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Rick Steves' Heart of Portugal in 8 Days Tour
Our journey begins in hardworking Porto, where red-tiled roofs tumble down hills and port wine ages just across the postcard-perfect river. From here, your Rick Steves' Europe guide leads you to historic Guimarães, canal-laced Aveiro, colorful Costa Nova, and seaside Nazaré — with a grand Portuguese finale among the nautical history, fado, and foodie hotspots of lively Lisbon. Let's go...
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Day 1: Welcome to Portugal
We'll get together at our Porto hotel for a short meeting, then head out for an orientation walk through our neighborhood and the nearby Bolhão Market, a vibrant community hub featuring fresh, local products. This evening, we'll get acquainted with one another over a "Welcome to Portugal" group dinner.
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Day 2: Proud Porto
After breakfast, a local guide will take us on a walking tour of compact, historic Porto. We'll wander the riverfront Ribeira district, explore the lavish rooms of the Stock Exchange Palace, and enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Douro River — before learning about (and tasting) Portugal's most famous beverage, port wine. Your afternoon and evening are free to continue exploring this rustic, Portuguese San Francisco.
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Day 3: Day Trip to Guimarães
Today we'll board our comfy bus and drive to nearby Guimarães — the birthplace of Portugal. We'll tour the historic city center, visit the tapestry-filled Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, and enjoy free time to grab lunch and wander the town's medieval lanes. Then we'll return to Porto, where the rest of your day is free to climb the striking Clérigos Church Tower, taste-test your way through the delectable and diverse local cuisine scene (tripe, anyone?) or just get lost among the atmospheric lanes of Portugal's salty second city.
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Day 4: The Coast and Nazaré
We'll say goodbye to Porto this morning and head south along the coast, stopping in canal-laced Aveiro — where you'll have free time to ride a traditional moliceiro boat or visit the salt ponds (season permitting). Then we'll taste some sweet, shell-shaped ovos moles pastries among the colorfully striped houses of beachfront Costa Nova before arriving in the fishing village-turned-surfing mecca of Nazaré. After a walk through town, we'll sit down for a delicious seafood feast together.
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Day 5: Alcobaça and Lisbon's Belém District
This morning, we'll head to Lisbon with a stop along the way at the austere, soaring Alcobaça Monastery, Portugal's largest church and home to its saddest love. On our way into the city, we'll visit Lisbon's seafaring Belém District to tour its 16th-century waterfront fortress and learn about Portugal's golden age of exploration at the Monument to the Discoveries and Monastery of Jerónimos. After settling into our Lisbon hotel, your guide will set you free to explore the neighborhood and find dinner on your own.
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Day 6: Neighborhood Lisbon
Today, a local guide we'll take us on a walking tour through Lisbon's colorful downtown neighborhoods — the Bairro Alto, Alfama, and Baixa. We'll learn about "village" Lisbon's neighborhood life, dive into its layers of history, and taste some of the local specialties. Then the rest of the day is all yours to visit Lisbon's fine museums — celebrating fado, tiles, ancient art, and more — explore its evocative churches, or simply perch yourself at a café and take in the scene as trolleys, taxis, and tuk-tuks rattle across cobbled lanes.
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Day 7: Lisbon's Art and Soul
This morning we'll ride the metro to the Gulbenkian Museum, where a local guide will take us through its impressive collection spanning 5,000 years — from ancient Egypt to Impressionism to Art Nouveau. Afterward, we'll set you free to wander the lanes of your favorite Lisbon neighborhood or zigzag your way up to São Jorge Castle for a stunning view of the city. We'll regroup to enjoy a soulful fado performance and our final group dinner together, toasting to new friends and travel memories. Saúde!
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Day 8: Tour Over After Breakfast
For those heading home, Lisbon's airport is an easy metro or taxi ride away — and for those eager for more Portuguese adventures, trains and buses fan out to the Algarve, Tomar, Évora, or your choice of other destinations. Adeus!
Portugal awaits! Learn more and book your seat on our Heart of Portugal in 8 Days tour.
Itinerary specifics subject to change.