Discover Portugal
It’s almost as if Portugal celebrates independence and freedom at every turn, while also fiercely protecting its cultural and complex heritage. Closed to the world politically for nearly fifty years, it only opened up its natural wonders in 1976. Our Portugal tours have long respected and revered the unique peaceful nature of this small country, with a coast that not only stretches along the Atlantic but also out to the middle of it, to the Azores and Madeira islands.
Walking holidays in Portugal embrace the coastal and inland Rota Vicentina and trails of Alentejo, but also take you further north to Porto and beyond. For top cycling holidays, Portugal’s Camino Portugues takes you along paths that feel like a pedalling pilgrimage through time. With plenty of stops along the way, as with all of Portugal, for super local wine.
Uncork a Portugal tour to find freedom – at its finest.
New tours in Portugal
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Top regions and trails
Portugal: where to go
Rota Vicentina Trails, Alentejo and Algarve
A 400km colossal web of natural trails that have been crafted over the centuries by Portugal’s rural residents, the Rota Vicentina comes in two equally perfect packages. The Caminho Histórico or the Historical Way and the Trilho dos Pescadores or the Fishermen’s Trail. Both link Santiago do Cacém in the Alentejo region with the dramatic headland of Cabo de São Vicente on the southern Algarve coast. The Historical Way heads inland through ancient cork forests, remote villages and wildflower meadows, and the Fishermen’s Trail clings to cliffs, seduces you with sandy coves and beckons hikers on from one headland to the next. We have another Algarve walking adventure which starts in the east and is not on the Rota Vicentina, but with more of a focus on Ria Formosa Natural Park, the River Gilão and Monchique massif.
Porto, Douro and the north
Although this region features on the Camino Portugues, Porto and northern Portugal invite many other worshippers of nature to its shores and vine-covered slopes and, in particular, to imbibe the fruits of the Douro Valley on a walking or cycling holiday. You can also cycle between the two iconic cities of northern Portugal, from Porto to Coimbra, which includes Aveiro’s canals and lagoon, the Bairrada Wine Region and Choupal National Forest. For more northern forests, go hiking in Peneda-Gerês, the country’s only national park on this holiday. By staying in traditional villages of Lindoso and Castro Laboreiro, you have time to absorb the region’s rich rural culture, saunter through eucalyptus and oak forests, take on ascents through steep river valleys and cool down under myriad secret waterfalls.
Madeira
This Portuguese archipelago of four islands is way out there in the Atlantic but Madeira walking holidays focus on the main island of the same name. Although it is only 55km long, it’s mostly the coast that has been developed, leaving an inland idyll of wilderness areas. These include the high altitude Madeira Peaks, and the UNESCO Laurisilva forests. Walkers are also gifted with unique walking trails throughout the island, calledlevadas, which are man-made irrigation channels dating back to the 16th century, still directing water but also walkers who follow these ambrosian arteries across the island.
Azores
An otherworldly archipelago of nine islands, walkers and whales seek out this Atlantic wilderness haven in packs and pods. It’s clearly a magnet for magic, as you will find out on a walking holiday either on the largest island of São Miguel, or hiking and hopping between Pico, São Jorge and Faial island. In addition, we have walking holidays on the smaller islands of Flores or Santa Maria, both boasting colossal bio beauty. Whichever Azores walking holiday that you choose, you can hike to volcanic craters, caldeiras hot springs, ancient coastal trails and secret waterfalls. Home to UNESCO protected vineyards, there is no shortage of opportunities to toast all the Azorean treats. We also have a couple of cycling holidays in the Azores: one on the island of Terceira and the other on Faial and Pico Islands.
Portugal: things to do
- The Camino Portugues or Portuguese Way’s pilgrims have carved out two separate caminos en route to Santiago over the years, one inland (or Central Way) and the other clinging to the coast, or Coastal Route. The former covers approximately 280km and takes 15 days and the latter covers 230km and takes 14 days to complete. Our tours start in the historic city of Porto and head to the coastal resort of Vila Praia de Âncora, with options to dip in and out of river valleys, hilltop villages and eucalyptus glades, before hitting Spain’s Galician coast. For an alternative pilgrimage away from the Camino de Santiago, our Carmelite Route is an ancient spiritual journey.
