Circular route through the center of Portugal

About the destination: Lisbon is known as the city of seven hills due to its location, the city spreads across steep hillsides that overlook the River Tagus. Romantic and cosmopolitan, the city presents its typical red roofs to the visitors that want to get to know its every inch. Lisbon surprises with its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. The Portuguese capital offers lots of museums, libraries, a massive port, churches and palaces and stunning views of the River Tagus. Lisbon was once considered a poor and chaotic city. Currently it has experienced a resurgence in the style of the 14th and 15th centuries, when it was part of that vast empire stretching from Brazil to India. The reason for this was the World Expo held in 1998, a new bridge over the Tagus was built and the city's underground network was remodelled. The resurgence of the city then continued to host several matches during Euro 2004, also held there the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2005. Many of its most beautiful buildings date from the 14th and 15th centuries, especially the ones located in the Belem district. There are also many buildings from the 18th century, which are located mostly in the Baixa area of central Lisbon and were reconstructed almost completely after a devastating earthquake that hit the town in 1755. The historic centre of the city, standing on The Seven Hills, presents steep streets and picturesque alleys. On the west side of the city, there is Monsanto Forest Park, Lisbon’s lung, with an area of 10 km and one of the largest in Europe. The capital’s majestic port has 3 docks commonly used for several cruises and it is, currently, the busiest port on the European Atlantic coast. Lisbon is a city with centuries of history and with an ambitious attitude, marrying the historic with the modern, the traditional with the cutting edge. Strolling through the old quarters one can hear the traditional Fado sung and played in small restaurants in town. In the hilltop district of Bairro Alto, dozens of restaurants and bars line the narrow streets, with jazz, reggae, electronica filling the air and revellers partying until dawn. Nightclubs scattered all over town make fine use of old spaces, whether on riverside docks or tucked away in 18th-century mansions. Lisbon presents itself to the world as a cosmopolitan and lively city, with alternatives for every taste, especially in the summer months when its many bars, terraces and restaurants are crammed with people.

About the destination: Castro Verde is a Portuguese town belonging to the District of Beja, Alentejo region and intermunicipal community of the Lower Alentejo, with about 4,800 inhabitants. It is the seat of a municipality with 567.31 km² of area and 7 603 inhabitants (2001), subdivided into 5 parishes. The municipality limits to the north with the municipalities of Aljustrel and Beja, to the east with Mértola, to the south with Almodôvar and to the west with Ourique.

About the destination: The medieval university town of Evora rises proudly from an endless plain punctuated by hardy cork and olive trees. Desired by a series of empires, its maze-like streets shelter everything from a Roman temple to a Renaissance palace. But above all, Evora stands as Portugal’s premier medieval spectacle, with beautifully preserved, colourful tile facades on ancient whitewashed walls. All tucked away in a tangle of winding streets and topped off by balconies adorned with potted plants and caged canaries. You won’t need long to understand why Evora is known as “the museum city”. From Praça do Giraldo walk down through the charming tiled houses, to the massive 12th century Sé, the cathedral. Inside the entrance to the right are beautiful cloisters. From here you can climb the ramparts for an excellent view of the city. Next door is the Museu d’Evora, housed in an old bishop’s palace. Across the museum is Evora’s most famous monument, the 2nd century Roman Temple of Diana. Facing the temple is the church of São João Evangelista, the town’s best hidden gem. One of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns, Evora is a captivating place to delve into the past. If you have time to visit only a few places in Portugal, make Evora one of them.

About the destination: The medieval university town of Evora rises proudly from an endless plain punctuated by hardy cork and olive trees. Desired by a series of empires, its maze-like streets shelter everything from a Roman temple to a Renaissance palace. But above all, Evora stands as Portugal’s premier medieval spectacle, with beautifully preserved, colourful tile facades on ancient whitewashed walls. All tucked away in a tangle of winding streets and topped off by balconies adorned with potted plants and caged canaries. You won’t need long to understand why Evora is known as “the museum city”. From Praça do Giraldo walk down through the charming tiled houses, to the massive 12th century Sé, the cathedral. Inside the entrance to the right are beautiful cloisters. From here you can climb the ramparts for an excellent view of the city. Next door is the Museu d’Evora, housed in an old bishop’s palace. Across the museum is Evora’s most famous monument, the 2nd century Roman Temple of Diana. Facing the temple is the church of São João Evangelista, the town’s best hidden gem. One of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns, Evora is a captivating place to delve into the past. If you have time to visit only a few places in Portugal, make Evora one of them.

