Central & Southern Portugal Touring Holidays

• Lisboa – vibrant capital, full of heritage
• Aveiro – the Portuguese Venice
• Serra da Estrela, granite peaks and glacial lagoons
• Gothic monasteries of Batalha, Alcobaça, Tomar & Óbidos
• Coimbra University, founded in 1290
• Roman Évora, heart of the northern Alentejo
• Wild surf-washed Atlantic coast
• Fortress towns and wild landscape of the Planalto
• Granite-built Viseu – Dão wine region
• Marble towns of the Alentejo

Lisboa

• Explore Alfama’s winding lanes – Wander through Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood, listen to Fado, and enjoy views from hidden miradouros.
• Ride Tram 28 – Take the classic yellow tram through steep streets, historic districts, and some of the city’s best landmarks.
• Visit Belém’s monuments – See the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower, and taste a warm Pastel de Belém straight from the bakery.
• Stroll along the riverfront – Walk from Cais do Sodré to Belém and enjoy sunset views over the Tagus.

Centro

• Explore Coimbra’s historic centre – Walk the old streets, visit the ancient university, and enjoy views over the Mondego River. 
• Wander the medieval town of Óbidos – Stroll along the castle walls, explore whitewashed lanes, and browse local crafts.
• Visit the Roman ruins of Conímbriga – Discover mosaic floors, ancient baths, and one of Portugal’s best-preserved archaeological sites.
• Hike in the Serra da Estrela – Follow forest trails, spot wild deer, and explore traditional schist villages.
• Taste wine in the Dão region – Visit family-run wineries, learn about local grapes, and enjoy smooth reds and fresh whites.
• Explore the schist villages of Centro de Portugal – Walk stone-paved streets, meet local artisans, and enjoy peaceful rural scenery.
• Discover Évora’s historic centre – Visit the Roman temple, the cathedral, and the Chapel of Bones in this UNESCO city.

Alentejo

• Lose yourself in the countryside – Walk or cycle through rolling plains, cork oak forests, and quiet rural paths.
• Try the local 'black pork' dishes – Taste slow-cooked specialities, hearty stews, and traditional flavours in local taverns.
• Explore the fascinating 'Marble Towns' - Estremoz, Borba and Vila Vicosa
• Visit Alentejo wineries – taste the world-class wines of the Alentejo and immerse yourself in the serene landscape.
• Walk the Costa Vicentina – Follow cliff-top paths to quiet beaches and rugged coves.

The climate in central and southern Portugal is generally benign throughout the year due to its southern position and the proximity of the Atlantic.

The central region gets progressively warmer as you head south but Atlantic breezes refresh the coastal lands and the high mountains of the Serra da Estrela are always a little cooler (often sporting some snow in winter). The Planalto is very hot and dry in high summer and sharply cold in winter but enjoys a delightful climate away from those extremes. March through to October is the best time to visit.

The south is warmer, as you might expect, yet Lisboa and the northern Alentejo don’t see the more extreme sizzling temperatures of the Algarve in the far south and the region is very pleasant for touring from February right through to November, perhaps avoiding the high summer if you don’t like it too hot…

With Lisboa as the main port of entry, central and southern Portugal holiday destinations are well served by air from the UK and worldwide.

Lisboa has direct flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and Dublin (and many more UK and International airports).

Alternative airports

Faro in the Algarve region is a good entry point for tours in the Alentejo and has very good connections (including low-cost operators).

*More info – check the ‘Travel’ tab from within any particular tour for the best options for that trip.

A car is essential for getting around and making the most out of the visit, as many hotels and attractions are not easily accessible by public transport.

When travelling by air, we usually include a hire car; those coming on the ferry will use their own vehicle. In either case, we will provide full driving instructions, GPS co-ords for the accommodation and essential information on driving in Spain and Portugal as well as a touring map of the area.

Please ask us if you wish to travel to Portugal with your own car.

One of Europe’s top destinations, Lisbon’s food scene has grown quickly. Leading chefs like José Avillez, João Rodrigues, Ljubomir Stanisic, Henrique Sá Pessoa and Susanna Felicidade have helped transform the city’s cuisine, creating modern takes on Portuguese and international dishes.

