I’ve built the ultimate 3-week trip of western Europe’s most remarkable historic treasures in France, Spain, and Portugal. I consider this trip my pièce de résistance when it comes to historical interest. You, the history lover, can consider it the trip of a lifetime. Before I had done any major traveling I regularly fantasized about some of these destinations, pinning them to my highly organized Pinterest board in the early 2010s. This trip was designed to witness the greatest historical sites found anywhere in Europe efficiently starting in Paris and traveling south and west through France, Spain, and finally Portugal.
I saved and saved for this trip and wanted to spare no expense. Although you don’t have to break the bank for this trip, it definitely will be at least a moderate spend. Consider all the destinations included and I think you’ll find it worth the cost.
Spend one unforgettable week in each country. You’ll find a wide range of historical periods covered in this itinerary. However, there is special attention applied to Roman and Gothic sites. This trip includes plenty of other interests too such as food, wine, art, and culture. All that said, here’s how to plan a 3-week trip of western Europe to see the most remarkable historic treasures France, Spain, and Portugal have to offer. Where applicable, I’ve included alternative historical sites if you by chance have already seen some of the sites on my trip itinerary.
This post contains affiliate links. At no further cost to you, a small somethin’ somethin’ comes my way so I can continue to write these posts, hopefully full time one day. You can use my Expedia link to book your own open jaw flight. Get Your Guide and Viator have fulfilled all of my guided tour recommendations made on this post. And using Expedia for a car rental in Faro, Portugal where your car can be returned in Lisbon, including at the airport, is extremely useful.
Week One – France
FOUR NIGHTS IN PARIS
We’re kicking off our 3-week trip of western Europe’s most remarkable historic treasures with Paris. Plan your arrival flight to land in Paris for a four day visit. You’ll have to book an open jaw for this trip as you’ll be departing from a different airport than Paris. More on that on day twenty-one of the trip. Depending on the length of your travel day you may or most likely may not want to pack your arrival day full of activities. I certainly did not fill this day with a busy itinerary as someone traveling from Vancouver to Paris with a total of 13 hours of flight time not including layovers. I did, however, head out into the city and explore the neighbourhood of our apartment rental.
Day One – Paris
On your arrival day, plan to take it easy. Explore the neighborhood of your accommodation. Or try heading to the Seine to see what famous landmarks you can spot. Alternatively, walk or subway to the Île de la Cité to see one of the oldest parts of Paris. Make friends with the server at your local café or patisserie. Ask them for recommendations on their favourite restaurants or bars.
Day Two – Day Trip to Chartres from Paris
On the second day of your three week itinerary of western Europe’s most remarkable historic treasures, you’re heading to the medieval city of Chartres by train from Paris. This is a regular route leaving Paris multiple times a day totaling about 1hr 20 min one way. I would recommend booking your train tickets in advance to secure the time slot you want, although, if traveling during the week you’ll likely find the train less than full. For my complete in-depth guide to visiting Chartres see my post here.
Notre-Dame de Chartres
Once in Chartres, head to Chartres Cathedral, another Notre-Dame, which is situated in the centre of the medieval city. Notre-Dame de Chartres is considered a masterpiece of French gothic architecture. You can meander this beauty solo or pay a nominal fee for a tour of this thirteenth century cathedral put on by the cathedral. When I visited in 2016 tours were available in English from spring to October. According to Chartres Cathedral website, tours appear to be year round now although might more often than not be in French. Visit the gift shop to find out information about the tour on the date of your visit.
Whether or not you manage to score a tour, make sure to note the two asymmetrical towers, the French Revolution graffiti, and the Knights Templar insignia all over the Gothic building. Be sure to take your time inside pondering the many panels of stunning stained glass windows. Chartres Cathedral contains the most extensive collection of medieval-era stained glass anywhere in the world. If you’re able, make sure to visit the crypts where you’ll find some of the original sculptures stored to save them from the elements. Also in the crypt is a Knights Templar cross stamped on a central pedestal.
La Maison Picassiette
After you’ve had your fill of Notre-Dame de Chartres head to La Maison Picassiette. The Picassiette house was a private residence in which one, Raymond Isidore, spent much of his life covering his home internally and externally in ceramic mosaics. To get there take the bus: Filibus line 4, Picassiette stop. For exact instructions inquire in the Chartres tourism centre near the Cathedral.
On this property, and of course decorated with the ceramic mosaics, are the family home, a chapel, a courtyard, a summer house, a garden, and a tomb. The tomb is more artistic than literal. Apparently, this was his ultimate creation, representing celestial space. Wander around the residence and you’ll notice all sorts of intricate details.
More to see in Chartres
If you have time left before your return train trip to Paris, check out the medieval Old Town of Chartres. This neighbourhood features the oldest buildings of the city. The bishop’s palace has even been converted into a fine arts museum. You may also wish to explore the Archaeo: City of Chartres‘ current exhibition which will contain an exciting piece of European archaeology. There is also the International Stained Glass Centre which is the only centre of its kind in France.
Day Three – Paris
Notre-Dame de Paris
On day three of this trip jam-packed with remarkable historical treasures, you’re heading to Île de la Cité, at the centre of Paris, to see some of the most iconic landmarks of France. First, make your way to Notre-Dame de Paris. For this major attraction, entry is free. I recommend reserving a timed ticket for entry to this cathedral to ensure you’re not waiting in a long queue. Take your time exploring the moody chapels and associated artwork. If time and ability allow, pay an extra nominal fee to climb the towers and see the famous bells of Notre-Dame. You’ll also get a stunning view of the Île de la Cité and Paris from this height.
Sainte-Chapelle
After Notre-Dame, head on foot to Sainte-Chapelle, an intimate 13th century Gothic chapel built under the reign of King Louis IX of France. With nearly floor to ceiling stained glass, this church stuns in royal purple, blue, and gold hues. The chapel is located within the Palais de la Cité, the residence and centre of Capetian power in France. In addition to adding to his prestige in Christendom, Sainte-Chapelle was built to house Louis IX’s collection of relics including the crown of thorns, the image of Edessa, and apparently 30 other items. These were housed on the upper level of Sainte-Chapelle which was only open to the royal family and their guests.
Conciergerie
After you’ve spent sufficient time ogling Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle you could continue on with other medieval buildings of Île de la Cité, such as the Palais de la Cité mentioned earlier, now known as the Conciergerie. It also served as a prison during the French Revolution. Marie Antoinette spent her final 76 days here before execution. If you’re staying on Île de la Cité, don’t miss the Archaeological Crypt of Île de la Cité which is an underground museum below Notre-Dame entered from the north side of the square. This museum preserves the sites origins as a Roman temple and documents archaeological remains discovered during major works.
