Portugal Family Journey: Porto, Nazare and Lisbon

Your opportunity to meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Set out on an exciting orientation walk through Porto alongside your Expedition Leader! Together, your family will get your bearings in this vibrant city while learning how to explore like true adventurers. As you wander down historic cobblestone streets your Expedition Leader will point out colorful tiled buildings, share stories about local traditions, and point out great family-friendly spots to return to later.

Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening free to do as you please with your family. Explore more of Porto together or choose to partake in some of the locally offered optional activities.

WOW is famous for celebrating Portugal's heritage and wine regions, it is also home to The Chocolate Story museum. Here, a family-friendly workshop invites children and adults to work directly with chocolate. Guided by expert chocolatiers, participants engage their senses, learn fun culinary techniques, create custom treats, and take home their delicious homemade creations.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Gliding through the urban canals of Aveiro—often called the "Venice of Portugal"—aboard a traditional moliceiro boat offers a scenic view of the city's heritage. Originally built with low hulls and flat bottoms to harvest moliço (lagoon seaweed) for agricultural fertiliser, these wooden vessels are famous for their vibrant colors and hand-painted bow decorations featuring local humor, folk art, and satire.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Nazaré is a coastal village famous for its dramatic seaside cliffs, rich fishing traditions, and the legendary underwater canyon that creates some of the largest surfable waves in the world at Praia do Norte. An orientation walk with your Expedition Leader connects the historic hilltop district of Sítio with the vibrant beach promenade below, offering families an engaging mix of local culture and coastal geography.

Step face-to-face with a real-life ocean adventurer in Nazaré, home to some of the largest surfable waves on Planet Earth! During this interactive family encounter, your family will meet an active big-wave surfer to discover what it takes to ride giant swells. Hear first-hand stories of courage, rigorous physical training, and ocean safety, then ask your own questions about specialised equipment and the mental focus needed to tackle nature's giants. After hearing from a big-wave legend, it's time for your family to hit the water! Head to a protected, beginner-friendly beach nearby, gear up in wetsuits, and join certified local instructors for a hands-on surfing lesson tailored to all skill levels.

Enjoy free time-beach time in the surf capital of the world.

While parents unwind over a quiet, relaxing dinner at the hotel, young travelers head off for a hands-on cultural and culinary adventure of their own. Drawing inspiration from Portugal's iconic blue-and-white azulejo tiles seen throughout the journey, kids step into an interactive tile-painting workshop. Using Nazaré’s towering ocean waves, maritime legends, and rich fishing heritage as their muse, each young artist paints a custom ceramic tile to bring home as a cherished souvenir. Afterward, the group sits down together to share a delicious, traditional Portuguese dinner featuring fresh local fish and fries.

While parents enjoy a peaceful hotel meal, young travelers paint custom ceramic tiles inspired by Nazaré's coastal lore before gathering for a traditional Portuguese dinner.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Step back into the Middle Ages as your family explores the enchanting walled town of Óbidos alongside your National Geographic Expedition Leader! Together, get your bearings while navigating a maze of picturesque cobblestone streets framed by whitewashed houses and vibrant bougainvillea. Your Expedition Leader will point out historic details hidden in plain sight—from ancient stone archways to traditional craft shops—and share captivating stories about the medieval monarchs who once gifted this romantic town to their queens.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Mezze in Lisbon empowers immigrant and refugee communities through culinary job training while serving guests a family-style feast of authentic regional specialties, fresh flatbreads, and traditional flavorful dips.

Climb aboard the HippoTrip, an amphibious vehicle that turns from a city bus into a riverboat! For 90 action-packed minutes, your family will travel past historic monuments before making a splash directly into the Tagus River for 25 minutes of water-bound exploration. Guided by energetic animators, this tour trades traditional lectures for interactive myths, local legends, and lively humor that will have the whole family cheering.

Enjoy a free evening in Lisbon.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Set out on an engaging coastal orientation walk through Cascais alongside your Expedition Leader! Together, your family will get your bearings in this seaside town, stepping from historic cobblestone streets onto scenic Atlantic promenades. As you wander past grand 19th-century mansions and traditional mosaic-tiled plazas, your Expedition Leader will share stories of how Cascais evolved from a quiet fishing village into a royal summer retreat.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of continental Europe, where dramatic 140-meter-high granite cliffs plunge into the churning Atlantic Ocean. Famous for its sweeping coastal vistas, historic red-and-white lighthouse, and stone monument inscribed with the words of poet Luís de Camões (“where the land ends and the sea begins”), it is a striking place where geography and story meet.

Situated in the hills of Sintra, Pena Palace and its surrounding park are one of the greatest expressions of 19th-century romanticism in Portugal. With clear Manueline influence and Moorish architectural styles, the palace is built in a such a way as to be visible from any point in the park. Tour the Palace and park and learn about the Palace's origins and influences throughout Portuguese history.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Embark on a fun scavenger hunt through Lisbon! Follow clues to find famous locations like Praça do Comércio and the Rua Augusta Arch. Your journey will take you to a square that feels like a fairy tale. You'll hunt for a quirky shop dedicated to sardines, a historic church, and a beautiful, mysterious ruined church.

Enjoy your last afternoon in Lisbon.

Not ready to leave? Your Expedition Leader can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.