Overview

Hike the best of the west on our premium self-guided Sintra & Cascais Walking Holiday.

Like any modern-day, 21st century European city, the Portuguese capital Lisbon is a lively and dynamic metropolis, perfect for urban tourists: lovers of great local cuisine, landmark architecture, contemporary art and a vibrant and varied cultural scene.

If a more rural setting is your thing, the peace and quiet of the Portuguese countryside is close at hand. Northwest of Lisbon, you’ll find a barley-tamed Atlantic Coast of dramatic sea cliffs, and charming, whitewashed fishing villages. Your self-guided walking holiday begins here, nestled within the wild sand dunes which surround the Hotel Areias do Seixo. You’ll walk the Alcabrichel River trail from Vimeiro to Santa Cruz, before heading south on the coastal trail from Magoito, via the striking clifftop village of Azenhas do Mar, to Praia Grande.

Your next stop is the hilltop palace town of Sintra. Edging closer to the city and its suburban outpost of Estoril, you’ll explore the Parque Natural de Sintra on foot: a protected, diverse landscape which combines native forests and ancient vineyards, with medieval castles and fairytale hilltop palaces. Your journey ends in the beachfront town of Cascais: just a stone’s throw from the capital, this former playground of Portugal’s royal dynasties is a relaxing world away from the bustling streets of Lisbon.

This is our premium self-guided Sintra and Casais Walking Holiday: after day on the trails, your evenings are spent in comfortable luxury, and an in-house restaurant is on-hand to provide you with the best, seasonal, regional Portuguese cuisine. For the more budget conscious, we can help you to plan a personalised four-star walking holiday which explores the same beautiful trails.

Itinerary

You’ll begin your holiday with a direct flight to Lisbon. You’ll be collected on arrival for your transfer to Areias do Seixo - a unique, boutique hotel on Portugal’s Costa de Prata. It’s a fifty-minute drive from the airport - an opportunity for your support driver to talk you through your upcoming week and your self-guided walks.
Your first walk takes you from the town of Vimeiro to Santa Cruz (distance: 8km, ascent: 100m, difficulty: easy), following the path of the Alcabrichel River as it meanders slowly down to the Atlantic coast. Turning south, a series of beautiful and remote beaches will lead you back to your hotel.
Your second walk begins take you from the impressive sandstone cliffs at Magoito to Praia Grande beach, (distance: 9km, ascent: 100m, difficulty: easy to moderate). You’ll head south, via picture-perfect Azenhas do Mar to the Jurassic beach at Praia Grande. It’s a short hop by car with your support driver to the Marmoris Palace in the palace town of Sintra where your luggage will be waiting.
Your day’s free; you might like to explore historic Sintra on foot, with visits to the colourful Pena Palace, the Castelo dos Mouros, and the fascinating Quinta da Regaleira estate.
Walk number three takes you from the hills of Sintra, down to your seafront hotel at Guincho, (distance: 18km, ascent: 100m, difficulty: moderate). Your route takes you from the impressive viewpoint at the Santuario da Peninha, through a forest of native oak, hazel and laurel, to the 17th century Fortaleza do Guincho – now a luxurious, five-star hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Dinner at courtesy of the Michelin-starred Restaurante Fortaleza.
Your final walk takes you from Guincho to the popular beachfront town of Cascais (distance: 17km, ascent: 200m, difficulty: moderate) - via Quinta do Pisao, a 400-acre estate, free-range farm, and donkey sanctuary, to the ocean view Farol Hotel.
Your final day’s free, to allow you to relax and explore Cascais’ popular museums and art galleries, or to relax on your hotel’s ocean view terrace.
You'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

From £4300 per person

We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.

Direct flights from the UK, accommodation in twin/double en-suite rooms on a B&B basis, with lunch included on Day 3 and dinner on Days 5 and 6, and all airport and luggage transfers. OnIine route maps are also included using the Ride with GPS app.

Accommodation

Location

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