Other remarkable historic treasures of Paris
Alternatively, you may want to tick off some other major landmarks of Paris from your list. Head to the Arc de Triomphe which is located in Place Charles de Gaulle, at the very north-west end of Avenue des Champs-Élysées. This famous arch was built in the 19th century to commemorate and pay homage to the men who fought and died in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Afterwards, head to the Eiffel Tower to cap off your night. Seeing the Eiffel Tower at night with its dazzling lights is arguably a better use of your time than during the day. And you are still able to climb the tower until as late as 11pm on some days of the week.
Day Four – Day trip to Reims from Paris
On day four you’re heading to the champagne region of France again by train to the city of Reims. This is another regular route that leaves Paris about six times a day. However, in order to make the most of your day in Reims, you’ll want one of the earlier trains, not the one leaving in the late afternoon. Reims is known for several things: Reims cathedral where French monarchs were crowned, the champagne houses of Reims, the biscuit rose de Reims, and WWI and WWII history.
Taittinger Champagne House
Begin your day in Reims with a visit to the champagne house of Taittinger. I highly recommend a visit to this champagne house in particular because of the unique setting of their site. The cellars are repurposed old Roman chalk mines. Later, the site was occupied by a Benedictine Abbey and you can still see remains of the 13th century abbey in their cellar. Additionally, parts of their underground cellars were used as refuge and connection points during WWI and WWII to hide from enemy German armies. There is still visible WWI graffiti carved into the chalk walls. If you book a tour at Taittinger, which includes a minimum of two champagne tastings, you get a tour of the cellar and a bit of all this history to gander at.
Reims Cathedral
After your historic tour of Taittinger, head to Notre-Dame de Reims, or Reims Cathedral. At this Gothic masterpiece you’ll see why Reims deserves a spot on this list of western Europe’s most remarkable historic treasures. As mentioned, this is the traditional site of coronation for kings of France. This beauty was finished in the 14th century and considered to be a preeminent example of High Gothic architecture.
Unfortunately, the cathedral was badly damaged during WWI and underwent extensive restoration efforts in the 20th century. This is notable in the stained glass of some of the panels which is pointedly made by modern artists. Some of the underground WWI refuge networks noted on the Taittinger property are said to connect to the Reims cathedral, however, our tour guide noted they have all been fully sealed off for safety reasons.
Porte de Mars
Not far from the Reims Cathedral is the Porte de Mars, a 3rd century Roman triumphal arch. This landmark denotes that Reims was an important city in Europe long before it was called Reims. The pre-Frankish Gallo-Roman city of Durocortorum is Reims’ predecessor and was likely the name of this place when this arch was built. The arch is so named for a temple to Mars that was nearby but no longer standing.
Lastly, before you leave the ancient and medieval city of Reims, grab yourself a biscuit rose de Reims from a local cafe or bakery. This is a super crunchy and sweet biscuit cookie meant to be enjoyed with champagne or red wine.
TWO NIGHTS IN LYON
Find out why I’ve added Lyon to this 3-week trip of western Europe’s most remarkable historic treasures.
Day Five – Lyon
Make your way from Paris to Lyon, the gastronomical capital of France, by either plane or train. We traveled by plane but I regret not going by train. Flying means arriving at the airport 2 hours early for a domestic flight. Subsequently, you also need to find your way from the airport to the actual city. In our case we definitely overpaid for our taxi. In contrast, travel by train in France takes you from city centre to city centre. You don’t need to arrive any earlier than it takes to board the train. Plus, the seats on the train are comfier and more roomy than any low cost airline.
RAIL TRAVEL
From Paris Lyon train station to Lyon Part Dieu you can take the high-speed train operated by Frecciarossa or TGV INOUI. This one way trip comes in in just under 2 hours. You can also take the standard rail train from Paris-Bercy to Lyon Part Dieu operated by SNFC Voyageurs. This trip clocks in at 5hrs and 30 minutes. Rail Europe is my favourite site for booking trains in Europe.
Vieux-Lyon
Either way, once you arrive in Lyon, plan to spend the rest of your day in Vieux-Lyon, the oldest district of Lyon dating back to the Renaissance. Not only is Vieux-Lyon a visually remarkable neighbourhood to explore, but it also contains 50 kilometres of traboules, or shortcuts, linking streets through one or more buildings. These traboules are trickier to find than one would think, so I recommend looking up a few exact locations as a starting point. Spend the evening in Vieux-Lyon and grab a bite to eat in this world-renowned city of food.
Day Six – Lyon
Technically, this is the only full day in Lyon and I planned to make the most of it by packing it with Roman sites. Lyon is home to several fascinating Roman archaeological sites. This is no surprise considering Lyon served as the capital of Roman Gaul under the name of Lugdunum.
Lugdunum historic site
The first stop is the Lugdunum historic site which contains the Roman museum, theatre, and odeon. Perched atop Fourvière Hill is the Théâtre Antique de Lyon which dates back to 15 BCE. The seating and stage areas are still evident and in fact this theatre is still used for performances and cultural events.
The Odeon of Lyon is on the same site of Fourvière Hill, just south of the Roman theatre. This site was built in the mid-second century AD. Odeons are similar to theatres but smaller. It would have been used for musical performances, public readings, and a meeting room for notable citizens. The odeon and theatre serve as one of only two pairs of the same likeness in Roman Gaul (the other pair being in Vienne).
Also on the same site is a Gallo-Roman museum. In this building you’ll find artifacts from Lyon’s Roman past. There are also interactive displays and collections of mosaics and sculptures. Before you leave the area, there are remnants of the Gier Aqueduct’s pillars near the Gallo-Roman Theater. It’s about a 5 minute walk from the theater.
If you can fit it in, there are a few other Roman sites to see on the Fourvière Hill of Lyon. The Thermes Antiques de Lyon can be found hidden amongst buildings on Rue des Farges. The Tombeau de Turpio is a funeral monument that gives insight into ancient Roman burial practices.
To find the next Roman site in Lyon you’ll need to leave the Fourvière Hill and head to the Croix-Rousse district for the Amphitheater of the Three Gauls. The amphitheater was built at the foot of Croix-Rousse hill where the two rivers, the Rhône and Saône, intersecting Lyon once joined. An inscription found at the site dates the building to 19 AD. The persons who financed its construction belonged to an old Gallic family which had held Roman citizenship since the Gallic Wars and also built the Arch of Germanicus. The arena’s dimensions are similar to those at Nîmes and Arles also in France. However, the site would have had a smaller number of rows of seats, likely only four.
ONE DAY BACKPACKING IN NÎMES AND ORANGE
Day Seven – Nîmes and/or Orange
On the third morning in Lyon, you’ll leave early headed for the Lyon Part Dieu train station to catch the earliest train to Nîmes or Avignon. I say “or” because it appears the tour that I originally took in 2016 that leaves from Nîmes for Orange no longer exists. The only tours I can find that are comparable leave from Avignon. This simply means you get to choose your own adventure for day seven of your 3-week trip of a lifetime.
