Explore the sights, nature and history of central Portugal on our 11-night self drive itinerary
Cook your own evening meal under the watchful eye of the hotel chefs
Visit one of Europe’s most magnificent horse studs
Hike along the aqueduct Agua de Prata
Take a walking tour of Belem
Enjoy a wine tasting in Evora
There are plenty of free days so that you can relax and explore at your own pace, and we’ve included a variety of experiences and activities so that you get the most out of your journey.
You’ll begin in a natural park north of Lisbon, then travel via a boutique hotel with its own vineyard in the heart of Alentejo, to the historic city of Évora. You’ll finish your journey in the city of Lisbon, the beating heart of Portugal.
On arrival at Lisbon airport your hire car will be ready for you to collect. Tonight you’re staying at the Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel in the Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros, a drive of about 90 minutes (115km).
Accommodation on this day: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel
A day to explore the Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros. We’ve included an activity of your choice – there’s a good variety ranging from walking and horse riding, to caving and rock climbing.
Accommodation on this day: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel
Free day to relax and explore. Your evening meal is included tonight and for this, you are the chef! You cook your own meal, under the watchful eyes of the in-house chefs. They will prepare the ingredients for you to cook and are on hand to offer expert support and advice. Don’t worry, there’s no need to wash the dishes…
Accommodation on this day: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel
You’ll check out from your hotel today and drive through the Portuguese countryside for around 2h 15 minutes (170km) to the Torre de Palma Wine hotel. Along the way you can stop at some interesting villages with ruined castles that are open to the public – for example, the 14th century Alter do Chao. Nearby you can also visit one of Europe’s most magnificent horse studs. Crato is another village you’ll pass, which has one of Iberia’s best preserved fortified monasteries.
You’ll enjoy a welcome glass of wine on arrival at your next hotel.
Accommodation on this day: Torre de Palma Wine Hotel
Today’s free for you to explore the area around your hotel. You can do so on foot, or if you’d like a horse riding session from the hotel’s stables, then we can add this to your itinerary.
This evening you have a wine tasting session in the hotel’s winery. You’ll taste the wines and regional products of Torre de Palma.
Accommodation on this day: Torre de Palma Wine Hotel
The Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede is a 40 minute drive away. Here you’ll find the highest peak in the Alentejo mountain range at 1,025m and a luxuriant landscape, rich animal and plant life, and human history including the Esperança cave paintings, medieval castles like Alegrete, and urban centres such as Marvão and Castelo de Vide.
Tonight you have a gastronomy workshop – you’ll learn how to cook a genuine Alentejo dish with the kitchen team and then eat your creation for dinner. If you’d like the evening off, we can of course change this to simply being served dinner in your hotel.
Accommodation on this day: Torre de Palma Wine Hotel
This afternoon you’ll check in to your hotel in Évora, a drive of about 75 minutes (100km). Your hotel restaurant has a very good reputation, and there are also other good restaurants a short walk away in the historic city centre. Your hotel has a spa and you may like to book a treatment ahead, to relax into the next stage of your holiday.
Accommodation on this day: M'ar de Ar Aqueduto
Évora is a city steeped in history. This morning you’ll be met at your hotel reception by your guide for a three hour walking tour of the centre. Time in the company of our guides really brings the place alive. You’ll learn about how successive civilisations have shaped and re-shaped the layout and architecture of this beautiful city by walking the streets and visiting the most important landmarks.
Your tour will finish with a guided wine tasting and if you’d like a recommendation for a cafe for lunch, your guide will be happy to help.
Accommodation on this day: M'ar de Ar Aqueduto
You have a free day in Évora. If you’d like to spend more time with our guides then you might like to add a guided walk in the countryside around the city. A popular choice is a 3-4 hour hike following the route of the aqueduct Água de Prata, finishing at your hotel.
Accommodation on this day: M'ar de Ar Aqueduto
You’ll travel back to Lisbon today, 90 minutes (130Km), and then return your hire car. We’ll transfer you to your hotel in the city centre where you’ll stay for your last two nights.
