Porto to Lisbon: A Knights Templar & Roman Road Trip

The Portugal Getaways package includes round-trip flights, 8 nights of hotel accommodation (3 Porto, 1 Tomar, 1 Évora, 3 Lisbon), a one-way rental car picked up at Porto Airport and dropped off at Lisbon Airport with the one-way fee included, and all taxes and fees related to the booking. Breakfast, guided tours, and city taxes are not included. 

You arrive in Porto and pick up the rental car at the airport. After 3 nights, you drive southeast to Tomar (approximately 2 hours, 150 km via the A1 and A13). After 1 night, you drive south to Évora (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, 230 km via the N2). After 1 night, you drive west to Lisbon (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, 130 km via the A6 and A2). You drop off the car at Lisbon Airport on departure day. All roads are well maintained and clearly signed throughout.

A one-way rental car is included, picked up at Porto Airport and dropped off at Lisbon Airport. The one-way fee is included in the package price. The standard vehicle is a compact manual car. Automatic transmission is available on request at an additional cost. You will need a valid Canadian or US passport and driver's license at pickup. A valid driver's license is sufficient to rent in Portugal. An International Driving Permit is not mandatory but can be useful as a backup.

The rental car included in this package comes with basic third-party liability insurance. Depending on the rental company, a collision damage waiver (CDW) may already be included, but most rentals still carry a mandatory excess. We always recommend upgrading to the highest insurance level available at pickup. This can be arranged through the Portugal Getaways team.

Yes, tolls apply on motorways throughout this itinerary. Portugal uses electronic Via Verde tolls, typically billed automatically via a transponder in the rental car and charged to your credit card. Confirm with the rental company at pickup whether a transponder is included. Toll costs are not included in the package price. The Portugal Getaways team will send you a travel checklist with a toll calculator before your trip. 

Breakfast is not included by default but can be added during the booking process or prioritized on request. Contact the Portugal Getaways team when booking and we will do our best to arrange complimentary breakfast at your chosen properties. Parking is available at most properties and is usually free outside of Lisbon, but conditions vary by property. In Lisbon, parking can be more limited and may carry an additional cost. Contact the Portugal Getaways team if you want us to prioritize properties with free parking.

The package includes standard 4-star hotels across all four destinations (upgrades available). The package price varies depending on the hotel selected. 

• In Porto, most properties are in or near the historic center and Ribeira waterfront. Some options are in Matosinhos or Foz do Douro, which are 15 to 20 minutes from the historic center by car or metro. 
• In Tomar, all properties are in or near the historic center within walking distance of the Convent of Christ. 
• In Évora, most properties are inside or just outside the city walls within easy walking distance of the Roman Temple and historic center. One 5-star property is located outside the walls and requires a short drive. 
• In Lisbon, all properties are centrally located within easy reach of the main neighborhoods. 

Exact options are shown when you click a date in the booking calendar. Contact the Portugal Getaways team to discuss preferences before booking.

Breakfast is not included by default but can be added during the booking process or prioritized on request. Parking is always available at all properties but is not always free and is not included in the package price. You can check parking details during the booking process or contact the Portugal Getaways team and we will prioritize properties with free parking.

The rental car is essential for the Porto to Tomar, Tomar to Évora, and Évora to Lisbon legs. In Porto, the historic center is compact and walkable, and most sights are reachable on foot or by tram. The car is most useful for day trips to the Douro Valley or Matosinhos. In Lisbon, the car is not needed at all, unless you want to take day trips to Sintra, Fátima. etc. The city is walkable, well served by trams, metro, and Uber®. The drop-off at Lisbon Airport is included and straightforward.

No. All activities are optional and at additional cost. Popular add-ons include a Douro Valley wine tour from Porto, a guided visit to the Convent of Christ in Tomar, wine tastings and walking tours in Évora, a boat trip on Alqueva Lake, and Fado dinner and sightseeing tours in Lisbon. Tours can be added during the booking process or after booking.

Tomar is home to the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former headquarters of the Knights Templar. The Manueline window in the chapter house is one of the most photographed architectural details in Portugal. Most visitors come for the day and leave before dark. Staying overnight gives you the historic center without the crowds and the time to explore properly. Évora is a Roman city with a temple, a medieval cathedral, and a Chapel of Bones built from the remains of approximately 5,000 monks. It is also the center of Alentejo wine country. Both reward more time than a day trip allows.

Spring (April to June) is the strongest window for this road trip. Temperatures range from 18°C to 24°C (64°F to 75°F) across all destinations, the Alentejo countryside is green, and the crowds in Sintra and Lisbon are manageable. Autumn (September to October) offers similar temperatures with the added advantage of wine harvest season in the Douro Valley and Alentejo. Summer (July to August) reaches 28°C to 35°C (82°F to 95°F) in Évora and the Alentejo, which can be very hot for driving and sightseeing. Winter (November to March) is mild at around 12°C to 16°C (54°F to 61°F), quieter, and significantly cheaper, though some attractions may have reduced hours.

Yes to all three. The Portugal Getaways team can add nights at any destination, include Óbidos or the Douro Valley, adjust the itinerary, or extend the Lisbon stay. If you are travelling solo, the package price is based on two travelers sharing a room and a single supplement applies. You can check solo pricing by changing the number of guests from 2 to 1 in the booking calendar before clicking See Dates and Prices. Contact the Portugal Getaways team directly and we will make it easy.

Portugal is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in Europe for travelers, with no active conflicts and not affected by the current conflicts in Europe or elsewhere. Standard precautions apply throughout. US and Canadian passport holders do not currently need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your return date. ETIAS, a pre-travel authorization for Schengen Area travel, is not yet mandatory. When it becomes mandatory, the Portugal Getaways team will notify you in advance.

The land portion of your package is refundable if cancelled at least 14 days before your travel date. Airfare is non-refundable from the moment it is issued. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended for a multi-destination road trip with non-refundable flights. 

For general support, contact the Portugal Getaways team at our regular number, available every day from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Outside office hours, an emergency number is provided in your trip documents. For local emergencies in Portugal, dial 112.