Portugal Private Tour

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Why You Should Go

Portugal is a small country in Europe that packs quite a punch and never ceases to surprise visitors with all it has to offer. Although tourism is on the rise, it is still considered “off the beaten path” when it comes to a European adventure, which is a huge advantage to travelers. There are no large crowds or long lines to visit main attractions, which makes for a laid-back and tranquil trip. The country is situated alongside Spain, stretching vertically over 350 miles north to south and 135 miles east to west, and taking up the majority of the Atlantic coastline. Due to this geography, you are sure to have memorable views and be able to enjoy the ocean breeze throughout most of your visit.

Portugal’s benefits don’t stop there, it’s no secret why this destination is becoming high on traveler’s radars: it simply has it all. In addition to the stunning abundance of coastline, the country is gifted with its gastronomy (mouth-watering seafood!), wine production, history, culture, and activities! You may find yourself in the Alentejo region stargazing in one of the world’s clearest skies, or perhaps in the Algarve sunbathing on a remote beach, you may even find yourself in the Douro Valley amongst miles of vineyards and picturesque rolling hills, the possibilities are endless! If time permits, we also suggest visiting one of the breathtaking islands such as Madeira or the Azores. No matter your interests or desires, Portugal is waiting to welcome you and leave you wanting more!

Best Travel Time: Spring Summer Fall

*All of our comprehensive private tour itineraries are inclusive of all luxury accommodations, private guide/driver throughout, daily meals as specified, INTERNAL flights/rail /private transfers as needed, & all taxes/service fees.

Sample Itinerary

10 Days

Each private luxury tour is custom to the wishes of each client. This itinerary is a sample. Partnering with our long-established relationship with United Airlines, our sister company, TRAVNET, may provide competitive Polaris/Business Class international airfare, along with mileage points conversion.

Day 1

Fly to Lisbon
Through our sister company, premium air provider TRAVNET, we may assist with your international airfare, as well as with mileage points conversion.

Day 2

Arrive Lisbon
Upon arrival in Lisbon, you will be privately transferred to your hotel.

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, predating London, Paris, and Rome. Conquered by early Germanic tribes, Moors, Romans, Berbers (Arabs from North Africa), Norwegian crusaders, and the Portuguese, Lisbon tells a story of deep history unparalleled in other parts of Europe and the world.

Reflecting its long and varied history, Lisbon’s architecture is an amalgamation of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern, and Postmodern constructions. In 1755, a massive earthquake lasting roughly eight minutes hit Lisbon, followed by a city-engulfing tsunami and a week-long firestorm. Though much of the city was destroyed, a great deal of monuments remain to this day. However, after such a colossal event, it has become a point of historical reference. Lisbon’s architecture can often be dated in terms of “before or after the earthquake.”

Meals: —
Accommodations: Bairro Alto Hotel or Verride Palácio de Santa Catarina

Day 3

Lisbon Full Day Private Tour
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be met by your private guide and driver for a day of touring Lisboa! Your tour begins at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte viewpoint to give a full scope of the city tour you are about to embark on. Continue to the Alfama neighborhood, Lisbon’s oldest
quarter. Visit the picturesque Belém Tower and learn the history of this well-preserved landmark. Next, marvel at the Jeronimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol of Portugal’s power and wealth during the “Age of Discovery.” Your tour concludes with a sampling of the famous Pastéis de Belém, before privately transferring back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Bairro Alto Hotel or Verride Palácio de Santa Catarina

Day 4

Full-Day Private Excursion to Sintra and Cascais + Optional Guincho Beach Stopover
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be met by your private guide and driver for a day excursion to Sintra and Cascais. Sintra, known as the “town of palaces,” is located just 15 miles outside Lisbon. Steeped in mysticism and generational lore, Sintra is a near storybook-like town located just west of Lisbon. Situated on the jagged slopes of the misty Sintra Mountains, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra is the historical home of impressive, centuries-old structures built with elements of European, Indian, and Moorish design. You will visit the Park and Palace of Monserrate, Quinta da Regaleira, and Pena Palace.

On the way back to Lisbon, you have the option of a Guincho Beach and Cabo da Roca stopover, set on the Atlantic shores and the Serra de Sintra hills, known as the “End of Europe.” This is the westernmost point of continental Europe and lies within the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais. Its westernmost location made it a formidable geopolitical power during the Peninsular War of the early 1800s between Portugal, the United Kingdom, Spain, and France, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, who ordered an army of 30,000 French soldiers to invade Portugal via Spain. The cape protected mainland Portugal during the war, as well as featuring a lighthouse perched 541 feet above sea level with enough wattage to successfully guide ships from nearly 30 miles away.