Accommodation on this day: Solar do Castelo
The best way to experience Lisbon is in the company of our guides and this morning you have a walking tour of Belem. You’ll be met at your hotel entrance and taken for a guided walk (3hrs).
Your afternoon is free to explore the pretty streets of Portugal’s capital. Later, if you’d like some night life then head for the Bairro Alto district to mix with the locals and visitors from around the world.
Accommodation on this day: Solar do Castelo
Today we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return flight home.
Our jeep tours are the best way to explore those off the beaten track locations that you’d otherwise miss. Our guides will always have a plan for your day, but our tours are very relaxed and can be personalised to your particular interests.
Canyoning is one of the most popular pastimes in Portugal – a sport in which you scramble, jump, swim and abseil along a narrow river gorge. It’s a great sport for beginners and experts alike, and the Peneda-Gerês National Park in the north of country has some of the most beautiful rivers and canyoning routes in the whole of Portugal.
Let the tuk tuk take the strain as you explore the seven hills of Lisbon in the company of our guides. You'll duck in and out of the tuk tuk to see the sights, architecture and history of this fascinating city. As it's electric, your guide can describe the passing streets to you as you travel to your next stopping point. The best possible introduction to Lisbon.
Portugal’s cuisine is very underrated. It’s always been wonderfully seasonal; an all important philosophy on food that the country’s never lost. As you’d expect, it’s also very regional; Lisbon has its famous crowd-pleasing dishes - the Pasteis de Bacalhau and Pasteis de Belem, but it’s down her narrow back-streets that you’ll find unexpected seasonal gems like coal-roasted blue lobster and Bulhao Pato clams.
Heading north, Porto’s famous Port wine Lodges are the gateway to the Douro Valley wine region. Portugal’s wines are some of the best in Europe however we don’t see them very often here in the UK as they don’t really produce enough for export. The rural heartlands of Alentejo also produce more amazing wines (including the unique ‘Invisivel’ - a white wine produced from red grapes), and arguably a superior Iberian Pork to their Spanish neighbours just across the border!
The Parque National da Peneda-Gerês is Portugal’s only National Park - a great way to explore the river valleys and high serras is on horseback, and there are trails to suit all abilities.
Cook your own delicious meal under the watchful eye of expert chefs.
Kayaking is a wonderful way to experience Portugal’s beautiful waterways. The calm waters of the Caniçada reservoir in the north are perfect for beginners and younger children to get to grips with a kayak. For more experienced kayakers, the upstream rapids of the Cávado river offer some more challenging routes.
Solar Do Castelo is a romantic boutique hotel in Lisbon created from an 18th century mansion built on the site of the former kitchens of the Royal Palace of Sao Jorge.
Arguably the best located hotel in the city, it’s also the only property within the medieval walls of Sao Jorge Castle, making it an exclusive and unique place to spend time in the beautiful city of Lisbon. To add to the feeling of exclusivity, only locals and taxis are allowed to drive the narrow streets within the city walls.
The furniture was created especially for the hotel and the rooms are elegantly decorated in a contemporary medieval style. A private patio garden with a pretty inner courtyard gives you space to relax within the heart of the city.
The M’ar De Ar Aqueduto sits just within the ancient city walls of Évora, beside the 16th century Aqueduct that gives the hotel its name.
The hotel has been created by adapting and extending the original 15th century Sepulveda family palace, with the reception and dining room in the old building and the 64 guest rooms in the modern extension.
The inner courtyard of the hotel houses the outdoor pool and garden, which also incorporates a spa. Our favourite rooms are on the ground floor as each has a private terrace with direct access to the garden and pool.
It’s an ideal base from which to explore the historical city of Évora, and the surrounding countryside.
The boutique and five star Torre de Palma Wine Hotel sits within the vineyards of the Torre de Palma estate, in the Alentejo wine sub-region of Portalegre.
