Discover Portugal: Self-Launched Lisbon to Porto Adventure
10 days · Portugal
Back-Roads Touring charges £2,350
No-markup version: ~£890 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 10-day independent version of Back-Roads Touring's Lisbon-to-Porto journey, covering Sintra's palaces, Óbidos and Nazaré, the Templar stronghold of Tomar, Coimbra's historic university, the Douro Valley by rabelo boat, Vinho Verde country and Braga/Guimarães, finishing in Porto. You'll use Portugal's excellent and cheap train and bus network instead of a private coach, book small workshops and tastings directly, and stay in hostels, guesthouses and simple pensões. Costs are backpacker-level estimates in GBP and assume dorm or budget double rooms, self-catering breakfasts and public transport.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Lisbon & Fado in Alfama
Lisbon
Land in Lisbon and take the metro (€1.85 + €0.50 card) into the centre. Check into a hostel in Baixa or Alfama. Spend the afternoon wandering the miradouros and the Castle district on foot. In the evening, swap the group gala for a small fado bar in Alfama — Petiscas or Clube de Fado do Barrio are reasonably priced — and eat petiscos while you listen. Book ahead in summer.
🚌Metro from airport, then walking
🛏Hostel dorm in Alfama/Baixa (e.g. Home Lisbon or Lost Inn), £16–22 pp
- →Self-guided walk of Alfama and Miradouro das Portas do Sol
- →Fado performance at a small Alfama fado house (€15–20 cover)
- →Petiscos dinner in the old town
Sintra Palaces & Azulejo Workshop
Sintra
Catch the Rossio suburban train to Sintra (€2.30, 40 mins, buy with your Viva Viagem card). Pre-book the Pena Palace timed ticket online (€20) or opt for the quieter Sintra National Palace (€10). Walk the old town and the Quinta da Regaleira gardens (€12). In the late afternoon, join a 2-hour azulejo tile-painting workshop in Sintra old town or back in Lisbon (GetYourGuide, £30–40) — a direct replacement for the operator's atelier visit. Return to Lisbon by train for dinner.
🚌Rossio–Sintra return train €4.60; local bus 434 in Sintra €4
🛏Hostel dorm in Lisbon, £16–22 pp
- →Sintra National Palace or Pena Palace ticket (€10–20)
- →Quinta da Regaleira gardens (€12)
- →Azulejo tile-painting workshop (£30–40 via GetYourGuide)
Óbidos & Nazaré, then Alvados
Nazaré – Alvados
Take the Rede Expressos or Flixbus from Lisbon's Sete Rios to Óbidos (about €9, 1h15). Walk the walled town in an hour or two, try ginjinha in a chocolate cup (€2). Continue by bus to Nazaré (€3, 40 mins) to see the Atlantic and the Praia do Norte big-wave viewpoint. In the evening take a bus to Porto de Mós or Alcobaça (€4–6) and transfer to a rural guesthouse around Alvados, where the tour stays.
🚌Lisbon–Óbidos bus €9, Óbidos–Nazaré €3, Nazaré–Alcobaça/Porto de Mós €5
🛏Rural guesthouse/casa rural near Alvados, £28–35 pp (shared twin)
- →Walk Óbidos medieval walls and castle
- →Nazaré seafront and Praia do Norte viewpoint
- →Museum of Sacred Art or chocolate-ginjinha tasting (€2–4)
Portuguese Cookery Class & Tomar's Convent of Christ
Alvados – Tomar
Morning cookery lesson — book a half-day Portuguese cooking class in the Alcobaça/Porto de Mós area or in Tomar via Airbnb Experiences or GetYourGuide (£35–45), which usually includes lunch. In the afternoon take the bus to Tomar (€3) and explore the Convent of Christ (€6), the UNESCO Templar HQ. If you have time, visit an olive oil producer nearby or in the Alentejo-style groves around Tomar (tasting £5–10). Overnight in Tomar, which has more budget options than Alvados.
🚌Local bus Alvados–Tomar €3; walking in town
🛏Hostel or pensão in Tomar, £22–28 pp
- →Half-day Portuguese cookery class (£35–45)
- →Convent of Christ ticket (€6)
- →Olive oil tasting at a local producer (£5–10)
Coimbra University & Viseu Cheese
Coimbra – Viseu
Take the regional train from Tomar to Coimbra (€8–10, about 1h20 via Entroncamento). Tour the University of Coimbra and the Joanina Library (combined ticket €13.50 — book online to avoid queues). Climb the tower for the view. After lunch, take the bus to Viseu (€9, 1h45). In Viseu, visit the Museu de Grão Vasco (€5) and pick up Queijo da Serra at a local shop or market — far cheaper than a formal guided tasting.
