly
anywhere along the cliff tops here and look out to sea and ponder the extraordinary adventurers who have passed this
way. Finally we arrive to Saint Vincent cape, the south westernmost point of Europe, “the end of the world”, as it was
called before America was discovered. The cliffs rise nearly vertically from the Atlantic to a height of 75 meters. The
cape is a site of exuberant marine life and a high concentration of birds nesting on the cliffs, such as the rare Bonelli's
eagle, peregrine falcons, kites, rock thrushes, rock pigeons, storks and herons.
Accomodation in Palmela castle or Setubal castle.
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The Castelo de Palmela, built by the
Moors and headquarters of the Order of
Santiago, nestles within the village
castle, on top of an imposing hill, it
affords impressive panoramic views.
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Formerly a 17th Century Fortress, built
by King Filipe, the Pousada Setubal is
on a hilltop overlooking the city. It has
stunning views over the Sado Estuary,
Troia peninsula and the AtlanticOcean.
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Day 4 - Setubal, Arrabida, Sesimbra
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Setubal, an important fishing harbour, where once again we can admire the typical Portuguese fishing boats and the XVI
century Saint Philip's castle.
Arrabida mountain - a unique nature reserve providing a breathtaking panoramic view, on the highest cliffs of the
Portuguese coast, over Lisbon, Setubal, Troia and the ocean.
Azeitão - famous for its wine cellar, where we can stop for a guided visit to this antique muscatel wine producer and
wine tasting. We may also visit a glazed tiles factory, to see live how glazed tiles are made by hand, keeping a centenary
tradition, and where you can draw, design and make your own tiles.
Visit the XII century Castle of Sesimbra and admire the beautiful view of the ocean, Sesimbra beach and
scenery of this fishing town. Sightseeing of Sesimbra, seaside with crystal clear water and where we can have a glimpse
of the fishing port.
Cross the bridge “25 Abril” over Tagus river, and have a superb view of Lisbon.
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