There’s a rich history here at the Torre de Palma, reaching as far back as the Romans in the first to fourth centuries AD. In the 14th century the estate came under Crown ownership with a large manor house being built on the current site. In 2014 the remains of the 1338 house were restored into the boutique hotel you see today.
The rooms themselves are large, tasteful and light. On site there’s a spa, indoor and outdoor pool, a turkish bath, a restaurant and a horse riding centre. As well as the winery, of course, where you can sample the wines of the Estate, and the best of the wines from the wider Alentejo region.
The name of the Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel follows from the three aspects of the ethos, design and situation of this unique hotel.
Starting with Cooking, the hotel prides itself on it’s cuisine and you can choose either to learn to cook dishes from the menu yourself under the guidance of the trained staff, or choose to relax and be served meals in the more traditional way.
As a design hotel, the accommodation itself is of course modern and tasteful. The Emotional aspect of the hotel is reflected in the names given to the suites, from which the individual room decor takes its cue. From ‘Meditation’ to ‘Passion, and from ‘Surprise’ to ‘Nostalgia’, there’s a choice for everyone.
Situated in the heart of the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park, Nature is all around. Walks and cycle rides start from the hotel into the Natural Park and if you’re here at the right time of year, you’ve even a chance to spy golden eagles.
Hi Max,
Just to let you know that we had a great holiday which went too fast. Each hotel was unique and amazing and each place gave us new experience and interest.
Glowing feedback on the arrangements which all went very smoothly right from start to finish. Keep performing your magic!
All the best,
Sue
Hi Max,
Tuktuk ride with Mario was exceptional. Lovely chap and made our trip memorable. This evening in a Fado restaurant was just fabulous. Hotel Solar do Castelo is amazing. After 2 postponements this holiday is truly worth it.
At the moment Archipelago Choice is on a pedestal.
John
Where is Portugal?
Portugal is the most-western country in mainland Europe, bordered by Spain in the north and east.
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
Portugal’s mild in the Autumn and Winter, and hot from around May through to November. It can be very hot (+40⁰C) in the Summer months.
How do I get to Portugal?
The UK is well-connected to Lisbon, with direct flights from London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. You can also fly direct to Porto from Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh.
What languages do they speak on Portugal?
Portuguese, and English is widely spoken.
Is it safe to drive on Portugal?
Very – the quality of the roads is excellent and it’s very easy to navigate.
Do I need an international driver’s license for Portugal?
All you require is a valid UK driving licence.
Do I need travel insurance to visit Portugal?
We highly recommend that you have the right type of travel insurance that will cover your medical expenses, baggage loss, accidents and personal liability and repatriation.
Can I get WiFi in Portugal?
All our hotels offer WiFi – mostly in your room but in some smaller places it’s available in the shared, public areas.
Can I use my mobile phone in Portugal?
There’s an excellent mobile reception right across the country.
What is the food like in Portugal?
The restaurants in cities like Porto and Lisbon have a good mix of Portuguese more European style menus, and there’s usually a nice selection of vegetarian options available. In the smaller towns and villages, you’ll tend to find more traditional Portuguese menus.
Are credit & debit cards accepted in Portugal?
Yes, although in more rural locations you can find it’s a bit more cash-only in restaurants and cafe bars.
What type of plug adapter do I need in Portugal?
You will need a type F adaptor in Portugal.
Is tap water safe to drink in Portugal?
Yes, the tap water is safe to drink in Portugal.
Do I need to tip in Portugal?
Tipping is not compulsory but if you feel your guide or driver has done a good job then they’ll always be happy to receive a tip.
How do I go about booking my holiday to Portugal with Archipelago Choice?
We offer two options, either book one of our ‘Best of’ holidays from the website. Alternatively, many people choose the bespoke approach where we have an insightful conversation and create a personalised itinerary that gives you the unique holiday experience you’re looking for.
How far in advance should I book my trip to Portugal?
Our advice is to start planning around six months prior to your visit, as this helps us offer the best value airfares and secure your hotels of choice.
Can I book a last-minute holiday to Portugal?
Absolutely; it helps if you have a bit of flexibility with your dates as some of our hotels might be fully booked.