Your final stopover includes a visit to Cascais, once the preferred summer retreat of Portugal’s royal and ruling class. A 1.5-mile promenade connects Cascais to the riviera town of Estoril. Estoril is the town where English writer Ian Fleming was inspired by the idea to write James Bond during his WWII posting.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Bairro Alto Hotel or Verride Palácio de Santa Catarina

Day 5

Transfer Lisbon to Coimbra + stopover in Nazaré en route
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be met by your guide and driver for a transfer to Quinta das Lágrimas in Coimbra with a stop in Nazaré to visit the Alcobaça Monastery. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was founded in 1153 by Portugal’s first king, Alfonso I, and is a masterpiece of Gothic Cistercian art with royal tombs and a royal pantheon. Afterwards, enjoy a fresh lunch in the country’s largest surfing town and take the funicular up the hill to the old neighborhood of Sitio. From here, continue on to transfer to your hotel in Coimbra.

If traveling towards the end of the year, November marks the beginning of the “big wave” season in Nazaré. At peak season, waves can reach heights of up to 100 feet. Surfers and spectators take advantage of the giant waves that are formed from an underwater canyon, causing swells that can be viewed from many locations in Nazaré, with the best views at São Miguel Arcanjo Fort and the nearby cliffs.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Quinta das Lágrimas

Day 6

Private Half-Day Tour of Coimbra + Transfer to Douro Valley
After breakfast at Quinta das Lágrimas, you will be met by your guide and driver for a half-day tour of Coimbra. This riverfront city in Portugal is best known for its historic university. The University of Coimbra, the oldest in Portugal, and its Johannine Library are sights not to be missed! Built in the early 1700s, this library is home to over 50,000 volumes and was converted from the ruins of an old prison. You’ll have some time to explore and enjoy lunch on your own before transferring to your hotel in the Douro Valley.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Six Senses Douro Valley or Quinta da Pacheca

Day 7

Douro Valley Full-Day Private Tour
After breakfast at Quinta da Pacheca, you will be met by your guide and driver for a full-day private tour of the Douro Valley, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. Journey through the lush, rolling hills, terraced by endless rows of grapevines. Embark on a traditional rabelo boat and enjoy a scenic cruise on the Douro River, spotting the many estates and admiring their individual vineyards. No visit to the Douro Valley is complete without a wine tasting, which you will experience alongside a carefully paired lunch as well as a tour of the winery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Six Senses Douro Valley or Quinta da Pacheca

Day 8

Private Douro Valley Half-Day Tour + Transfer to Porto
After breakfast at Quinta da Pacheca, you will be met by your guide and driver for a half-day continued private tour of the Douro Valley. Make your way to a local estate and meet with the property’s viscountess, who will teach you the history of their family and the estate. Later, enter the kitchen and learn how to use the traditional wood-burning stove, where you will have a hands-on cooking experience topped off with a lunch to enjoy the fruits of your labor. After lunch, transfer to your hotel in Porto.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Infante Sagres or Le Monumental Palace

Day 9

Porto Full-Day Private Tour
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be met by your guide and driver for a full-day private tour of Portugal’s city of bridges. Begin by exploring the Cais da Ribeira, to the opulent 19th-century Palácio da Bolsa, which once functioned as a major stock exchange. Our “Europe Lady,” Kayla, suggests a visit to the lavish Arabian room, covered in gold and stunning shimmering tiles – it is a haven of beauty and wealth! You may also choose to visit the São Francisco Church and the Romanesque Cathedral. After your tour, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Infante Sagres or Le Monumental Palace

Day 10

Transfer to Porto Airport + Fly Porto/Home

Hotels

This 55-room upscale hotel is one of our favorite properties in Lisbon! Its ideal central location between the Bairro Alto and Chiado neighborhoods make it easy to access the main attractions. We especially love that the rooms are individually decorated, and no two rooms are the same! You may expect to find some clawfoot tubs, Ralph Lauren-designed wallpaper, Nuno Cera photos, or balconies. The rooms display a colorful pastel hue with natural and sophisticated touches. We recommend grabbing a cocktail at the beautiful rooftop terrace, offering picturesque panoramic views over the city and Tejo River. The in-house restaurant run by Michelin Star Chef Nuno Mendes brings local cuisine to delicious heights. The wellness center offers a number of treatments and activities for relaxation, such as a sauna, sensory shower, massages, and therapeutic treatments. If you are looking to keep up with your fitness regiment, the hotel’s latest technology gym will be sure to keep you on track whilst on your travels!

Bairro Alto Hotel

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Verride Palácio de Santa Catarina is a luxury, five-star boutique hotel established in 2022. The four-story palatial building was once the private residence of an 18th-century count. The intentional, detailed work of architect Terena Nunes da Ponte is reflected in the intersection of the palace’s original 18th-century construction with 21st-century features. Outfitted with elements of stucco, marble, and handcrafted Azulejo tile, da Ponte’s commitment to preservation is palpable. Today, the palace is home to 18 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites, all with large double-glazed windows overlooking the rust-orange barrel roofs of Lisbon. Inside, rooms feature Celso de Lemos sheets and Aesop products.

