Highlights

About the Tour

In Caldas da Rainha we visit the Thermal Hospital founded by Queen Leonor over 500 years ago and her private pool, Praça da Fruta market, Nossa Senhora do Pópulo church and D. Carlos I Park.

In Óbidos we discover the castle, Santa Maria church, the bookstore inside a former royal chapel and the stories of Portugal’s queens, with a Ginjinha tasting.

Prefer separate tours? See Best of Caldas da Rainha and Óbidos: Medieval Tales.

Itinerary

Starting in Caldas da Rainha, with transport between sites included.

Who Is It For?

For travellers who want the best of Caldas da Rainha and Óbidos in half a day.

A private tour for all ages.

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Highlights

About the Tour

We start at Praça do Comércio and climb through Alfama, the birthplace of Fado, with the Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol viewpoints and the Cathedral, before visiting São Jorge Castle and its stunning views.

Downtown we pass Rossio and São Domingos church, taste Ginjinha and walk up to Chiado, home of the world’s oldest bookstore. In the afternoon: Belém, with the Discoveries Monument, Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery and the famous Pastéis de Belém.

See all our tours.

Itinerary

Historic Lisbon in the morning, Belém in the afternoon.

Who Is It For?

For travellers who want to see Lisbon’s essentials in one day with a local guide.

Suitable for all ages; includes a good amount of walking.

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About the Tour

We start at Alcobaça Monastery with the story of its foundation by Cistercian monks, exploring the church, cloisters, kitchen, refectory, Chapter Room and the tombs of Pedro and Inês.

Then we head to the studio, where you’ll learn to draw and paint a tile. At the end you can have it shipped to the address of your choice.

See also the Alcobaça Monastery tour and the Ceramics Workshop.

Itinerary

Monastery visit followed by a studio workshop.

Who Is It For?

For travellers who want history plus a creative hands-on experience.

Suitable for all ages.

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Tomar was founded by the Templars, who built its castle and the Convent of Christ. As the Order of Christ, the knights went on to lead the Age of Discovery. We visit the Charola, Santa Maria do Olival church and the synagogue, and taste the “Beija-me Depressa” pastry.

Then we drive to Almourol and take a short boat trip across the Tagus to the Templar castle rising from a tiny island, one of the most beautiful sights in Portugal.

See also the Tomar tour and the UNESCO Heritage tour.

Itinerary

Starting in Tomar, with transport between sites included.

Who Is It For?

For Templar history and castle lovers.

A private tour for all ages.

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In Óbidos we walk the streets inside the walls, the 1,300-year-old castle, the old Moorish and Jewish quarters and the story of the queens who made the town their home, with a Ginjinha tasting in a chocolate cup.

Then we head to Buddha Eden (Bacalhôa), a 35-hectare garden with hundreds of oriental sculptures: Buddhas, pagodas, dragons and a replica of the Terracotta Warriors, created after the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas in 2001.

See also Óbidos: Medieval Tales and the Óbidos & Nazaré tour.

Itinerary

Starting in Óbidos, with transport between sites included.

Who Is It For?

For travellers who want medieval history and a unique garden in one trip.

A private tour ideal for families.

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Highlights

About the Tour

Alcobaça Monastery (12th–13th century) celebrates eternal love. Pedro and Inês rest in two 14th-century tombs, among the finest in Europe. Pedro avenged Inês’s murder and, legend says, crowned her queen after her death.

It was one of the great centres of the Cistercian Order, led by Bernard of Clairvaux. Their “Pray and Work” motto left a lasting legacy: Alcobaça apples, Ginjinha and convent pastries you can taste after the tour.

Make a day of it with the Alcobaça and Batalha Monasteries tour, the tile workshop, or see all our tours.

Itinerary

A 2-hour walk inside the monastery.

Who Is It For?

For anyone who wants to dive into the story of Pedro and Inês and the life of the Cistercian monks.

A private tour for all ages.

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About the Tour

We start in Óbidos: the 1,300-year-old castle, Santa Maria church, the bookstore inside a former royal chapel and the stories of Portugal’s queens.

Then we head to Nazaré, where the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed was set. At São Miguel Arcanjo fortress you’ll see the “temple of surf”; at Sítio, the Sanctuary, the Memory Chapel and traditions like dried fish, Arte Xávega and the seven skirts.

See also Óbidos: Medieval Tales and the Best of Nazaré Tour.

Itinerary

We start in Óbidos and drive about 30 minutes to Nazaré, transport included.

Who Is It For?

For travellers who want two of the Silver Coast’s most iconic towns in one day.

A private tour adapted to your pace.

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About the Tour

Batalha Monastery was built to celebrate the Portuguese victory at Aljubarrota in 1385 and became a symbol of independence. The Royal Pantheon holds King João I, English-born Queen Philippa of Lancaster and their children, including Henry the Navigator.