- Seek out Portugal’s fine, ancient architecture. The ancient town of Coimbra, for example, is home to the oldest university in Portugal dating back to 1290. Also a UNESCO site, it oozes tradition and excellence. Coimbra is the finale of our new cycling holiday from Porto to Coimbra and the starting point for the aforementioned Carmelite Route, the pilgrimage that takes you to Fátima. Another ancient standout when it comes to architecture is the colourful and colossal Pena Palace at Sintra, just one of several palaces and grand houses on a Sintra-Cascais walking holiday, which takes you through the eponymous Natural Park all the way to the coast. And last, but not least, Aveiro, which not only has a fine collection of Art Nouveau buildings, but also an impressive array of man-made canals, which you can explore on board ornate traditional boats. It features on both of these cycling holidays.
- Cycling holidays in Portugal are a world apart from the cols and climbs of other velo vacations. For example, cycle the Camino Portugues’ Coastal Route from Porto to Santiago, or follow the Lima Valley from the foothills of Peneda-Gerês National Park out to the coast at Viana do Castelo, a town packed with both architectural and golden gems, as this town has a tradition of goldsmiths.
- Portugal’s wine and food is finally having an international revolution of its own. The wines of the Douro Valley have long been celebrated, but Vinho Verde, once laughed at as a lightweight, is turning sommeliers’ noses back down again into their glasses. In addition, Portugal’s ample coast gifts us with one big seafood feast, and, with the pastel de nata being just one of the country’s many sweet treats, you’ll never be short of a pastry or two to stuff in your backpack.
Responsible travel tips
- If you are walking or cycling the Camino de Santiago, then don’t forget to pack your good pilgrim’s practices. Although it may be just a way for you to immerse yourself in Portugal’s unique natural heritage, it is a spiritual pilgrimage for many. It’s all common sense, but keeping the noise down, the route litter free and respecting people’s privacy are all part of the Camino creed.
- On a walking holiday in Portugal, you will get the chance to explore tiny rural areas, where income from farm and local produce is crucial. It doesn’t take long to seek out small-scale growers of goodies to get you on your way. Oranges and figs, almonds and pine nuts are just a few of the treats on offer.
- You may be lucky to spot whales on our Azores walking holidays, with traditional lookout points called vigias scattered across the islands. The best time to see whales on the Azores is March to mid-May for blue whales, but sperm whales are here all year round.
- Rip currents are a feature of some beaches along the Costa Vicentina and Costa da Prata. Only swim on beaches with lifeguards, ask local people for advice and take the opportunity to read up on rips and how to get out of one.
Do I need a visa for Portugal?
You do not need a visa for Portugal if you are visiting as a tourist for less than 90 days from the following countries. (Please note, however, that you will need to follow ETIAS requirements starting in late 2026):
- EU/EEA/Schengen countries
- USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
- Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE
- Some Latin American countries including Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Mexico
Citizens from the following regions generally require a Schengen visa to enter Portugal for short stays (up to 90 days):
- Most African countries (except those with visa-free agreements such as Mauritius and Seychelles)
- Most Asian countries, including India, China, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand
- Russia and Belarus
- Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon
- Many Caribbean and Pacific nations
To double check whether you need a visa, see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or use the visa tool below.
FAQs
Portugal has bided its time beautifully in taking a prominent place on the world tourism stage, and is now emerging like the belle of the ball, with a green carpet of walking and cycling trails streaming out behind her. The good news is that there are green galas to be had every month of the year in Portugal, depending on which region you’d like to visit. And especially when you remember that they have the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores also flying their flag. From Sintra in winter to the Azores when it pours back home, or the Camino Portugues just in time for Easter, we have many more details in our bespoke blog, Best time to go to Portugal.
Portugal has a diverse climate with its greatest topographical influence being the Atlantic, especially as the Azores and Madeira archipelagos are in the middle of it. In general, it has a balmy southern European climate throughout the year, but can get very hot in summer, especially along the Algarve coast. If you’re walking the Rota Vicentina, for example, temperatures average around 20C to 21C in spring, which definitely gives you a spring in your step. In summer, they can hit as high as 34C, which is why our trips there don’t run in July and August. Pick it up again in autumn, and you can ramble the Rota in 19C as late as November.
The Camino Portugues is further north and so, in peak summer months, it’s more like 21-22C averages, with spring and autumn temperatures between 15C and 17C respectively.
The country’s only national park, Peneda-Gerês National Park does get more rain and, as it has higher elevations, the temperatures are as low as 8C in March but as high as 23C once April and May arrive, and summer can soar up to 30C.
Even though you might not associate the middle of the Atlantic with being warm and soothing, Madeira is like a balmy blip emerging from the waves. And the best bit is that this is the case all year around. Which is why we run self-guided walking holidays there every month of the year. It’s luscious without a rainy season, it’s warm without a scorching season, with average temperatures all year of around 20C on lower elevations around the coast. Sea temperatures never dip below the high teens, and as for getting wet on your hikes, June is the driest month, and April is the wettest, with 36mm of rain over three days. For more information, see our blog, Reasons to go walking in Madeira.