OPTION 1: Spend a day in Nîmes exploring one of the greatest ancient Roman cities of western Europe. End the day in Nîmes or Marseille for your day eight travel plans.
OPTION 2: Travel to Avignon to catch a 5 hour tour that takes you to Orange for some comparable Roman ruins but also includes wine tastings in Chateauneuf du Pape. Drops you back off in Avignon. End the day in Avignon or Marseille for your day eight travel plans.
Click here to book the day trip for Option 2, leaving from Avignon.
With either choice you will traveling to Barcelona on day eight. You can take a train direct from Avignon or Nîmes to Barcelona (about 4 hrs or less).
Or you can commute by train from Avignon or Nîmes to Marseille where there is an airport and fly to Barcelona (1 hr 10 min flight, not including train travel to Marseille airport or transfers to city centres).
On this day we had our luggage (backpacks) with us the entire day because we weren’t checking into our next accommodations in Marseille until nightfall. If you choose to commute by train the following day, you can check your luggage at your accommodations for the day. In hindsight, staying the night in either Avignon or Nîmes and traveling by train the next day would be my choice today.
Option 1, Nîmes
If you chose option 1, Nîmes, depart the train station and head north west on Av. Feucheres until you hit a fountain in a square (which also serves as a parking lot for the arena). Go west and you’ll have a full view of your destination, Arènes de Nîmes, one of the best preserved Roman ampitheatres anywhere in the world.
Arena of Nîmes
The Arena of Nîmes is so well preserved it is in fact in full use today by the city. The arena hosts bullfights, concerts, professional wrestling, and acts as an occasional film-site. When not in use, you can pay an entrance fee to explore the site which is exactly what we did and what you should too!
Under Roman rule, this amphitheatre was used for spectacular combat between gladiators and/or animal fights. At its height, this arena could hold 24,000 spectators. After the fall of the Roman empire in the west, the arena served as an important stronghold for the peoples living here. They took refuge in the makeshift fortified castle and saw several sieges. After the arena grew out of disuse for defense, many people were still living inside its walls. As of the 18th century there were still 150 houses on the first floor gallery. Restoration efforts began in the Renaissance with King Francis I and culminated in the 19th century when the monument was restored.
MAISON CARRÉe
After you’ve sufficiently explored the Arena of Nîmes, make your way to Maison carrée which is no more than a 10 minute walk up Bd. Victor Hugo from the arena. Prepare to be in awe of the Maison carrée (meaning spare house in French) which is one of the best preserved Roman temples anywhere in the former Roman Empire. The Maison carrée was dedicated to Gaius and Lucius Caesar, grandsons and adopted heirs of Augustus, who both died young. You can enter the temple, which is small and windowless inside. This space would have housed the shrine but it currently displays a film of the Roman history of Nîmes.
Although during my trip, I did not have time to see more than the Arena of Nîmes and Maison carrée, here is a list of other noteworthy sites to completely fill your day in Nîmes.
- Porte d’Auguste: A Roman arch built in the 1st century BCE. It was then part of the long Roman wall of Nîmes and was one of the city’s main gates. With the Maison carrée and Arena of Nîmes it forms a triangle on a map and is a walk-able distance from either.
- Nîmes Cathedral (Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Castor): A Romanesque cathedral. The site is home to religious buildings that date all the way back to the Carolingian dynasty and the 7th century AD.
- Museum of Old Nîmes: Right next to the cathedral, this museum is a former palace. You can explore the city’s history, textiles, fine arts, and everyday objects.
- Castellum Aquae (Water Castle): These remains represent a structure once used as the critical point where the city’s water supply, brought in from the aqueducts, was collected and subsequently dispersed throughout Nîmes in ancient Rome. This is located right beside the Nîmes Université.
- Musée de la Romanité: Museum Romanité is exactly as it sounds. Specializing in Roman and Gaulic artefacts and exhibits. Located right across from the arena.
- Temple of Diana: located in the Les Jardins de La Fontaine. A 1st century Roman sanctuary devoted to the cult of the emperor and his family built under the reign of Augustus. The building may have also served as a library.
- Magne Tower: a pre-Roman building transformed during the time of Augustus serving as a look-out from one of the highest points of the city.
After your day is done in Nîmes, you can choose to spend the night in Nîmes and train to Barcelona the following day (3 hrs 45 min). If you stay the night in Nîmes, you would not need to have your luggage with you for the entire day. Or you can make your way to Marseille and fly (1 hr 10 min) to Barcelona. Depending on the flight times from Marseille you may choose to stay the night in Nîmes or in Marseille.
Option 2, Avignon and Orange
If you choose Option 2, Avignon and Orange, you’ll be spending the majority of your day on a one-of-a-kind guided tour. This guided tour called Romans and Wine of Orange and surrounding areas is found through Get Your Guide. The tour through Get Your Guide is very similar to the one that I did in 2016. It clocks in at 5 hrs of travel time and start times may vary by day, although the ones I see start at 2:30pm (14:30). The operator’s pick up point is in Avignon which is why I sent you here in the first place from Lyon.
Théâtre antique d’Orange
Although I cannot be sure of the order of this particular tour, included is a visit to Théâtre antique d’Orange which is arguably the reason you’ll want to book this tour. This theatre was built in the early 1st century AD under the rule of Augustus. This one is believed to be one of the first stone theatres built in the Roman Empire in modern-day France. There originally would have been a wooden roof built to protect patrons from undesirable weather but obviously does not survive. Today, all three levels of seating have been restored. The site is still in use today as a venue for concerts and theatrical performances.
Pont du Gard aqueduct bridge
Another stop on this tour is Pont du Gard aqueduct bridge near Vers-Pont-du-Gard. It was built to carry water to Nîmes 50 kilometres away. It also happens to be one of the best preserved ancient Roman aqueduct bridges anywhere in the borders of the Roman Empire. Although the exterior of the Pont du Gard is rough and somewhat unfinished, the ancient builders took care to ensure that the interior was as smooth as possible so the flow of water would not be obstructed. This landmark was built around 40-60 AD.
Chateauneuf du Pape
Lastly, you’ll visit the Chateauneuf du Pape wine region for both a lesson in the wine-making of the area and the chance to sample their efforts. We were informed about the practice of placing large brown stones at the roots of the grape plants. This is practiced so that the plants get heat nearly 24hrs a day because the stones are able to retain heat during the night. This provides the grapes that the Chateauneuf du Pape region uses a unique, identifying taste.
Your tour will be in a small sprinter or minivan that can accommodate an intimate group. Ours was made up of our group of four and two other couples for a total of eight people. Our lovely guide toured us around Orange and Chateauneuf du Pape. You’ll be dropped off back in Avignon. You can choose to stay the night in Avignon and train to Barcelona on the next day. If you prefer to fly, you can make your way to the Marseille airport, either that night, or in the morning, depending on the time of your flight. To me, the path of least resistance would be to stay the night in Avignon and train in the morning to Barcelona.