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was home to Dominican friars for over four centuries, inspired by Portugal’s first stained-glass windows. The roofless Unfinished Chapels are one of the most striking sights in the country.

Combine it with the Leiria and Batalha tour or the UNESCO Heritage tour.

Itinerary

A walking tour inside the monastery.

Who Is It For?

For history and Gothic architecture lovers.

A private tour for all ages.

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Highlights

About the Tour

The Knights Templar founded Tomar in the 12th century and built its castle and the Convent of Christ, whose Charola was their private chapel. When the Order was abolished, King Dinis let it continue in Portugal as the Order of Christ, which went on to lead the Age of Discovery.

In 1581 the convent hosted the ceremony that created the Iberian Union. We also visit Santa Maria do Olival, the Templars’ pantheon, the country’s oldest synagogue and taste the curiously named “Beija-me Depressa” pastry.

Go further with the Tomar and Almourol Castle tour or the UNESCO Heritage tour.

Itinerary

Starting at São João Baptista church, with transport between sites included.

Who Is It For?

For anyone fascinated by the Templars and the Age of Discovery.

A private tour for all ages.

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Nazaré is a mecca for adventurous surfers: this is where the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed was set, more than once. At São Miguel Arcanjo Fort you’ll see boards ridden by legends such as Garrett McNamara and Sebastian Steudtner and learn why waves this big form here.

But Nazaré is not only about surf. Up at Sítio we visit the Memory Chapel and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré, linked to a legend over 1,400 years old that drew explorers like Vasco da Gama. You’ll also hear about dried fish, the Arte Xávega fishing method and its unique boats, and the famous seven skirts still worn by local women.

Make a day of it with the Óbidos walking tour or the full-day Silver Coast Private Tour. This tour is run by our partner Silver Coast Travelling.

Itinerary

The tour starts in front of Nazaré Cultural Centre and heads up to Sítio, with transport between sites included.

Who Is It For?

For anyone who wants to see Nazaré beyond the postcard: the giant waves, the faith and the traditions of one of Portugal’s most authentic fishing towns.

Suitable for all ages and adapted to each group’s pace, with plenty of places to rest.

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Highlights

About the Tour

Alcobaça Monastery is where eternal love is celebrated: Pedro and Inês, Portugal’s own “Romeo and Juliet”, have rested here for centuries in two exquisite 14th-century tombs. Pedro’s lover was murdered for political reasons; once king, he took his revenge and, legend says, crowned Inês queen after her death. The monastery was also one of Europe’s great Cistercian centres, founded under Bernard of Clairvaux.

Batalha Monastery (14th to 15th century) was built to celebrate the Portuguese victory at Aljubarrota in 1385 and became a symbol of independence. You’ll see the Royal Pantheon of King João I and English-born Queen Philippa of Lancaster, the colourful stained glass and the roofless Unfinished Chapels.

Pair it with the Fátima Private Tour or the Best of Nazaré Tour. This tour is run by our partner Silver Coast Travelling.

Itinerary

The tour runs between the two monasteries, with transport between sites included.

Who Is It For?

For history and architecture lovers, and anyone curious about Portugal’s great stories, from Pedro and Inês to the Battle of Aljubarrota.

A private tour for all ages, adapted to your group’s pace.

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Highlights

About the Tour

We visit some of the oldest shops, taverns and historic restaurants in Caldas da Rainha for a taste of local tapas from land and sea, red and white wines, cheese and traditional sweets. Ginjinha de Óbidos is on the menu too.

We stop at Praça da Fruta, where farmers and local merchants sell their produce every day of the year, and visit the Thermal Hospital, the oldest in the world still in operation.

Hungry for more? Explore GoCaldas for restaurant tips, or discover Caldas da Rainha ceramics.

Itinerary

A 3-hour walk through central Caldas da Rainha, Monday to Saturday mornings.

Who Is It For?

For food lovers who like to get to know a city through its flavours, markets and traditions.

Come hungry! Please let us know about allergies or dietary restrictions when booking.

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Highlights

About the Tour

A highlight of the tour is the Thermal Hospital, founded by Queen Leonor in the 15th century and still operating today. You’ll see the Queen’s private pool, likely the country’s first “spa”, and learn how she gave the city its name.

We also visit Praça da Fruta, the open-air market that runs every single day of the year, and talk about Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro, the artist who turned Caldas into a capital of Portuguese ceramics.

Want more? Read our blog about Caldas da Rainha, try the Caldas da Rainha Food Tour or see all tours at Caldas da Rainha.

Itinerary

A 2-hour walk through the historic centre, starting at Caldas da Rainha Tourism Office.

Who Is It For?

For anyone curious about the history, art and daily life of Caldas da Rainha, shown by a local guide.

Suitable for all ages and adapted to each group’s needs, with places to rest along the way.

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