Summary
Short description
From ancient castles to Baroque palaces, these are our best offers and favourite holidays staying at Portugal’s finest pousadas
Free car hire on all self-drives
Enjoy exclusive free car hire on all self-drives when you book before 31 January. Combine with the British Airways Sale for maximum savings – enquire now while availability lasts.
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Recommended for:
Beach | Free car hire | History & culture | Natural world | Relaxation | Self-drive
From castles and palaces to fortresses and monasteries, there are over 40 pousada properties to choose from, spanning the length and breadth of Portugal. Perhaps you’d like to take in the sun-soaked beauty of the Algarve from a viscount’s Rococo manor house, stay in a 12th-century medieval castle with spectacular sea views, or taste your way through Porto’s famed wine cellars while luxuriating in a palatial national monument. Expect 700-year-old battlements to look down on palm-fringed pools while beautifully carved cloisters host gourmet restaurants.
Porto and the North - Six days
Flying in and out of Porto, the route starts in the historical and vibrant city of Porto with nights in the grand Palacio de Freixo, enjoy the history of one of Portugal's oldest cities and don't miss a visit to Gaia, home of the famous Port wine houses. North of Porto is the 'Costa Verde', running up to the River Minho and the Spanish border. The principal town on this coast is Viana do Castelo with its splendid Pousada with a modern palatial hotel feel, the next stop amongst some of the best beaches in Portugal. The following day, drive north to the little town of Vila Nova de Cerveira, and continue through the rual Minho to the next stop at the converted 12th century Amares monastery. From Amares enjoy the scenery of the Peneda/Geres national park and the historic town of Braga before driving south to the next stop at the birthplace of Portugal; Guimaraes. Set on a hill overlooking the town, the Pousada de Guimaraes Santa Marinha is a former 12th century Augustinian monastery.
Includes: Return flights to Porto, 6 days car hire and 5 nights staying in Pousada accommodation on a B&B basis from £535 per person
Palacio do Freixo, Porto / Pousada de Viana do Castelo / Pousada de Amares / Pousada de Guimaraes Santa Marinha
Queluz National Palace, Sintra
Lisbon & the Alentejo – Six Days
With a flight into historic Lisbon, you’ll drive south to Palmela. Here, you’ll stay in the historic converted convent, sitting 230 metres above sea level, it has fantastic views of the Serra da Arrabida. Then, it’s on to Alcacer do Sal, where a Moorish castle dominates the historic town, the hotel retains the castellated walls and towers of the original structure including the cloisters of a convent. Your next stop is in Evora where the Pousada is one of Evora's historic gems. Next the route goes up to the 14th century castle of Estremoz. Here, further south, the Alentejo becomes warmer and flatter and here are some of the most attractive towns in the region. Then, a last night in Quelez, 'the Portuguese Versailles', staying in a magnificent pink and white Baroque Pousada used by the Royal Guard of the Court when resident in the Palace of Quelez. Lastly, with a final drive along the coast, you'll fly out of Lisbon.
Includes: Flights to Lisbon, 6 days car hire and 5 nights staying in Pousada accommodation on a B&B basis from £500 per person
Pousada de Palmela / Pousada de Alcacer do Sal / Pousada de Evora / Pousada de Estremoz / Pousada de Quelez
Sagres' lighthouse – the westernmost point in mainland Europe
Capital of Culture - Six Days
Flying into Porto, this route which starts in Guimarães, the cultural capital and birthplace of the country takes you north up inland to the green and rustic valleys of the Minho, through one of the largest natural parks in Portugal before arriving at the beautiful northern coastal town of Viana do Castelo. Along with the overnight stops we also suggest spending some time in Porto, Valença do Minho and Gerês/Caniçada.
Includes: Flights to Porto, 6 days car hire and 5 nights staying in Pousada accommodation on a B&B basis from £495 per person
Pousada Guimaraes (2nts) / Pousada Amares (1nt) / Pousada Viana do Castelo (2nts)
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
from £445 pp incl. flights
Pousada Explorer Package
Tier 1
from £465 pp. incl. flights
Tier 2
from £520 pp. incl. flights
Take advantage of the 5-night Explorer Package and Portugal's mild winter to discover some of the country's stunning interior. Stay at a choice of 6 charming Pousadas for 5 nights on a B&B basis, explore the green north and centre, or the Alentejo towards the south, or even the Western tip of the Algarve.
Advance Booking Package
Book 60 days in advance and receive 10% discount (no changes & cancellations permitted)
Standard Package
Book within 60 days or prefer a more flexible arrangement?
A choice of 6 Pousadas for 5 nights (Tier 1)
- Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
- Based on sample itinerary with flights UK to Faro and returning from Porto staying 5 nights in some of the below six Pousadas
- 6 days car hire
- Geres, Vila Vicosa, Marvao, Viseu, Beja and Sagres
- Includes 5 nights accommodation on a Buffet breakfast basis
- Saturday night supplement applies
- 3-course Dinner package on 5 nights for 2 people with a bottle of wine included each night can be added £170 per person (must be booked at time of reservation)
- Combine different Pousadas from each price band as long as all are booked on the same package (advance or standard)
Suggested Routing - fly into Porto > Geres > Viseu > Marvao or Vila Vicosa > Beja > Sagres > fly from Faro
A choice of 10 Pousadas for 5 nights (Tier 2)
- Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
- Based on sample itinerary with flights UK to Faro and returning from Porto staying 5 nights in some of the below eleven Pousadas
- 6 days car hire
- Includes 5 nights accommodation on a Buffet breakfast basis
- Viana, Amares, Guimaraes, Palmela, Arraiolos, Estremoz, Queluz, Ria, Crato & Estoi
- Saturday night supplement applies
- 3-course Dinner package on 5 nights for 2 people with a bottle of wine included each night can be added £170 per person (must be booked at time of reservation)
- Combine different Pousadas from each price band as long as all are booked on the same package (advance or standard)
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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