Pousadas of Portugal - Lisbon - Obidos - Cascais

Day 1

Once you arrive in Lisbon you will be transferred to your hotel, Pousada de Lisboa, located in Praça do Comércio where once the royal palace stood before the great earthquake of 1755. The hotel’s location makes it an excellent base to explore Lisbon on foot or if you prefer you can hop on a tram close by.  Suggestions for your first day are either to take a stroll along the river or walk under the arch of Rua Augusta.  This pedestrian only street is bursting with restaurants, cafes and shops and will lead you to Praça do Rossio with a statue of Dom Pedro IV framed by the square’s South and North facing fountains.

Day 2

We suggest you spend the first part of your day discovering the district of Belém which is home to some of the capital's most iconic monuments and museums such as Mosterio dos Jerónimos, Monumento dos descobrimentos and the Torre de Belém.  Belém is also home to the ''Pastel de Belém'' which in our opinion are definitely worth queueing for as you wont be able to eat one anywhere else.  Once back in Lisbon catch the number 28 tram for a ride through Lisbon's oldest district Alfama and head up to Castelo São Jorge with its panoramic views over the city.  On the way back down from the Castle through the winding streets of Alfama you could rest up and have dinner in a typical Portuguese tasca.

Day 3

After checking out and collecting your car rental drive to Óbidos located 1hour & 20 minutes away from Lisbon. The medieval walled town of Óbidos was conquered from the Moors in 1148 by Dom Afonso Henriques, Portugal’s first King. His grandson Dom Afonso II donated the town to his bride Dona Urraca thereby starting a tradition where for the next 600 years future kings would donate the town to their queens giving Óbidos its nickname Vila das Rainhas (Queens town). Here you will stay at Pousada de Óbidos housed within the towns 12th century medieval castle, one of Portugal’s 7 marvels.

Day 4

If you feel like exploring the surrounding area we suggest a trip to Caldas da Rainha, a 20 minute drive from Obidos.  The city is home to sulphurous hot springs and was originally settled by the Romans who built several baths which were later destroyed by Barbarian invasions. Legend has it that Queen Leonor, the wife of King João II, was on her way to Batalha when she witnessed people bathing in warm waters that came up from fountains. After being informed that the people were indeed sick and healing their ailments with the water, Queen Leonor decided to build a hospital so that others could benefit from the healing powers of the hot springs. The Hospital Thermal Rainha D. Leonor is the oldest purpose-built institution of its kind in the world with over five centuries of history.

30 minutes from Caldas da Rainha lies the UNESCO World Heritage site, Mosteiro de Alcobaça where Dom Pedro I is buried along with his murdered love Inés. Alcobaça is also famous for its ceramics producing its own distinctive decorative plates in reds, yellows, greens as well as the traditional blues.

If you would rather visit the coast, we suggest the village of Foz do Arelho and its beach positioned between the Óbidos Lagoon and the sea. On the lagoon side the waters are gentle, perfect for children and windsurfing whilst on the other, the mighty Atlantic provides excellent conditions for surfing and kitesurfing.

Day 5

After checking out of your hotel you will head to Cascais, 1 hour & 20 minutes away.  We suggest you take a detour on your way down and stop off in Ericeira, a picturesque fishing town with cobbled streets and whitewashed houses. This once humble fishing village famous for its iodine rich waters is now a surfing mecca and a great spot to enjoy traditional Portuguese seafood such as Arroz de Marisco.

Once you have arrived in Cascais you will check into the Pousada of Cascais located by the newly refurbished Marina and a short distance from the centre of town and its beaches . The Pousada is set within the walls of the 16th Century Citadel, one of many that are dotted along the Lisbon coast. The citadel of Cascais was converted in the 19th Century by the royal family and used as a summer residence.

If you are feeling up to exploring you could always use this day to rent some bicycles and cycle towards Guincho Beach. Bikes with safety equipment and locks can be rented by the Marina.  The marked cycle route starts in front of the Castro Guimaraes museum which is located next to your hotel.  The cycle route will pass Boca do Inferno, Casa da Guia, Forte de Sao Jorge de Oitavos, up to Guincho Beach.  Once back in Cascais relax and regain your energy.  For dinner perhaps try out one of the numerous restaurants on Rua Amarela, ''Yellow Road'' with outdoor dining options.

Day 6

You can either spend the day by the pool or make your way down to the promenade which stretches 3km down to Estoril for a leisurely walk. Another suggestion would be to visit the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage site of Sintra described by the British poet, Lord Byron as a ‘glorious Eden’. This picturesque town nestled in the lush green hills of the Serra de Sintra forest is dotted with colourful palaces, historic castles and beautiful gardens with over 3000 exotic species of plants. Due to its micro-climate Sintra can be a great option for a day trip if you want to escape the heat in the summer as it’s usually colder than the rest of Lisbon.

Day 7

Drive to Lisbon International Airport for your flight home.

Note: Itineraries can be worked around to suit your interests and personal preferences.