Grand Tour of Portugal

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a fascinating and vibrant city that offers a unique combination of history, culture and natural beauty. Situated on the banks of the Tagus River, it has for centuries turned its gaze towards the Atlantic Ocean, which has marked the historical and cultural events of the city and the entire country. Unique atmospheres can be experienced in the historic quarters; colourful houses and UNESCO World Heritage monuments, winding alleys and cobbled streets opening onto enchanting squares, an up and down path of the iconic trams; Chiado, Bairro Alto, Alfama and Belém hold the capital's architectural and cultural treasures: São Jorge Castle, the Monastero dos Jerónimos, the Monument to the Discoveries, the Tower of Belém, the Sé of Lisbon (Cathedral and the National Museum of Archaeology) are the must-see sights. The Baixa district reveals the modern and cosmopolitan face of the city: Avenida da Liberdade, the main artery of commerce and shopping, Praça dos Restauradores, Plaça do Rossio, Praça do Comércio the landmarks of this vast city area. A museum facility of absolute value, the Parque das Nações, inaugurated on the occasion of EXPO 1998 with its famous Oceanarium, the Vasco da Gama and 25 Abril Bridges that characterise the city skyline, a lively nightlife, the Mercado da Ribeira, which pays homage to the typical products of the national cuisine, are further highlights of the Lusitanian capital. In the immediate vicinity we point out: Cascais and its peninsula, only 30 km from the city centre, with its famous beaches and an enchanting, cosmopolitan old town, Sintra, a beautiful town at the foot of the Serra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its monuments, palaces and gardens: Palácio Nacional da Pena, Castelo dos Mouros, Quinta da Regaleira and the Park and Palace of Monserrate, Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in Europe and looking out over the infinite Ocean, the Setubal Peninsula and the Arrábida Natural Park, about 50 km from the centre of the capital; an enchanting landscape nestled between the surrounding heights and the Atlantic beaches, with the town of Setubal at its centre.

Coimbra, overlooking the Mondego River, is best known for its ancient university, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013 along with Rua da Sofia and the upper part of the city. It has a millennial history that is reflected in its architecture and cultural heritage, which can be seen in the fascinating maze of narrow, steep streets that connect the lower, modern part of the city, the Baixa, with the historic core, the Alta. The university, located on the Alcaçova hill, is home to the Joanina Library, world-renowned for its beauty and valuable old books (entrance fee and time slots - book tickets online to plan your visit to the city according to your allotted time slot). The view of the university complex should not be limited to the Library, but it is worth climbing the Tower (for a fee), where the bells that used to mark the rhythm of lectures are located, to admire the splendid view, the Pátio das Escolas, the Sala dos Capelos where the most important ceremonies take place, the Capela de São Miguel with an impressive Baroque organ. Other monuments and churches bear witness to the city's historical past: the Old Cathedral, located on Alcaçova Hill, an extraordinary example of Romanesque architecture, the Convento de Santa Clara-a-Velha, Gothic architecture along the banks of the Mondego River, the Machado de Castro Museum, housed in an old bishop's palace with a remarkable collection of sacred art, sculptures and ceramics. The young and dynamic university environment contributes to the festive atmosphere in the streets. During the academic year, musical groups of students in black cloaks (tunas) perform in the streets and clubs of the centre, where the tradition of Fado is perpetuated, which in this city takes on different characteristics from the rest of the country. Nearby are the Ruinas de Conimbriga, the largest and best-preserved Roman archaeological site in the country, the 27 shale villages of the Serra da Lousa about an hour from the city, and kayaking adventures along the Rio Mondego.

