Sunny Portugal featuring New Year's Eve in Funchal, Madeira
Sunny Portugal featuring New Year's Eve in Funchal, Madeira
11 Days Starting and ending in Lisbon, Portugal
Visiting: Cascais, Nazaré, Funchal, Lisbon, Sintra
Tour operator:
Tour code:
16090
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Portugal with the "Sunny Portugal featuring New Year's Eve in Funchal, Madeira" tour. Begin your adventure in the charming Portuguese Riviera town of Cascais, where you'll stay for two nights amidst the elegance of historic mansions. Explore the coastal beauty of Nazaré and the medieval allure of Obidos. Fly to Madeira, the "Pearl of the Atlantic," for a four-night stay, where you'll experience the vibrant streets of Funchal and the breathtaking views of Ponta de São Lourenco. Celebrate New Year's Eve with a spectacular gala and fireworks display. Discover the natural wonders of Porto Moniz and the cultural richness of Lisbon, including the iconic Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery. Conclude your journey with a visit to the fairy-tale town of Sintra. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and celebration, making it an ideal way to welcome the New Year.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Overnight Flight
Location: Cascais
Accommodation Name: Vila Galé
Ancient castles and Roman ruins, groves of lemon and almond trees, quiet whitewashed villages, and welcoming locals – Portugal is waiting for you.
Day 2 : Cascais, Portugal - Tour Begins
Location: Cascais
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Say hello to the Portuguese Riviera, your home for the next two nights. Mansions scattered about Cascais and Monte Estoril – all hint at its history as a haven for exiled European royals and nobility. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Day 3 : Cascais - Nazaré - Obidos - Cascais
Location: Nazaré
Accommodation Name: Pestana Casino Park Hotel
Venture to Nazaré, a traditional fishing town along the coast. The town’s New Year celebrations are some of the most famous in all of Portugal. Explore the picture-perfect city of Obidos, where whitewashed houses sit snug within medieval city walls.
Day 4 : Cascais - Lisbon - Funchal, Madeira
Location: Funchal
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Fly to Madeira, the “Pearl of the Atlantic.” Wander along the colorful Rua de Santa Maria, decorated with vibrant murals, and enjoy lunch on your own at one of the island's many restaurants. Then embark on a walking tour of Funchal’s old downtown with its quaint narrow streets and historical sites, such as a 15th-century cathedral. Visit the Botanical Garden of Madeira with its collection of more than 2,500 plants from all continents.
Day 5 : Funchal - Ponta De São Lourenço - New Year’S Eve Gala - Funchal
Location: Funchal
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Allow the warm ocean breeze to brush against your skin as you spend time exploring coastal Garajau. Continue to Ponta de São Lourenço, the easternmost point of the island, and gaze out over the deep blue waves with your unparalleled view of the Atlantic. Enjoy time to relax and prepare for a lively evening at an elegant New Year’s Eve Gala.* Ring in the New Year in the most unforgettable way as you watch Madeira’s world-famous fireworks display.
Day 6 : Funchal
Location: Funchal
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Spend the first day of the new year in Funchal as you please. With a day in the capital city, enjoy this beautiful island as you see fit.
Day 7 : Funchal - Câmara De Lobos - Porto Moniz - Funchal
Location: Funchal
Accommodation Name: Turim Marquês Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Begin your day at Câmara de Lobos, a 15th-century town that's both a humble fishing village and sunny nature retreat. Drive along banana plantations and winding vineyards en route to the world’s second-highest cliff – Cabo Girão. Visit the fishing village of Porto Moniz and see its natural volcanic pools before returning to Funchal. Gather in the evening for an espetada, a traditional dinner cooked over an open fire, accompanied by folk dancers and music.
Day 8 : Funchal - Lisbon - Belém - Lisbon
Location: Lisbon
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Fly back to mainland Portugal. Arrive in Lisbon and embark on a tour of the city of Rossio and the iconic Praça do Comercio. Then travel to Belem, where you’ll see the iconic Belem Tower (UNESCO). See the façade of the 16th-century Jeronimos Monastery** (UNESCO) and learn about its historic importance. As the day draws to a close, you may choose to join your Tour Manager on a stroll of downtown Lisbon. Explore this magical Lisbon city on your own, walking along streets illuminated by two million Christmas lights.
