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Sample Itineraries: Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto (Portugal)

November 16, 2016 By International Lodging Corporation

ilc-blog-itinerary-suggestions-lisbon-coimbra-porto-portugalHere’s a perfect itinerary for travelers who have around a week to explore some of the highlights of this majestic country. The itinerary covers the country’s vibrant capital city of Lisbon, the charming medieval town of Coimbra in the central region, and the old-world charm of Porto, the northern city that is best known for the sweet wine produced in its local wine cellars.

The beauty of this itinerary is that it can just as easily be done by car or by train, so you can decide how you want to get around. The roadways in Portugal are quite good and these cities are all connected via major highways, which makes it an easy and very pleasant drive.  The benefit of renting a car is that you don’t have to be tied to a schedule and you have the flexibility of taking detours along the way if you find an interesting place you want to see.

Since you won’t really need a car once you arrive at your destinations, the benefit of taking the train is that you can skip the car rental and leave the driving to Comboios de Portugal, the national railway. There won’t be a need to worry about directions or traffic; you can just sit back, relax in your comfortable train seat and watch the beautiful countryside go by.

For more information about getting around in Portugal, click here. The times mentioned below for train travel are based on the high-speed Alfa Pendular service that runs between Lisbon-Coimbra-Porto. Service is also offered on Regional and Inter-regional lines, but these lines will add 15-30 minutes to the times quoted below. Tickets can be bought online and discounts may be available for advance ticket purchases. For more information on Comboios de Portugal, including schedules, pricing and ticket purchase information, click here.

You will begin your itinerary in Lisbon, the cosmopolitan capital city of Portugal that is located on the Atlantic at the mouth of the Tagus River. Here you can explore the historic Alfama neighborhood that is topped off with a 12th C. castle, ride the wooden trams that traverse the city’s narrow streets, visit museums that feature everything from paintings, to tiles to royal coaches, and finish off your day by enjoying a meal at a top rated restaurant with chefs that are gaining worldwide acclaim and Michelin stars. For more information on what to see in Lisbon, click here.

The next stop on the itinerary is the enchanting city of Coimbra, whose historic roots date back to Roman times. Coimbra served as Portugal’s first capital in the 12th C., is the birthplace of six of the country’s kings, and the final resting place of the first two. This thriving and vibrant city is perhaps best known for its university, which was established in 1290 and is one of the oldest in the world. The beautiful university buildings, especially the incomparable Baroque library, Biblioteca Joanina, are not to be missed. Many also visit Coimbra to see the gardens where the tragic love story of Prince Pedro and Inés de Castro, Portugal’s version of Romeo and Juliet, played out. For more information on what to see in Coimbra, click here.

The last stop on the itinerary is Porto, and no visit to Porto would be complete without touring the wine cellars and tasting its delicious wines. Portugal’s second largest city has much more to offer than just its eponymous wine. The city has a special old world charm and enchantment that you can feel as you stroll along its riverfront, visit its monuments, or walk down its ancient narrow streets and alleyways. For more information on what to see in Porto, click here.

  • Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon in the morning; sightseeing in the afternoon
  • Day 2: Sightseeing in Lisbon
  • Day 3: Sightseeing in Lisbon
  • Day 4: Leave in the morning and drive/take train to Coimbra (205 km drive/1.5 hour train ride); sightseeing in Coimbra
  • Day 5: After breakfast, drive/take train to Porto (120 km drive/1 hour train ride); sightseeing in Porto
  • Day 6: Sightseeing in Porto
  • Day 7: Sightseeing in Porto in the morning, drive/take train back to Lisbon in the afternoon (312 km drive/2.5 hour train ride)
  • Day 8: Depart Lisbon to return home

Additional information on what to see and do, where to stay and where to eat in these cities can be found on our website. Simply search by city.

Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide in some or all of these cities. Private tours are a great way to make the best use of the limited time you have in each city. Your English-speaking local guide will make sure you don’t miss any must-see sights, and will provide you with the history and insights behind the places you will visit. For more information on all of our Portugal tours, click here.

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Filed Under: Places to See, Portugal Tagged With: Coimbra, Lisbon, Porto, Portugal, Portugal Itinerary Suggestions

Sites to See…Portugal’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites

September 7, 2016 By International Lodging Corporation

ILC-blog-Sites-to-See-Portugals-UNESCO-World-Heritage-SitesPortugal has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with most of them located on the mainland and 3 located on the islands of Madeira and the Azores. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) administers the World Heritage Programme that designates and catalogs places that are of significant cultural or natural importance.

