Portugal Meets Spain, Self-drive (Multi country)

Land bathed by the Atlantic which feeds its history, conquests and invasions, this self-drive tour reflects the richness and diversity of attractions of its countries. Between modernity and tradition, you will discover its medieval walled cities; authentic villages and fantastic panoramas.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS 

Porto: one of the oldest cities in Europe, surrounded by stunning hills and blue rivers. Beautiful plazas, churches and houses with colourfully tiled façades are the architectural treasures of this UNESCO heritage city

Guimarães: attractive historic city, filled with a medieval atmosphere that is expressed at many castles and medieval fortresses, often recognized as a cradle of Portugal

Santiago de Compostela: Pilgrimage centre, devoted to the Apostol Santiago, covered by the legends and myths about the pagan witches and other mystical supernatural entities

Coimbra: Coimbra’s University is one of the oldest in the world, with its magnificent baroque library

Sintra: The UNESCO World Heritage Site is perhaps one of the most stunning spots in all of Europe with the most mysterious palaces and castles

Day 1: ARRIVAL PORTO / CAR PICK-UP

Arrive at Porto International Airport, pick up the car and drive to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. You can rest or get to know beautiful Porto, an enchanting city and UNESCO World Heritage site, filled with historic buildings and outstanding monuments. Stroll the beautiful streets of Porto, admire its architecture, and indulge in mouth-watering local food. 

Overnight in Porto.

Day 2: PORTO

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel and get ready to explore charming Porto and its beautiful surroundings. Wander around its lovely neighbourhoods and, perhaps, visit the fascinating San Francisco Church, the best example of baroque in the north. Then, catch a glimpse of the Stock Exchange Palace with its famous Moorish Hall, and see one of the famous Port Wine Cellar where you can enjoy a memorable wine tasting session. Catch sight of the city centre and if you are a shopping aficionado, check out Santa Catarina street, a beautiful pedestrian area great for walking and perfect for shopping. 

Overnight in Porto.

Day 3: PORTO – GUIMARAES – BRAGA – VIANA DO CASTELO (144km – 2hrs)

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel and get ready for your next destination. Drive to Guimaraes – the cradle of the nation and birthplace of the first king of Portugal, were walking through the historic centre, one is plunged for moments back into medieval times. Visit the Sacred Hill, crowned by the Castle, as well as the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança with its original buildings dating back to the 15th century. Drive to Braga known as the “Portuguese Rome” for its concentration of religious architecture, including the oldest cathedral in the country and the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, with its famous baroque stairway and gardens. Arrive at Viana do Castelo and check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Viana do Castelo.

Day 4: VIANA DO CASTELO – VIGO – PONTEVEDRA – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA/SPAIN (194km – 2.5hr)

After breakfast at the hotel explore Viana do Castelo, one of the most beautiful cities in the north of Portugal. This city has a strong connection to the sea – Portuguese Discoveries and cod fishing industry – and is well known for the amazing filigree works made of gold. Next drive to Vigo in Spain, the largest city of Galicia, located on the edge of the estuary that bears his name. It is considered the main fishing port in Europe. Continue to Pontevedra, the capital of the homonymous province in Galicia, northwestern Spain. It is considered by the United Nations as one of the best European cities to live in and is the Galician city that has the most pedestrian streets and green spaces per inhabitant. Arrive at Santiago de Compostela and check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Day 5: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend your day discovering Santiago de Compostela, world heritage since 1985 this city attracts visitors and pilgrims from all over the world. Walk around the city centre, visiting the Plaza del Obradoiro, and its Cathedral dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. In front of the Cathedral, the world-known Camino de Santiago ends.

Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Day 6: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – OURENSE – TELOES (300km – 3hrs)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel before continuing your journey. Discover Ourense, the city of water. Here you can find thermal waters all over the city and some are free, like the thermal springs of A Chavasqueira. Don’t miss the Fonte d’Burgas, one of the symbols of the city, where the water sprout out at 65 degrees. Arrive at Teloes village and check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Teloes.