Week Two – Spain
FOUR NIGHTS IN BARCELONA
After either a four hour train commute or one hour and a bit flight, you arrive at your next destination, Barcelona. Barcelona is one of the most fun cities on this three-week itinerary of western Europe’s most remarkable historic treasures. There are a lot of historic sites included in the four nights in Barcelona but the focus here is on notable landmarks and not just “old” ones. Don’t forget to enjoy the delicious Catalan cuisine and social nightlife while you’re here.
Day Eight – Barcelona
You likely won’t be as fatigued as your original arrival date in Paris, but you likely will not be 100% after your travel day from France to Spain. Find your accommodations and explore the accompanying neighbourhood.
Barcelona has so many charming buildings, photogenic streets, and enticing open patios and squares. Order yourself a pitcher of sangria and relax.
Day Nine – Barcelona
The first destination on the first full day in Spain is Sagrada Família. For anyone reading this blog entry and following this trip itinerary you will have the fine distinction of visiting this Gothic and Art Nouveau basilica when it is structurally complete (although not finished, apparently complete and finished do not mean the same thing). My 2016 visit saw several exterior cranes and obvious construction still going on. The site stunned belief nonetheless. For this visit to Sagrada Família I recommend at the very least purchasing a timed ticket in advance. This allows your guaranteed access as a reserved time without having to wait in ridiculously long queues.
Sagrada Família
In addition, you might consider booking a guided tour. Since I did not know a lot about Antonio Gaudí, the architect, and the construction of this church, we decided to book a guided tour with Get Your Guide. Our guide provided headphones so it was easy to hear his explanations despite the crowds. Construction of this church, which is notedly not a cathedral, began in 1882 under a different architect, Francisco de Paula del Villar. A year later, Villar had resigned and Antonio Gaudí took over, dedicating the rest of his life to this work.
Antonio Gaudí’s Contribution
Antonio Gaudí is in fact buried in the crypt of Sagrada Família. At the time of Gaudí’s death in 1926 less than a quarter of the church was complete. In 1936 anarchists broke into the crypt and workshop. They set a fire, and partially destroyed Gaudí’s plans for the building. Construction resumed intermittently throughout the 1900s in part because it has been entirely funded by private donations. In June 2026, Pope Leo XIV inaugurated and blessed the basilica. Sagrada Família has the honour of being the world’s tallest church standing at 566 feet at its tallest point.
Park Güell
After your tour of Sagrada Família, make your way to another of Antonio Gaudí’s achievements, Park Güell. Park Güell is in the La Salut neighbourhood. It’s about a 30 minute transit ride or walk from Sagrada Família. This park was commissioned by Eusebi Güell in order to be designed with the Catalan modernism that was taking place in the late 19th, early 20th century. Park Güell was originally envisioned as a high-end residential development for the upper class. Güell lived in one of the homes in the park and he convinced Gaudí to purchase another with his savings. The park was later turned into a municipal garden in 1926. Fill your camera roll here with all the stunning creativity of Antonio Gaudí’s naturalism style. If you prefer skip-the-line tickets and a guided tour for both Sagrada Família and Park Güell, see this tour with Viator.
Day Ten – Barcelona
On the third day in Barcelona, you’ll be exploring some famous neighborhoods looking for landmark homes that dot the Barcelona city-scape. To start with, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà will be on the itinerary. In addition, Casa de les Punxes designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch is another fairy-tale home to check out. Some other ones to look out for include Casa Amatller, Casa Lleó Morera, Casa Calvet, Casa Martí, Casa Vicens, Casa Bonaventura Ferrer, Casa Estapé, Casa Comalat, Casa Macaya, and Casa Pomar.
Catalan Modernisme
So what is going on with this list of notable homes throughout Barcelona? These sites, along with landmarks we already saw like Sagrada Família and Park Güell, are all part of an art and literature movement known as Modernisme.
This movement aimed to embody the revival of Catalan culture in Catalonia. It was centered in Barcelona but spread far beyond that territory and included poets, architects, sculptors, writers, and painters. Central to Modernisme was Catalan nationalists. These nationalists wanted Catalonia to be equal to other European countries. The predominant form of Modernisme was architecture. As such, with all these historic homes you’ll experience the feelings these Catalan artists meant to convey about their unique culture in Spain (although they would hate that I stated “in Spain” when they aimed for the sentence to read “in Catalonia”).
Casa Batlló
Start your day with a timed ticket to Casa Batlló. Batlló is arguably the most famous of the Modernisme houses listed. Casa Amatller and Casa Lleó Morera are only steps from Casa Batlló so head there next to see how the work of Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Lluís Domènech i Montana respectively related to the work of Antonio Gaudi. Then decide if you want to head to Casa Milà. Or you could spend the rest of the afternoon exploring for more Modernisme houses on foot.
Casa Calvet is a 15 minute walk east from Casa Batlló. Then, Casa Martí is a little more than 15 minutes southeast from Casa Batlló. Casa Bonaventura Ferrer is a 15 min walk northwest from Casa Batlló. Even still, Casa Comalat is another 15 minute walk north from Casa Batlló. Lastly, the furthest from this area is Casa Pomar being about an hour walk from Casa Batlló. Cap your day off with delicious food from a local tapas bar.
Day Eleven – Barcelona
Barcelona is a very bike-able city so to take advantage of this if mobility is no issue. Book a bike tour with a reputable local guide and enjoy seeing the city from another perspective. On our tour we stopped off on a number of notable historical sites including the gothic Cathedral of Barcelona, the Roman columns of the Temple of Augustus hidden between buildings, the 19th century Arc de Triomf, and the Palau de la Música Catalana. On top of this the local guide gave us so much insight into the culture of the city including the locals’ distaste for tourists booking AirBnBs which was/is causing a housing crisis in the city. This bike tour through Viator covers pretty much everything we saw on ours.
Tibidabo Church
After your city bike tour and some lunch, make your way to the Expiatory Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, also known as the Tibidabo Church. This is located at the summit of Mount Tibidabo and a great way to get an expansive view of the city. Explore the grounds, interior, or nearby attractions which include the Tibidabo Amusement Park. You may also like to add to your itinerary getting to the Mediterranean Sea to dip your toes or go for a swim. Because who likes to get so close to a brand new ocean and not get their feet wet?
THREE NIGHTS IN SEVILLE
Choose your route to Seville on day twelve. Flying to the far south side of the country is about 3.5 hours. You can also make it by train, via Madrid, in 6 hours. We chose to fly this time. If one were to add Madrid to the itinerary, train would be the most obvious option. Keep reading to find out what remarkable historic treasures Seville has to contribute to this three week trip of wester Europe.