Cook your own evening meal under the watchful eye of the hotel chefs
Visit one of Europe’s most magnificent horse studs
Hike along the aqueduct Agua de Prata
Take a walking tour of Belem
Enjoy a wine tasting in Evora
There are plenty of free days so that you can relax and explore at your own pace, and we’ve included a variety of experiences and activities so that you get the most out of your journey.
You’ll begin in a natural park north of Lisbon, then travel via a boutique hotel with its own vineyard in the heart of Alentejo, to the historic city of Évora. You’ll finish your journey in the city of Lisbon, the beating heart of Portugal.
On arrival at Lisbon airport your hire car will be ready for you to collect. Tonight you’re staying at the Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel in the Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros, a drive of about 90 minutes (115km).
Accommodation on this day: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel
A day to explore the Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros. We’ve included an activity of your choice – there’s a good variety ranging from walking and horse riding, to caving and rock climbing.
Accommodation on this day: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel
Free day to relax and explore. Your evening meal is included tonight and for this, you are the chef! You cook your own meal, under the watchful eyes of the in-house chefs. They will prepare the ingredients for you to cook and are on hand to offer expert support and advice. Don’t worry, there’s no need to wash the dishes…
Accommodation on this day: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel
You’ll check out from your hotel today and drive through the Portuguese countryside for around 2h 15 minutes (170km) to the Torre de Palma Wine hotel. Along the way you can stop at some interesting villages with ruined castles that are open to the public – for example, the 14th century Alter do Chao. Nearby you can also visit one of Europe’s most magnificent horse studs. Crato is another village you’ll pass, which has one of Iberia’s best preserved fortified monasteries.
You’ll enjoy a welcome glass of wine on arrival at your next hotel.
Accommodation on this day: Torre de Palma Wine Hotel
Today’s free for you to explore the area around your hotel. You can do so on foot, or if you’d like a horse riding session from the hotel’s stables, then we can add this to your itinerary.
This evening you have a wine tasting session in the hotel’s winery. You’ll taste the wines and regional products of Torre de Palma.
Accommodation on this day: Torre de Palma Wine Hotel
The Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede is a 40 minute drive away. Here you’ll find the highest peak in the Alentejo mountain range at 1,025m and a luxuriant landscape, rich animal and plant life, and human history including the Esperança cave paintings, medieval castles like Alegrete, and urban centres such as Marvão and Castelo de Vide.
Tonight you have a gastronomy workshop – you’ll learn how to cook a genuine Alentejo dish with the kitchen team and then eat your creation for dinner. If you’d like the evening off, we can of course change this to simply being served dinner in your hotel.
Accommodation on this day: Torre de Palma Wine Hotel
This afternoon you’ll check in to your hotel in Évora, a drive of about 75 minutes (100km). Your hotel restaurant has a very good reputation, and there are also other good restaurants a short walk away in the historic city centre. Your hotel has a spa and you may like to book a treatment ahead, to relax into the next stage of your holiday.
Accommodation on this day: M'ar de Ar Aqueduto
Évora is a city steeped in history. This morning you’ll be met at your hotel reception by your guide for a three hour walking tour of the centre. Time in the company of our guides really brings the place alive. You’ll learn about how successive civilisations have shaped and re-shaped the layout and architecture of this beautiful city by walking the streets and visiting the most important landmarks.
Your tour will finish with a guided wine tasting and if you’d like a recommendation for a cafe for lunch, your guide will be happy to help.
Accommodation on this day: M'ar de Ar Aqueduto
You have a free day in Évora. If you’d like to spend more time with our guides then you might like to add a guided walk in the countryside around the city. A popular choice is a 3-4 hour hike following the route of the aqueduct Água de Prata, finishing at your hotel.
Accommodation on this day: M'ar de Ar Aqueduto
You’ll travel back to Lisbon today, 90 minutes (130Km), and then return your hire car. We’ll transfer you to your hotel in the city centre where you’ll stay for your last two nights.
