Portugal Family Journey: Porto, Nazare and Lisbon

Welcome to Porto–your arrival transfer to the hotel is included. Check in and get excited to meet your fellow travellers during a welcome meeting this evening where all families can bond before the Journey ahead.
We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this lively city. There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

Kick off your adventure on an orientation walk led by your National Geographic Expedition Leader, following winding lanes past Porto's historic landmarks and granite architecture. The afternoon is yours to explore at your family's own pace, browsing atmospheric bookstores together or zipping through the city's hilly streets on an optional tuk-tuk ride. Later, head to the World of Wine cultural space for a hands-on workshop where kids and parents join forces to craft chocolate cake-pops together.

Head south to Aveiro, Portugal's coastal town woven with waterways, for a cruise aboard a colourful, traditional moliceiro boat. Taste local pastries and sip refreshing drinks as you drift past brightly painted waterfront houses. Afterwards, take a short walk through town with your Expedition Leader and sit down for a fresh local lunch. Continue your journey to the coastal town of Nazaré, then ride the historic funicular railway up to the cliffside Sítio neighbourhood for vast ocean views before heading to your hotel for an evening at your leisure.

This morning, meet a local big wave surfer to hear stories about riding Nazaré's giant ocean waves. Next, head into a protected bay for a surf or stand-up paddleboard lesson tailored to the day's conditions. Enjoy free time for lunch at a beachside café, stroll the sand, or visit the cliffside surf museum. Tonight, kids paint traditional Portuguese blue-and-white azulejo tiles while parents settle in for a relaxing dinner nearby.

Travel toward Lisbon, stopping along the way in Óbidos. Walk along ancient castle ramparts and stone towers in this fully intact medieval town before continuing to the capital. Enjoy a relaxed lunch together before climbing aboard the HippoTrip amphibious bus. Tour Lisbon's historic streets listening to local legends that reveal the city's highlights and hidden gems along the way. Then, hold on as your bus transforms into a boat and plunges directly into the Tagus River. Spend the evening exploring the city's neighbourhoods at your own pace.

Drive to the coastal town of Cascais for free time to walk its seaside boardwalks and feel the ocean spray. Continue along the coast to Cabo da Roca, stopping at its historic lighthouse to take in sweeping views from the westernmost edge of continental Europe. In the afternoon, take a guided family tour through the colourful, fairytale-like towers of Pena Palace in Sintra before returning to Lisbon for a relaxed evening.

Team up for an interactive scavenger hunt through Alfama, Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood. Solve riddles together as you navigate Praça do Comércio, Carmo Convent, and the Fantastic World of Portuguese Sardines. Rest up at the hotel before gathering with your fellow travelling families for a final dinner together.

Depart at any time.