Day 9 : Lisbon
Location: Lisbon
Accommodation Name: Hotel
The day is yours to explore Lisbon as you wish. Tonight, consider an optional experience in which you savor Portuguese cuisine and wine while local artists perform the traditional Fado, part of UNESCO’s list of the World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Day 10 : Lisbon - Sintra - Lisbon
Location: Sintra
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Explore the town of Sintra (UNESCO), the summer residence of Portuguese kings, and visit the National Palace. On your return to Lisbon stop to admire the stunning Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe. Tonight, gather to toast to a trip well-traveled and bid Portugal adeus.
Day 11 : Lisbon - Tour Ends
Location: Lisbon
Your tour ends today.
What's Included
-
Tour of Lisbon
Tour Lisbon and uncover its treasures, including views of the Tagus River.
-
Visit to Nazaré
Venture to Nazaré, a popular seaside resort on Portugal’s Silver Coast.
-
Ponta de São Lourenço
Admire the stunning views of Ponta de São Lourenco.
-
Stay in Cascais
Enjoy a 2-night stay in the Portuguese Riviera town of Cascais.
-
New Year's Eve in Madeira
Spend 4 nights on Madeira for the New Year and take in a world-famous fireworks display.
-
Traditional Espetada Dinner
Enjoy a traditional espetada dinner, feasting on a favorite local dish cooked over an open fire.
-
New Year's Eve Gala
Delight in a delicious dinner during a memorable New Year’s Eve Gala in Madeira.
What's Not Included
-
Lunch on Your Own
Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the island's many restaurants in Madeira.
-
Optional Fado Experience
Consider an optional experience in which you savor Portuguese cuisine and wine while local artists perform the traditional Fado.
Experiences
Enjoy a 2-night stay in the Portuguese Riviera town of Cascais.Spend 4 nights on Madeira for the New Year and take in a world-famous fireworks display.
Options
Lisbon: A Night of Fado Fado: the perfect blend of voice and guitar. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Patrimony, it is a celebrated form of world music that captures what it is to be Portuguese. The word Fado comes from the Latin word "fatum", which means fate or destiny. It is a style of music that is about deep feelings: the disappointments of love, the ups and downs of life. No one knows quite how Fado first came into being, but to this day, Portugal's traditional music remains at the very heart of the country's culture. In one of Lisbon’s most popular Fado restaurants, professional performers entertain you while you enjoy a typical Portuguese three-course dinner with wine included. Duration approximately 4 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 10 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.
Culinaries
Enjoy a traditional espetada dinner, feasting on a favorite local dish cooked over an open fire.Delight in a delicious dinner during a memorable New Year’s Eve Gala in Madeira.
Must See
Tour Lisbon and uncover its treasures, including views of the Tagus River.Venture to Nazaré, a popular seaside resort on Portugal’s Silver Coast.Admire the stunning views of Ponta de São Lourenco.
Choice Highlights
Portuguese Riviera The Riviera stretches from Lisbon and Cascais. The coastline has become a place where the elite vacation between September and October, and a popular tourist destination for its chic look. Removed from the city, the Lisbon coastline is easy access to all the culture that Lisbon offers. It has become a major hotspot for major international celebrities from the world of fashion, sport, and entertainment. The Riviera is also known for is world class conditions for surfing.
Cascais As Portugal is a small country, Cascais is a resort retreat just a half hour west of the city of Lisboa. When settlers first came to Cascais, the beaches were covered with shells in which its current name has derived. Cascais is a quaint coastal town and previously a fishing village until it gained a substantial reputation as the royal family of Portugal chose the town to be its summer residence in the 19th century. Located just off of the Tagus River, one of Portugal’s most noteworthy rivers, Cascais sits just past its mouth where the Atlantic Ocean begins. The coastal town emanates beauty, peace and tranquility while delving into above par seafood and wine.
Nazaré Nazare is a town and fishing village on the Silver Coast of Portugal. It is one of the most popular resorts in this coastal region, which is situated on the Atlantic coast of the country. Nazare is considered by some to have the best beaches in Portugal. The town is said to be named after the Legend of Nazare, in which a monk brought a statue of the Virgin Mary here from Nazareth in the Holy Land to a monastery nearby in the 4th century. It is said that the town derived its name from this statue.
