Portugal in Depth with Azores — Self-Launched
15 days · Portugal (Lisbon, Centro, Porto, Alentejo, Algarve & Azores)
Globus charges £3,690
No-markup version: ~£1,053 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Globus's 15-day "Portugal in Depth with Azores": Lisbon's trams and Belém, the medieval walled towns of Óbidos and Tomar, Coimbra's historic university, Porto's port cellars, the Douro, Alentejo cork country and Évora's Roman temple, the wild Algarve coast, and a flight out to São Miguel for crater lakes, geothermal Furnas and Europe's only tea plantation. Instead of a coach group and tour director you'll use Portugal's excellent train and bus network plus cheap Ryanair/Azores Airlines hops, book your own walking tours and cellar visits, and stay in guesthouses and hostels. All costs are rough backpacker/mid-budget estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive Lisbon — Alfama at dusk
Lisbon
Land at Humberto Delgado Airport and take the Aerobus or metro (€2) into the centre. Check into a guesthouse or hostel in Baixa/Alfama. Skip the hotel welcome dinner and instead eat grilled sardines at a tasca in Alfama, then climb to Miradouro de Santa Luzia for sunset over the Tejo. Grab a Viva Viagem card (€0.50) and load pay-as-you-go credit — it works on metro, trams, buses and ferries.
🚌Aerobus/metro from airport ~£2; walking
🛏Hostel dorm or simple guesthouse, Baixa/Alfama (£18–28)
- →Alfama evening wander
- →Miradouro de Santa Luzia sunset
- →Tasca dinner
Lisbon — trams, ginjinha and Belém
Lisbon
Do your own version of the 'Trams, Tales and Ginjinha' morning: ride Tram 28 (or the less-crowded 12/25) and walk the narrow streets of Alfama and Mouraria, stopping for a €1.50 shot of ginjinha in a chocolate cup. In the afternoon take Tram 15 to Belém for the Tower of Belém and Monument to the Discoveries (exterior free), and book a timed ticket online for the Jerónimos Monastery (€12) — buy direct at mosteirodosjeronimos.pt to skip the queue. Pastéis de Belém for a warm custard tart.
🚌Tram 28 + Tram 15 on Viva Viagem ~£4 total
🛏Hostel dorm or guesthouse, Lisbon (£18–28)
- →Alfama & Mouraria walking route
- →Ginjinha tasting
- →Jerónimos Monastery (€12, book online)
- →Belém waterfront
Óbidos, Nazaré, Alcobaça & Fátima by bus/train
Tomar (via Óbidos, Nazaré, Alcobaça, Fátima)
Recreate the Globus coach day using the express bus network. Take the Rede Expressos/FlixBus from Lisbon Sete Rios to Óbidos (~1h, €8), walk the medieval walls, then a local bus to Nazaré (~30 min, €3) for the clifftop viewpoint over the giant-wave beach. Continue by bus to Alcobaça (€3) to see the Monastery of Santa Maria (€6), then bus to Fátima (€4) for the Sanctuary (free). Evening bus to Tomar (~1h, €6). This is a long day — buy tickets the night before on the Rede Expressos app.
🚌Rede Expressos/FlixBus + local buses ~£24 total
🛏Guesthouse in Tomar old town (£22–32)
- →Óbidos walled town
- →Nazaré cliff viewpoint
- →Alcobaça Monastery
- →Fátima Sanctuary
Tomar's Convent of Christ & Coimbra University
Coimbra / Porto
Morning at the Convent of Christ in Tomar (UNESCO, €6) — the Charola rotunda and Manueline window are the highlight. Midday train to Coimbra (regional, ~1h20, €8.50). Store bags at the station and walk up to the University of Coimbra for the Joanina Library and Royal Palace (combined ticket €15, book online). Late afternoon train to Porto (Alfa Pendular ~1h, €16 if booked ahead). Check into a hostel in the Ribeira/Bolhão area.
🚌Regional train Tomar–Coimbra ~£8; Alfa Pendular Coimbra–Porto ~£16
🛏Hostel dorm or guesthouse, Porto (£18–28)
- →Convent of Christ, Tomar
- →University of Coimbra & Joanina Library
- →Ribeira evening stroll
Porto — Ribeira, São Francisco and port cellars
Porto
Free sandeman-style walking tour of the centre (tip €5–10) or follow your own route through São Bento station, the cathedral and Ribeira. Visit the Church of São Francisco (€8) with its gilded interior, then book a port tasting direct with a cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia — Sandeman, Graham's or Burmester tours run €15–25 and you can reserve online. Finish with a cheap francesinha or a bifana at a Bolhão market counter.
