Wide shot of the National Palace of Pena.

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Portugal Hiking & Walking Tour

Lisbon to Porto—Sintra & the Douro River Valley

From our lofty viewpoints, green slopes tumble toward the Douro River, pastel-hued palaces emerge from misty pine forests and wild waves crash against rugged coastal bluffs. Take it all in. Que lindeza—what loveliness.

6 days, 5 nights

Luxury Hotels

Activity Levels 1-3

Couples, Friends & Solos

Also Available for: Women

From $5,099 - $5,499/person

Itinerary Where You’ll Stay What to Know Reviews

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Snapshots from the Trip

Trip at a Glance

Highlights

Hike across windswept cliffs and meander through charming beachside villages along Portugal’s stunning northern coastline
Climb through the terraced hillsides of the Douro River Valley, where lush vineyards give way to riverside hamlets and timeworn Roman towns
Tour the grounds of the romantic Pena Palace, one of Portugal’s most famous monuments, offering beautiful views over the fairy-tale town of Sintra
Savor the flavors of Portugal’s rich culinary heritage—from hearty stews and fresh seafood to the beloved pastel de nata, a sweet custard tart
Gaze out at sweeping vistas from the Sitio district, perched above the iconic fishing village of Nazaré

Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.

Start Lisbon Airport & Travel Details

We start our journey in Lisbon, an ancient city experiencing a renaissance
On a lovely trail, discover Sintra’s fantastical landscapes and architectural highlights
Hike from Cabo da Roca‌, a pristine cape and the most westerly spot in mainland Europe
Explore famed Pena Palace on foot and admire its Romantic design
Wrap up an incredible day with flavorful Portuguese cuisine and wines at our stately hideaway.

Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais

(Luxury Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Aerial view of Tivoli Palacio de Seteais

Stone archway with two large bushes in front, with a view of the sunset sky

Dining area with large curtains, circular tables, and wine glasses on each table

Room with large curtains, flower wallpapers, and green and white furniture on hardwood floors

Outdoor pool with beds with large curtains surrounding the pool

Nights 1-2

Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais

Sintra

Luxury Hotel

A former 18th-century palace, this elegant old-world hotel offers a resplendent atmosphere and views of the Sintra mountains and the Castle of the Moors. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Explore seaside Nazaré and its lighthouse museum
Enjoy lunch overlooking this unique fishing village, famous for hosting big wave surf competitions
Stroll through Coimbra, a World Heritage town home to a hallowed and historic university
Soak up the opulent atmosphere of our hotel and take time to admire its gorgeous gardens.

Quinta das Lágrimas

(Deluxe Hotel, 1 night)

Activity Options & Terrain

Exterior view of hotel Quinta das Lágrimas at night.

outdoor bistro tables next to a spiral staircase

living room with wood floors and velvet couches

Night 3

Quinta das Lágrimas

Coimbra

Deluxe Hotel

Relax at this palatial Small Luxury Hotels of the World member where, according to medieval lore, an epic love once flourished. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Soak in vistas of vast vineyards, farms and tiny stone hamlets
Hike through the rugged landscape of the Alto Douro along the banks of the stunning Douro River
Follow a historic train line from the charming town of Amarante into lush terrain
Sample wines made from grapes grown at our hotel, an elegant building nestled among vine-laden hillsides
Hike on tranquil paths that hug the terraced slopes of the Vinho Verde region
On our last day together, explore the countryside and walk through the hotel’s spectacular grapevines.

Monverde Wine Experience Hotel

(Luxury Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Two large building complexes attached by a dirt trail, in the middle of a crop valley

Seating area with green sofas and and wooden furniture

Dining area with green chairs and white table cloths

Outdoor patio with an outdoor pool, surrounded with woven, reclining chairs

Exterior view of a modern stone and wood building, with a grass area in front

Nights 4-5

Monverde Wine Experience Hotel

Telões

Luxury Hotel

Appropriately named and with impeccable hospitality, this beautiful hotel is designed to engage all your senses in Portugal's spectacular wine country. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

End Porto Airport & Travel Details

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This trip has an activity level range of 1-3

Route & Terrain Notes

The hiking routes on the trip offer a mix of quiet paths through forests and vineyards, rugged coastal trails and paved or cobblestone roads near and through towns. The terrain varies from level to rolling with some steeper climbs and descents. Trails include sections of uneven footing in the form of rocks, roots and possibly mud.

Day 1

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

5 miles

900 ft. gain

Private Guided Tour of Capuchos Convent (30 minutes)

Private Guided Tour of Monserrate (30 minutes)

Day 2

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

3 miles

200 ft. gain

Level 2

6 miles

400 ft. gain

Level 3

8 miles

800 ft. gain

Day 3

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

3 miles

500 ft. gain

Private Guided Tour of Quinta das Lagrimas & Coimbra (1.5 hours)

Day 4

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

4 miles

600 ft. gain

Level 3

7 miles

700 ft. gain

Day 5

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

2 miles

100 ft. gain

Level 2

4 miles

700 ft. gain

Level 3

7 miles

1500 ft. gain

Day 6

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

2 miles

300 ft. gain

View Dates & Prices From $5,099/person

What to Know

What's Included

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Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Accommodations & Service Standards

The Old World legacy of Portugal is beautifully reflected in the hotels and restaurants featured on this trip. While we’ve handpicked some of the region’s finest lodgings and eateries, on occasion you may find them simpler than what’s typical in other Backroads Luxury Hotels in Europe. The relaxed lifestyle that defines this region can also result in slower service.

FAQs

This trip is best suited for adults who enjoy relaxed walks but also want the option of more active hikes with longer climbs. It’s ideal for those who want to explore Sintra’s palaces, Portugal’s rugged coast and the vineyard-covered hills of the Douro Valley on foot.

This is a Level 1–3 Hiking & Walking trip, with shorter options covering roughly 2–5 miles and the longest options reaching around 8 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain. A typical day includes multiple flexible route choices—see this trip’s Activity Options & Terrain in the itinerary for day-by-day details or learn more about Backroads’ activity levels.

The trip showcases several distinct sides of Portugal. Sintra and the Cascais coast offer Atlantic scenery, historic palaces and coastal trails, Coimbra adds a cultural and urban perspective centered around one of Europe's oldest universities, and the Douro Valley brings terraced vineyards, river views and Portugal's renowned wine country before the journey ends near Porto.

Terrain varies throughout the trip, from coastal paths and packed dirt trails to terraced vineyard slopes, cobblestone village streets and occasional paved roads. Overall, the footing is stable and manageable, making this one of Backroads' more accessible European walking trips.

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