Obidos Obidos is a small town located on the Atlantic Coast of Portugal. The town’s origins can be traced back to an early Roman settlement. The area of the town is located on a hilltop, surrounded by a fortified wall. From its streets, squares, fortified wall and castle, the town remains as a well preserved example of medieval architecture. It is because of this that the town is a popular tourist destination.
Funchal Established in the fifteenth century and the capital city of Madeira, Funchal boasts a wide variety of enchanting and memorable experiences. Stroll past historic landmarks, explore museums, and wander through colorful scenery.
Ponta de São Lourenco Discover the stunning natural beauty of Madeira Island with a visit to Ponta de São Lourenco, the easternmost point of the island. Gaze out over glittering blue waters from jagged towering cliffs on this island paradise.
New Year’s Eve Gala & Fireworks Display Start the new year off with glitz and glamour during Madeira’s New Year’s Eve bash. Complete with a black-tie gala and glittering fireworks, this event rings in the new year with a touch of magic.
Câmara de Lobos The original landing point for the Portuguese discoverer Joao Goncalves Zarco, who is credited with the discovery of the Madeira Islands, Câmara de Lobos is one of the larger population centers and is an extenstion of the much larger capital city of Funchal. The literal translation of Câmara de Lobos is chamber of the wolves. Today, the traditional fishing village is home of the “poncho,” a misture of lemon juice, honey and sugarcane spirit, which is available at many of the local taverns.
Cabo Girão Located along the southern coast of the island of Madeira, the sea cliff is a popular lookout point, especially after a glass-floored viewing platform was installed. Cabo Girao is a popular starting point for hikers. The cliff is the second highest cliff face in the world. Its incredible view is what brings tourists to the cliffs.
Porto Moniz Gaze upon the picturesque volcanic pools in the fishing village of Porto Moniz and perhaps take a dip into the sparkling blue waters that overlook the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.
Lisbon Spread across steep hillsides that overlook the Rio Tejo, Lisbon offers all the delights you’d expect of Portugal’s star attraction, yet with half the fuss of other European capitals. Gothic cathedrals, majestic monasteries and quaint museums are all part of the colorful cityscape, but the real delights of discovery lie in wandering the narrow lanes of Lisbon’s lovely backstreets. The Lisbon experience encompasses so many things, from enjoying a fresh pastry and bica (espresso) on a petite leafy plaza to window-shopping in elegant Chiado. It’s mingling with Lisboêtas at a neighborhood festival or watching the sunset from the old Moorish castle.
Belém Standing proudly on the bank of the Targus river in Lisbon is Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This 16th-century tower was where explorers from the Age of Discovery set out towards the New World, across the Atlantic.
Jerónimos Monastery Lisbon's Belém district's undisputed heart-stealer is this Unesco-listed monastery. The mosteiro is the stuff of pure fantasy; a fusion of Diogo de Boitaca’s creative vision and the spice and pepper dosh of Manuel I, who commissioned it to trumpet Vasco da Gama’s discovery of a sea route to India in 1498. The monastery church abounds with symbols of the age like the armillary sphere and the cross of the Military Order, plus gargoyles and fantastical beasties on the upper balustrade.
Sintra's National Palace With its rippling mountains, dewy forests thick with ferns and lichen, exotic gardens and glittering palaces, Sintra is like a page torn from a fairy tale. Its Unesco World Heritage–listed center, Sintra-Vila, is dotted with pastel-hued manors folded into luxuriant hills that roll down to the blue Atlantic. The jewel on the crown lording ominously over the picturesque town center is the National Palace, once the summer retreat of the Portuguese monarchy.
Mode of Transport
Travel seamlessly through Portugal with flights to Madeira and back to Lisbon, ensuring a smooth and comfortable journey as you explore the stunning landscapes and vibrant cities.
Accommodation
Experience the charm of Portugal with stays at the Vila Galé in Cascais, Pestana Casino Park Hotel, and Turim Marquês Hotel, offering comfort and elegance throughout your journey.
Check out our Q&As
-
What can I expect during the New Year's Eve celebration in Madeira?
