Mainland Portugal
Most Portugal tours show you Lisbon, or Porto, or the Douro Valley. This seven-day guided walking tour connects all three — and keeps going into places most visitors never reach.
Start in Lisbon, where the Age of Discovery left its mark in the soaring Manueline stonework of Jerónimos Monastery and the golden custard tarts of Belém. Walk the cobblestoned Alfama district, then climb into the pine-covered hills of Sintra to explore Pena Palace — one of Europe's most extraordinary royal residences.
From there, the journey turns north along the Atlantic coast. In Nazaré, ride the funicular to clifftop views over the fishing village famous for the world's biggest waves. Continue to Aveiro, the "Venice of Portugal," for a canal cruise beneath Art Nouveau bridges.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A leisurely final morning walk through Ponte de Lima's historic center, crossing the medieval bridge and exploring riverside parks and traditional architecture. The weekly market, if timing coincides, brings the town to life with local products and handicrafts. We transfer to Porto Airport for departures. From Lisbon's golden age monuments to Roman roads worn smooth by centuries — this journey has revealed Portugal in all its extraordinary diversity.
What's Included
Included
- 6 nights hotel accommodation
- 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners including farewell dinner
- All guided walks in Lisbon, Sintra, Nazaré, Porto, Douro Valley, Gerês, and Ponte de Lima
- Port wine cellar tour and tasting
- Douro Valley quinta visit with tasting
- Aveiro canal boat ride
- Nazaré funicular
- All ground transportation within Portugal
- Full-time WAI guide service
Not Included
- International airfare to Lisbon / from Porto
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days
- Lunches and dinners not listed above
- Travel insurance
- Single supplement
- Personal expenses
- Optional Fado Dinner in Lisbon ($129/person)
Ready to Explore Mainland Portugal?
Reserve Your SpotEnhance Your Trip
Make your adventure even richer with these optional additions. Pre-nights and activities can be added at any time — before booking, during registration, or later via your trip advisor.
Available to add during registration or by calling 360.260.9393.
Before You Book
Yes — our Hiking the Azores tour runs just before the Portugal departure, and many travelers do both. If you book both tours, your flight from the Azores to Lisbon is included. Contact us for details on the combo.
Once paid, your registration deposit is non-refundable. Final payment is due before departure — your tour page has the specific dates — and is non-refundable after the due date. We'll send you a reminder a week or two before each deadline so nothing sneaks up on you. If a tour doesn't reach the minimum number of participants needed to run, WAI may cancel the departure — and if that happens, you'll receive a full refund of everything you've paid. It's rare, but we want you to know where you stand. See our General Tour Conditions for complete cancellation and refund details.
Every WAI walk uses a two-part rating: a number (1–3) for incline and a letter(A–C) for terrain. Here’s what they look like:
Quick Reference
Each tour page also has a Tour Pace rating (1–5) and a Walk Challenge rating (1–5) that summarize the overall difficulty. Use these to compare tours at a glance — then check the day-by-day itinerary for the full picture.
A $500 deposit holds your spot. The remaining balance is due 90 days before departure. That's it — no second deposit required.
You don't need to be an athlete. WAI tours range from gentle strolls through city streets to more adventurous walks on hills and trails — and most walking days offer a shorter or easier alternative so you can choose your level. If you enjoy walking regularly and can handle a couple of miles at a comfortable pace, you'll find tours that fit. More experienced walkers will find plenty to challenge them too. The best preparation is to walk regularly in the weeks before your trip, gradually building up distance. Every tour page shows walk-by-walk ratings so you can see exactly what's involved — and if you're unsure, give us a call. We love helping people find the right fit.
WAI groups are small by design — every group is kept intentionally small so you're never just a face in the crowd. Two WAI guides accompany every trip (plus local national guides on international tours), which means more personal attention, better access to local experiences, and the kind of camaraderie that turns fellow travelers into lasting friends. Check your tour page for specific group size details.
With help from local experts and walking guides, Classic Curated itineraries are crafted with extensive on-site planning by WAI tour planners. Our objective is to capture the essence of a destination by weaving together its culture, history, natural beauty, and culinary traditions into a walking-centric adventure. Think of it as a fully planned trip where each day is thoughtfully designed — not a self-guided hike, not a resort stay, but an immersive journey with a small group led by experienced WAI guides.
After you register, we'll send you an Adventure Advice email with everything you need to plan your trip — recommended flights, arrival airports, timing tips, and important steps to take before departure. One big thing: please don't buy your flights until you've seen this email. It'll save you headaches and help you find the best options. Closer to departure, you'll get a final packet with hotel details, a list of your fellow travelers, and a day-by-day schedule.
If a tour departure doesn't reach the minimum enrollment needed to run, WAI reserves the right to cancel it. If that happens, registered participants receive a 100% refund of all payments made to WAI. Most tours reach minimum enrollment well in advance, and cancellations are rare — but we want you to know we stand behind our commitment if it ever happens. In cases where supplier non-refundable deposits limit what WAI can recover, we'll do our best to apply unrecovered amounts as credit toward a future tour.
Our approach to wellness on tour encourages travelers to: focus on health before the tour so you start healthy; pace yourself while on tour, as travel is inherently stimulating and can mask energy drain; stay hydrated and rested, especially on long-haul travel days and at altitude; and speak up if you're not feeling well — our guides are trained to help and would rather know early. We travel in small groups where everyone looks out for each other, and our guides carry first aid supplies and know local medical resources at every stop. Read our full Wellness on Tour Policy for details.