Accommodation on this day: Solar do Castelo
The best way to experience Lisbon is in the company of our guides and this morning you have a walking tour of Belem. You’ll be met at your hotel entrance and taken for a guided walk (3hrs).
Your afternoon is free to explore the pretty streets of Portugal’s capital. Later, if you’d like some night life then head for the Bairro Alto district to mix with the locals and visitors from around the world.
Accommodation on this day: Solar do Castelo
Today we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return flight home.
Our jeep tours are the best way to explore those off the beaten track locations that you’d otherwise miss. Our guides will always have a plan for your day, but our tours are very relaxed and can be personalised to your particular interests.
Canyoning is one of the most popular pastimes in Portugal – a sport in which you scramble, jump, swim and abseil along a narrow river gorge. It’s a great sport for beginners and experts alike, and the Peneda-Gerês National Park in the north of country has some of the most beautiful rivers and canyoning routes in the whole of Portugal.
Let the tuk tuk take the strain as you explore the seven hills of Lisbon in the company of our guides. You'll duck in and out of the tuk tuk to see the sights, architecture and history of this fascinating city. As it's electric, your guide can describe the passing streets to you as you travel to your next stopping point. The best possible introduction to Lisbon.
Portugal’s cuisine is very underrated. It’s always been wonderfully seasonal; an all important philosophy on food that the country’s never lost. As you’d expect, it’s also very regional; Lisbon has its famous crowd-pleasing dishes - the Pasteis de Bacalhau and Pasteis de Belem, but it’s down her narrow back-streets that you’ll find unexpected seasonal gems like coal-roasted blue lobster and Bulhao Pato clams.
Heading north, Porto’s famous Port wine Lodges are the gateway to the Douro Valley wine region. Portugal’s wines are some of the best in Europe however we don’t see them very often here in the UK as they don’t really produce enough for export. The rural heartlands of Alentejo also produce more amazing wines (including the unique ‘Invisivel’ - a white wine produced from red grapes), and arguably a superior Iberian Pork to their Spanish neighbours just across the border!
The Parque National da Peneda-Gerês is Portugal’s only National Park - a great way to explore the river valleys and high serras is on horseback, and there are trails to suit all abilities.
Cook your own delicious meal under the watchful eye of expert chefs.
Kayaking is a wonderful way to experience Portugal’s beautiful waterways. The calm waters of the Caniçada reservoir in the north are perfect for beginners and younger children to get to grips with a kayak. For more experienced kayakers, the upstream rapids of the Cávado river offer some more challenging routes.
Solar Do Castelo is a romantic boutique hotel in Lisbon created from an 18th century mansion built on the site of the former kitchens of the Royal Palace of Sao Jorge.
Arguably the best located hotel in the city, it’s also the only property within the medieval walls of Sao Jorge Castle, making it an exclusive and unique place to spend time in the beautiful city of Lisbon. To add to the feeling of exclusivity, only locals and taxis are allowed to drive the narrow streets within the city walls.
The furniture was created especially for the hotel and the rooms are elegantly decorated in a contemporary medieval style. A private patio garden with a pretty inner courtyard gives you space to relax within the heart of the city.
The M’ar De Ar Aqueduto sits just within the ancient city walls of Évora, beside the 16th century Aqueduct that gives the hotel its name.
The hotel has been created by adapting and extending the original 15th century Sepulveda family palace, with the reception and dining room in the old building and the 64 guest rooms in the modern extension.
The inner courtyard of the hotel houses the outdoor pool and garden, which also incorporates a spa. Our favourite rooms are on the ground floor as each has a private terrace with direct access to the garden and pool.
It’s an ideal base from which to explore the historical city of Évora, and the surrounding countryside.
The boutique and five star Torre de Palma Wine Hotel sits within the vineyards of the Torre de Palma estate, in the Alentejo wine sub-region of Portalegre.
There’s a rich history here at the Torre de Palma, reaching as far back as the Romans in the first to fourth centuries AD. In the 14th century the estate came under Crown ownership with a large manor house being built on the current site. In 2014 the remains of the 1338 house were restored into the boutique hotel you see today.