Day Twelve – Seville
On your arrival day in Seville plan some pretty low effort but big pay off activities. Head for the Plaza de España and Maria Luisa Park. The Maria Luisa Park was designed in a Moorish style with a plethora of picturesque tiled fountains, pavilions, walls, ponds, and benches. The Plaza de España was designed by Aníbal González for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. The complex of Plaza de España was designed with four quarters in a semi circle, each representing a kingdom that makes up modern Spain embracing its former colonies.
Torre del Oro
After spending much of your day at Plaza de España and Maria Luisa Park and ensuring you’re well fed, head to the Torre del Oro on the Guadalquivir river. If you can manage to see this tower at dusk you’ll be in for a stunning sight. This defensive post dates back to the 13th century and was actually erected by the Almohad Caliphate, not the Spanish. It was also used as a prison. It would have functioned as a means to block the river in conjunction with another probably identical tower on the opposite bank. If you can manage to find a flamenco bar to patronize at night you’ll truly be on your way to enjoying the perfect trip to Seville.
Day Thirteen – Day Trip to Córdoba from Seville
There are many stunning and historically rich cities in close vicinity to Seville including Málaga, Ronda, Granada, and Córdoba. During this itinerary I chose to include Córdoba . You could easily swap it out for Granada or Málaga with just as much interest. Even though I chose to include Córdoba, I never personally made it to this fantastic city. The stars unfortunately did everything but align.
I arrived in Seville sick from a viral infection. Upon walking to our accommodations I severely sprained my ankle on the steep and narrow Sevillian sidewalks. To add insult to injury, my partner made me a cold and flu tonic as instructed by a local pharmacist but used tap water. Little did we know that the tap water in Seville, at least in 2016, contained some kind of bacteria that sometimes bothers unconditioned guts. As we were not initiated, we suffered another poor fate I’ll leave to your imagination.
All in all, this left me out of the running to attend our day trip to Córdoba. Luckily, two of my traveling companions actually did make it to Córdoba so I have photos and comments to share.
Plan your visit around these four must-see sites in Córdoba: Medina Azahara, Avian Palace, La Mezquita, and the Palace of Christian Kings. You may also like to look into a guided tour that includes one or more of these fascinating sites. Getting to Córdoba from Seville is easy by train. From the Sevilla-Santa Justa station it’s about 45 minutes to Córdoba-Central station with trains leaving about every 20 minutes.
Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
My travel companions started off with a guided tour of La Mezquita de Córdoba, also known as the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. This unique building goes by many names. To the Catholic Church its official name is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. Historically, this building was known as the Great Mosque of Córdoba, and as such is also referred to as the Mezquita, the Spanish word for mosque. The mosque predates the cathedral as the construction began in the 8th century under Abd al-Rahman I, founder of the Islamic Emirate of Córdoba.
In the 13th century, it was converted to a cathedral after the territory was captured by Castilian forces during the Reconquista efforts. This Unesco World Heritage site is a true blending of medieval Islamic and Castilian gothic architecture. Rather than demolish the Islamic elements, they were adapted to serve the building’s new purpose, a Catholic cathedral that still holds mass.
Palace of Christian Kings
Within walking distance of La Mezquita is the Palace of Christian Kings, also known as the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. This palace has a sober exterior and an elaborate interior. Over its history, it served as primary residence for several famous figures and monarchs and as such had to provide formidable defense in its hotly contested geographic area. With the advent of gunpowder, the walls had to be improved again.
Abd ar-Rahman I and his successors, who eventually founded the Córdoba Caliphate, were responsible for the construction of the Alcázar which became their official seat of power. In 1328, Alfonso XI of Castile began building on top of the Moorish palace with some of the original building remaining.
Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon also used this palace as one of their primary residences, even receiving Christopher Columbus here to hear a bid for endorsement. The site also served as a garrison for Napoleon’s troops in the 19th century. Before it’s final use as a historic tourist site, the palace served as a prison.
You may enjoy this Get Your Guide tour of the Mosque-Cathedral, Alcázar, and Jewish Quarter of Córdoba. Four hours with your guide at a reasonable price.
Medina Azahara
If your time and mode of travel to and from Seville allow, try to add the Medina Azahara to your itinerary. It’s a little outside the city of Córdoba so a guided tour to get you there and back might be advisable, check this one out. This was a fortified palace-city built by the Umayyad dynasty. It served as the capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba and its center of government for some time. This is a major archaeological site that is not even fully excavated. The primary reason for this city’s construction was that Abd ar-Rahman III had declared himself “caliph” in 929 and this new designation required him to build a city as a demonstration of his personal power.
Palacio de Avian
If you have another 1 to 2 hours available in your day, plan to see the Palacio de Avian, a Renaissance era building with 12 lush gardens representing Córdoba’s love of plants, flowers, and bringing the outdoors to the center of your private life. It is also a great escape from the heat. Finally, before your return to Seville, check out the 1st century Roman temple which is a 20 minute walk from the Alcázar northeast. This was built during the reign of Emperor Claudius and is noted to be constructed with some of the finest marble and most skilled craftsmen of the empire.
Day Fourteen – Seville
The last full day in Seville will be spent checking out some major attractions in the pearl of the Guadalquivir river. Enjoy the heart of Seville by exploring the Seville Cathedral and the Alcázar of Seville. Add in the Alameda de Hércules for a full Andalusian experience. We chose to go without guided tours with these historic sites to avoid a time table on this day and just relax enjoying our last full day in Spain.
Seville Cathedral
The Seville Cathedral, or formally Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, is one of the largest churches in the world with its construction taking just over 100 years. It was built over the site of an Islamic mosque that was built in the 12th century. City leaders aimed to build “one so good that none will be its equal”. The cathedral has the longest nave of any church in Spain.
Additionally, the builders preserved some elements from the old mosque including the sahn, or courtyard. More famously, the bell tower was converted from the original minaret and is now one of Seville’s most iconic features.
Alcázar of Seville
The Alcázar of Seville is the historic royal residence also dating back to Islamic occupation. First, the footprint was occupied by a citadel constructed by the Umayyads. Later, a larger palace complex was built by the Abbadid dynasty and the Almohads. After the Castilian conquest of the city in the 13th century, more renovations were completed. The most famous and important being done by Pedro I during the 14th century which is richly decorated in the Mudéjar-style.
Alameda de Hércules
Alameda de Hércules is a garden square, originally a public garden, in the northern half of the historic centre. It is supposedly the oldest public garden in Europe. Columns from a nearby Roman temple believed to be dedicated to Hercules were intended to be erected in the square to mark off promenades through the trees. The two columns at the southern end are original while the two at the northern end are replicas. La Alameda is now the centre of nightlife in Seville.
Week Three – Portugal
SEVEN NIGHTS IN LISBON
As you’ll see, Portugal has so much to contribute to this tour of western Europe’s most remarkable historic treasures. Keep reading to find out where you’re going in Portugal. For further Portuguese travel plans, see my post The Ultimate List of Things to do in Portugal.
