Choosing a tour can be a good way to experience Portugal if you want local insight, expert guides or access to places that are harder to visit independently.
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On this page you’ll find a selection of tours and guided experiences across Portugal that I’m happy to recommend, based on my knowledge of the country and feedback from travellers.
For some experiences, you can book online using the links provided – don’t forget to apply any promo codes mentioned here to claim your discount.
For others, please use the dedicated enquiry forms to check availability and/or ask for customisations – I’ll put you in direct contact with the relevant company to discuss your needs.
Disclosure: I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase.
Small group or private Lisbon walking tour
Ideal for your first visit to Lisbon, this 3-hour walking tour covers key viewing terraces, atmospheric squares and historical neighbourhoods. Led by a historian or archaeologists, these are well-researched, expertly led tours for the culturally curious.
Small group or private food tours in Lisbon or Porto
Get a taste for Portuguese flavours and understand the passion and stories behind them on one of these delicious Lisbon or Porto food tours by Culinary Backstreets. Available as small group or private tours, they are in-depth and take around 5 hours, with many stops in off-the-beaten-track eateries.
Read about my experience in Porto
Read about my experience in Lisbon
Get 5% off if you use my code when booking: FOX5
Private Douro Valley tours
One of the best ways to experience the Douro Valley if you don’t have time to stay overnight is a private day trip from Porto. You can choose to combine winery visits with a leisurely lunch and paired wines as well as a boat trip and fabulous views, or to visit an extra boutique winery and have a shorter lunch experience. Or focus less on the wines and more on the sightseeing. All tours are customisable, and great fun!
Small group tours in Porto, Douro, Braga & Guimarães
Cooltour Oporto specialise in small group (max 8) van tours in the north of Portugal, although you can also book their experiences on a private basis. Sustainable, authentic and keen to get you away from the tourist traps.
Get 10% discount by using my code, FOX10 at checkout
Hiking tours in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park
Sintra isn’t only about its fabulous palaces, it’s also about the landscape. You can combine both on a guided hike, and even add a winery visit or beach-front dining experience to your tour. Transfers from Lisbon, Cascais or Sintra are included. Ideal if you want to experience Sintra’s landscapes away from the busiest palace crowds.
Private day trips from Lisbon
If you’re looking for an expert local guide who is passionate about facilitating authentic encounters with local people and Portuguese culture, Leonel is your man! He’ll get you off the beaten path and away from the crowds to some truly special places.
Private tours in the Algarve and beyond
There’s far more to the Algarve than beaches, and a private guide can help you discover some of its lesser-known landscapes and towns. For a fully customisable private tour of secret spots and special places in the Algarve and Alentejo regions, Elise is the woman to help. She goes above and beyond to make sure her clients are happy and, unlike many other tour operators, she can cater for solo female travellers or people on scouting trips for relocation.
Self-guided Portuguese Camino de Santiago tours
If you’re considering following the ancient pilgrim trail from Porto to Santiago de Compostela and would like the support of a trusted local tour operator, look no further. I’ve been working with this company for years and helped create the support materials they provide to clients.
If you’re not sure what’s involved, or which route to choose, read this information first.
Guided and self-guided walking holidays or tours
Portugal has some excellent walking routes, from coastal paths to mountain trails. I work with a select few Portuguese tour operators who specialise in providing self-guided walking holidays as well as guided hikes.
On this page, you’ll find descriptions of some of their hiking experiences as well as opportunities to connect with the respective tour operators.
If that’s too much information to sift through, simply click the button below to complete the enquiry form and I’ll connect you with the most relevant company for your needs.
Private guided tours in off-the beaten-track Central Portugal
Between the Serra da Estrela Mountains and the Spanish border you’ll find lots of small medieval villages. Some of them have achieved international recognition while others are less touristy yet full of stories and surprises. All of them are surrounded by glorious countryside, including plains, rivers, granite outcrops and the Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve, where Iberian lynx used to roam.
If you’re interested in a private tour of this under-the-radar part of Portugal, please fill in the form below.
Other tours and activities by destination
If you’re looking for something more specific, you can browse a wider range of tours and activities by destination here:
Planning a trip and not sure which experiences are worth including?
If you’re still working out your itinerary, my Portugal Trip Planning Consultation can help you decide which places, tours and routes make sense for your trip.
Looking for something specific?
If you’re looking for a specific tour or experience in Portugal, tell me what you have in mind and I’ll see if I can point you in the right direction.
If you need a tailor-made itinerary, we can use one of my itinerary support services to plan the perfect experience for you and your companions.
