Day tripsCountriesPortugalSamodaesSamodaes to Vila Real and Mateus Palace: Private tour

Samodaes to Vila Real and Mateus Palace: Private tour

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Private tour with a local expert

5h
Round trip
Private group
Trusted by 1+ million happy travelers across 120 countries
4.9
Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2024
Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2024
4.9
5176
Reviews

About your trip

Travel from Samodaes with a private guide to the noble streets of Vila Real and the tranquil beauty of Mateus Palace, where gardens bloom and history breathes in stone and still water. This round trip pairs cultural richness with vineyard views, offering a perfect blend of aristocratic heritage and Douro Valley charm.
Exclusively yours: A premium experience for your group only
Insider insight: Local tips and stories you won’t find online
Perfect balance: Expert guidance with freedom to explore
Ideal for all travelers: Families, friends, or solo adventurers
From €143
Private group ride
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal€429

What to expect

Your day trip begins wherever you are

Meet your guide right where you prefer in Samodaes whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.

Discover more with local expertise

Your guide is both your expert behind the wheel and knowledgeable host throughout the day. They’ll manage the day’s itinerary, share stories and local knowledge, and make each moment along the route feel richer. At every stop, they’re by your side.

Guided experience with space to explore

Dedicate 90 minutes to Vila Real, visiting Sao Pedro Church and local shops. Then drive 10 minutes to Mateus Palace for another 90 minutes touring manicured grounds and tasting Mateus rose (optionally). A guide, who is also a professional driver, orchestrates a compact 4-5 hour escape from Samodaes.

Perfect for any private group

Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.

Good to know

  • Two-way private car transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle
  • Personalized pickup and drop-off
  • Private professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
  • Attraction admission details specified in the itinerary section below
  • Official guided tours inside attractions in Vila Real, Mateus Palace, St. Anthony's viewpoint, and Terraced Vineyards of the Douro Valley can be purchased separately - inform us in advance for itinerary planning
From €143
Private group ride
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal€429

Your trip at a glance

Your trip at a glance

Start in Samodaes
You choose the pickup spot.
1
Vila Real
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 1 h 30 min - admission not included
Vila Real
Vila Real
Vila Real
Vila Real
Granite elegance and lilac gardens meet mountain air and noble flavors in timeless Vila Real. Cradled between mountains and vineyards, Vila Real whispers of nobility and nature in perfect balance. Begin your visit in the Centro Historico, where granite manors and wrought-iron balconies speak of centuries past, and bakeries tempt with local sweets. Then stroll to the Igreja de Sao Domingos and onward to the UTAD Botanical Garden, where native plants bloom beside mountain views. End at the nearby Mateus Palace & Gardens, or take in sweeping panoramas from Miradouro da Vila Velha or Meia Laranja. Before you go, try local ham, goat cheese, and a glass of Douro wine — it’s Vila Real on a plate.
2
Mateus Palace
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 1 h 30 min - admission not included
Mateus Palace
Mateus Palace
Mateus Palace
Mateus Palace
A palace of still waters, sculpted gardens, and noble silence — where time slows in elegance. With its Baroque facade reflected in tranquil ponds, Mateus Palace is one of Portugal’s most iconic estates. A guided visit walks you through carved ceilings, antique furniture, and a breathtaking library, while outside, sculpted hedges, rose gardens, and lemon trees scent the air. The experience is both regal and deeply serene.
3
St. Anthony's viewpoint (photo spot)
We’ll stop at this perfect photo spot – take a moment to capture the view!
Stop: 20 min - admission not included
St. Anthony's viewpoint
Take in sweeping vistas of Vila Real’s rooftops, mountain peaks, and winding valleys.
Terraced Vineyards of the Douro Valley (pass by)
You’ll pass by this stunning spot – be sure to take a moment to enjoy the view along the way!
Terraced Vineyards of the Douro Valley
Terraced Vineyards of the Douro Valley
As you drive, catch glimpses of the Douro River, winding through vineyard-covered hills like a ribbon of gold.
Back to Samodaes
We’ll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?Contact our Customer Support. We are available 24/7

Daytrip is loved all around the world. Here's why.