Day Fifteen – Day Trip to Évora from Seville en route to Lisbon
Unfortunately, there are no easy train routes from the south of Spain to Portugal. In order to enjoy the luxury of train travel, one would need to travel to Merida, north of Seville, and then enter Portugal via Elvas and travel west ending in Lisbon. If you would like to explore Évora on this itinerary you will have to use a different route. If you find something worthwhile on this Lisbon via Merida route then feel free to swap this day’s itinerary for your own choosing.
Travel from Faro to Évora
We chose to book a coach bus from Seville to Faro, Portugal. This is about a 2.5 hour trip for only $30. From Faro, we rented a car to get our butts to Évora and finally to Lisbon at the end of the day. The renting of the car really removed any time constraints we would face by further bus and train schedules. There is a bus line, Linha do Sul, that runs from Faro to Lisbon, however it does not run through Évora. That being, try securing a car rental in Faro from Hertz, Sixt, or Record Goy on Expedia. It ensures you can drop it off in Lisbon when you are done with it. Expedia also lets you search multiple car rental companies, see makes and models, and manual or automatic transmissions simultaneously.
Évora
My main reasons for incorporating Évora into this itinerary are its Roman temple and the Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones). However, as Évora was voted European capital of culture in 2027, along with Liepāja, Latvia, there is much to see and do here. Some sites to consider adding to your itinerary are:
- The Renaissance Fountain of Portas de Moura
- Holy Spirit College of the Order of Christ
- Royal Palace of Évora
- Palace of the Counts of Basto
- Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval
- 16th century Prata Aqueduct
- Cathedral of Évora
- Lóios Convent and Church
Capela dos Ossos
Visit the Capela dos Ossos first as it has operating hours whereas the Roman temple in the city square is available at all hours. The Capela dos Ossos is located inside the Gothic-Manueline Saint Francis Church. The Chapel of bones is a small Franciscan chapel completely covered and decorated in human bones.
HOLY BONES
About 5000 corpses were exhumed by Franciscan monks from local cemeteries to complete this project. Very few of the bones are held together by mortar, most are stacked meticulously to hold their position. While it may seem odd that religious men supposedly desecrated countless graves to complete their vision, it was done with the belief that moving the bodies into the chapel brought the deceased closer to God.
Roman Temple of Évora
The Roman Temple of Évora is often wrongly attributed to the goddess Diana, even known as the Templo de Diana. This association was only made in the 17th century by Portuguese priest, Father Manuel Fialho, rather than through archaeological evidence. It’s possible the temple was originally dedicated to Jupiter or even Augustus himself who was venerated as a god during and after his rule. The original temple was probably similar to the Maison Carrée in Nîmes. It sits atop the highest elevation in the city square in what would have been the acropolis.
After you’ve had your fill in Évora, head to Lisbon to check into whatever accommodations you’ve procured. Alternatively, spend one night in Évora and drive to Lisbon in the morning.
Day Sixteen – Lisbon
In your first full day in Lisbon, plan to spend it exploring some of the key highlights the city has to offer. Further, all the sites included for day sixteen provide wonderful views of Lisboa allowing you to really get a feel for your new home for the next week. After your breakfast, head to the Caste São Jorge in the neighbourhood of Santa Maria Maior.
Caste São Jorge
From Caste São Jorge you can see sweeping views of historic Lisbon and the Tagus river. It is believed that the hilltop on which this castle was built has been occupied by humans since the 8th century BC. This site and it’s previous constructions have seen the likes of several civilizations including the Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Suebi, Visigoths, and Moors before it was conquered by Afonso Henriques in 1147 in the Siege of Lisbon.
In the 14th century the castle sustained several assaults by Castilian forces. João I subsequently dedicated the fortification to Saint George, giving the castle its name, in part due to his marriage to English princess Philippa of Lancaster. Both countries venerated the warrior-saint who was normally depicted slaying a dragon.
Carmo Convent
After you get your fill of the views and the history at Caste São Jorge and a hearty lunch, head across the valley to Carmo Convent. This site is intriguing as it preserves some of the damage caused by the massive 1755 Lisbon earthquake. The Carmo Convent was built in a typical Gothic style between the 14th and 15th century. It was said to be one of the most imposing churches in Lisbon, prior to its destruction.
1755 Lisbon earthquake
In the morning of November 1, 1755, a magnitude 7.7 (at least) earthquake hit Lisbon and surrounding areas of the Portuguese empire and Morocco. A tsunami and many large subsequent fires started. The earthquake nearly destroyed the city of Lisbon. In fact, this event was so remarkable that it led to the birth of modern seismology. The Gothic Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Carmo Convent is one of the last traces of the great earthquake. If the church is not in use for a private event, make sure to go inside and gaze through the almost non-existent roof.
Santa Justa Lift
From the Carmo Convent it’s a short walk to the Santa Justa Lift. This is an elevator and platform that has sweeping views of Lisbon’s skyline. You can pay for tickets from the bottom to ride to the top. If you’re walking from Carmo Convent, you can walk to the lift and take a few stairs to the top for the view. There is a small fee to enter the observation deck. The 1902 elevator connects the lower streets of the Baixa district with the higher district of Bairro Alto so that locals and travelers alike can avoid the steep climb themselves. Get a sweeping view of downtown historic Lisboa from this view.
2026 update: The Santa Justa Lift has been closed since September 2025, when Carris shut it after the Glória funicular accident and brought in an independent certified body to inspect it. No reopening date has been confirmed. The upper observation platform, reached from Largo do Carmo, is closed too, unfortunately.
Day Seventeen – Day Trip to Sintra from Lisbon
On day seventeen prepare yourself for a full day trip to Sintra. Sintra has become infamous with travelers worldwide and especially on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. This is due to the many and varied stunning photogenic sites all over this popular Portuguese town. The Sintra mountains, just west of the main city centre, are home to innumerable, remarkable historic treasures . Over the centuries, this area has been identified by elites as a worthy spot to construct their elaborate homes.
The oldest site in the Sintra mountains is the Castle of the Moors which is for the most part just the castle walls that remain high on the mountainside. This site dates to the 8th and 9th centuries.
The Convento da Trindade began construction in the Sintra mountains sometime in the 1400s.
The origins of Quinta da Penha Verde date back to the 16th century with many of the current buildings being added in the 17th and 18th centuries. Quinta da Penha Verde was built by Portuguese nobleman João de Castro who also served as a viceroy of India.
In the 19th century, Sintra became the first centre of European Romantic architecture. In 1838, King consort Ferdinand II decided to acquire the old monastery and all of the surrounding lands that now make up Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors. He then commissioned the remains to be transformed into a royal summer residence in the Romantic style that was ever popular at the time.
