In this full-day trip, starting at around 9 a.m., you will visit Sintra, a UNESCO world heritage site, famous for its fairytale palaces, castles and villas.

The visit starts in the historic centre of the medieval village and the Village Palace with its magnificent kitchens, before heading up the hill and visiting the unparalleled Pena Palace, once a favoured royal summer retreat.

We suggest having lunch in wine-region Colares or overlooking the ocean in Praia Grande.

In the afternoon you will make short stops in Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe and an amazing viewpoint to the ocean, Guincho, arguably the best beach around Lisbon, Cascais, a fishermen’s village turned aristocratic retreat and Estoril, the fashionable village that was once refuge for European royalty.

Return to the Lisbonaire at around 4 p.m.

Around 9 a.m. we will head north on this tour to Fátima, Óbidos, Batalha and Nazaré to visit religious and historical landmarks in the central north of Portugal.

 

In Fátima you will visit the Sanctuary, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, one of the most importante religious shrines in the world, that attracts millions of pilgrims and visitors each year. You will also visit the small Chapel of the Apparitions, built where in 1917 Our Lady of the Rosary appeared and revealed its secrets to three children shepherds.

After Fátima you will visit the uniquely preserved medieval village of Óbidos, one of the most beautiful walled settlements in Portugal, with its castle and maze of narrow cobbled streets and gardens.

In the afternoon, after lunch in the center of the village of Batalha, you will visit its imposing Monastery of Batalha, built in 1386 to celebrate the victory over the spanish armies that secured Portugal’s Independence.

Before heading back to Lisbon, you will make a short stop in Nazaré, a fishing village famous for its giant waves, where Garret McNamara recently surfed the biggest wave in the world, at 30 meters tall.

You will arrive at the Lisbonaire around 4 or 5 p.m.

Less than two hours driving distance from Lisbon, you will arrive at Évora, a UNESCO world heritage site with more than two millenia of history and unique for its combination of roman, gothic and baroque architecture.

Your visits will include the roman temple of Diana, the S. Francisco church and the Chapel of Bones. We will spend time in the main Giraldo Square, where you will taste a delicious local pastry called “queijada”.

For a taste of the best Alentejo wines and olive oils we can make an optional in Fundação Eugénio de Almeida.

You will return to the Lisbonaire at 4 or 5 p.m.

You may be surprised to know that Lisbon is the only european capital that has a natural reserve in its metropolitan area. With almost 15.000 hectares, the Tagus estuary is among the 10 most important wetlands in Europe and only 20 minutes away from the historic center of Lisbon.

More than 250 species of birds and up to 120.000 individuals can be spotted in the river margins and islets, which can be observed by car or boat. Some of the most common species are the Greater Flamingo, the Glossy Íbis, Squacco and Purple Herons, Eurasian Hoopoe, just to name a few.

Other attractions are the large saltpans, dating back from roman times, that give shelter and refuge to the birds.

The area is also known for its wild endangered Sorraia” horses and bull breeding that can be observed in their natural habitats.

This visit can be adjusted to your particular interests and complemented with a wine-tasting, horse riding, boat ride, etc.

Needless to say that Lisbon is surrounded by some of the best beaches in Europe.

There are urban beaches along the seaside road to Cascais and others that are immersed in nature, like Caparica or Guincho. Further along the coast there’s Ericeira and Peniche, known for their amazing surf and the pristine, clear blue waters of Portinho d’Arrábida, a paradise for scuba diving.

Some are long stretches of sand that go on for miles, others are small, secluded beaches nestled between rocks and cliffs. Some are windy or wavy, perfect for sports, others more flat, better for swimming or for a family day.

Whether you want to spend the day surfing, having a surf or kitesurf lesson, going scuba diving or sailing, or just plain lounging in the sun, we can suggest the perfect destination and arrange for transportation, lessons, equipment and whatever else you may need.

Find out more at The Lisbonaire Apartments.