Lisboa, Alentejo and Estremadura

Seven nights, self-guided, around the classic golden triangle of central Portugal: Lisboa, Evora and the monasteries of Estremadura. Caminos arranges the hotels and an economy hire car, and describes six World Heritage sites in an area the size of Yorkshire.

The page lists the monasteries of Batalha, Alcobaca and Tomar, the history of Lisboa in the Age of Discovery, the palaces and castles of Sintra and medieval Evora with its Roman ruins. It also stresses that it is not only old stones, with fine wines, gastronomy, lively bars, cool cafes, ocean beaches and walking. The Alentejo wines and the hilltop fortress towns are specific draws.

Three nights in Lisboa and around come first, with a ride on the trams, the Manueline Jeronimos monastery, and the beaches of Cascais and Aldeia do Meco, with Sintra close by. Two nights in the Alto Alentejo follow, built around Evora’s walls and Roman ruins, the hilltop fortress towns of Monsaraz, Marvao and Castelo de Vide, the potteries among the vines and the marble towns of Vila Vicosa and Estremoz. The final two nights are in Estremadura, with Batalha, Alcobaca, the Templar convent at Tomar, the white houses of Obidos and the surf-washed beaches near Sao Martinho do Porto.

The price covers hotels on a bed and breakfast basis for two sharing a double room, an economy four-door hire car for those flying, a regional guide book and a personal travel app with restaurant suggestions and weather forecasts, and instructions for finding every hotel. Flights, one-way and cross-border car hire charges, extras such as a second driver, garage parking and local tourist taxes are not included. Caminos quotes about £1,150 per person as an indicative mid-season figure for 7 nights, and adapts the route, hotels and airports to each traveller.