12 Days Birds and Wine Programme in Portugal
A 12-day small-group route combining Portugal’s estuaries, Alentejo plains and mountain parks, International Douro cliffs and Douro Valley wine country.
About this tour
This 12-day journey follows a south-to-north cross-section of Portugal, pairing birding in major protected landscapes with scheduled wine tastings. It opens in the Tagus Estuary, then reaches the cereal plains of Castro Verde and the rocky Guadiana Valley around Mértola. These early stages combine tidal wetlands, Cork Oak country, steppe and river cliffs.
The route continues through Serra de São Mamede in northern Alentejo before entering the International Douro. Escarpments, viewpoints and the Foz Côa Valley bring a different suite of rock, woodland and river birds, followed by Miranda do Douro and the Alto Douro wine region. Pinhão and São João da Pesqueira form the final wine-country stage, while Porto and the Douro Estuary are included on the return to Lisbon.
Potential birds range from flamingos and spoonbills to bustards, sandgrouse, Black Stork, vultures and large eagles, always subject to season. Tastings are scheduled at Companhia das Lezírias, Herdade das Fontes Bárbaras, Cabeças do Reguengo, Quinta do Cardo and Quinta do Bonfim. The programme starts and ends in Lisbon and is limited to seven participants.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Portugal.
Birds you can spot
Ciconia nigra
target
Aquila fasciata
target
Platalea leucorodia
target
Merops apiaster
target
Otis tarda
target
Phoenicopterus roseus
target
Cyanopica cooki
target
Tetrax tetrax
target
Guides
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival and Tagus Estuary
Transfer from Lisbon to Alcochete and begin among tidal flats, salt marshes, salt pans, rice fields and pasture in the Tagus Estuary. The first overnight is in Alcochete.
Day 2
Ponta da Erva, Pancas and wine tasting
Bird Ponta da Erva’s fields, rice plots, reedbeds, lagoons and tidal edge, then include the Cork Oak woodland of Pancas. A breeding-season heronry may be visited, followed by a tasting at Companhia das Lezírias.
Day 3
South to Castro Verde
Travel to Mértola in southern Alentejo and begin exploring the rolling Castro Verde plains. Open agricultural country is the main setting for the day’s steppe-bird search.
Day 4
Guadiana Valley
Visit hills and bluffs in the Guadiana Valley at Alcaria Ruiva, Mina de São Domingos and sites near Mértola. Rocky and river habitats shift attention toward raptors and cliff-associated birds.
Day 5
Castro Verde, Guadiana and Alentejo wine
Return to selected Castro Verde and Guadiana sites for further birding. The day also includes a tasting at Herdade das Fontes Bárbaras.
Day 6
Serra de São Mamede
Travel north to Portalegre and explore the Serra de São Mamede protected landscape around Castelo de Vide. The move introduces mountain, woodland and scrub habitats before the Portalegre overnight.
Day 7
Northern Alentejo and Marvão
Continue through Serra de São Mamede at Póvoa e Meadas, Beirã and Marvão. A scheduled tasting at Cabeças do Reguengo complements the day’s birding.
Day 8
International Douro and Foz Côa
Travel to Castelo Rodrigo and visit International Douro viewpoints at Barca d’Alva, Mosteiros and Penedo Durão. The programme also includes the open-air Palaeolithic rock art of the Foz Côa Valley.
Day 9
International Douro viewpoints
Explore further Douro sites at Lagoaça, Bruçó, Picote and Freixiosa. A tasting at Quinta do Cardo is included before the second Castelo Rodrigo overnight.
Day 10
Miranda do Douro to Alijó
Continue through the International Douro, pairing São João das Arribas with a visit to Miranda do Douro, then travel into the Alto Douro wine region for an overnight near Alijó.
Day 11
Douro Valley
Visit the Douro Valley around Pinhão and São João da Pesqueira. The day’s wine component is a tasting at Quinta do Bonfim.
Day 12
Porto, Douro Estuary and return
Return to Lisbon via the Douro Estuary and Porto, with lunch scheduled at Graham’s in Gaia. Continue south to Lisbon, where the programme ends.
Locations & map
- Tagus Estuary - Lisbon District Portugal (Tidal wetlands, rice fields and Cork Oak woodland near Lisbon.)
- Alentejo - Alentejo Portugal (Castro Verde, Guadiana Valley and Serra de São Mamede landscapes.)
- International Douro - Northern Portugal Portugal (River gorges, escarpments and viewpoints around Castelo Rodrigo and Miranda do Douro.)
- Douro Valley - Northern Portugal Portugal (Pinhão, São João da Pesqueira and Alto Douro wine country.)
4 stops. Select a marker for its name.
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Year-round or scheduled by arrangement; exact dates and best season will be confirmed after enquiry.
Price: Price on request
Included
- Professional birding guide - Professional guiding throughout the itinerary.
- Field guidance and bird list support - A bird list, field guides and complimentary use of binoculars and telescopes are included.
- Ground transport, accommodation and meals - Airport or hotel transfers, air-conditioned ground transport, accommodation with breakfast, meals, bottled water and listed entrance fees are included.
Not included
- International flights - International flights are not included.
- Personal expenses - Personal expenses are not included; participant accident insurance is included.
- Single supplement and optional extras - A single-room supplement and any optional pre-tour or post-tour arrangements cost extra.
Transport & stays
- Air-conditioned vehicle circuit Ground transport and the listed airport or hotel transfers are included throughout the published route. | Meet: Lisbon Airport or a Lisbon hotel | Pickup: Airport or hotel transfer included at the programme start.
Policies & FAQ
How is availability confirmed?
Departure dates and remaining places vary. Send an inquiry with your preferred dates for current availability.
Can the daily field plan change?
The published route is the programme basis, but individual field stops may shift with tides, weather, access and recent bird activity.
Are specific birds or photographs guaranteed?
No. Species, viewing conditions and photographic opportunities depend on season, weather and wildlife behavior.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.