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Pousadas Tour of Portugal
Discover the extraordinary feeling of being a guest in some of the exclusive hotels, located throughout Portugal. Situated in castles, monasteries, fortresses and places of special natural beauty from the North to the South, Pousadas de Portugal are real treasures of country’s history. Enjoy a fascinating journey through the culture, traditions and legends of Portugal, while experiencing quality accommodation with personal service.
Day 1
Lisbon - Cascais Pousada 5* (40 km/1h)
Arrive at Lisbon airport and enjoy a transfer through the beautiful landscapes of the Lisbon region until you reach the Atlantic coast and the postcard-perfect town Cascais. You will be accommodated in the emblematic Pousada de Cascais - a 16th century Citadel and Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Luz. It was from here that the Portuguese Royal Family would go to the beach and this luxury hotel was once their royal residence.
Day 2
Cascais - Sintra (20 km/30 min) - Lisbon (40 km/1h) - Setúbal Pousada 4* (50 km/1h)
Today start with a sightseeing tour of Sintra, UNESCO Heritage town. Visit the most ancient Royal Palace in Portugal, dating from 14th century, and the colorful Palacio da Pena and feel the romantic atmosphere of this medieval place. Continue to Lisbon for a half-day guided tour including Avenue of Liberdade, the monumental Comercio Square, the heart of the city - Rossio Square, and drive along the riverside for a visit of Belem Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, the best example of portuguese Manueline style and Vasco da Gama’s resting place. Enjoy free time and later, proceed to Setúbal for accommodation in Pousada de São Filipe. This old fort has unique location, offering stunning views of the river Sado, the Tróia peninsula and the historical city of Setúbal.
Day 3
Setúbal - Azeitão (20 km/30 min) - Sagres Pousada 4* (300 km/4,30h)
Leave Setúbal and admire the mediterranean vegetation of Arrabida Natural park. Reach the village of Azeitão and stop for a visit of one of the finest wine country estates, known as quintas. Worth a visit is the 15th century Quinta da Bacalhoa, a beautiful Renaissance villa with lovely gardens. Afterwards, travel through Alentejo, the biggest cork tree region in the world, and arrive in Sagres, one of the most historic and beautiful sites in the Algarve. Enjoy a night in Pousada de Sagres, built in commemoration of the death of Prince D. Henrique in the 5th century, with impressive views of the Fortress of Sagres.
Day 4
Sagres - Cabo de São Vicente- Lagos (40 km/1h) - Silves (40 km/1h) - Estoi Pousada 4* (60 km/1h)
In the morning learn about the rich history of Sagres and visit the famous school of navigation, founded by Henry the Navigator in 15th century. Proceed to the most northwestern point of Europe - Cabo de São Vicente, once considered as “the end of the world”. Stop for lunch in the picturesque coastal town of Lagos and driving through fields of orange trees reach Silves, the capital of Moorish Algarve with its red sandstone castle. At the end of the day, arrive in the small village of Estoi, where one of the most outstanding pousadas of Portuga lis located -an 18th century luxury palace, built in rococo style, reminiscent of the time of kings and queens.
Day 5
Estoi - Beja (150 km/2h)- Évora Pousada 5* (80 km/1,30h)
Leave behind the sunny Algarve and head to Beja, a medieval town with whitewashed houses and a 13th century castle. Learn about the secret love story of a nun, who once lived here. Later, proceed to Évora, a World Heritage city, famous as a museum-city, due to its many monuments. Next to the most famous landmark - the Roman Temple of Diana, and the Romanesque-gothic Cathedral, Pousada de Évora is located, where you will enjoy a one-night stay. This historic building was once the Monastery of Loios, founded in 1487. In the afternoon take your time to wander around the city and to try the local gastronomy and the excellent wines.
Day 6
Évora - Castelo de Vide (120 km/2h) - MarvãoPousada 4* (20 km/30 min)
Today travel to the northeastern part of Alentejo, where just a few kilometres from Spain, the charming small towns of Marvão and Castelo de Videcan be found. Take a walk through the steep streets with white cottages in the pretty little town Castelo de Vide, and discover the well-preserved Jewish quarter, with the oldest synagogue in the country. Continue to Marvão, a medieval mountain top village with whitewashed houses, leading to a magnificent 13th century castle rising from the rock. Here stay in Pousada de Marvão, a charming hotel with stunning views over the surrounding Alentejo countryside and Spanish lands.
