Portugal & Azores
Highlights of Portugal (2-weeks)
This two-week trip starts in Lisbon for a dose of culture before heading out into the countryside. You’ll enjoy the scenic delights of the Arrabida national park and have a night wild-camping on a remote beach before another dose of culture in Evora. Then there’s plenty of time to explore the white-washed villages, rolling hills, and dramatic beaches of the Alentejo before finishing up with some relaxation on the Algarve.
Highlights
Take the tram in Lisbon
Fairy-tale castles in Sintra
Wild camp on a secluded beach
Take surf lessons on the Algarve
Explore an Alentejo cork plantation
Spot dolphins from a catamaran
Relax on a blissful beach
14 days from £2,750 pp
Plus international flights starting from £200
A two-week holiday in Portugal for a family of four usually costs from £11,000 plus flights, depending on type of accommodation.
Highlights of Portugal day-by-day itinerary
Day 1, Lisbon
Olá, bom dia! When you arrive you will be met by a Stubborn Mule Travel representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to settle in. One of the best ways to see Lisbon is from the River Tagus (Te-jo), so this evening you might like to hop on board a catamaran for a sunset river cruise.
Day 2, Lisbon
Today you will enjoy a walking orientation tour with a local guide. This will take you through the wonderfully picturesque streets of the Alfama District. This historic area is a beguiling maze of cobbled streets, ancient houses, and vibrant character. Your guide will lead you through the hidden backstreets and up to some of the city’s best miradouros (look-outs), offering stunning views over Lisbon’s rooftops and the River Tagus.
Along the way, you can stop at one of Alfama’s tiny Ginjinha hole-in-the-wall shops to sample the sweet cherry Portuguese liquor – a true local treat.
The afternoon is free for you to further explore Lisbon at your own pace.
Day 3, Lisbon – Day trip to Sintra
Today we suggest you visit Sintra by yourselves. This beautiful town is situated in the mountains outside the capital. It is famous for its dramatic fairytale palaces and expansive gardens. Our favourite is Quinta da Ragaleira Palace which is reachable on foot from the town centre. The gardens here are a child’s paradise, with hidden passageways and tunnels leading to underground stone spiral staircases.
Another favourite is the spectacular hilltop Palacio da Pena. With its huge turrets and brightly coloured facades, this is a palace straight out of a fairytale. Explore the extensive gardens and woodland, as well as the palace itself. There are breathtaking views out to the Atlantic ocean from here.
Return back to Lisbon for the night, stopping off at the most westerly point of Europe to watch the sunset.
Day 4, Lisbon – Arrabida
This morning, pick up your rental vehicle and leave the city behind you. You will be heading for the Natural Park of Arrabida, only 40 minutes away. This beautiful protected landscape offers some of Portugal’s most stunning coastal scenery. Steep hills and wide sweeping valleys are covered in evergreen Carob and Kermes Oak forest and lead down onto white sandy beaches. There are masses of adventurous activities to enjoy. These include coasteering, mountain biking, horse riding, rock climbing, snorkelling and stand up paddleboarding.
Once you arrive, we suggest that you spend the rest of the day on one of the many stunning beaches. Long arcs of white sand are backed by forest and offer beautifully clear water that is perfect for a cooling dip.
This evening head to a local restaurant and perhaps sample a platter of Arroz de Marisco. This is a delicious rice and shellfish dish designed for the whole family to share.
Day 5, Arrabida
This morning take a RIB excursion around the coast and along the Rio Sade, in search of dolphins. The trip lasts around 3.5 hours and usually the dolphins will come and cavort alongside the boat, giving superb sightings. You will also stop along the way for a swim.
The afternoon is free, although we can include an activity if you prefer; coasteering is always particularly popular with children!
Read More Day 6, Arrabida Day 7, Arrabida – Alentejo region From here, drive south into Alentejo. This region stretches across the width of the country, from the coast in the west to the border with Spain in the east. Here you will find desert-like landscapes, vineyards, farmland, pristine lakes, white sandy beaches, pine and cork forests and a sprinkling of pretty white-washed villages. Day 8, Alentejo Vila Nova de Milfontes is a charming town nestled between a river estuary and the Atlantic, which sits right in the middle of the Fishermen’s Trail. Renowned for its superb restaurants, be sure to leave time for a leisurely meal afterwards to enjoy the local flavours. Day 9, Alentejo Continue to explore this beautiful region in your free time. If you haven’t already visited, Vila Nova de Milfontes is a charming town renowned for its superb restaurants. If you prefer to relax on the beach, you can head to Praia de Malhão, one of Alentejo’s most stunning beaches. Alternatively, the most popular of Porto Covo’s beaches is Praia Grande, which has lifeguards and plenty of facilities, but it can be quite busy. Quieter nearby beaches, which are very picturesque, include Praia do Buizhinos and Praia do Banho. For those feeling a bit more active there are plenty of activities to choose from. Day 10, Alentejo – Algarve Day 11-13, Algarve Day 14, Depart
Today you will enjoy an exhilarating overnight kayaking and camping adventure in the Luíz Saldanha Marine Park. The stunning rocky coastline here is best explored by kayak. This allows you access to remote beaches and hidden water-filled caves that cannot be reached on foot. Towards the end of the afternoon you will arrive on a remote beach, accessible only by sea or a long hike. Here you will pull your kayaks ashore to wild-camp on the beach for the night.
Wake early for sunrise and enjoy a morning swim before breakfast. There is a little more kayaking this morning before you return to the marina and are reunited with your car.
Today you have a free day to explore one of Alentejo’s most scenic coastal routes; the Fishermen’s Trail, a stunning hiking path that takes in cliffs, beaches, and dramatic ocean views. We recommend hiking the section between Vila Nova de Milfontes and Almograve. The trail is well marked and there are stunning beaches along the way where you can stop for a picnic.
The Atlantic coast of Portugal is famous for its waves, so start your day with a surf lesson on a nearby beach. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience, a professional instructor will guide you through the basics – paddling, standing up on the board, and catching your first waves.
Drive south to end your holiday with time on the Algarve. This is the southernmost region of Portugal, with over 150km of beautiful coastline. The area is renowned for its sunshine and seafood and there is a resort or hotel to suit everyone. Some will want a lively restaurant scene with plenty of activities for the children. Others may be looking for something a little quieter and more secluded. We will suggest an area that will best suit your family.
Three glorious free days to enjoy this coastal setting to the full at your own pace. There are many optional activities to choose from in the area including diving, dolphin watching, hiking and surfing. Or you can, of course, just enjoy the beach or pool.
Depart for the airport for your flight home. You can either fly home from Faro (in the south) or return to Lisbon for your flight (around 3 hours depending on where you are staying).
Portugal in pictures
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