Tour of Portugal: Lisbon, Porto & the Duoro Valley

Surrounded by seven hills, Lisbon is the heart of Portugal’s seafaring history. Start your tour of Portugal at the Belém Tower, a manueline bastion that has welcomed weary travelers into Lisbon’s port since 1519. Tour the ancient 12th-century district of Alfama, before taking one of the classic yellow trams to one of the Bairro Alto district’s traditional bistros—raise a toast to the first step on your incredible Portuguese vacation.

Sintra has been home to the Portuguese royalty and elites for centuries. Start your day in Sintra by climbing to the yellow, red, and white ramparts of Pena Palace, whose architecture was intentionally wild at the time of construction in 1854. Walk in the footsteps of the Viscounts of Regaleira in the four-hectare grounds of the baroque Quinta da Regaleira palace, dotted with romantic fairytale grottoes.

Next, your tour of Portugal heads north to Porto, the country’s second city. Start your city next to the grey stone cathedral, that was started all the way back in 1110, before exploring the surrounding old town, the Bairro da Sé. As the sun sets, cross the Douro river to Ribeira, a ramshackle district that comes to life at night—our Travel Experts recommend enjoying the evening atmosphere with an ice-cold Sagres beer and some fresh Portuguese anchovies.

From Porto, board a riverboat for a cruise inland, along the majestic Douro Valley wine region. Start at Quinta do Covela, once home to renowned Portuguese film director Manoel de Oliveira. Today, it’s home to some dazzling vinho verde wine—our Travel Experts love the refreshingly dry Arinto. Return to Porto through the lush valleys, stopping off at Quinta da Marrocco for a rosé tasting, rounding off your Portugal vacation in style.