We all want to get great value for money, so I’d like to show you where I find the best Portugal travel deals for hotels, car rental, flights or tours. Whenever I start planning a trip, whether it’s within Portugal or to other countries, there are certain ‘go to’ sites that I always consult.
I’ve also negotiated special discounts for you with certain local tour companies so look for the discount codes below.
I keep this page as up to date as possible so it’s always worth checking back for new deals and special offers.
Last update: 13th September 2024
Special offers on travel
These are temporary deals. For long-term discounts with my local partners, see this section.
Porto:
Admire views of Porto’s scenic banks and six bridges on a shared or private River cruise. Save up to 5% until the end of October 2024.
Take a full-day Douro Valley trip, including wine tasting, from Porto. Until the end of October 2024 save up to 10%.
Discover the charming cities of Braga and Guimarães on a day trip from Porto. Save up to 5% until the end of October 2024.
Enjoy a soulful fado concert at a cozy and traditional venue. Save up to 30% until 11th October 2024.
Book a private transfer in a luxury vehicle from Porto city center to Porto Airport. Save up to 20% until the end of 2024.
Algarve:
Figs on the Funcho is offering a €50 discount on their creative retreats in September and October 2024. Use the code Julie50 to claim.
Portimão:
Get a 10% discount on this Textile Basketry Workshop and make your own unique basket using natural textile fibres and wool.
Evora:
Take a Private tour of the main monuments in Évora’s historic center. Save up to 30% until the end of 2024.
Lisbon:
Enjoy an intimate evening with live Fado music. Save up to 10% until the end of 2024.
Climb aboard a 12-metre sailboat and see Lisbon from a different perspective on this Sunset Sailing with Portuguese Wine and History tour. You get up to 25% off, depending on your dates.
Discover Lisbon’s landmarks and historic sites on a private guided tuk-tuk tour. Save up to 30% until the end of January 2025.
Cascais:
Take a speedboat tour and spy dolphins. Save up to 10% until 15th October 2024.
Sesimbra:
Observe dolphins in their natural habitat. Save up to 20% until the end of 2024.
Worldwide:
My preferred platform for booking accommodation, Booking.com, is offering deals of at least 15% on stays around the world between 29th March and 30th September 2024.
Minimum 15% savings available on new accommodation bookings at participating properties indicated by the ‘Getaway Deal’ badge on the search results and room selection pages. Bookings must be made before 9:59 am CET on 30/09/24 for stays with check-in from 29/03/24 and check-out on or before 30/09/24. Discount applies to the cost of room only (excluding any additional fees or taxes). If you make any changes to your booking you may lose your discount and be liable for the full amount. Discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion except Genius discounts. Room rates labelled “Partner Offer” are excluded from this promotion. This offer is provided by the participating property and subject to availability.
MANAWA
If you’re looking for some great outdoor activities, not just in Portugal but around the world, then check out MANAWA. From horse riding in Setubal to Reindeer Sledding in Lapland there’s something for everyone. Plus, you get a 10% DISCOUNT if you book an activity through me! Use this link to book your activity and enter MANAWA before payment.
Accommodation resources
Online booking platforms for hotels, villas and apartments
I’ve been using Booking.com for over 15 years and it’s still my first port of call when it comes to finding accommodation. I haven’t had a problem with a booking in all that time and I get great ‘Genius’ discounts.
The reviews are from verified guests and therefore more reliable than on some other sites. I also find it easy to compare facilities between places on my shortlist. Most accommodations allow you to cancel or change your booking for free so you can plan ahead without commitment.
SEARCH ACCOMMODATION ON BOOKING.COMAccommodation rented by owners
Plum Guide is a great way to find holiday apartments and villas for rent by owners and management companies. They have selected the top 3% of properties in each destination at three different price points so there should be something for most budgets and tastes.
Instead of relying on user reviews, they meticulously vet and inspect their listings to ensure quality control. Look for the “Plum Award” homes for peace of mind and read the whole description carefully as they will point out any shortcomings.
Search Plum Guide to find a great place to stay
Flatio is a longer-term rental housing platform, offering hand-picked, mostly deposit-free, and reasonably priced accommodations in over 300 destinations, mainly in Europe. What sets Flatio apart from similar platforms is that it offers lawyer-verified, legally binding lease agreements that can be used as proof of address and for visa purposes.
Search Flatio for your ideal longer-term stay
If you’re not already familiar with , it stands for Vacation Rentals By Owner so in many ways there are similarities between this and AirBnB and you’ll find that many accommodations are listed on both sites, as well as on Booking.com (which is still my preferred platform, even for apartments). They cover more locations than Plum Guide so if you can’t find anything suitable there, or on Booking.com, try Vrbo.
Interesting alternatives to traditional accommodation offers
Although housesitting doesn’t necessarily involve looking after animals, that’s the most common reason for people wanting others to stay in their homes while they’re away. I’ve used Trusted Housesitters, which matches sitters with homeowners.
Housesitting can be a fantastic way of getting free accommodation, especially if you’re interested in staying in Portugal for an extended period to decide whether or not you want to live here.
If you’re interested in a more in-depth cultural experience, as well as bed and board, in exchange for your skills and labour, Workaway is a well-respected platform for connecting hosts with volunteers. For a small annual fee, you can search for and apply to individuals and small organisations that need some help.
It’s worth considering if you want to immerse yourself in a language you’re trying to learn, too.
Transport
Discover Cars is very similar to Rentalcars.com in that you can search their user-friendly platform for the best price among a number of car rental companies, and reviews, which I find makes it easier to choose.
You make the booking and payment through Discover Cars and receive a voucher that you take to the relevant car rental company to collect the vehicle. I have used them and the process and service was faultless.
As always, check terms and conditions carefully so you know what’s included and what isn’t.
Find a great deal on car rental with Discover Cars
Tours, activities and transfers
Whether you need airport transfers, a Lisbon Card, hop-on hop-off bus tours, food tours, boat trips, private experiences or workshops, Get Your Guide has a whole range of activities and services to choose from.
They offer free cancellation (check the conditions) so you can book ahead with confidence.
Viator is another popular tour booking platform and is part of TripAdvisor. Take a look at the tours I’ve vetted for you in my Viator Shop.
The booking system is simple to use and they issue refunds promptly if you cancel within the terms. You can also find out which local tour operator is running the experience and ask questions if you need more info before booking.
Exclusive reader discount codes for Portugal tours and experiences
Some of the tour operators I’ve had the pleasure of working with offer my readers a special discount. Note: You must use the specific codes below when you make a booking.
Culinary Backstreets offer excellent food-related walking tours in various cities around the world, including Lisbon and Porto.
5% discount code (use on the booking form): FOX5
Figs on the Funcho offers a series of inspiring holidays that blend art, food, relaxation, and the beauty of the Algarve.
€50 discount on creative retreats with this code (on the booking form): Julie50
Travel Insurance
You never know what might happen to ruin your trip so it’s a good idea to take out travel insurance before you leave home. There are many companies and policies to choose from so it pays to compare the cover to make sure it suits your specific needs.
Always check the fine print to see what’s included.
Yonder currently serves North American clients but is planning to expand to cover European customers in the future. Through their site, you can search through numerous reputable insurance providers to find the most appropriate cover for your particular needs, including ones with ‘cancel for any reason’ policies.