5.0
5176 reviewson Tripadvisor
or
4.9
991 reviewson Trustpilot
Great transfer option.

I used this service for a transfer from Split in Croatia to Perast Montenegro. My experience was exceptional. My driver Bojan was helpful, informative and ensured my journey was comfortable and enjoyable. I highly recommend the service.

Great transfer option.
Robyn COctober 2, 2025
It was a fantastic trip.

We were extremely satisfied with the quality of service we received from Day Trip. We had two Day Trip rides on August 31 from Athens to Lefkada and September 7 from Lefkada back to Athens. Both trips included stops at scenic sites in Greece. Both drivers were excellent and accommodating. However, we’d especially like to recognize Panos Peppas, who was our driver from Lefkada to Athens. Panos was incredibly nice & pleasant and delivered outstanding customer service, which included handling all of luggage, providing us with cold waters throughout the trip, providing us protein bars, providing us with printed materials on the Corinth Canal (one of scenic stops), looking up and providing us with terminal & gate info for our flight back home and providing us with a recipe for tzatziki.

It was a fantastic trip.
Daydream20046758137September 20, 2025
Best transport company anywhere

We absolutely love this company and have used it many times over the years to get from A to B without the hassle of hiring a car ourselves. Excellent drivers every time. Efficient and professional. It’s worth every penny and we can honestly recommend Day Trip to everyone. It’s 5 star rating is well deserved.

Best transport company anywhere
Mary LSeptember 15, 2025
Excellent experience in traveling

We traveled from Nuremberg to Munich in a beautiful Audi. Driver picked us at our hotel at the exact time requested. Got us to Munich in plenty of time for our next tour. Driver made sure we were comfortable

Excellent experience in traveling
Steve NAugust 20, 2025
Reasonably Priced and Safe Transportation

Gonzalo from daytrip was our driver and he was absolutely amazing. He went over and beyond trying to locate us as our service wasn't so good on our phones. He patiently awaited our arrival to the lobby so he could take us from Tulum Dreams Resort to our other hotel in cancun an hour and a half away near the airport prior to our departure flight home. He was polite, respectful and kind. Made sure we were comfortable during our long ride. Fast and to the point. I recommend this company as finding a one way ride from Tulum to Cancun isn't easy or cheap and this company provides a great service for a great price. I will definitely be using them again whenever I'm in the Cancun/Tulum area. Thank you DayTrip and Gonzola.

Reasonably Priced and Safe Transportation
COCOApril 22, 2025
Daytrip never disappoints

We were picked up by Marianna to drive us from Heraklion to Chania. The weather was terrible & due to this Marianna arrived a few minutes late. She contacted me to advise of this. Marianna lives in Chana and she made our trip very interesting by informing us of local things to do and see in Chania. Marianna is a safe driver and we all felt comfortable with the speed she drove at and how good her driving was in heavy rain. She is a lovely person with fluent English. We highly recommend Daytrips and if you are in Heraklion or Chania please make sure you ask for Marianna.

Daytrip never disappoints
Julie MApril 2, 2025
Great driver in Egypt

Used the service to go from Luxor to Hurghada, Egypt. Ahmed H was our driver and he was perfect. The car was new, clean, he had water and snacks for us, and accommodated our stops. Great service from him and would recommend it.

Great driver in Egypt
Maps315861February 28, 2025
Comfortable and Safe Rides in Mexico

Used Daytrip for two rides in Mexico, which were both great. So comfortable, and we arrived at each of our destinations at a great time. Both were incredible drivers, and we felt so safe. One of our drivers, Miguel, also played the best music! Will definitely use Daytrip on our next trip to Mexico.

Comfortable and Safe Rides in Mexico
GolourdesduarteFebruary 20, 2025
Great way to travel and see some sights on the way

We did not know what to expect with this trip and booked from Australia. We were initially looking for an easy way to travel from Granada to Malaga. We decided not to waste the opportunity to see something additional on our way. Miguel certainly exceeded our expectations. His English was excellent (unfortunately we speak very little Spanish), and he was very friendly and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the regions as we passed through and also discussing some of the local ways. Miguel took us to Antequera as planned and ensured we were able to easily get our tickets to the attractions without any sense of rushing us. We were picked up and dropped off punctually and really enjoyed our trip. Hopefully we will return to Spain and we can use this service again sometime.