About the destination: Vila Viçosa (sometimes referred to in Spanish as "Villa Viciosa" 1) is a Portuguese town, in the District of Évora, Alentejo region and inter-municipal community of Alentejo Central, with about 5400 inhabitants.

About the destination: Castelo de Vide is a Portuguese village in the District of Portalegre, Alentejo region and intermunicipal community of Alto Alentejo, with about 3800 inhabitants. It is the seat of a municipality with 264.83 km² of area and 3872 inhabitants (2001), subdivided into 4 parishes. The municipality limits to the northeast with Spain, to the west with the municipality of Marvão, to the south with Portalegre, to the southwest with Crato and to the west and northwest with Nisa.

About the destination: Vila Nova de Foz Côa is a Portuguese city, belonging to the district of Guarda, North Region and inter-municipal community of Douro, with about 3 300 inhabitants. It is the seat of a municipality with 395.88 km² of area and 8 494 inhabitants (2001), subdivided into 17 parishes. The municipality is bounded on the north by Carrazeda de Ansiães and Torre de Moncorvo, on the northeast by Freixo de Espada à Cinta, on the southeast by Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and Pinhel, on the south by Mêda and on the west by Penedono and São João da Pesqueira.

About the destination: Coimbra is a town of steep, tiered streets winding above the River Mondego. No city in Portugal, except Lisbon, can compare with this university town in cultural and historical importance. Founded in 1290, the university has long been Portugal’s foremost centre of learning. If you can, come during the Queima das Fitas in early May, a raucous weeklong celebration featuring live music every night. Climb the stairs under the Moorish Arco de Almedina into the upper district of the city and the Old University, with its museum, chapel and library. A few steps outside the historic centre there is the city’s cosmopolitan side, a modernized waterfront with riverside restaurants, chic terrace bars and trendy shops. This charming town, full of Portuguese culture, is set amid a splendid old town of historic churches and medieval alleyways, with the buzz of student life all around.

About the destination: Lisbon is known as the city of seven hills due to its location, the city spreads across steep hillsides that overlook the River Tagus. Romantic and cosmopolitan, the city presents its typical red roofs to the visitors that want to get to know its every inch. Lisbon surprises with its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. The Portuguese capital offers lots of museums, libraries, a massive port, churches and palaces and stunning views of the River Tagus. Lisbon was once considered a poor and chaotic city. Currently it has experienced a resurgence in the style of the 14th and 15th centuries, when it was part of that vast empire stretching from Brazil to India. The reason for this was the World Expo held in 1998, a new bridge over the Tagus was built and the city's underground network was remodelled. The resurgence of the city then continued to host several matches during Euro 2004, also held there the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2005. Many of its most beautiful buildings date from the 14th and 15th centuries, especially the ones located in the Belem district. There are also many buildings from the 18th century, which are located mostly in the Baixa area of central Lisbon and were reconstructed almost completely after a devastating earthquake that hit the town in 1755. The historic centre of the city, standing on The Seven Hills, presents steep streets and picturesque alleys. On the west side of the city, there is Monsanto Forest Park, Lisbon’s lung, with an area of 10 km and one of the largest in Europe. The capital’s majestic port has 3 docks commonly used for several cruises and it is, currently, the busiest port on the European Atlantic coast. Lisbon is a city with centuries of history and with an ambitious attitude, marrying the historic with the modern, the traditional with the cutting edge. Strolling through the old quarters one can hear the traditional Fado sung and played in small restaurants in town. In the hilltop district of Bairro Alto, dozens of restaurants and bars line the narrow streets, with jazz, reggae, electronica filling the air and revellers partying until dawn. Nightclubs scattered all over town make fine use of old spaces, whether on riverside docks or tucked away in 18th-century mansions. Lisbon presents itself to the world as a cosmopolitan and lively city, with alternatives for every taste, especially in the summer months when its many bars, terraces and restaurants are crammed with people.