Day 7: TELOES – PESO DA RÉGUA – LAMEGO – S. PEDRO DO SUL – VISEU (170km – 2hrs)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and drive to Vila Real. Visit the gardens of the Solar de Mateus, whose façade is depicted on the well-known Portuguese rosé wine bottles. Then enter the demarcated port region and travel through the vineyards and the breathtaking landscapes of the Douro Valley. Start in Peso da Régua a municipality that belongs to the district of Vila Real, located next to the Douro River, considered the Capital of the Douro Demarcated Wine Region. Stop in Lamego, overlooked by one of Portugal’s most important shrines Nossa Senhora dos Remédios with its magnificent baroque style staircase. Here, you can sample some of the local delicacies, including the local ham and the famous “Bola de Lamego” (a loaf baked in the oven with smoked ham). Continue to São Pedro do Sul which is worldwide famous for the thermal baths dating back from the time of pre-Roman. The unique richness of its natural mineral water emerges naturally on the surface at a temperature of 68 C and is distributed by two spas, Rainha D. Amélia and D. Afonso Henriques, which operate all year round. Drive to Viseu and check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Viseu.

Day 8: VISEU – LUSO - BUSSACO – COIMBRA (94km – 1hr)

After breakfast at the hotel explore Viseu, the centre of the Dão vineyards and a city connected to Portugal’s oldest hero, Viriato, a Lusitanian chief. Next, drive to Luso, one of Portugal’s most important spa towns located at the bottom of Bussaco forest. The healing quality of its mineral water is well known and thousands of bottles of “Água do Luso” are daily consumed. Drive through the heart of Portugal to Bussaco well known for its luxuriant forest, made up of a selection of rare trees and plants of exotic beauty, and hosting a charming and romantic hotel, formerly a royal hunting lodge. Continue to Coimbra for check in.

Overnight in Coimbra.

Day 9: COIMBRA – FIGUEIRA DA FOZ – BATALHA - FÁTIMA (146km – 2hrs)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. In Coimbra visit the University, one of the oldest in the world, with its magnificent baroque library and its unique atmosphere characterized by ancient traditions and customs such as the black student capes and the melancholic Fado music. Stop at St. Clara Church where the tomb of Queen Santa Isabel, the protagonist of the “miracle of the roses” lies. Then drive to Figueira da Foz located in the center of the country, a seaside resort with 34 kilometers of magnificent beaches to discover. Continue to Batalha where you can visit the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, a masterpiece of gothic architecture in Portugal where we also encounter the tomb of Henry the Navigator, the mastermind behind Portugal’s era of maritime discoveries. Next, drive to Fatima and check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Fatima.

Day 10: FÁTIMA – ÓBIDOS – SINTRA - LISBON (207km – 3hrs)

After breakfast at the hotel explore Fatima, one of the most important catholic shrines in the world dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Fatima's fame is due to the Apparitions of Our Lady of the Rosary that appeared to three shepherd children. Through a landscape rich in windmills and fruit trees, arrive at Óbidos, surrounded by medieval walls where you can admire the harmony of the architecture, the diversity of the handicrafts and taste the famous ginginha (bitter cherry liqueur). Continue to Sintra, a magical and enchanted place, where time stood still. Set on top of mountains and surrounded by a luxuriant forest that grows in this microclimatic region, you will find the most mysterious palaces and castles, hidden in a typical mist that often surprises the visitors. Just enjoy a walk in the narrow streets that surround the National Palace of Sintra – where the Portuguese royalty of the 15th and 16th centuries used to spend the summer months. Then, drive to Lisbon and check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Lisbon.

Day 11: LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. Start your day in Lisbon downtown, known as Baixa, the area reconstructed by Marquis of Pombal after the 18th-century earthquake. Nearby is Alfama, the oldest section of Lisbon, dating its foundation by the time of the Arabs. Visit Lisbon's most monumental and historical area - Belem. It was from here that many of the great Portuguese explorers embarked on their voyages of discovery. Today it is a spacious green suburb with many gardens, parks and monuments; Belem Tower is the city's icon. Jeronimos Monastery is a symbol of the Age of Discovery, both World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, with the original Manueline style, influenced by the theme of the discoveries.

Overnight in Lisbon.

Day 12: DEPARTURE LISBON / CAR DROP-OFF

Spend your last morning in Lisbon. Then, drive to Lisbon Airport, return the rental car and prepare for your return flight.

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Portugal. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.