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For those travellers who prefer to visit Portugal in an independent way we offer this Self Drive Itineraries.
These self-drive tours were designed based on our deep knowledge of our country and they have the purpose of being easy to explore by a first-time visitor to Portugal.
Keep in mind that reservations will be made and although you might change your route you will be expected at the selected overnight venue.
Day 1: Exploring Sintra and Cascais
You should start this day heading to Sintra, where you will be surprised by an unique atmosphere. This is surely one of Portugal ex-libris, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site! As soon as you arrive to Sintra you'll be dazzled by the mountain, its exuberant vegetation and the very special
micro climate. The high humidity provides an extraordinary Flora, which helps creating the romantic and natural ambiance that so much characterises Sintra. Spend some time hanging around the small town centre, among the old chalets and all the commercial spots, exhibiting some of the most interesting
Handicrafts. Not to forget: to try the well-known Travesseiros ("Pillow cases") and Queijadas, two kinds of local delicious pastries you'll remember forever. On the way to Cascais, you should take the mountain road in order to enjoy a breathtaking view over the Ocean. And since you're so close now, take
a look at Roca Cape , the western most spot in continental Europe , considered to be the end of the known world until the early 15th Century.
If you continue your way along the main road, and after crossing the wonderful coast of Guincho, you'll surely reach the pretty towns of Cascais and Estoril. This coastal area will always be remembered as places of charm, having several attractions like its
famous beaches and the old Casino of Estoril. Now, on the way back to Lisbon, always along the smart Estoril's Coast, the remaining feeling will for sure be the wish of coming back!
Approximate distances and times:
Lisbon - Sintra --- 32 Km (40 minutes)
Sintra - Roca Cape --- 19 Km (25 minutes)
Roca Cape - Cascais --- 16 Km (20 minutes)
Cascais - Estoril --- 3 Km (5 minutes)
Estoril - Lisbon --- 29 Km (45 minutes)
Accommodation in Lisbon:
Level A Hotel: Pestana Palace (5 stars Deluxe)
Level B Hotel: Hotel Açores Lisboa (4 stars)
Day 2: Departure to Coimbra, passing by Óbidos, Nazaré, Alcobaça, Batalha and Fátima
In order to get to Óbidos you must take the A8. As soon as you leave the highway you'll find a beautiful small medieval town, still surrounded by the old city walls. Óbidos is famous for its very well preserved atmosphere of a traditional Portuguese town, where the entire whitewashed houses are very
carefully decorated with lovely coloured flowerbeds.
Continuing your way to Nazaré, you'll arrive to a very genuine fishermen's town, where still nowadays many elder local women hang around in their traditional costume: the famous skirt of Nazaré and its 6 petticoats. Go to Sítio (top of the cliff leaned over the
beach) and enjoy the most adorable panorama over the small town and the coast. Don't leave before finding out every detail about the local picturesque Legend.
After Nazaré, it is now mandatory to pass by Alcobaça. Here you can choose from visiting the interior of the big 12th century abbey and monastery (a World Heritage site since 1985) and strolling across the lovely town centre, between both water streams which
long time ago named the area: Alcoa and Baça.
Afterwards, please proceed to Batalha, where there won't be any chance to avoid the well known monastery; besides being also classified by UNESCO (in 1983), this construction overpowers the small town for its dimensions and exquisite late Gothic decoration.
As soon as you complete the visit, you'll start following the direction of Fatima. Arriving to the "Altar of the World" where our Lady is said to have appeared to three young shepherds, go across the central square, visiting the most significant spots (such as
the original chapel of the apparitions and the main basilica).
You can also have a look at the old countryside homes where Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta (the three little shepherds of Fátima) were born in the early 20th century. You should now take A1 (one of the country's main highways), towards north in the direction of
Coimbra. Entering the city you'll still find several traces of the past. Nevertheless there's still a blow of youthfulness with the big student community arriving every year to the old University. This monument should indeed be one of the highlights of your visit.
Please, do not miss the University chapel and its barock library, or you'll regret it for ever! In its city centre you'll wander among old roman ruins, romanesque cathedrals and manueline churches at the same time you stroll across its commercial busy area. It
is not easy to distinguish here the limit between the old metropolis and the modern city.
Approximate distances and times:
Lisbon - Óbidos --- 86 Km (1 hour)
Óbidos - Nazaré --- 39 Km (30 minutes)
Nazaré - Alcobaça --- 14 Km (20 minutes)
Alcobaça - Batalha --- 20 Km (25 minutes)
Batalha - Fátima --- 19 Km (20 minutes)
Fátima - Coimbra --- 85 Km (1 hour)
Accommodation in Coimbra:
Level A Hotel: Quinta das Lágrimas (Relaix & Chateaux Charming 4 stars)
Level B Hotel: Hotel Tivoli Coimbra (4 stars)
Day 3: Departure to Porto
After a Coimbra visit, you'll continue your self-drive tour taking the highway to Porto. As soon as you get there, you'll understand how diversified Portugal is, although being a quite small country. Considered to be the second largest Portuguese city, Porto is completely different from Lisbon : in its
size, colours, traditions and even in what concerns the local population.