The weather is good but unpredictable all year round, and so our Azores trips are also open every month of the year, although those mild maritime climate moods may be more favourable in summer months. The warmest months are July, August, September and October, with average daily temperatures of 22C – 24C. The archipelago also benefits from the warmth of the Gulf Stream, so although weather can be unpredictable, and windy, temperatures rarely dip under 14C throughout the year. For more information, see our blog, Everything you need to know about walking in the Azores.
Travelling by train to or within Portugal isn’t as easy as other European countries as their network isn’t as widespread, but it is definitely possible. Sadly there used to be a sleeper train (Sud Express) from France to Lisbon, but this was stopped in 2020. As responsible travellers, you significantly reduce your carbon footprint by taking the train, and your holiday will get off to a much more relaxed start too. By booking in advance, you can also get some great deals on Portuguese railways. All of our tour pages have details on how to get there, and we have filtered the ones that are reachable by rail. For more information, see the Portuguese national rail company, Comboios de Portugal (CP), or you can pick the brilliant brains of Mark Smith, the train guru at Seat 61.
Family life is at the heart of Portuguese culture and so you will always be welcomed with open arms. Although we don’t have any family-specific tours in Portugal, it’s worth checking out our easy/moderate level walking or easy/moderate cycling holidays, to see if they appeal to all family members. If you have older teens, for example, who have walking experience, you may want to explore more moderate level hiking or cycling holidays. Our adventure specialists are here to cater for your needs, and we can often adapt a day’s itinerary if you think it’s going to be too hard or too easy.
Most definitely and we welcome solo travellers on many of our tours, one of the most popular being the Camino Portugues. Similarly, the Rota Vicentina and Fishermen’s Trail holidays are safe havens for solo travellers, and you won’t go mad in Madeira if you’re walking alone. The opposite actually, as its levadas are popular trails where you will meet plenty of like-minded independent travellers. Whether you’re hiking or cycling in the Azores, solo travel is a soulful experience on this Atlantic archipelago, and if you want to add some walking to your citybreak to Lisbon, this holiday to Sintra is a solo saunter on steroids.
You can find all of our solo trips in Portugal here, but please remember that a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared.
Yes, the tap water is drinkable here and, although it may taste more chlorinated than you’re used to, it is safe, meeting EU standards. It’s strange how many people who would never normally buy bottled water at home feel a need to buy it when travelling, so please think twice about it. If you ask for water in a restaurant they often bring you bottled water, but you can ask for um copo de água, which means a glass of tap water. If you are hiking in remote or mountain areas, and want to drink from streams, where there can be a risk of harmful runoff, we recommend investing in a filtered water bottle to ensure water is free of any toxins.
Portugal has excellent healthcare with no major health risks and it was also declared rabies-free in 2018. No vaccinations are required, but the WHO recommends routine vaccines such as tetanus for all travellers. As many of our tours are along the Atlantic coast, it can be windy and you may not realise how hot or dehydrated you are becoming, so always take the right precautions.
In addition, rip tides are a serious hazard on parts of the Costa Vicentina and Costa da Prata, so always take care and never swim alone, or if you see a red flag. Other marine precautions include jellyfish and sea urchins. With the former, rinse a sting with seawater not fresh and remove the tentacles. If stung in the face, rinse the eyes and contact a doctor. Carrying some sea shoes in your bag is a good idea for keen swimmers.
Always make sure that you have suitable health insurance to suit your adventure travel. As with all international travels, it’s always worth getting up to date information at the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for UK travellers or similar foreign office advice in your home country.
The climate crisis has whipped up many parts of the world with forest fires, and unfortunately Portugal has been hit. Local authorities monitor the situation carefully but always take precautions by never discarding cigarette butts or glass bottles (which cause dangerous reflections) and, if there is a warning, always take it seriously. You can also get the Fogos Portugal Wildfire Alerts app.
Of course, this depends on the region that you are visiting but as with most of our adventures, you may be exploring remote terrain where weather conditions may be unpredictable. For that reason, we have some detailed blogs on packing, which may be of help: What to pack for a cycling trip and What to pack for a hiking trip. As well as that, don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure, plenty of sunscreen and a phrase book. The Portuguese love it if you try to say a few words in their language, even if it’s just obrigado (thank you). Or sometimes obrigada, with a good explanation of that one here.