Monserrate Palace was finished by wealthy English merchant, Francis Cook, after a series of owners who had completed partial construction on the site.
Construction on Quinta de Regaleira began in early 1900 by António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro. He sought out Italian architect Luigi Manini to oversee his dream of constructing this Romantic-style estate.
Together, all of these sites exemplify the Sintra aesthetic which was influenced by Romanticism, Mudéjar Moorish Revival architecture, and neo-Gothic elements. With that crash course in what sites there are in Sintra mountains, (which doesn’t even include sites outside the mountain), you will have to narrow down which sites interest you the most as there is no possible way to see everything in one day trip.
LOGISTICS
My itinerary for this day trip will include the Castle of the Moors, the Pena Palace, Monserrate Palace, and Quinta de Regaleira. We managed to see all four sites in relative detail in one single day trip. You may prefer to add in other sites in place of these and I would not blame you one bit.
If you still have your car rental you can drive from Lisbon to Sintra, although I would recommend not doing so on a weekend as parking will be tough. Alternatively, you can book one of several day trips with Get Your Guide that transport you to several of the most popular sites in Sintra. Still, there is a train from Lisbon to Sintra that is a 40 minute one way trip. Once at the Sintra train station, there are buses to the sites in the Sintra Mountains, specifically the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace.
Pena Palace
I recommend starting at the busiest site first, and earliest, and working your way down the mountain. Begin your site-seeing tour in Sintra at Pena Palace. This remarkable palace was built during the reign of Maria II and her king consort Ferdinand II (who ruled as co-ruler only after a son was born, but not after his wife died). The king and queen insisted that medieval and Islamic elements be included throughout this Romantic architecture build.
King consort Ferdinand also designed the ornate window for the main façade which was heavily inspired by the chapter house window on the Convent of the Order of Christ in Tomar. There’s plenty to see on both the exterior and inside this residence. Take your time and enjoy the view from which you can easily see the Castle of the Moors not far below.
Castle of the Moors
When you’ve had your fill at Pena Palace, it’s about a 10 minute walk down to the Castle of the Moors. This castle was initially constructed by Moors during the Islamic occupation of the Iberian peninsula. In 1147, the castle was handed over to Afonso Henriques, after his conquest of Lisbon. After the medieval period, the site was regularly subject to abandonment given that the conflict between the Christians and Moors in the area was long over. Restoration work on the castle began under King consort Ferdinand II. Today, you can traverse the castle walls and get extraordinary views of the coastline, floodplains, and Sintra hills.
Quinta da Regaleira
The next stop after the Castle of the Moors is Quinta da Regaleira, a 17 minute walk further down the mountain. This is another principal tourist attraction of Sintra so it might be wise to plan your visit date around that information. Consider a timed ticket (which you should only purchase through their official website unless you are part of a day trip where admission is included) or visit during off seasons.
This property has a lot more ground to cover than the last two as the visionary behind the site built towers, grottoes, wells, fountains, benches, and lakes over this 10 acre site. You could spend quite a few hours here without even going inside the palace. Key features not to miss include the Initiation Wells which have Knights Templar associations and the chapel. Find many ornate, highly detailed works all over this property.
Monserrate Palace
Your last stop of the day is going to be Monserrate Palace which is a 12 minute drive by bus from Quinta da Regaleira. In my opinion, Monserrate Palace is the most elegant of all the sites you’ll visit today. It’s said that there were two chapels built on this site prior to its current build, one allegedly by Afonso Henriques in dedication to the Virgin Mary. The property passed through many hands before it landed with Francis Cook who worked with architect James Knowles to turn it into his summer residence. Enjoy traversing this alluring property during golden hour before heading back to the city centre to fill your tummy. Return to Lisbon via your mode of entry: pre-booked guided day tour, train, or car rental.
Day Eighteen – Lisbon
Spend day eighteen exploring the historic neighbourhood of Belém in Lisbon. Here you’ll get to see and try some of the most iconic symbols of Lisbon and Portugal as a whole. I highly recommend timed tickets for the two historic sites on this day’s itinerary to prevent waiting in line for more than an hour. However, Portugal does have a policy to let those with disabilities, pregnant, or with babies to cut the line. So don’t be shy to head to the front to prevent a long wait.
Jerónimos Monastery
Choose your starting point of either the Torre de Belém or the royal monastery of Santa Maria de Belém. We’ll start with the royal monastery of Santa Maria de Belém as it’s definitely the larger site. Also known as the Jerónimos Monastery, this sprawling building was finished in the 15th century. It is also the final resting place of many Portuguese monarchs, including the Avis dynasty. This cathedral and attached monastery are stunning examples of the Portuguese Gothic Manueline style. While the interior of the cathedral is dark, brooding, and serious. The monastery is bright, airy, and charming.
The Monastery’s history
King Manuel I chose Hieronymite monks to occupy the monastery as it was their duty to pray for the King’s eternal soul. Further, the monks were assigned the duty of providing spiritual assistance to navigators and sailors during Portugal’s golden age of exploration. The site endured the 1755 earthquake in Lisbon without much damage at all. Only the balustrade and part of the high choir were ruined, but restoration works were quickly undertaken. Wander this site and enjoy traveling back in time to the height of Portugal’s age of exploration.
Pastéis de Belém
After your time in Jerónimos Monastery, head across the street to the Pastéis de Belém (Rua De Belem 84-92) for a delicious pastal de nata (custard pastry tart). Pastéis de Belém operates with the alleged original recipe for these famous natas that originated in the Santa Maria de Belém monastery. This site is famous across Portugal and looks to have long lines. No need to fret though, this place is organized, and the lines move fast. You can queue to sit down and enjoy your natas in their cafe or you can queue to get your pastéis de natas to go (which is the faster option. Don’t forget the cinnamon!
After you’ve had your fill of pastéis de natas, and perhaps a hearty lunch nearby, head to the other major landmark of Belém, the Torre de Belém (officially the Tower of Saint Vincent).
Torre de Belém
This tower rests on the edge of the Tagus River and was originally built to supplement the existing military defense of the Tagus and Lisbon. The tower also served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for all the Portuguese explorers of the Renaissance. The Torre de Belém was envisioned by King João II and realized by King Manuel I. Take your time creeping low through doorways and touring this 16th century fortress. Finish off your day in Lisbon with some local cuisine.
Day Nineteen – Day Trip to Batalha from Lisbon
With only a few days left in this three week tour of western Europe’s most remarkable historic treasures, head to perhaps my favourite site in all of Portugal, the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, or Monastery of Batalha. To get from Lisbon to Batalha you can book a guided tour like this one (there is no guide tour I can find that includes just Batalha, everything has multiple stops which may or may not suit you). If you still have your rental car, of course you can drive there. Parking will not be an issue here, it’s a lot less busy than Sintra. Lastly, the FlixBus Marinha Grande will take you directly from Lisbon to Batalha in a 2 hour one way trip. It’s a 6 minute walk from the bus station to the monastery.