Located in Lisbon’s old town, in between the cobblestone paths of the bohemian Bairro Alto neighborhood and Lisbon’s art and shopping hub, Chiado. Common areas include the new Lisbon Club 55 and Suba Restaurant, in addition to a Winter Garden and a rooftop. Guests are invited to tailor-make their breakfast each morning at the helm of the hotel’s resident chef.

Verride Palácio de Santa Catarina

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The recently renovated Tivoli Avenida Liberdade welcomes you to its attractive 286 room/suite property in the heart of Lisbon! This upscale hotel is located along bustling Avenida da Liberdade, one of the most expensive shopping streets in Europe. Its ideal location puts you walking distance from main attractions, restaurants, and nightlife – making for a very nice home base. Rooms are simple and elegant and offer a tranquil space of modern amenities to enjoy during your stay. Rooms and suites have separate sitting areas plus Nespresso coffeemakers. Bathrooms are modern and sleek, with marble tiled tubs and showers, white countertops, premium toiletries, hairdryers, and magnifying mirrors. The hotel has two exclusive restaurants and bars, including a Sky Bar with breathtaking views over the city. The food specializes in fresh seafood that comes from local sources along the coastline. When you’re not out exploring Lisbon, you are free to unwind at the hotel’s Anantara full-service Spa.

Tivoli Avenida Liberdade

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Occupying a historic 18th-century palace, Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas is a classic version of luxury just across the river from Coimbra. The 52-rooms range from traditionally elegant to sleek and modern, offering an array of comfort to any kind of traveler. The hotel itself is opulently decorated, with high and intricately molded ceilings, brightly painted wood paneling, antique furniture, and crystal chandeliers. Our favorite part of this stunning property is the tranquil zen garden (!) and gothic chapel. On top of a nine-hole golf course, Quinta das Lagrimas has a relaxing spa with an indoor swimming pool, massage treatment rooms, a sauna, and Turkish bath, as well as a small gym. The delicious two in-house restaurants offer fine dining for guests with local, fresh ingredients c0ming together to serve guests unforgettable Portuguese meals.

Quinta das Lágrimas

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Set on a 126-acre farm of vineyards stretching down to the Douro Valley, you will find the quaint and tranquil Quinta da Pacheca boutique hotel. With only fifteen rooms on the property(!), this is a truly intimate and sophisticated accommodation option. The main building is an 18th-century house that was completely restored to respect and accentuate its traditional architecture. The rooms, however, reflect more of a modern and elegant touch with large marble bathrooms, four-post beds, pastel hints of color, and homey wooden floors. The “new wing” of the building has rooms that offer views of the vineyards below. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even stay in one of the property’s large wine barrels! We particularly love this hotel for its devotion to gastronomy and wine, where Kayla in our office even got to stomp some grapes and help produce some wine!

Quinta da Pacheca

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Six Senses is tucked away among tall olive and cork trees in the town of Lamego, just north of Lisbon in the Alto Douro region. The hotel takes form from a 19th-century manor house inhabited by Portuguese nobility. Today, the property is made up of 71 rooms and suites, all with either a forest, garden, or pool view. The nearby vineyards extend for miles beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows in each room. In the summer, hues of green cover the landscape, and in the fall, the green vines fade and transform into a display of autumnal yellow, orange, and deep red.

Six Senses Douro Valley proudly showcases two onsite restaurants, Vale de Abraão and Quinta Bar & Lounge. The menu highlights seasonal ingredients and local produce from the hotel’s organic garden. With its location in the Douro Wine Region, the hotel hosts daily wine tastings in their curated wine library and terrace.

The Six Senses brand is committed to the intersection of luxury and wellness, and the Douro Valley is no exception. The wellness and spa center contains 10 treatment facilities offering skincare, biohacking, aging, and sleep science services alongside a schedule of fitness classes held onsite.

In addition to the health and fitness offerings, Six Senses Douro Valley emphasizes a selection of activities and excursions. On-site activities include alchemy classes and Portuguese tile painting. Offsite excursions range from paddleboarding, kayaking, a sommelier tour, tree climbing, e-biking through the valley, and traditional Portuguese boat rides on the Douro River.

Six Senses Douro Valley

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Making its debut for the French group Maison Albar’s presence in Portugal, Le Monumental Hotel is a brand-new property on what locals call the “Champs Élysées of Porto.” Le Monumental Palace is situated on the wide Avenida dos Aliados, one of the prettiest avenues in the city and home to Porto’s early-twentieth-century grandeur. The hotel itself has a lavish “Gatsby” theme and decor, making guests feel the vintage luxury from the moment they arrive. There are 63 rooms in total and 13 grand suites, each individually curated. The rooms have high ceilings and windows, allowing for natural light to take over and illuminate the space. The suede-textured walls are a guest favorite as they are a unique accent of the hotel’s character! There are three restaurants on-site, all overseen by Michelin-starred chef Julien Montbabut. Spa lovers have a real treat here as Le Monumental is home to the only Nuxe Spa in all of Portugal.