But to taste the real Lisbon, you shouldn’t overlook its traditional tascas – small, simple, family-run places with handwritten menus and low prices. Here you’ll find everyday Portuguese cooking and classic snacks like the prego (beef steak sandwich) and bifana (pork steak sandwich). Locals from all backgrounds eat in them, making them perfect for understanding city life.

For a drink or a quick bite, the ornate park kiosks are a great option. Lisbon’s mix of communities also brings food from Goa, Cape Verde and Brazil, and even a few low-profile Chinese restaurants.

Sweet lovers are well catered for too. Cake shops across the city sell pastries based on old convent recipes. You can’t leave without trying a pastel de nata or the famous pastel de Belém, but there are plenty more choices, from toucinho do céu to Sintra’s travesseiros.

Stretching from the Atlantic to the Serra da Estrela mountains and beyond, the food in Central Portugal is as diverse as the landscape with a strong focus on tradition, fresh ingredients and local recipes. You will often find dishes unique to each small area – from villages famous for roast suckling pig to places with countless ways of cooking salt cod.

Fresh fish and seafood dominate the coast, with rich soups, casseroles and seafood rice. Aveiro is known for eels, oysters and seaweed, while Nazaré serves dried-and-seared mackerel. In Ílhavo, the Maritime Museum explains the history of Portugal’s beloved salt cod.

Inland, Bairrada is the home of the best suckling pig, and Coimbra’s surroundings offer goat or lamb slow-cooked in red wine. Viseu is known for its tender veal, while Castelo Branco serves pork dishes similar to haggis. In the Serra da Estrela, roasted kid, trout, cured sausages and the famous creamy sheep’s cheese are the stars.

Sweet treats are everywhere: Aveiro’s “ovos moles”, Ovar’s sponge cake, and Viseu’s egg-based sweets. Convent pastries from Tentúgal, Vouzela and Santa Clara are also worth seeking out. Local products like olive oil, mountain honey and spring cherries add even more flavour.

Family-run restaurants are common, often with open kitchens. Lunchtime menus offer generous portions, though you can ask for a half portion or share. The region also has one of Portugal’s top wine areas: Dão. Its reds are smooth and full-bodied, while the whites are increasingly popular. Consider visiting wineries near Viseu, such as Paço dos Cunhas de Santar or Quinta de Saes.

Before or after a meal, try a “ginjinha” – a sour cherry liqueur popular in Óbidos and enjoyed across the region.

The Alentejo, the vast region between Lisbon and the Algarve, is a land of vineyards, olive groves, cork forests, farmland and a striking coastline. Covering a third of Portugal, it offers rich culture and a food scene that still feels largely undiscovered.

Once a poor rural area, the Alentejo developed a simple but imaginative cuisine based on seasonal, local ingredients. Its cooking focuses on age-old recipes, fresh produce and strong flavours. Pork, lamb, salt cod and excellent bread form the base of many dishes, combined with local herbs, garlic, onions and fruity olive oil. The result is honest food that reflects the landscape.

Markets display excellent olives, small sheep and goat cheeses from Serpa and Évora, cured ham, wild mushrooms, asparagus, sweet potatoes and more. The region’s famous black pork, raised on acorns, is incredibly tender. Game dishes are common, as are hearty açordas – bread soups with coriander, garlic and sometimes fish. Other local specialities include lamb stew, dogfish soup, purslane soup, Alentejo-style Portuguese stew and the classic pork-and-clams dish.

Along the coast, the focus shifts to fresh fish and seafood, simply grilled or served in stews and rice dishes. Desserts are also a highlight, with many pastries still made using old convent recipes. Don’t miss sericaia, a baked custard served with the famous sugar plums from Elvás.

Alentejo wines are another pleasant surprise. The region has eight wine areas, producing bold mineral reds and smooth whites. House wine served in jugs is usually excellent value and very drinkable. Whether in a family-run tavern or a more refined restaurant, the Alentejo offers a memorable taste of genuine food and wine.