Great way to travel and see some sights on the way
Michelle RFebruary 10, 2025
Excellent service

We used the service twice while in Thailand. Extremely prompt and efficient customer service. Best rate being offered in Chiang Mai for the travels. Polite, punctual, professional and English speaking drivers. Clean, comfortable vehicles. Being a regular visitor to Thailand, this was hands down the best service. Most pleased with the company. I hope it sustains the excellence of service that was rendered to us.

Excellent service
OmarJanuary 25, 2025

Know more about your day trip

Mateus Palace stands out for its distinctive baroque architecture featuring ornate granite facades, intricate pinnacles, and a dramatic staircase. Unlike many European palaces, it remains privately owned by the Counts of Mateus while still allowing public access. During your 90-minute visit, you'll discover its famous formal gardens with cypress tunnel, boxwood hedges, and reflective pool that creates the iconic image featured on Mateus Rose wine bottles.
The palace interior tour showcases elaborately carved wooden ceilings, period furniture, religious paintings, Chinese porcelain, and a remarkable 16th-century library with rare books. You'll explore the dining hall, bedrooms, and chapel, all preserved with original furnishings. The guided tour provides insights into Portuguese aristocratic life and the palace's 300-year history as you spend part of your 90-minute visit inside this living museum.
During your 90-minute Vila Real visit, explore the historic center with its medieval streets, the 14th-century Sao Domingos Church, and the Vila Velha district with traditional architecture. Don't miss the ornate Capela Nova church with blue azulejo tiles, and perhaps visit the Vila Real Museum to learn about local history. The city also offers excellent pastry shops serving regional specialties like "cristas de galo" and "covilhetes."
Photography without flash is permitted in most areas of the palace's exterior and gardens, making it ideal for capturing the baroque architecture and formal gardens. However, photography is restricted in certain interior rooms to protect delicate artifacts and furnishings. Your guide will inform you of specific photography rules during your visit. The gardens and exterior facade offer the most iconic photo opportunities.
While Mateus Palace appears on the label of the famous Mateus Rose wine bottle, the palace doesn't produce this wine. The image was licensed to Sogrape Vinhos in 1942 when they created the internationally successful rose. The palace does maintain vineyards and produces limited quantities of quality Douro DOC wines under the Casa de Mateus label, which you may be able to sample during your 90-minute visit.
The formal gardens are considered among Portugal's finest examples of baroque landscape design. Features include meticulously trimmed boxwood hedges forming intricate patterns, a cedar tunnel, a reflective water pool that mirrors the palace facade, and seasonal flowers. The grounds also include a lake, rose garden, and woodland areas. These diverse garden elements provide beautiful settings for photography during your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Day trips offer travelers private round-trip transportation to popular sightseeing locations. One of our professional drivers will pick you up in a luxurious, climate-controlled car, take you to the site of interest, and wait for you while you explore before driving you back to your hotel.
Yes! You’re free to choose the pickup and drop-off times that work best for you. However, the time spent at the destination is fixed and cannot be changed.
Each sightseeing stop has a recommended duration that includes plenty of time to explore. However, it is possible to customize the time spent at each sightseeing stop at a later stage in the booking process to best fit your unique schedule.
Your Daytrip driver will wait for you nearby for the duration of your exploration, meaning you’ll never have to wait for your return trip transportation to arrive. Your comfort and convenience are our top priorities, and we aim to close out your day trip with a return on your schedule.
The price of a day trip does not include any entrance tickets, guided tours, or meals you may partake in at your destination. The price covers round-trip transportation in a luxury vehicle with a professional driver who can provide local insights en route.
Day trip bookings can be canceled up to 24 hours before your trip for a full refund, no strings attached. While the destination and stops are predetermined, it is possible to change your pick-up point, whether it is at your hotel or some other location within the city.
Day tripsCountriesPortugalSamodaesSamodaes to Vila Real and Mateus Palace: Private tour

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