🚌Train Tomar–Coimbra €9; bus Coimbra–Viseu €9
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Viseu, £20–26 pp
- →University of Coimbra & Joanina Library (€13.50)
- →Old Cathedral and historic centre walk
- →Queijo da Serra tasting at a Viseu deli (€5)
Douro Valley: Lamego, Rabelo Boat & Régua
Pinhão – Peso da Régua
Bus from Viseu to Lamego (€6, 1h) and climb the baroque staircase to the Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies. Continue by bus to Pinhão (€4). Book a classic rabelo boat cruise on the Douro from Pinhão to Régua directly with the operator (€15–20, 1–2 hours) — the same route the tour takes. Arrive in Peso da Régua, check into a riverside pensão and eat grilled fish or a francesinha at a local tasca.
🚌Bus Viseu–Lamego €6, Lamego–Pinhão €4, Pinhão–Régua by boat €15–20
🛏Pensão/guesthouse in Peso da Régua, £24–30 pp
- →Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies (free entry)
- →Rabelo boat cruise Pinhão–Régua (€15–20)
- →Riverside walk in Régua
Douro Valley Hike & Port Wine Tasting
Peso da Régua
A full day on foot in the Douro. Take the historic Douro line train one stop east (Régua–Pinhão, €2.50) and hike a section of the valley terraces — a 2–3 hour loop from Pinhão through vineyards is easy to follow on maps.me or AllTrails. In the afternoon, join a Port lodge tour and tasting in Pinhão or Régua (£20–30; Quinta do Bomfim or Quinta do Seixo are close and well priced). Return to Régua for dinner at a local restaurant.
🚌Douro line train €2.50 each way; walking
🛏Pensão/guesthouse in Peso da Régua, £24–30 pp
- →Douro vineyard terrace hike (free)
- →Port wine lodge tour and tasting (£20–30)
- →Riverside sunset walk
Amarante & Vinho Verde Country, to Braga
Penafiel – Braga
Take the bus or train down the valley to Amarante (€8–10, 1h30) to see the São Gonçalo church and bridge over the Tâmega. Continue to Penafiel (€3) and book a Vinho Verde winery visit and tasting directly (a number of small producers in the region charge €10–15 for tasting) — alternatives can be arranged through GetYourGuide. In the evening, take the train from Penafiel to Braga (€3.50, 50 mins) and settle into a hostel or guesthouse near the Sé.
🚌Bus Régua–Amarante €9; bus Amarante–Penafiel €3; train Penafiel–Braga €3.50
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Braga, £20–26 pp
- →São Gonçalo Church and Tâmega river walk in Amarante
- →Vinho Verde winery visit and tasting (£10–15)
- →Evening in Braga's historic centre
Guimarães and Bom Jesus, then Braga
Braga – Guimarães
Morning train from Braga to Guimarães (€2.45, 30 mins). Walk the UNESCO old town, visit the castle (€2) and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (£5), and explore the pedestrian centre. In the afternoon return to Braga and take the local bus up to Bom Jesus do Monte (€2) — climb the famous zigzag staircase or ride the historic funicular (€1.50). Enjoy a final group-style dinner at a Braga tasca with vinho verde and bacalhau.
🚌Train Braga–Guimarães return €5; local bus to Bom Jesus €2; funicular €1.50
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Braga, £20–26 pp
- →Guimarães Castle and Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (€7)
- →Historic centre walk
- →Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary and funicular (€1.50)
Porto: Ribeira, Clérigos & Departure
Porto
Catch the morning train from Braga to Porto Campanhã (€3.50, 55 mins). Do a free self-guided walk: Clérigos Tower viewpoint (€8, optional), Aliados Avenue, and down to the Ribeira district and Porto Cathedral. Book an early-afternoon port cellar tour in Gaia (€18–25) if time allows before departing. Allow 3 hours for airport travel and check-in.
🚌Train Braga–Porto €3.50; metro to airport €2
🛏Optional final night in Porto hostel, £18–25 pp (not included in total)
- →Self-guided Ribeira and Aliados walk (free)
- →Clérigos Tower viewpoint (€8, optional)
- →Port cellar tour in Gaia (€18–25, optional)
Self-launched vs. Back-Roads Touring
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Back-Roads Touring | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£890 | £2,350 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,460 per person (62%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Back-Roads Touring-style trips? Check them out here.~£890
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Discover Portugal: Self-Launched Lisbon to Porto Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £890 per person for 10 days in Portugal. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Back-Roads Touring?+
Yes — Back-Roads Touring charges around £2,350 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £890 — a saving of roughly £1,460 (62%) per person.
How long is the Portugal trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through Portugal.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, foodie, budget trip through Portugal, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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