Choosing the right tour guide or activity to add to your Portugal itinerary can be quite overwhelming. When you don’t know the destination or the tour operators involved, you have to do quite a bit of research to fully vet a provider and avoid ruining your holiday with a bad choice.
My carefully curated selection of Portugal tours, specialist guides and activities saves you hours of trawling, uncertainty and indecision. I’ve either done these tours myself, have a close relationship with the provider, or know enough about them within the industry to feel confident in their reliability and quality. I also prioritise providers that take sustainable travel seriously.
Either book online using the links provided – don’t forget to apply any promo codes mentioned here to claim your discount. Or 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
Experience the highlights of the amazingly beautiful Douro wine region on 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.
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
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
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
For activities that you can quickly and easily book online through Viator, which usually include free cancellation or a “book now, pay later” option, take a look at my Viator Shop.
I’ve grouped my top picks by location so that you can quickly find the ones that are most relevant to your plans.
Still can’t find what you need?
If none of the tours above suit you, fill in this form to tell me what you’re looking for.
If I know of an existing tour that sounds ideal, I’ll connect you with the relevant tour operator by forwarding your request and contact details.
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.