🚌Walking + Tram 1 to Gaia ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm or guesthouse, Porto (£18–28)
- →Free walking tour (tip-based)
- →Church of São Francisco
- →Port cellar tour & tasting (€15–25)
- →Douro mouth viewpoint
Guimarães and the Minho wine country
Porto / Guimarães (day trip)
Train from Porto São Bento to Guimarães (~1h10, €3.30). Wander the medieval centre, the castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança (€6). In the afternoon take a local bus or train toward Penafiel and visit Quinta da Aveleda's gardens and wine shop (garden entry/tasting around €10–15, book ahead by email) — or simpler, stay in Guimarães for a petiscos lunch of presunto, queijo and vinho verde. Return to Porto and have dinner at a Forno-da-Mimi-style local restaurant for roast kid or bacalhau (€18–25).
🚌Regional trains Porto–Guimarães return ~£7; local bus ~£3
🛏Hostel dorm or guesthouse, Porto (£18–28)
- →Guimarães medieval centre & castle
- →Quinta da Aveleda gardens
- →Petiscos lunch
- →Local restaurant dinner
Across Alentejo to Belmonte, Castelo de Vide & Évora
Évora
Long transfer day — pick up where the coach route cuts through the interior. Train Porto–Coimbra then bus to Belmonte (Jewish heritage quarter and medieval streets, free to wander), then bus to Castelo de Vide for its Jewish Quarter and hilltop castle. Continue by bus to Évora (~1h30 from Portalegre/Castelo de Vide, €8). Alternatively, keep it simple: direct Rede Expressos Porto–Évora (~5h, €20). Evening in Évora's Praça do Giraldo.
🚌Bus/train combination ~£25
🛏Guesthouse or hostel, Évora (£22–32)
- →Belmonte medieval town
- →Castelo de Vide Jewish Quarter
- →Praça do Giraldo, Évora
Évora — Roman temple, cathedral and bone chapel
Évora
Do a self-guided loop of Évora's UNESCO centre (or a tip-based walking tour, ~€10): the Roman Temple of Diana (free), Évora Cathedral with rooftop climb (€3.50), and the eerie Chapel of Bones at São Francisco (€8). Visit a working cork factory — several in town offer short tours or you can buy direct from the shop and learn the process. Afternoon bus to Lagos in the Algarve (~3h30, €16).
🚌Rede Expressos Évora–Lagos ~£16
🛏Hostel dorm or guesthouse, Lagos (£20–30)
- →Roman Temple of Diana
- →Évora Cathedral roof
- →Chapel of Bones
- →Cork factory visit
Sagres and Cape St Vincent coastline
Lagos / Sagres
Take the local EVA bus from Lagos to Sagres (~1h15, €7 one way) and walk out to the Fortress of Sagres (€3) and the cliffs above. Continue to Cabo de São Vicente, Europe's south-western tip, for sunset over the Atlantic — EVA runs a shuttle in summer, otherwise it's a 5 km walk or a taxi (€10–15 split). Back in Lagos in the evening for the old town and a €10 grilled fish dinner.
🚌EVA local bus ~£12 return, plus possible taxi share
🛏Hostel dorm or guesthouse, Lagos (£20–30)
- →Sagres Fortress
- →Cape St Vincent cliffs
- →Sunset at Europe's edge
- →Lagos old town
Arrábida, Azeitão tiles and back to Lisbon
Azeitão / Lisbon
Bus or train from Lagos to Lisbon (Rede Expressos ~3h45, €20), then a local bus/train out to Azeitão on the Setúbal peninsula. Visit the Azulejo tile workshop (small entrance fee, €3–5) and a local wine cellar for a Moscatel tasting (€8–12). If you have time, drive/bus along the Serra da Arrábida for views over the Tróia peninsula. Overnight in Lisbon.
