Portugal tours discovery guide
Picture 300 sun-kissed days a year, dramatic coastlines, fairytale villages, and terraced vineyards. From Lisbon’s hilly streets to the Douro River snaking through Porto, down the craggy cliffs of the Algarve and to the Azores’ volcanic wonderland, every corner of Portugal is a singular experience. See it all with one of our expertly guided trips.
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What to know before you go
POPULATION
Portugal’s 10.5 million people primarily live along the coast and in the major cities of Porto and Lisbon. They join a large Portuguese diaspora spread across the globe. In fact, there are more people with Portuguese ancestry living outside of Portugal than in it.
CAPITAL
With its borders set in 1139, Portugal became the first country in Europe and Lisbon, its capital, is the second-oldest capital city in Europe. The area was settled as early as 1200 B.C. by the Phoenicians. Today’s Lisbon was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1755.
CULTURAL QUICK TAKE
Saudade, a term that embodies deep longing and nostalgia, is at the heart of Portuguese culture. It’s reflected in fado, the national music genre, known for its plaintive, melancholic lyrics.
WHAT TO GO FOR
Foodie? Prepare for the freshest seafood and exceptional local wines. History buff? Walk centuries-old cities and medieval castles. Nature lover? Hike the volcanic landscapes of the Azores. Portugal may be small, but its heart is full.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ON TOUR
Swirling olive oil and wine cultivated moments from where you stand, a heart-tugging fado show, ancient walled cities, and the world’s biggest waves crashing on golden coasts.
Grand Tour of Portugal
Power up with a luscious pastel de nata and join us on this sweeping tour of Portugal’s colorful cities, medieval villages, and radiant coasts. You’ll traverse the country from the fertile Douro Valley to the beach-lined Algarve region before concluding in Lisbon. Adventure seekers: Extend your trip to the Azores—a subtropical, volcanic archipelago home to Europe’s sole tea plantation.
Portugal-only tours
One passport stamp. Two ways to make the most of it. Make it a quick getaway with a just-right, weeklong trip or meet your new best (travel) friends on one of our tours curated just for solo travelers.
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Your trip to Portugal begins here
You could wait for inspiration to strike—or find some with a little help from our team of experts.
The ultimate Portugal Travel Guide
We’ve been there and done that—and we’re sharing our staffers’ top tips for what to pack, see, eat, and shop for to make your Portugal tour your best yet.
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
Spoiler alert: With a temperate climate and its famous year-round sunshine, there’s no bad time to go. Check out our season-by-season guide to Portugal travel.
15 places in Portugal to leave your heart
Our Grand Tour of Portugal takes you to seaside Nazare, the hilltop village of Obidos, the Moorish castles of Sintra, and 12 more scene-stealing stops.
Learn the ABCs of Portugal (that’s Alentejo wine, bacalhau, and chouriço)
Taste your way through Portugal on one of our signature Food & Wine Tours. You’ll meet the vintners, farmers, fishmongers, olive growers, and other locals that lend this corner of the Iberian Peninsula its unique flavor.
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Hello, neighbor: Explore Portugal, the Iberian Peninsula, and northern Africa
Embracing the coasts of the Mediterranean and Atlantic, Portugal, Spain, and Morocco share a culture of hospitality and so much more. Extend your journey to see their historic, architectural, and culinary parallels.
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Signature experiences for your memory vault. Why don’t you...
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Learn the art of Portuguese cooking
Prepare (and devour!) a three-course meal like a true tripeiro under the guidance of a professional chef. Try it on the Grand Tour of Portugal & Spain: Porto to Barcelona itinerary.
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Paint the town for EuroPride in Lisbon
Experience Lisbon at its most colorful in June 2025 as the city hosts a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. Check out our EuroPride 2025 Lisbon: The City Experience tour.
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Cruise the Atlantic off the Algarve coast
Sail along windswept escarpments, beaches, and caves while keeping an eye out for sea birds and dolphins. Try it on our Grand Tour of Portugal: From Porto to Lisbon itinerary.
See a storybook come to life in Sintra
Walk through dreamy, mountaintop Pena Palace, its gardens offering up sweeping views of the Portuguese countryside. Try it on our Lisbon, Seville & Madrid tour.
Pick your perfect trip
We offer 200+ immersive, guided tours around the world. Wherever you choose to go, you’ll enjoy lots of advantages that make traveling with us different.
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Prep your packing list
While you’re deciding what to take, we’ll be busy arranging your hotels, meals, tickets, and more tour essentials. That’s what going guided is all about.
Go far (and get rewarded)
Take off on your big adventure— but why stop there? Every trip you book with us earns rewards that you can use to keep expanding your horizons.
What travelers are saying about our Portugal tours
Enjoy Portugal tour packages—and beyond
If Portugal fired up your wanderlust—and we know that feeling—explore tours that complement your sojourn with even more of Europe’s delights.