The rooms themselves are large, tasteful and light. On site there’s a spa, indoor and outdoor pool, a turkish bath, a restaurant and a horse riding centre. As well as the winery, of course, where you can sample the wines of the Estate, and the best of the wines from the wider Alentejo region.
The name of the Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel follows from the three aspects of the ethos, design and situation of this unique hotel.
Starting with Cooking, the hotel prides itself on it’s cuisine and you can choose either to learn to cook dishes from the menu yourself under the guidance of the trained staff, or choose to relax and be served meals in the more traditional way.
As a design hotel, the accommodation itself is of course modern and tasteful. The Emotional aspect of the hotel is reflected in the names given to the suites, from which the individual room decor takes its cue. From ‘Meditation’ to ‘Passion, and from ‘Surprise’ to ‘Nostalgia’, there’s a choice for everyone.
Situated in the heart of the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park, Nature is all around. Walks and cycle rides start from the hotel into the Natural Park and if you’re here at the right time of year, you’ve even a chance to spy golden eagles.
Hi Max,
Just to let you know that we had a great holiday which went too fast. Each hotel was unique and amazing and each place gave us new experience and interest.
Glowing feedback on the arrangements which all went very smoothly right from start to finish. Keep performing your magic!
All the best,
Sue
Hi Max,
Tuktuk ride with Mario was exceptional. Lovely chap and made our trip memorable. This evening in a Fado restaurant was just fabulous. Hotel Solar do Castelo is amazing. After 2 postponements this holiday is truly worth it.
At the moment Archipelago Choice is on a pedestal.
John
Where is Portugal?
Portugal is the most-western country in mainland Europe, bordered by Spain in the north and east.
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
Portugal’s mild in the Autumn and Winter, and hot from around May through to November. It can be very hot (+40⁰C) in the Summer months.
How do I get to Portugal?
The UK is well-connected to Lisbon, with direct flights from London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. You can also fly direct to Porto from Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh.
What languages do they speak on Portugal?
Portuguese, and English is widely spoken.
Is it safe to drive on Portugal?
Very – the quality of the roads is excellent and it’s very easy to navigate.
Do I need an international driver’s license for Portugal?
All you require is a valid UK driving licence.
Do I need travel insurance to visit Portugal?
We highly recommend that you have the right type of travel insurance that will cover your medical expenses, baggage loss, accidents and personal liability and repatriation.
Can I get WiFi in Portugal?
All our hotels offer WiFi – mostly in your room but in some smaller places it’s available in the shared, public areas.
Can I use my mobile phone in Portugal?
There’s an excellent mobile reception right across the country.
What is the food like in Portugal?
The restaurants in cities like Porto and Lisbon have a good mix of Portuguese more European style menus, and there’s usually a nice selection of vegetarian options available. In the smaller towns and villages, you’ll tend to find more traditional Portuguese menus.
Are credit & debit cards accepted in Portugal?
Yes, although in more rural locations you can find it’s a bit more cash-only in restaurants and cafe bars.
What type of plug adapter do I need in Portugal?
You will need a type F adaptor in Portugal.
Is tap water safe to drink in Portugal?
Yes, the tap water is safe to drink in Portugal.
Do I need to tip in Portugal?
Tipping is not compulsory but if you feel your guide or driver has done a good job then they’ll always be happy to receive a tip.
How do I go about booking my holiday to Portugal with Archipelago Choice?
We offer two options, either book one of our ‘Best of’ holidays from the website. Alternatively, many people choose the bespoke approach where we have an insightful conversation and create a personalised itinerary that gives you the unique holiday experience you’re looking for.
How far in advance should I book my trip to Portugal?
Our advice is to start planning around six months prior to your visit, as this helps us offer the best value airfares and secure your hotels of choice.
Can I book a last-minute holiday to Portugal?
Absolutely; it helps if you have a bit of flexibility with your dates as some of our hotels might be fully booked.