To help you plan your itinerary for your next trip to Portugal, the following is a list of the World Heritage Sites located in Portugal:

Lisbon and environs

  • Monastery dos Jerónimos and Tower of Belém (Lisbon) – for more information on Jerónimos, click here, for more information on Belém, click here
  • Cultural Landscape of Sintra – for more information, click here
  • Monastery of Alcobaça – for more information, click here
  • Monastery of Batalha – for more information, click here
  • Convent of Christ in Tomar – for more information, click here
  • University of Coimbra –  for more information, click here

Alentejo region

  • Historic Center of Évora – for more information, click here
  • Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications

Porto and environs

  • Historic Center of Porto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar – for more information, click here
  • Historic Center of Guimarães – for more information, click here
  • Alto Douro Wine Region
  • Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde
  • Sanctuary of Bom Jesús do Monte in Braga – for more information, click here

Madeira and the Azores

  • Laurisilva of Madeira
  • Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores
  • Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture (Azores)

For more information on Portugal’s World Heritage Sites, click here.

Photo Credit: © Posto de Turismo de Alcobaça (Tourism Office of Alcobaça). Photo of Monastery of Alcobaça

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Filed Under: Portugal, Sites to See Tagged With: Alcobaça, Alentejo, Batalha, Coimbra, Evora, Guimarães, Lisbon, Porto, Portugal, Sintra, Sites to See - Portugal, UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Next Stop…Coimbra, Portugal

August 10, 2016 By International Lodging Corporation

ILC-blog-Next-Stop-Coimbra-PortugalCoimbra is a city that has deep historical and cultural roots that date back to its founding in Roman times. It has played an important part in Portugal’s history over the centuries, and even served at the country’s first capital from 1131-1255. Six of Portugal’s kings were born here, and the country’s first two kings are buried here.

Portugal’s 4th largest city is a thriving and vibrant city. It is perhaps best known for its university, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the oldest in the country and one of the oldest universities in the world. Established in 1290, the University of Coimbra continues to be a draw for both international students as well as tourists who come to visit the beautiful buildings of this esteemed institution.

The medieval city of Coimbra sits alongside the banks of the Mondego River, and is divided into the Lower Town (the Baixa) that is located by the river, and the Upper Town (Cidade Alta). The Lower Town is the commercial hub of the city, with shops, restaurants and cafes. The Upper Town is the old town that sits atop a hill and consists of narrow, winding cobblestone streets and buildings dating back to medieval times. You can enter the Upper Town through the Moorish town walls at the Arco de Almedina, which dates back to the 9th C. In the old town you will find the 12th C. Old Cathedral, the 17th C. New Cathedral, and the beautiful buildings of the university. If school is in session you will see students roaming through the courtyard and buildings in their traditional black gowns, which is a vision that will transport you back in time.

Coimbra is home to the legend of the tragic love story of Prince Pedro and Inés de Castro, Portugal’s version of Romeo and Juliet. Located just on the other side of the river, many visit the gardens of Quinta das Lágrimas (Estate of Tears) to see the place where Inés was murdered in 1355 by Pedro’s father, King Afonso IV, in order to end their forbidden love affair. Today the estate is operated as a luxury hotel.

The following is a list of the top things to see during your visit to Coimbra:

  • The historic buildings of the university, including the courtyard and bell tower, the Chapel of São Miguel, and the incomparable Baroque library, Biblioteca Joanina, with over 200,000 volumes dating from the 15th to 18th centuries
  • The 12th C. Sé Velha (Old Cathedral) and the 17th C. Sé Nova (New Cathedral)
  • The Monastery of Santa Cruz, which houses the tombs of Portugal’s first two kings (Afonso I and his son, Sancho)
  • The Botanical Gardens of the university, which were created in 1772 and are the largest in Portugal
  • Praça do Comércio, the city’s main square, and the 12th C. Church of São Tiago, located on the corner of the square
  • The ruins of the 13th C. Convent of Santa Clara-a-Velha and the new convent, Santa Clara-a-Nova, built in 1649
  • Quinta das Lágrimas Gardens

If you are visiting Coimbra with children you you may want to include a visit to Portugal dos Pequenitos (Portugal of the Little Ones), a popular theme park for children. Built in 1940, the park recreates in miniatures Portugal’s most important national monuments, along with typical houses and buildings from former colonies. There is a dress museum that features miniature outfits from Portuguese everyday life throughout the centuries, as well as a Barbie museum with over 300 dolls. The theme park is located just across the river near the Convent of Santa Clara-a-Velha.

One last site of interest that is located about 20 minutes south of Coimbra is the ancient Roman city of Conímbriga. The ruins at this archaeological site are the best preserved Roman ruins in Portugal, with city walls, mosaic floors and building foundations that are still intact.

For information and reservations for our hotels in Coimbra, click here.

Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide. Your personal guide can provide you with information on the city and its historic sites. For more information on our Coimbra tours, click here.

Photo Credit: © Christopher Pappas · All rights reserved.

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Filed Under: Places to See, Portugal Tagged With: Coimbra, Friends and Family Travel, Lisbon (Day Trips), Porto (Day Trips), Portugal, Portugal - Next Stop, UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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