On the north bank of Douro river, the city of Porto is still one of the most conservative and impressive Portuguese cities, having still nowadays a certain feeling of rivalry towards Lisbon.
The riverside quarter of Ribeira is delightful to be visited, with its narrow streets, typical houses and picturesque life-style: it has been recently restored, now including now some fashionable restaurants and bars.
Afterwards please head to the city centre, where you can have a look at some of the most significant monuments (Stock Exchange Palace, St. Francis Church and Clérigos Church and Bell Tower) and also go to the commercial and pedestrian street of St. Catherine.
On the other bank of Douro river (at Vila Nova de Gaia ) you'll have the chance of visiting the Port Wine cellars, including some Port Wine tasting as well. In Porto you should definitely drive along the city until the mouth of the river and, on the way back to
the city centre, park your car and stroll across the historical centre and the World Heritage site (classified by UNESCO in 1996) Ribeira district.
Approximate distances and times:
Coimbra - Porto --- 116 Km (1h 20 minutes)
Accommodation in Porto:
Level A Hotel: Pestana Porto Hotel (Charming 4 stars)
Level B Hotel: Hotel Eurostars das Artes (4 stars)
Day 4: Departure to Braga, Guimarães and Amarante
In Braga you'll have the chance to see one of the oldest cathedrals in the Iberian Peninsula , where the adjoined dependences work also as an interesting museum related to the old tradition of Catholicism in the city. In the city of the Archbishops, you'll also be amazed by the busy commerce existing in
the city centre.
Afterwards, the city of Guimarães will surprise you for its beauty and simplicity. Here is mandatory to have a look at the former Palace of the Dukes of Bragança. This monument is located right beside Guimarães castle, this one considered to be the birth place
for the Portuguese Nation.
Then, walk through the narrow streets of the historical centre, meet finally the beautiful square of Oliveira (classified as an Heritage Cultural UNESCO site) and you'll be tempted to stop for a cup of coffee in one of its street cafes.
In Amarante, after accommodating yourself in Casa da Calçada, you won't resist crossing the bucolic Tâmega river, towards S. Gonçalo monastery (16th century). Take your evening walking around, exploring this small but lovelly historical centre.
Approximate distances and times:
Porto - Braga --- 54 Km (50 minutes)
Braga - Guimarães --- 26 Km (25 minutes)
Guimarães - Amarante --- 35 Km (50 minutes)
Accommodation in Amarante or Régua:
Level A Hotel (Amarante): Casa da Calçada (Relaix & Chateaux Charming 4 stars)
Level B Hotel (Régua): Hotel Régua Douro (4 stars)
Day 5: Departure to Régua, Lamego, Aveiro and Lisbon
On the next day drive all the way to Peso da Régua and, get prepared to enjoy one of the most wonderful landscapes in the world. You'll be crossing the Douro valley, where the terraced hill slopes hide one of the country's most valuable treasures: the beautiful vineyards from where the worldwide famous
Port wine is still nowadays produced. In Régua you'll once more realize how the local everyday life is clearly linked to the wine production and traditions.
Here you'll have the chance to visit a wine cellar and farm. Proceed to Lamego, a true lovely countryside city. The tiny dimensions of its city centre contrasts with the elegance and wealthy of some traces left by a past very much involved with the 18th century
Port wine production and trade. Dominated by the beautiful shrine in honour of Our Lady of "Remédios", the humble Lamego hardly reveals its heavy historical past, since the beginning of our Portuguese nationality.
Then you'll continue your way until Aveiro (through the main roads that links Lamego-Viseu-Aveiro), a city by the Atlantic, crossed by Vouga river and its waterways. This riverside location, and all the coloured Moliceiros (traditional local boats) we can see
while walking along the cannals, give Aveiro an unique atmosphere. But that's not everything; Aveiro has also some quite interesting museums and other cultural attraction to be visited, such as the Museum of Aveiro (worth to be visited even just for its location in the old convent of Princess Saint
Joana) and Vista Alegre china Factory and Museum (one of the oldest in Portugal and worldwide renown).
Visiting this city you'll also taste a calm everyday life, although the city is one of the biggest in the country, and recently quite much developed due to the new University. It's compulsory to stop trying the delicious Ovos Moles.
Return to Lisbon, again along the A1.
Approximate distances and times:
Amarante - Régua --- 41 km (50 minutes)
Régua - Lamego --- 17 km (15 minutes)
Lamego - Aveiro --- 126 Km (1h45 minutes)
Aveiro - Lisboa --- 257 Km (2h30 minutes)
Accommodation in Lisbon:
Level A Hotel: Pestana Palace (5 stars Deluxe)
Level B Hotel: Hotel Açores Lisboa (4 stars)
End of Self-Drive Tour |
