Portugal Explorer: Lisbon & Algarve

Ola! Welcome to Portugal. Your adventure begins in Lisbon – Portugal’s vibrant capital city, known for its historic neighbourhoods, rich culture and thriving culinary scene. If you arrive early, you might like to take in the views from one of the city’s many miradouros (scenic lookouts) or visit the 11th-century Sao Jorge Castle or Lisbon Cathedral – the oldest church in the city. You’ll have a welcome meeting with your trip leader and fellow travellers at 6 pm. After, maybe head out with your group to get to know each other over some tasty street food like pasteis de bacalhau (salted cod fritters) or pao com chourico (warm, buttered bread filled with spicy chorizo, served fresh from the oven). Ask your local leader for all the best street food or restaurant recommendations.

Head out on a daytrip to the towns of Sintra and Cascais, both filled with history and fairytale-like landscapes. After breakfast, take a private vehicle to Sintra, where you’ll visit the Quinta da Regaleira estate. See the castle’s unique blend of Manueline, Gothic and Renaissance architecture and stop by the storied Initiation Well that leads to an underground tunnel system. You’ll have some free time for lunch – maybe grab one of Sintra’s famous sweets like queijadas (mini cheese tarts) or travesseiros (flaky pastry filled with almond cream). Then, continue to Cascais. Once the favoured holiday spot for Portuguese royalty, this charming coastal town has a laid-back atmosphere and a lively marina, perfect for a leisurely stroll in the sun. Get the lay of the land on an orientation walk with your leader, then spend some free time exploring at your own pace. If the weather’s right, you might like to seek out one of the local beaches for a refreshing swim. Return to Lisbon in the late afternoon.

Get to know Lisbon on an orientation walk with your leader, taking you past the colourful buildings covered in azulejos (painted ceramic tiles) and through the highlights and must-see neighbourhoods of this fascinating city. Along the way, make a stop to taste the quintessential Portuguese treat – pasteis de natas. These puff pastry tarts filled with lightly caramelised custard are best enjoyed warm, with a sprinkle of cinnamon. The afternoon is yours to spend however you like. You might like to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jeronimos Monastery, visit the historic neighbourhood of Belem, do a ginjinha (sour cherry liqueur) tasting or check out the Folk Art Museum or Calouste Gulbenkian Museum.

Say goodbye to Lisbon for now and board a private vehicle, headed into the Alentejo region. On the way, make a stop at a family-run cork farm. Take a guided tour of the farm and learn about how craftmanship and respect for the land are intertwined in the process of turning cork trees into beautiful designs. After the tour, continue to Evora, where you’ll check into your accommodation and have some free time for lunch. Next, join your leader for an orientation walk, stopping at the Chapel of Bones. This 17th-century chapel’s interior is decorated with thousands of human bones and skulls! You’ll then have free time to discover Evora at your own pace. The Alentejo region is renowned for its cuisine, so tonight, why not get together with your fellow travellers and try some local specialties like migas alentejanas (pork with breadcrumbs cooked in garlic, olive oil and herbs).

On your way to Olhao today, make a stop to visit a local winery that still uses ancient wine production techniques rooted in Roman traditions. During your guided tour and tasting, you’ll see how large clay pots known as amphoras (or talhas) are used to produce distinctive, expressive wines. Next, sit down to a traditional Alentejan lunch with your group, giving you a taste of the acclaimed flavours and fresh produce of this region. In the afternoon, continue your journey to the Algarve region, arriving in Olhao, known for its fishing history and scenic setting on the Ria Formosa lagoon.

Start today with an orientation walk through Olhao with your leader. Pass the local markets, full of fresh seafood and local produce, people-watch along the lively waterfront and see the Cubist architecture that gives this city a distinct look. Next, hop on a boat for a cruise on the Ria Formosa lagoon. This protected lagoon is rich in flora and fauna including chameleons, spoonbills and flamingos, and is home to one of the biggest seahorse populations in the world. The rest of the day is free for you to experience Olhao however you like. Maybe take a ferry to Culatra Island to kick back on the beach, take a train to historic Faro, circled by ancient city walls, or visit the salt pans to bathe in the saline pools. If you’re after something more hands-on, consider joining a tile-painting workshop where you can craft a special souvenir to take home.

Travel by private vehicle to Setubal – a coastal city fringed by the mountains of Arrabida Natural Park. Join a local guide for a tour of the city including a stop at the renowned Livramento Fish Market, where you’ll sample some regional specialties. This afternoon, continue to Lisbon, where you’ll have some free time to see any parts of the city you might have missed at the start of the trip. Tonight, join your group for a special farewell dinner at a restaurant in partnership with Refood – an Intrepid Foundation partner working to reduce food waste and feed locals in need. Raise a glass with your new travel friends – here’s to an incredible adventure!