An alternative day trip for day nineteen would be to visit the Alcobaça Monastery in Alcobaça. This site is a similar distance from Lisbon with one-way bus ride clocking at 1hr 51 minutes. The cost is the same as the Batalha bus and both require no transfers. Similarly, you could book a guided tour to Alcobaça and have someone transport you there and back. With long day trips like this, it certainly is a simpler option. This guided tour actually includes both Batalha and Alcobaça along with Tomar, one of my favourite cities in Portugal.
Monastery of de Santa Maria da Vitória
In option A, you’re headed to Batalha to see what I consider to be the most magnificent late Gothic and Manueline architecture that exists in Portugal. This monastery and adjoined cathedral rise up out of the centre and impose itself on the town. There is nothing nearby that can match its glory. You can walk fully around this entire site, viewing this UNESCO World Heritage Site from all sides.
The Monastery of de Santa Maria da Vitória was built to commemorate the victory at 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota against the Spanish (Castile). It is said that on the eve of battle, King João I promised to build a monastery in the honour of Our Lady (the Virgin Mary) wherever his arrow landed that he shot from his bow. The monastery also serves as the burial grounds for several of the Avis dynasty monarchs. The construction took over 100 years and spanned the reign of seven kings.
The Royal Cloister of Batalha Monastery. The original Gothic arches of the cloister were decorated with Manueline-style tracery in the 16th century under Manuel I. Manueline style is considered to have been born at this precise monastery, in this cloister to be exact, where it then spread all over Portugal.
King João i’s plans
The church interior is immense, regal, and bright for a Gothic cathedral. In fact, King João I meant for this construction to symbolize the legitimacy of this new dynasty, the Avis, and as such this church is much larger than most other contemporary examples. The Chapel of the Founder is my favourite section of this site. The light cascading through the stained glass dazzles this stunning burial ground. The centre tomb is that belonging to King João I and his wife Philippa of Lancaster. At the south wall you’ll find King João I’s younger sons along with their spouses, including Henry the Navigator. The west wall has copies of the original tombs of King Afonso V, King João II, and his son and heir Prince Afonso (who predeceased him).
Imperfect chapel
The next section of this site that you simply must see but it is actually easy to miss, is the Imperfect Chapel. It is called so because this monastery was not ever finished. Funds and construction were diverted away from this project to build Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon. The Imperfect Chapel can only be accessed from the outside. Remember this if you enter through the cathedral and make your way throughout the majority of the site, you still have a stunning part left to see!
Take your time exploring the rest of the monastery including the Royal Cloister, the Chapter House, and the Cloister of Afonso V. After you’ve finished here you’ll have witnessed one of the masterpiece’s of Portuguese Gothic and Manueline style. If time allows, grab a bite to eat at a cafe with views of the monastery before you head back to Lisbon.
Day Twenty – Day Trip to Óbidos and Nazaré from Lisbon
I’m making sure you walk away from Portugal with as many feathers in your hat as you can muster. The last full day of this three week trip of a lifetime will be a day tour to two more medium-sized towns not far from Lisbon. I highly recommend booking a guided trip to these two cities, such as this one, that picks you up from Lisbon and transports you to both destinations and back. I like this tour because it only includes the two cities instead of trying to jampack your day with not enough time at each destination. It will really ease your last day of travel here in Portugal.
Óbidos has a long history of human settlement. The Luso-Romans likely had a fortified settlement here. Later occupied by the Visigoths during the 5th and 6th centuries. Moors were settling here in the 8th century. And in the 12th century, Christian Reconquista forces under the first Portuguese king took this castle which has remained in Portuguese hands since.
Óbidos
Depending on your planning choices, you may end up in either city first. We’ll start with Óbidos. My in-laws happen to live within the municipal bounds of Óbidos so I know this little walled medieval town well. Archaeological evidence indicates that the site has been inhabited by Romans and earlier Celts who traded with Phoenicians. As with many cities in Portugal, this town also fell under Moorish rule, and then eventually was regained by Christians via the Portuguese in 1148. In fact, the retaking of Óbidos was the final stage in the conquest of the Estremadura Province region.
Vila das Rainhas
In 1210, King Afonso II gave the title of this village to Queen Urraca. Since then, Óbidos has been patronized by the queens of Portugal. This has given rise to its informal title, Vila das Rainhas. Several queens enriched the town with royal donations through the late middle ages and early modern era.
Óbidos is known for a few things that draw tourists every year: its medieval walls, a medieval faire in July, a cherry liqueur called ginjinha & chocolate, and book stores. Get yourself up on the medieval walls for a stunning view of Óbidos and the surrounding land. Peruse a few book stores and make sure to stop off at least one shop that sells ginjinha in chocolate cups. This liqueur is made by infusing sour cherries in alcohol and adding sugar together with spices like cloves and cinnamon sticks. Óbidos popularized drinking this beloved drink from a chocolate cup.
Nazaré
After Óbidos, make your way to Nazaré which is famous for entirely different reasons. It’s known for its huge waves and surfing competitions. The beach in Nazaré is a long strip of golden sand hugged on both sides by rugged hillsides. A litany of white house and terracotta roofs cascade up from the beach into the surrounding area. See the view of the entire town, beach, and Atlantic from the Miradouro do Suberco (cliff top view), which is to the right of the beach. You can ride the funicular up to Sitio (the neighbourhood at the top of the cliff overlooking Nazaré) to get this view.
If you are on a guided tour, you will most likely be taken to the Nazaré lighthouse and fort which was first constructed in 1577. The fort was originally intended to help defend the town of Nazaré from Algerian, Moroccan, Dutch, and Norman pirates.
The fort is also one of the best places to watch the giant waves of Nazaré which most often occur in the winter months. In my opinion, the next best thing to do in Nazaré is dine on fresh seafood since you’re in a fishing village built directly next to the sea. Most full day trip tours give at least 1 hour of free time to have lunch so take advantage of the fresh seafood. Afterwards, meander the beach and see the open air boat and dried fish museums. Make your way back to Lisbon for your final night on this spectacular tour of western Europe’s most remarkable historic treasures.
Day Twenty-One – Flight Home from Portugal
You will have to book your trip as an open jaw and might require the help of a travel agent to do so. This way, you can arrive in Paris and depart in Lisbon. It’s not as complicated as it sounds and some airline websites allow you to apply these settings yourself. With Expedia, you can book an open jaw yourself using the multi-city search option to set different arrival and return cities. After three full weeks exploring some of the most remarkable historic sites western Europe has to offer, you’ll be coming home with a full camera roll and a lifetime of memories. Save this post in your bookmarks or Pinterest board for your next trip to France, Spain, or Portugal, or if you’re up for it, all three!
All My Relations
– Shauna
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