Private Driver at Your Disposal from Hotel Astória
About Hotel Astória
Hotel Astória is a historic Art Nouveau hotel on Avenida Emídio Navarro, overlooking the Mondego River in the centre of Coimbra. It is a short walk from the Joanina Library, the Sé Velha and the university hill.
From Hotel Astória, a private Mercedes-Benz with an English-speaking driver makes the Conímbriga ruins, Bussaco forest and the Silver Coast easy. No train schedules, no group tours — just your own car and driver.
Popular day trips from Hotel Astória
- Conímbriga Roman ruins — 16 km, 20 min. One of the best-preserved Roman settlements in Portugal, with mosaic floors and a museum.
- Bussaco National Forest — 30 km, 30 min. A magical Atlantic forest with a fairy-tale palace hotel, exotic trees and hidden chapels.
- Figueira da Foz — 50 km, 45 min. A wide sandy beach and a lively casino town on the mouth of the Mondego.
- Tomar & Convento de Cristo — 75 km, 1h. The Templar castle and convent, one of Portugal's most impressive monuments.
- Fátima — 90 km, 1h. The world-famous Marian sanctuary and basilica.
- Aveiro & Costa Nova — 65 km, 50 min. Canals, moliceiro boats and the striped houses of Costa Nova beach.
What's included
- Private Mercedes-Benz (E-Class, V-Class or Sprinter) at your disposal
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Pickup and drop-off directly at Hotel Astória
- All fuel, tolls, parking and driver expenses included
- Flexible itinerary — change plans on the day, no penalty
- Booking advice for restaurants, wineries and attractions
- 24/7 customer support during your stay
Sample days
- Roman & Forest Day: Morning at Conímbriga Roman ruins, lunch in Condeixa, afternoon at Bussaco National Forest and the Palace Hotel.
- Tomar & Fátima: Morning at the Convento de Cristo in Tomar, lunch in the old town, afternoon at the Fátima sanctuary.
- Silver Coast: Aveiro canals and moliceiro boat ride in the morning, lunch by the water, afternoon at Costa Nova beach and Figueira da Foz.
Frequently asked questions
How does pricing work for a driver at your disposal?
Pricing is per private vehicle (entire group), not per person. Half-day, full-day and multi-day rates are available. Send us your dates and the places you want to visit, and we will reply within 24 hours with a custom quote.
Can the itinerary change during the day?
Yes. The driver is at your disposal for the booked time. If you want to skip a stop, add an extra visit or stay longer somewhere, just say the word. No surcharges for in-day changes within the booked hours.
Do you handle restaurant and activity reservations?
Yes. Once your driver is confirmed, our team helps with restaurant bookings, museum tickets, winery visits and boat tours. We know the partners that take last-minute Hotel Astória guests.
What vehicles are available?
Mercedes-Benz E-Class for up to 3 guests, V-Class for 1 to 7 guests, and Sprinter for groups up to 19. The right vehicle is matched to your group size when we send the quote.
How far in advance should I request a driver?
We recommend at least 3 to 5 days in advance to guarantee the right vehicle and driver. Same-day or next-day requests are sometimes possible — write to us and we will check availability.