Portugal - October 2025
7-Day G Adventures “Highlights of Portugal” Tour (Lisbon-Coimbra-Porto)
This was my third trip with G Adventures, and once again their Classic tour style was the perfect fit for an independent solo traveller who also enjoys a bit of social time. The pricing for the tour’s itinerary included all accommodation & transportation, plus some meals & activities, providing a great foundation and sense of security, especially for multi-city trips. I also appreciate their small groups, usually around a dozen people of all ages, guaranteed departures, and the option for room-sharing (same sex) for anyone who wants to avoid those pesky single-traveller surcharges. It is also important to me to support a tour operator like G Adventures that cares about sustainability and giving back to the communities it works with.
Lisbon
I joined several walking tours to get a feel for Lisbon’s historic neighbourhoods and iconic landmarks, including:
- Alfama - the city’s oldest district, full of winding medieval alleys, and the birthplace of Fado
- Bairro Alto - a bohemian area lined with colourful houses
- Praça do Comércio - a grand waterfront square framed by yellow arcades (one of the city's most iconic landmarks)
- Rossio Square - the lively heart of downtown
- São Jorge Castle - historic fortress on the city's highest hill with spectacular panoramic views
One of the highlights was attending a Fado performance, which features a folk singer accompanied by one or two string instruments. The vocals were powerful, emotional and completely mesmerizing. Fado is taken so seriously here that audiences are expected to sit in complete silence during the short sets. I also came across several street performers whose soulful voices stopped me in my tracks.
On my free day, I had to choose between Belém and Sintra. It's not easy deciding between 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But after looking at photographs, and reading words like colorful, whimsical, lush, fairytale-like, Sintra with its mountain-top palaces, castles & forests called to me, and it was delightful.
Óbidos (bonus stop, about 1 hour from Lisbon)
We spent a lovely afternoon wandering this picturesque medieval village. Óbidos is a UNESCO City of Literature, thanks to the tens of thousands of books displayed creatively throughout its shops & cafes. Obidos was a wedding gift from Portugal's kings to their brides, and the walled city earned a wonderful reputation thanks to the generations of queens who oversaw it.
Batalha (About 45 minutes from Óbidos)
The Batalha Monastery was a Gothic masterpiece - ornate stonework on the outside, serene courtyards inside, as well as the dramatic, roofless Unfinished Chapels.
Coimbra (about 1 hour from Batalha)
I didn’t know what to expect but fell in love at first sight. This mid‑sized former capital is very walkable and full of charm. It’s known as the "city of students" and is home to one of the world’s oldest universities, Coimbra University, another UNESCO site and said to be an inspiration for Hogwarts (you may still spot students wearing black capes). The university’s Joanina Library is one of the most ornate in the world. It's also worth taking a stroll around the Botanical Gardens connected to the university. Unfortunately, Coimbra doesn’t see much tourism revenue, and it showed in our hotel. The Astoria, a grand hotel when it opened in the 1920s, still has plenty of character (original decor and an old‑fashioned elevator made it feel like a movie set), but it’s definitely in need of some TLC.
Porto (about 1.5 hours from Coimbra)
Prior to taking this trip, some travellers had told me they preferred the coastal city of Porto over Lisbon, and it's easy to see why! Walking across the Dom Luís I Bridge (where pedestrians share the bridge with the metro!), the view was so spectacular it almost felt surreal, like looking at a painting. A cruise along the Douro River is another great way to soak in the sights. Rua Santa Catarina is Porto's bustling car-free shopping street. There you will find Bolhão Market, a fun place to spend time, where visitors browse the stalls while sipping wine - served in actual glasses, not cups! (Fun fact: just as only sparkling wine from Champagne can be called champagne, only wine produced in Porto can be called port.) São Bento is a beautiful railway station adorned with blue‑and‑white azulejo tile panels depicting Portugal’s history. I won't list all the names but Porto (and Lisbon) have countless beautiful churches and cathedrals. A popular pastime is strolling up and down Ribeira, the riverside promenade. Considering how much people love Porto, I was surprised to learn that the city's tourism era only began around 2010 (thanks in part to the introduction of low-cost flights and tourism initiatives). Prior to that, Porto's population shrank considerably due to factors like economic decline, suburban migration and brain drain. Even now, many building sit empty awaiting major renovation.
Overall impressions
The shoulder-season month of October turned out to be a great time to visit - milder weather, fewer crowds, and thankfully short lines. (Mind you, fewer people can also mean less lively.)
Regarding the food scene, I don't spend much time in restaurants, but the cuisine has an excellent reputation. Lower wages means lower cost of living, making food prices very reasonable for Europe.
Some important takeaways
Pack sensible shoes: Portugal is incredibly hilly! So hilly that I don't know if I could live there. The beautiful smooth limestone pavement can be uneven and slippery (especially when wet). Shoes with good tread and grip are essential. The terrain can be challenging for travellers with mobility issues.
Use the right ATMs: To avoid high fees and poor exchange rates, always use an actual bank machine or an ATM displaying the Multibanco sign. *Avoid the independent Euronet machines* Always choose to be charged in the local currency (Euros), and be prepared to reject the conversion option twice - both prompts are in Portuguese and feel as though they were designed to confuse you into accepting inflated rates.
Restaurants: Bread will automatically be brought to the table, however bread (and water) are not complimentary. If you'd prefer not to have it, simply let your waiter know.
Pastel de Nata: I assumed all Portuguese egg tarts (one of my favourite desserts) would be delicious, but it turns out they're not all created equal. I wanted to find the best version but quickly realized it was unrealistic, given every other shop sells them. Oh well, my waistline is grateful!
