Creating a loop from the vibrant capital city of Lisbon, this 10-day self-driving tour is an adventure into the soul of Portugal. Connect with the locals, venture away from the tourist trail, and discover the dazzling diversity of destinations that make the country so distinctive. Indulge in the coastline, castles, marble towns, salty harbors, sunbaked plains, spire-packed cities, and much more. With this unique route, you celebrate all the highlights that Portugal loves to hide.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Lisbon – A Gregarious Welcome in the Capital
Lisbon loves to provide a warm welcome and the capital is full of energy and ebullience. The atmosphere whisks you away, pulling you into a city that can also easily lay on the charm. After a seamless transfer from the airport to your hotel, you have a day at leisure and a chance to wander around the neighborhoods that fill Lisbon with such vitality. Baroque ghouls watch you on open plazas, dishes and glasses pile up on terrace tables, tiny doorways entice you inward, and narrow lanes open onto expressive viewpoints. You can walk between the neighborhoods, and there is a lot to discover when you are on foot. For a more complete introduction, you can ride the number 28 tram, the iconic yellow tramcar that has been rumbling up and down Lisbon for more than a century.
What's Included:
Day 2
Lisbon – Discovering the Villages That Make up a City
Day 3
Marvao – Cruising Through Alentejo to Old Marble Cities
Day 4
Guarda – A Roman Spas Charming Villages and Panoramic Fortresses
Day 5
Guimaraes – A Day of Exploring That Seems to Define Iberian History
Day 6
Porto – Traditions and Temptations of the North
Day 7
Porto – Full Day to Explore Porto Without the Car
Day 8
Coimbra – Mesmerizing Memoirs to Portugal’s Distinctive History
Day 9
Lisbon – Legends and Memoirs on the Road Back to Lisbon
Day 10
Lisbon – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Follow a unique self-drive route that has been handcrafted to celebrate the complete allure of Portugal, with each destination offering a different version of history and culture
- Explore the dazzling open landscapes of Portugal, crossing the dusty Alentejo plains, green Minho valleys, and cliff-strewn coastlines
- Enjoy sublime accommodation in some of Portugal’s oldest destinations, like a castle town from the eighth century and a charming walled city of cobblestone and whitewashed houses
- Discover many of the country’s World Heritage Sites, including the cities of Evora and Guimaraes, Coimbra University, and the monasteries at Alcobaca and Batalha
- Uncover Portugal’s most recognizable highlights with two guided days in Lisbon and a full day in and around Porto
- Meet with the locals and enjoy traditional Portuguese hospitality as you travel to destinations that are far from the tourist trail
- Stop at dozens of panoramas along the way, including castles above the Atlantic waves and the highest mountains in Portugal
Starting Price
$3,900 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.92 stars based on 1343 reviews.
We recently used Zicasso's travel specialist to help plan and coordinate our trip to Paris and Lisbon, and the experience was absolutely outstanding from start to finish. Every detail of our itinerary was thoughtfully arranged and the entire trip ran smoothly, thanks to their meticulous planning.
In both cities, the accommodations they selected were perfect—centrally located, charming, and comfortable, with excellent service. We truly felt like we were staying in places that matched our style and needs. The staff at both hotels were very accommodating and helpful.
The excursions and tours arranged by the agency were equally impressive. Each guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and added so much depth to our experience. Whether it was exploring hidden gems in Paris or enjoying the culture and history of Lisbon, the tours were well-paced, enriching, and never felt rushed or overly touristy.
We especially appreciated how flexible and responsive the team was throughout the process. They took the time to understand what we were looking for and customized everything to fit our preferences. It made a huge difference knowing we were in such capable hands. We can’t recommend this agency highly enough. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and personal touch turned our trip into an unforgettable experience. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the wonderful individuals who made our journey so memorable. Each of them played a unique role in crafting an experience that exceeded our expectations.
Our travel agent, who thoughtfully customized our itinerary with care and creativity. Her ability to listen and tailor the trip to our interests laid the perfect foundation for everything that followed.
Our trip planner, for her warm, personal touches that welcomed us at each hotel and for being readily available throughout our travels. Her kindness, attention to detail, and support made us feel truly cared for every step of the way.
Our culinary tour guide, who led us on a delightful tasting tour. Her friendly energy, deep knowledge, and passion for the local cuisine added a rich and flavorful layer to our time abroad.
Our winery expert, whose expertise and engaging personality made our champagne tastings unforgettable. His insights and enthusiasm helped us appreciate each sip in an entirely new way.
Our history guide, for sharing his deep knowledge of history with such warmth and compassion. His thoughtful storytelling and genuine care made our time together educational and incredibly meaningful.
Reviewed By Michelle S.
We had an amazing trip to Portugal. The Zicasso travel agent's planning allowed us to enjoy a wonderful and stress-free holiday. She and her team even picked us up from and dropped us off at the airport.
We enjoyed all of the activities she planned. The tour guides were extremely knowledgeable.
Her restaurant recommendations were great too! Our drivers were friendly and helpful.
Reviewed By Hope M.
Memorable Mother-Daughter Trip!
We had a wonderful mother-daughter trip to Spain and Portugal! I traveled with my 16-year-old daughter and everything was beautifully organized—excellent accommodations, knowledgeable guides, reliable drivers, and thoughtful recommendations throughout. One of the absolute highlights was a cooking tour in Spain, which gave us an unforgettable, authentic experience.
The agency was extremely responsive and a huge bonus was their app, which made it easy to access our itinerary and connect with them via live chat for questions, tips, and extra suggestions along the way. We felt fully supported from start to finish and would enthusiastically recommend Zicasso's travel partners to anyone planning a special trip.
Reviewed By Shela H.
We had an excellent trip! Everything went as planned. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. We would definitely use Zicasso again.
Reviewed By Amy G.
We had an amazing trip! Zicasso's travel coordinator worked with us and designed a schedule that was just right for the pace we wanted for a relaxing getaway. She was very responsive when we had questions throughout the trip as well.
Reviewed By Kristen S.
The trip was all that we expected and the Zicasso travel agency's planning and assistance were exceptional.
Reviewed By Chris V.