Lisbon Porto student Tour

Arrival: After your flight, you’ll arrive in Lisbon, Portugal’s vibrant and historic capital. Transfer to your hotel meet your tour leader and check in.

Evening: Depart for an orientation meeting to go over the schedule and get acquainted with the city.

Optional Dinner (self-paid): For dinner, head to Time Out Market, a lively food hall where students can sample Portuguese favourites like bacalhau (codfish), grilled meats, and the famous pastéis de nata (custard tarts) from a variety of vendors in a fun, social atmosphere.

Morning: Begin your journey with a half-day guided sightseeing tour of Lisbon, exploring the city’s rich history and culture.

Highlights include: Belém Tower: This iconic fortress offers stunning views of the Tagus River and is a symbol of Portugal’s Age of Discoveries.

Monument to the Discoveries: A tribute to the explorers who helped expand Portugal’s empire.

Jerónimos Monastery (external view): A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Manueline architecture.

Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio): A grand square that opens up to the river, perfect for photos.

Lunch: Free time for lunch at local cafés or street stalls in downtown Lisbon.

Afternoon: Visit LX Factory, a trendy and artsy district filled with street art, shops, and cafes housed in converted factories. Students will have free time to explore, shop for souvenirs, and snap photos of the vibrant murals.

Evening: Group dinner at Cervejaria Ramiro, a lively seafood restaurant known for its fresh and affordable dishes, perfect for a fun, social evening.

Morning: Depart early from Lisbon for a day trip to the enchanting town of Sintra, located about 40 minutes outside Lisbon. Sintra is famous for its fairy-tale palaces, lush greenery, and stunning mountain landscapes. The town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

First Stop: Palácio da Pena Start the day with a guided visit to the iconic Palácio da Pena, one of Portugal’s most stunning palaces. Perched atop a hill, this colourful palace combines Gothic, Manueline, Moorish, and Renaissance architectural styles. Students will love the vibrant yellow, red, and purple towers, as well as the sweeping views over the Sintra Mountains and Atlantic Ocean. Learn about the palace’s history as a royal summer residence and explore the romantic gardens that surround it. The mix of architectural styles and the surreal landscape create a dreamlike experience.

Second Stop: Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle) After visiting Palácio da Pena, head to the Castelo dos Mouros, a 10th-century castle built by the Moors. The castle’s ramparts offer panoramic views over Sintra and the surrounding countryside. As you walk along the ancient stone walls, the guide will explain the castle’s strategic importance during the Muslim occupation of Portugal and its role in the country’s medieval history.

Lunch: Free time for lunch in Sintra’s town centre. The narrow, winding streets are filled with charming cafés and restaurants. Students can try local favourites like travesseiros (flaky pastries filled with almond cream) and queijadas (sweet cheese tarts).

Afternoon: Quinta da Regaleira After lunch, visit Quinta da Regaleira, an elaborate estate filled with mysterious symbolism and hidden meanings. The palace itself is stunning, but the real magic is in the gardens, which are filled with secret tunnels, underground caves, and the famous Initiation Well, a spiralling staircase that descends deep into the earth. You will be fascinated by the estate’s links to alchemy, the Knights Templar, and Freemasonry, as the guide explains the symbolic significance of various elements within the grounds. This part of the trip is highly interactive and offers you a chance to explore the tunnels and gardens on foot, making it both fun and educational.

vening: Return to Lisbon in the early evening.

Dinner: Group dinner at a casual spot like Ponto Final, located on the other side of the Tagus River, with stunning views of Lisbon’s skyline at sunset.

Morning: Depart from Lisbon and travel to Évora, one of Portugal’s best-preserved medieval towns and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The drive offers picturesque views of the rolling Alentejo countryside.

Lunch: Free time for lunch in Évora, perhaps trying local dishes like migas or açorda, made with fresh bread, olive oil, and garlic.

Afternoon: Start with a walking tour of Évora, exploring the city’s historical and cultural treasures:

Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos): A hauntingly beautiful chapel decorated with human bones and skulls, offering a fascinating glimpse into local history.

Roman Temple (Templo de Diana): The ruins of this ancient Roman temple stand as a testament to Évora’s long history.

Sé Cathedral: This massive Gothic cathedral offers panoramic views of the city from its roof.

Evening: Group dinner at Taberna Típica Quarta-feira, a traditional tavern serving hearty Alentejo cuisine in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Morning: After breakfast, depart from Évora and travel north, making a stop in the charming town of Coimbra. Coimbra is known for its prestigious university, one of the oldest in Europe, and a hub of academic history.

Coimbra University: Take a guided tour of the university grounds, including the spectacular Joanina Library, with its ornate woodwork and centuries-old books.

Lunch: Free time to grab lunch in Coimbra’s city centre,

Afternoon: Continue the journey to Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, famed for its unique blend of old-world charm and modern energy.
Arrive in Porto and check into your hotel. Enjoy a leisurely evening stroll through the Ribeira District, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with winding streets and colourful buildings lining the Douro River.

Evening: Dinner at Casa Guedes, where students can enjoy Porto’s famous pork sandwiches and other casual dishes, perfect for a relaxed meal after a long day of travel.

Morning: Explore Porto on a half-day guided tour, visiting some of the city’s most iconic landmarks:

Livraria Lello: Often considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, with its stunning woodwork and grand staircase.

Clérigos Tower: Climb to the top for panoramic views of Porto.

São Bento Train Station: Famous for its beautiful azulejos (blue ceramic tiles) that depict scenes from Portuguese history.

Lunch: Free time to enjoy lunch at a café in the city or near the riverfront.

Afternoon: Enjoy a scenic Douro River cruise, where students can relax and take in views of Porto’s iconic bridges and riverside neighbor hoods. Learn about the history of the region and its significance to Portuguese culture.

Evening: Sunset picnic at the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, a beautiful park with views over the Douro River. It’s a peaceful spot to enjoy the last evening in Porto.

Farewell Dinner: End the trip with a group dinner at Tapabento, a lively spot that serves a variety of small dishes, perfect for sharing and celebrating the final night of the trip.

Morning: After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.