Overtourism is an issue in many parts of the world, and although we are all for people having adventures, we’re aware that some places just need to put the brakes on. Which is why we aim to take you off the beaten path, and also encourage travel outside of the peak seasons. In Portugal, Lisbon gets very busy in summer with cruise ships and their passengers taking up a lot of space. You can avoid them by visiting early in the morning or late in the day, but also by travelling out of season. For details of when the cruising is bruising, see this excellent Cruise Timetable.
Portugal isn’t a winter sports destination, however, we have lots of options for winter sun holidays there, where you can put enough Vitamin D into your energy banks to get you through the sleepy season. Our endorphin-inducing idylls include cycling and walking in Madeira, where temperatures range from 12-18C in winter months, and the sea is still 18-20C in December, so you can make the most of swimming in the island’s famous natural pools and volcanic beaches. Similarly, the Algarve is reinvigorating in winter, with temperatures as high as 17C in the heart of the season, and you can also consider an adventure in the Azores when it pours. We have many more details in our bespoke blog, Best time to go to Portugal.
Just like the traditional ‘Bolo Rei’ or King’s Cake that is eaten in Portugal for the festive season, our Christmas holidays in Portugal have a wealth of natural ingredients, with everyone giving you a right royal welcome too at this special time of year. If you fancy a bike for Christmas, take your pick between cycling in the north or south of Portugal, the former along the Atlantic coast and the latter from the Alentejo to Algarve.
You will have plenty of silent nights walking the 400km colossal web of natural trails on the Rota Vicentina trail, or ask Santa for Sintra this year, on our walking holiday between the ancient Pena Palace to the coast at Cascais. You also don’t have to wait until the fifth day of Christmas to enjoy one of Portugal’s five gold rings, with our walking holiday wonders on the four islands of the Azores, or its fifth island idyll of Madeira open and ready to celebrate Christmas. The large cities of Lisbon and Porto do Christmas perfectly too, with just enough glitz to get in the mood, but not too much in-your-face commercialism. They also have average daytime highs of 16C in Lisbon and 15C Porto, both dipping enough at night to put a jacket and scarf on, but with plenty of blue skies during the day. So consider topping and tailing your trip with a seasonal city break.
We always endeavour to ensure that your accommodations are aware of any dietary needs when we book your trip. However, Portugal is a foodie nation with strong traditions, so although your needs will be catered for in bigger towns and cities, it’s not always the case in more remote areas. But being gluten (sem glúten) or dairy free (sem lactose) is certainly not unheard of in Portugal and you won’t be looked at strangely for requesting something different off the menu. And if you crave a gluten-free pasteis de nata, this blog is going to be your best friend.
It’s the euro, or €, the same currency that’s used across most countries in the European Union.
Portugal is great value for money, compared with some of its European neighbours. Especially if you eat or drink locally-produced treats, wine being a total revelation if you’re not familiar with it already. Most of our adventurers aren’t looking for fine cuisine anyway, and just want a good three course meal at the end of the day, and some great picnic food for their backpack. So don’t miss the bakery or market stall sandwiches, with prego (pork), bifana (beef) meat ones, or anduíche de peixe fish ones, all Portuguese feasts.
A meal at an inexpensive restaurant outside of Lisbon costs between €10–€15 and a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant: €25–€40. Traditional restaurants serve a prato do dia, or a dish of the day, for as little as €8. Wine is cheaper than in the UK, for example, ranging from €4-6 for a glass. And you can cool down with a local beer, Super Bock or Sagres, for around €3.
A service charge is not usually included in the bill, but the local tradition is to leave an extra tip of between 5-10% in restaurants, or just round it up. It isn’t expected in bars, but having some coins to round up the bill is very much part of the culture.
Generally it’s excellent although it can still be problematic in some very rural areas. Fibre optic broadband, which is called internet fixa or banda larga, is countrywide with only about 23% of residents still using satellite or mobile internet. In general, Portugal is competing well with many other European countries for speed which, for techies, is 96.69Mb/s download speed. Consequently, it’s high on our list for workation destinations. For more information on speeds and providers, see here. And, the most useful wifi phrase you can have on your travels in Portugal is ‘Qual é a senha da wi-fi?’ or ‘What is the wifi password please?’ For pronunciation, check out this short video.
Read more about Portugal
Top tips on travelling in Portugal
Our seven best hikes in Portugal
Everything you need to know about walking in the Azores
Best time to go to Portugal
A deep dive into the Fishermen’s Trail in Portugal
Reasons to go walking in Madeira
The levadas in Madeira are a gift to walkers