During the New Year's Eve celebration in Madeira, you can expect a lively evening at an elegant New Year's Eve Gala, complete with a black-tie event and a world-famous fireworks display that rings in the new year with a touch of magic.
-
What is the significance of the town of Nazaré on this tour?
Nazaré is a traditional fishing town along Portugal's Silver Coast, known for its famous New Year celebrations and beautiful beaches. It is a popular seaside resort and a highlight of the tour.
-
What unique dining experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a traditional 'espetada' dinner, which is a favorite local dish cooked over an open fire, and a delicious dinner during the memorable New Year's Eve Gala in Madeira.
-
What historical sites will be visited in Lisbon?
In Lisbon, you will visit the iconic Belém Tower and the façade of the 16th-century Jerónimos Monastery, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. You will also explore the city of Rossio and the Praça do Comercio.
-
What natural attractions are included in the Madeira portion of the tour?
In Madeira, you will explore the coastal area of Garajau, visit Ponta de São Lourenço for stunning views of the Atlantic, and see the natural volcanic pools in the fishing village of Porto Moniz.
-
Can I pre-purchase optional excursions/activities?
Yes, the majority of optional excursions and activities are available for advance purchase for applicable tours provided that you make your options purchase prior to 15 days of the tour departure. Collette makes it convenient to reserve presold options by visiting our website for a full listing of activities and excursions or when your reservation is made with our reservations staff. In addition, there are benefits to prepurchasing options including a price guarantee once your tour is paid in full. So, while the cost of an optional activity may change from the time you book your tour, once payment is received in full, your preselected options are guaranteed by Collette at their original price. Although you can still purchase options while on tour, reserving them ahead of time ensures you a spot in the event that the activity sells out. Collette will provide a refund if you cancel a presold option prior to tour departure. Any presold options canceled while on tour are nonrefundable.
-
Can my children travel on tour?
Children over the age of 5 may travel on a Collette tour accompanied by an adult. Child land rates are valid for ages 5-12, sharing a room with two full-paying adults. Participation in any products that include Safari or Game Drive components, is limited to travelers aged 13 and up. This will include tours to Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and India.
-
What is the difference between a twin room and double room?
In certain countries, hotel rooms tend to be smaller than U.S. standard accommodations. A double room is designed to accommodate two people, but may not have two separate beds. A twin-bedded room has two separate beds of any size, and is the type most commonly utilized.
-
Do you provide VISA processing for all applicable destinations?
Collette does not process VISAs. Every nation has its own specific requirements. Check the embassy or consulate website for the country you are visiting to find the forms and information you need. The process of getting a VISA can take two weeks to two months.
-
Do I need a passport?
Government-issued ID is required for all air travel. A valid passport is required for all trips outside the USA. All passengers should check with the appropriate foreign consulate for entry and validity requirements. We recommend that your passport has six months validity, and at least 3 blank pages. Passports and visas are the responsibility of each client. International Borders. Any child under age 16 (traveling without a parent or legal guardian to Canada) must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian. Please be advised that if you have been convicted of an offense, or have committed a criminal act that is an offense under the laws where it occurred and would be an offense in Canada, you may be inadmissible into Canada. You will need to apply for a Minister's Permit of Approval of Rehabilitation at a Canadian Consulate. All other travelers should contact the appropriate consulate for entry requirements in other international destinations. In South Africa, children are required to have a passport as well as additional documentation to travel with you into and out of the country. Please consult the South African Embassy for the current specific requirements related to your travel dates. If travelling internationally with a child under the age of 18, please check directly with the airline for the legal documentation that is required. It is the sole responsibility of the guest to procure the proper documentation to travel and many requirements vary by airline and destination. Collette will not be responsible for costs incurred for missed flights or canceled tours where a guest fails to secure proper documentation.
-
Is there a lot of walking on tour?
We pride ourselves on bringing travelers the very best experiences a destination offers. Our itineraries include many activities and may consist of walking on uneven terrain or significant walking at times. Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motorcoaches, especially in historic areas. Some hotels/lodges in remote locations may not have elevators. For your comfort, we recommend bringing walking shoes.
1 Select your preferred date
Saturday - Tuesday
Dec 27, 2025 - Jan 06, 2026Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Collette requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of collette charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.