Day 7
Marvão- Fátima (160 km/2,30h) - Coimbra (90 km/1,30h) - Condeixa Pousada 3* (20 km/30 min)
Drive to Fátima, considered one of the most important pilgrimage places in the world. Visit the Sanctuary and the Basilica with the tombs of the three shepherds, and admire the huge square, where the processions are held. Later, proceed to ancient Coimbra, a small charming town with the oldest university of Portugal. Visit Santa Cruz Monastery, containing the tombs of Portugal's first two kings and explore the Old Quarter. Arrive for accommodation in Condeixa Pousada, a historic building from the 16th century, which once belonged to the noble Almadas family.
Day 8
Condeixa - Porto Pousada 5* (130 km/2h)
Today arrive in lively Porto, the northern capital of Portugal and the home of the famous sweet wine. Enjoy a full-day guided tour, starting at the central avenue Avenida dos Aliados. Visit Palacio da Bolsa, with its beautiful Arab room, and St. Francisco Church and reach the famous riverfront of Ribeira, part of the UNESCO Heritage with its colorful painted houses. In the afternoon cross the Dom Luis Bridge, an iron masterpiece, designed by Eiffel, and get to Vila Nova de Gaia, where one can visit a Porto Wine Cellar and taste the renowned drink. Stay in one of the most desirable Pousada hotels - the baroque style Freixo Palace.
Day 9
Porto - Aveiro (80 km/1h) - Nazaré (160 km/2h) - Alcobaça(15 km/30 min) - Óbidos Pousada 4* (40 km/1h)
Today head south again and make the first stop in Aveiro, a pretty small town, known as the Venice of Portugal due to its canals. Enjoy a traditional cuisine lunch in the picturesque fishing village of Nazaré and then, visit the famous gothic Monastery of Alcobaça, housing the tombs of King Don Pedro and his beloved Inês de Castro. In the afternoon reach the most romantic medieval village of Portugal - Óbidos. Learn why it is called “the wedding present town” and enjoy luxury accommodation in the 12th century Castle of Óbidos, today converted to a Pousada.
Day 10
Óbidos - Lisbon (90 km/1,30h)- Queluz Pousada 4* (20 km/30 min)
In the morning head to the lively capital for a day at your leisure. Spend the last night in the Queluz Pousada, founded in the clock tower building of Queluz, and discover the National Palace of Queluz, standing next to the hotel. Known as the "Portuguese Versailles" this amazing Palace is the permanent residence of the royal family since 1794.
Day 11
Queluz - Lisbon (20 km/30 min)
Departure to Lisbon airport.
More Pousadas…
Discover the rest of the Pousadas by choosing your favorite tour and we will pick for you the most charming and historic places in Portugal to stay in. Here are some of the suggestions for having the holiday you’ve ever dreamed of:
● Pousada de Guimarães, Santa Marinha 5*- Located on a hillside, overlooking the historic city of Guimarães, the Pousada is one of the most beautiful relic of the golden times of monasteries.
● Pousada de Viana do Castelo, Santa Luzia 4*- Built in 1918, the outstanding hotel with its high majestic granite walls, offers the guests a magnificent view of the Mount Santa Luzia, Lima estuary and the Atlantic ocean.
● Pousada de Gerês - Amares 5* - This fantastic hotel is a result of the restoration of a 12th century Cistercian Monastery. Located at Minho region, the Pousada is a perfect place to visit the National Park of Peneda Gerês, and the wine region of Amares.
● Pousada de Alvito 5* - The historic Pousada takes the place of a 15th century castle, situated at the heart of the Alentejo region. Feel the amazing medieval atmosphere and admire the islamic, gothic and manueline architecture styles of the castle.
● Pousada de Tavira 4*- Situated in the charming Algarve town of Tavira, you have the chance to stay in the Santo Agostinho Convent, founded in 16th century. Don’t miss the discovered islamic archeological treasures at the hotel’s Patio Moor bar.