Experience All That Beautiful Portugal Has to Offer on a Tauck Journey

Portugal is a beautiful place with a rich history and culture, not to mention a delectable cuisine. If you want to visit Portugal, there is no better way than with a Tauck journey. Choose from land tours, river cruises, and small ship cruises for your perfect Portugal itinerary, and immerse yourself in the culture, the cities, and the spectacular countryside.

Tauck strives to offer the very best of this amazing country, taking travelers to some of its most important sites including the Center of Portugal, Lisbon, Alentejo, and Porto/Douro regions. You don't want to miss your chance for a truly unforgettable experience.

The large Center of Portugal region is a land full of natural and cultural wonders. The long coastline is dotted with fishing villages and trendy beaches, while the inland areas boast majestic mountains and important Portuguese heritage.

Visit the charming villages and historic castles throughout the countryside and take in the centuries-old architecture that still stands as a testament to the past. The flavors of the Center region are also not to be missed, from savory meats like traditional cured sausages and roast suckling pig to an array of sweets and honey.

During your journey enjoy a great view at the walled hilltop town of Óbidos, where the cobbled streets and ramparts will make you feel like you've stepped into a fairytale.

One of your options to visit Portugal with Tauck is on a spectacular land journey that travels through the Center region. The journey takes travelers to the largest city in the region, Coimbra, which is home to one of the world's oldest universities and to 50,000 books from the 16th to 18th centuries. This is followed by a guided tour through the town of Tomar, a 12th-century stronghold of the Knights Templar. 

You will also get to spend a day in historic Évora, part of the Alentejo Region, which has a history dating back over 2,000 years. Évora is a walled medieval town that was once the seat of Portuguese kings. Discover an ancient roman temple, enchanting, whitewashed houses with wrought-iron balconies as well as the royal palaces that still stand there today.

In the afternoon, join the local guide to a family-owned cork factory where you will learn about the beautiful trees that provide the cork, the production process, and the variety of organic products made from cork. End the tour with a tasting of the local wines before heading back to your luxurious hotel, a restored 15th-century convent outside of town. 

The Lisbon region of Portugal is centered around the capital city of Lisbon. This multifaceted metropolitan area has something for everyone due to its different cultural influences over time. Many consider Lisbon to be the highlight of any Portugal visit due to its historical ambiance and to the village-like feel of each distinct neighborhood.

The city stands as a testament to the Age of Discovery and the elegant streets are home to many must-see sights, including the Maritime Museum and the National Tile Museum. Lisbon is also surrounded by beaches and resorts, as well as natural parks and World Heritage Sites to discover.

A Tauck land journey through Portugal includes a full-day stop in beautiful Lisbon. It begins with a guided museum tour and a walking food tasting tour to get a feel for the culture and cuisine of the city. This is followed by an exciting afternoon of sightseeing and an evening check-in at the luxurious Avenida da Liberdade hotel.

Another Tauck journey that makes a stop in Lisbon is a 13-day small ship cruising itinerary that ventures along the coasts of Spain and Portugal. On the final day, passengers disembark in Lisbon to take in the top landmarks and attractions, including the 16th century Belém Tower fortress and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, a monastery built in the century XVI.

The northern Porto/Douro region is known for its natural beauty and wine. The World Heritage City of Porto serves as the gateway for this region and a departure point for many of Tauck's Portugal journeys. Porto is known for its famous Port wine, which is named after the city and shipped all around the world. The city also has a rich heritage and is home to many must-see monuments and historic churches.

Another one of the important highlights of the Porto/Douro region is the Douro River Valley, which begins at Porto and follows the Douro River inland. The valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most famous and oldest wine-producing regions. It is surrounded by picture-perfect mountains and natural parks where the heritage of the region is on display in its ancient castles and churches.