🚌Coach Lagos–Lisbon ~£20; local bus to Azeitão ~£5
🛏Hostel dorm or guesthouse, Lisbon (£18–28)
- →Azulejo tile workshop
- →Moscatel tasting in Azeitão
- →Serra da Arrábida viewpoints
Fly to Ponta Delgada, São Miguel
Ponta Delgada, São Miguel (Azores)
Fly Lisbon to Ponta Delgada — Azores Airlines, Ryanair and TAP all run this route (~2h15); book 4–8 weeks out for €50–110 one way including a bag. Arrive, check into a guesthouse near the city centre, and do your own orientation walk: the Portas da Cidade gates, the fortress of São Brás and the waterfront. Budget a car share or scooter for the island days (a shared rental is ~€35–45/day split between travellers).
🚌Flight Lisbon–Ponta Delgada ~£70–95; airport taxi/bus ~£3
🛏Guesthouse or hostel, Ponta Delgada (£20–30)
- →Portas da Cidade
- →São Brás fortress
- →Waterfront promenade
Island centre — Ribeira Grande, Maia tea plantation & Furnas
São Miguel (Ribeira Grande / Furnas)
Self-drive (or join a small-group Sete Cidades/Furnas tour via GetYourGuide, ~£35–50) along the north coast: stop at Pico da Barrosa for the crater viewpoint, then Europe's only tea plantation at Gorreana or Porto Formoso in Maia (free tour, tea tasting €2). Carry on to Furnas for the geothermal caldeiras and botanical gardens (Terra Nostra entry €10–15), and eat lunch of cozido slow-cooked underground if you pre-order (€18–22 at local restaurants). Return to Ponta Delgada for dinner.
🚌Shared rental car ~£15–20 pp or day tour ~£40
🛏Guesthouse or hostel, Ponta Delgada (£20–30)
- →Pico da Barrosa viewpoint
- →Gorreana tea plantation
- →Furnas geothermal area
- →Terra Nostra botanical gardens
Sete Cidades crater lakes & pineapple plantation
São Miguel (Sete Cidades)
Drive west to Sete Cidades to see the blue and green crater lakes from the Boca do Inferno and Vista do Rei viewpoints, walk the bridge between the lakes and stroll the village. On the way back stop at a pineapple plantation in Ponta Delgada (free or €3 tour) and Pico do Carvão viewpoint. Evening at a local restaurant for lapas (limpets) and Azorean cheese.
🚌Shared rental car ~£15–20 pp
🛏Guesthouse or hostel, Ponta Delgada (£20–30)
- →Sete Cidades lakes
- →Boca do Inferno viewpoint
- →Pineapple plantation
- →Pico do Carvão
Fly back to Lisbon — museums and pastéis de nata
Lisbon
Morning flight back to Lisbon (€50–100). Recheck into a guesthouse and use the afternoon for whichever Lisbon sight you missed — the Tile Museum (€8), MAAT, or the Castelo de São Jorge (€15). Walk the Chiado and Bairro Alto streets, and finish with pastéis de nata and a glass of vinho verde at a rooftop bar.
🚌Flight Ponta Delgada–Lisbon ~£75
🛏Hostel dorm or guesthouse, Lisbon (£18–28)
- →National Tile Museum or Castelo de São Jorge
- →Chiado & Bairro Alto wander
- →Pastéis de nata
Depart Lisbon
Lisbon
Last morning for a market breakfast at Time Out Market or the Feira da Ladra flea market if it's a Tuesday or Saturday, then metro/Aerobus to the airport for your onward flight.
🚌Metro/Aerobus to airport ~£2
🛏None (departure day)
- →Time Out Market breakfast
- →Feira da Ladra (Tue/Sat)
Self-launched vs. Globus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Globus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,053 | £3,690 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,637 per person (71%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Globus-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,053
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 Portugal in Depth with Azores — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,053 per person for 15 days in Portugal (Lisbon, Centro, Porto, Alentejo, Algarve & Azores). 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 Globus?+
Yes — Globus charges around £3,690 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,053 — a saving of roughly £2,637 (71%) per person.
How long is the Portugal (Lisbon, Centro, Porto, Alentejo, Algarve & Azores) trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Portugal (Lisbon, Centro, Porto, Alentejo, Algarve & Azores).
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, slow-travel, foodie trip through Portugal (Lisbon, Centro, Porto, Alentejo, Algarve & Azores), 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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