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Other tours you might be interested in
The Capitals of Writing
Itinerary: Lisboa | Coimbra | Porto
The Capitals of Writing tour invites you to explore Portugal's rich literary heritage, traveling through Lisbon, Coimbra, and Porto—cities that shaped the works of great national authors. Among visits to house-museums, historic bookstores, and iconic monuments, the program highlights writers such as Fernando Pessoa, Eça de Queirós, José Saramago, Almeida Garrett, and Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen. This unique journey combines literature, culture, and history, enriched with fado performances and gastronomic experiences, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the creative and intellectual essence of the country.
A NOT TO BE MISSED
Admire the grandeur of the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower while savoring the famous Pastéis de Belém.
Experience the romance of Sintra with a visit to the Pena Palace and a pause to taste the famous travesseiros at Piriquita.
Explore the Joanina Library in Coimbra, one of the most stunning examples of Baroque architecture and a symbol of Portuguese literary heritage.
Discover Porto's literary scene at the Lello Bookstore and the Guerra Junqueiro House-Museum, where literature comes to life.
Enjoy a literary dinner at Café “A Brasileira” or the Fado Club, with poetry readings and commentary on texts.
PROGRAMME:
Day 1: Belém | Chiado
Morning: Guided visit to the Belém District, exploring the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower. Highlight includes reading excerpts from Fernando Pessoa and Luís de Camões, contextualizing the Discoveries and the Lusitanian epic. Tasting the famous Pastéis de Belém before the next stop.
Afternoon: Literary walk in Chiado, visiting the statue of Fernando Pessoa and the historic Livraria Bertrand. Visit to the Casa Fernando Pessoa.
Evening: The day ends with a dinner at the historic Café “A Brasileira,” frequented by Pessoa and other intellectuals. Poetry recitations and stories about the modernist authors who gathered at this space.
Day 2 – Sintra | Mafra
Morning (Sintra): Journey to Sintra, where Eça de Queirós found inspiration for many of his works. Guided visit to the Pena Palace, exploring its connection to Romanticism and Portuguese literature. Walk through the historic center of Sintra, including a stop to admire the architecture and traditional cafés, such as Piriquita's travesseiros.
Afternoon (Mafra): Visit to the National Palace of Mafra, immortalized by José Saramago in Memorial do Convento. Highlight includes the Palace Library, considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Tour the halls and corners of the Palace.
Evening (Lisbon): Themed dinner with poetry recitation at the Clube de Fado, where literature and music intersect.
Day 3 – Alfama | Baixa de Lisboa
Morning: Walk through Alfama, visiting second-hand bookstores and alternative reading spaces. Discover the Fado Museum, addressing the connection between literature and traditional Portuguese music.
Afternoon: Almeida Garrett and Romanticism: Return to Lisbon to visit the National Theatre D. Maria II, where Almeida Garrett was one of the main drivers of Portuguese theatre and author of Viagens na Minha Terra. José Saramago and Modernism: Visit to the José Saramago Foundation, at Casa dos Bicos, with emphasis on his relationship with Lisbon in works like O Ano da Morte de Ricardo Reis. Journey to Coimbra.
Evening: Dinner and accommodation at a hotel.
Day 4 – Coimbra
Morning: Start with a visit to the University of Coimbra, exploring the iconic Joanina Library and the Chapel of São Miguel. Emphasis on the importance of the University in the formation of Portuguese writers and intellectuals over the centuries.
Walk through Quebra-Costas, with stops at bookstores and cultural spaces in this historic area.
Afternoon: Visit to the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, addressing the role of D. Inês de Castro in Portuguese literature. Walk through the Quinta das Lágrimas, where Inês de Castro is believed to have been cruelly murdered. Visit to the Casa-Museum of Miguel Torga. The writer was born in S. Martinho da Anta, in Trás-os-Montes, but lived in Coimbra for over 40 years.
Evening: Experience a Fado de Coimbra show, emphasizing its connection to literary traditions and the student soul of the city.
Day 5 – Porto: Camilo Castelo Branco
Morning: Journey to Porto. Porto’s Cadeia da Relação: Visit to the building where Camilo Castelo Branco was imprisoned in 1860 due to his involvement in the scandal with Ana Plácido. The prison, now home to the Portuguese Photography Center, maintains a strong connection to the author and his literary context.
Afternoon: Visit to Livraria Lello, one of the most iconic bookstores in Porto, which served as inspiration for writers like J.K. Rowling, who spent part of her youth in the city and found a unique literary atmosphere there. Guided walk through Ribeira, with literary mentions of the writers who immortalized Porto in prose and poetry.
Evening: Literary dinner at a traditional restaurant, with readings of texts by Portuguese authors while enjoying local cuisine.
Day 6 – Porto: Sophia, Guerra Junqueiro, and the Literary Arts
Morning: Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen: Visit to Casa Andresen, located in Porto's Botanical Garden, where Sophia spent part of her childhood. Focus on her poems that evoke memory and space, often inspired by this location.
Walk through the Gardens of the Palácio de Cristal, reflecting on green spaces as points of inspiration for poets.
Afternoon: Visit to the Soares dos Reis National Museum, exploring the connection between visual arts and literature in Porto.
Guerra Junqueiro: Visit to the Guerra Junqueiro House-Museum, the poet’s former residence, now a museum with a rich art collection and a space dedicated to his life and works.
Evening: End of the itinerary with a night walk along the Douro River, accompanied by readings from Portuguese authors. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Porto.