The strategic location between the mouth of the Douro River and the Atlantic has inevitably marked the historical and cultural events of the nation's second largest city, a scenic location that has contributed to the tourist success of this corner of north-western Portugal. The light and reflections of sunsets, cobbled streets climbing hillsides lined with brightly coloured houses, azulejos embellishing the architecture of stations and streets in the city centre, the old meeting the modern thanks to the rich historical heritage recognised by UNESCO and the famous Porto School of Architecture that trained a generation of architects led by Pritzker Prize winner Álvaro Siza Vieira, designers of some of the city's most iconic modern buildings Six bridges connect the banks of the Douro River. On the right bank is the historic centre, a true treasure trove of beauty and heritage. The Sé, the monumental cathedral offering a marvellous view of the Ribeira below, the city's ancient and beating heart, picturesque corners and bars overlooking the river, the Sao Bento Station with its azuljeos, the Igreja de S. Francisco, a Gothic building with sumptuous Baroque interiors, the Palacio da Bolsa and the legendary Livraria Lello (Lello Bookshop). Moving towards the western districts, we reach Foz, a pleasant neighbourhood overlooking the ocean. The modern part of the city is enriched by the work of the architects of the Porto School of Architecture and its heirs: the De Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art and its gardens, the Casa da Música, the Art Nouveau buildings on Avenida dos Aliados, the shopping street, the Palácio de Cristal, with panoramic views of the river and the Soares dos Reis Museum, the Cordoaria garden-museum, the Torre dos Clérigos, a 76-metre high Baroque tower offering a splendid view of the city The left bank, which can be reached on foot from the Ribeira via the pedestrian footbridge of the D. Luís bridge, reserves new and exciting surprises. The Jardim do Morro, popular for watching the sunset and for the entrance to the cable car that descends to the wharves below, where the prestigious wine cellars of the renowned Douro Valley wine production are open for visits and tastings. .

The EN222 is the road that leads the visitor into the heart of the Douro wine region. The journey begins in Vila Nova de Gaia (Porto), home of the most prestigious wineries, and continues, skirting wide stretches of the river, upstream and into the heart of the vineyards. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stretches over a length of 226 km from the river estuary to Miranda do Douro, on the border with Spain. Our attention and generally that of international tourists is focused on the approximately 30 kilometres that separate Peso da Regua and Pinhao. The town of Mesao Frio marks the entrance to the most famous and iconic stretch of the valley. Following the river on the left bank for about 30 minutes, one reaches Peso da Regua, the nerve centre, home to a fine museum dedicated to the winemaking tradition and the starting point of numerous boat excursions along the river (numerous offers for duration and type of navigation). Another 30 minutes by car leads to Pinhao, which welcomes visitors with the beautiful azulejos that line the train station (the train ride between Peso da Regua and Pinhao is very popular and can replace a car for sightseeing). The visit to the valley is a succession of winding ups and downs, with elevated viewpoints offering magnificent views of the terraces, the river and the charming villages and hamlets that dot the banks and are home to the many wineries producing the renowned liqueur wine as well as excellent table wines. Worthy of note on the left bank of the river is the village of Lamego, nestled at the foot of an immense staircase of azulejos azure, with an ancient history behind it, starting with the Roman settlement of the 1st century, a borderland centuries-old disputed for its position and therefore rich in historical and cultural evidence. There is also a series of trekking routes of varying difficulty that will allow you to walk among the vineyards and enjoy the magnificent views of the river. Information is available at the tourist offices of Peso da Regua, Lamego and Pinhao and at the establishments chosen for the stay.

Known as 'the garden city', due to the large number of green spaces dotting its medieval-looking historical centre, Viseu, former capital of Beira Alta, surprises the visitor with well-preserved historical buildings, charming alleys and squares and important monuments and churches that narrate the city's ancient history: the Sé Catedral de Viseu, with its imposing Gothic façade, Praça da República and the Panel de Azulejos, the bishop's palace that houses the Grão Vasco Museum, mainly dedicated to the masterpieces of the famous Renaissance painter, the Fontelo Park, an oasis of tranquillity in the heart of Viseu. In the surrounding area, there is the Dao wine-growing area crossed by a cycle track (Ecopista do Dao - 47 km through vineyards, rivers and villages between Viseu and Santa Comba Dao) carved out along a disused railway line, charming walled villages such as Trancoso and Almeida. For lovers of untouched spaces, the Serra da Estrella, Portugal's highest mountain range, breathtaking landscapes, outdoor activities and rich local culture.