Private Tour - Hiking Lisbon & Surroundings (6 Days)
Hiking, Cultural & Nature Private Tour
Itinerary
Day 1:Arrival to Lisbon, city sightseeing and walking tour
After an airport meeting with our guide, you will be taken on a city sightseeing tour. This will allow you to have a first flavour of Lisbon, capital of Portugal, colonized by many civilizations along the centuries: Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors and finally the Portuguese after 1147. This city is linked with the heroic deeds of the Portuguese maritime exploration, in the 15th and 16th centuries. This was the Age of Discoveries and the Golden Era of Portugal, transforming Lisbon into the opulent centre of a vast empire. Part of the wealth from these expeditions was used to build magnificent monuments in a unique Portuguese style: the extravagant Manueline architectural style, best typified in Jerónimos Monastery. Some of these monuments can still be seen, especially in the area of Belém. Afterwards you'll start a walking tour with our guide, who will take you to Bairro Alto, one of the most emblematic neighbourhoods in Lisbon. Here, you can feel the "Fado" while the tram passes by. From the belvedere, you'll be able to feel the heartbeat of the city and to admire its beautiful hills. The tour continues going down the hill to the area of Chiado, an important centre of commerce and cultural activity - it was here that writers and philosophers used to gather to discuss their ideas back in the early 20th century. In front of the historical "A Brasileira" café, you'll pass by the statue of Fernando Pessoa drinking his coffee, watching people passing by. From there, to Baixa Pombalina, the historical centre rebuilt after the earthquake in 1755. The new wide streets and 5 floor buildings gave a new dimension and image to the city. The next goal will be another hill where you'll find the famous and picturesque neighbourhood of Alfama. Life outside the walls started in this neighbourhood and spread down to the river during the Roman occupation. Here, the Sé de Lisboa (Cathedral) will be visited - a 12th century building, built right after the conquer of Lisbon from the Moors in 1147. Continuing up the hill, you'll enter the Castle of São Jorge from where we can admire Lisbon, the river Tejo and centuries of History...After this you'll have free time for lunch in the city centre. Then you can opt by heading directly to your accommodation or having free time for shopping or other individual activities in the city.
Please note that this day was organized supposing an arrival early in the morning. However, we can organize this day, according to your arrival schedule.
Accommodation Suggestion (Lisbon):
This new Hotel in Lisbon is one of those places that you trully feel a presence of "peace of mind" once you step inside. After walking in through a small door you will be surprised by the palatine proportions of the building. In general this is a hotel that will surprise you constantly by a true sense of Feng Shui, that simply makes you feel welcomed, including the use of differente colors in the rooms. Besides the normal 4 star Hotel services you will be surprised by some service details (not expected for a 4 star Hotel) such as the free mini-bar products in your room. Another positive detail is the location in a very central part of Lisbon, right next to the Av. da Liberdade.
Day 2: Visit to Sintra (& Pena Palace ) and hiking next to the Atlantic Coast
We'll start this day heading to Sintra, where you will be surprised by a 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. We'll visit Pena National Palace, the most beautiful Romantic Palace in Portugal. Afterwards you can 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. After free time for lunch, we'll head to the Coast (Adraga beach) to start our walking trail along the coast. The coastal area of Sintra is one of those places where people will never get bored with the surrounding landscape. Along the way, you'll see places of natural and geological interest and fantastic landscapes over the ocean. There are several pathways next to the shore or within the interior of the Natural Park of Sintra and Cascais. Some of the places of great interest are the dinosaur's footprints, South of Praia Grande (Large beach). The Adraga beach, starting point of this trail, was considered by the readers of the well-know English newspaper “The Sunday Times” amongst the 20 best European beaches! At the end of the afternoon, we'll head to your accommodation.
Accommodation Suggestion (Lisbon):
Day 3: Departure towards Évora and hiking in the countryside. Overnight in Sesimbra.
Today, we'll start to head towards the South of Portugal. As soon as you enter this southern area of Portugal you'll confirm the diversity existing in this small country. The landscape becomes warm and serene, with long fields cultivated with cereals interrupted only from time to time by an old holm oak. Évora will then appear to you as an oasis in the middle of the desert. Cosy Évora, still surrounded by its old city walls, will attract you for its medieval appearance. We'll be walking through the very narrow streets of its historical centre. Besides several other monuments to be visited (such as the Cathedral, Saint Francis church and the old University) it is also in Évora that is located one of the most significant traces of the Roman occupation in the Portuguese territory: Diana's temple. You'll have free time for lunch here, since Évora – as any other genuine city in Alentejo – is well known for its fantastic traditional gastronomy. After visiting this beautiful town we'll head towards the place where our hiking trail will begin. It will be around an area of megalithic heritage. On the Neolithic period worship was represented through artistic symbolic stones. These monuments were symbol of fertility and human reproduction (menhir) or burial places (dolmen). Still today, they're settled on a nice countryside landscape of cork-oak trees and cereal fields. Afterwards we'll proceed towards our hotel for the next days on the fishing village of Sesimbra, one of the places selected by the Lisbon people for a fresh seafood meal. This hotel was carefully selected to this program and is located right in front of the beach, where you can enjoy the end of the day or early morning for a memorable walk at the beach. The sea view you'll have from your room is unforgettable. If you're looking for relaxation, you must try the amenities that the Spa has to offer you.
Accommodation Suggestion (Sesimbra):
Sesimbra Hotel & SPA
"The Sesimbra Hotel & Spa is located in the lovely fisherman village of Sesimbra, surrounded by the unique Arrábida Natural reserve, a short distance from the hotel you can discover a rich variety of unexplored golden sand beaches. The hotel has modern designed rooms, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. Amongst the facilities you can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, a spa with relaxation indoor pool and a private beach area."
(for more details, please follow the hotel link)
Day 4: Hiking in Arrábida mountain range, visit to Palmela fortress and wine tasting in Azeitão
In the morning we'll get in direct contact with the protected area of Arrábida, through a hiking trail. This area has distinctive vegetation, typical from the Mediterranean areas. Pasturing was once one of the main activities of local people, being famous still today for the production of Azeitão cheese, which uses a local thistle flower on its production process. The view that we can have from Serra do Louro (Louro Mountain) is fantastic. Our eyes can reach the mouth of the Sado River, farmlands, as well as pasture lands where sheep and goats are grazed. Very traditional from the area are also the ancient windmills, once flour producers and nowadays abandoned. We will also visit the town of Palmela, where you will enter its castle and from its belvedere you'll see Setúbal, its bay and the Tróia Peninsula. After this, we'll visit in Azeitão the wine cellars of José Maria da Fonseca where you can learn how the wine is produced and taste it at the end (closed on Sundays).
Accommodation Suggestion (Sesimbra):
Sesimbra Hotel & SPA
Day 5: Enjoy Sesimbra and the beach
Leisure time to enjoy the beach at Sesimbra or in Portinho da Arrábida, a calm beach on a small bay protected by a high cliff of Arrábida Mountain.
Accommodation Suggestion (Sesimbra):
Sesimbra Hotel & SPA
Day 6: Hotel check-out and private transfer to the airport.
Note: As in all our programs, we can customize this itinerary to your wishes, as well as reorganize the number of days to the time you have available.
End of Tour
- Private Tour - Hiking Lisbon & North of Portugal (11 Days)
- Private Tour - Hiking Lisbon and South of Portugal (9 days)
- Private Tour - Hiking Lisbon, North & South of Portugal (15 days)
Please feel free to contact us for more information or booking:info@toursforyou.pt or using the following form (click again to close)
