Leisurely One-Week Lisbon Itinerary for Seniors

More words and more art will be in store for this morning. Byron’s poetry effortlessly melts into Sintra’s old-world atmosphere. On a private tour, you will explore Sintra’s streets and palaces before having lunch at a decadent venue that was once favored by Lord Byron himself. Other palaces hide in the area, and these can be visited in the early afternoon in addition to a small beach that looks out to the Atlantic and America. You will then travel a little further along the coast to find Cascais, which is a decadent resort town from the late 19th century.

Jeronimos Monastery covers four city blocks. It is an enormous structure that appears simple on the outside then opens into an intricate collection of artistic lines and flourishes. This monastery is just one highlight in Belem. After your tour of Belem, you will take the tram into the old city. Baixa was built in the 18th century following a devastating earthquake. Throughout the day, you will enjoy a complete tale that covers the years 1400 to 2020 before an evening in one of Lisbon central plazas.

Setubal immerses all its visitors in the old world. This small town and its surrounding area have always been the upscale side of Lisbon and the place where Muscat wine was born. They have been making it for centuries, and you will learn of Muscat’s history with the cellar-master of Jose Maria da Fonseca, which is the world’s most renowned Muscat producer. This will provide a stunning overview of the grape and its definitive wines before the smaller Quinta da Bacalhoa winery reveals a lesser-known Setubal history. Here, you will meet the winemakers for a tasting in the expansive gardens. With this private tour, you will have most of the afternoon free in Lisbon.

Traditional life dominates the road north from Lisbon. Here colorful shacks stand on the sand in Nazare, and women wait in traditional dress for the fishing boats to return. You will venture to this fishing village today. Afterward, you will transfer to Obidos, which is the premier highlight north of Lisbon. It is also a hilltop town that is hidden behind thick medieval walls. An afternoon here is a wonderful escape from central Lisbon, and you can stay into the evening because Obidos has superb restaurants and a wine bar inside its castle. From here, it will be only about an hour back to your hotel in Lisbon.

One of the best ways to get to know Lisbon’s backstreets is through its food. After exploring the core historical highlights, today’s tour will lead you off the beaten track into charming neighborhoods that are laden with Azulejo tiles and hole-in-the-wall eateries. Traveling by tram will allow you to explore three different Lisbon neighborhoods, each with its own culinary specialty. Obviously, the food you eat is a highlight, but this tour is also about the people you can meet. Led by a local chef, this will be a journey into market traders, cafe owners, chic boutiques, and traditional dishes that have never made the mainstream. You will even visit a Michelin-star chef’s hidden eatery.

This final day will allow some time for shopping or to ride the tram to Sao George Castle for a final panorama of the city. Late checkout will be arranged, and as with almost everything on your one-week itinerary, the airport transfer will be private.