Our most inspiring itineraries for your trip to Portugal

Packed with glorious coastlines, compact and walkable cities, and a sleepy rural interior, a trip to Portugal can be wonderfully relaxing. It’s a small country on the scheme of things, but the feeling of vacationing here is expansive. Some beaches do fill up in high season, but there are so many of them that it’s easy to sidestep the busier stretches and find your own peaceful haven for sun or surf. Visit out of season, and you’ll often have whole sandy stretches to yourself.

Portugal has a small population and a laid-back pace of life, making it perfectly matched for vacation mode. You’ll find yourself savoring long lunches, taking relaxed evening strolls and gazing out to sea. Life in the villages of the interior harks back to more tranquil times, too. Here, locals tend age-old olive and almond groves, and make their own wine.

Looking for inspiration for your Portuguese journey? Here we run through a few of our top trip ideas, which you can request as they are or use as a starting point to craft a personalized vacation.

Planning your trip to Portugal: our most inspiring tours

From the Algarve’s sun-kissed beaches to Lisbon’s city streets and the wine lands of the Douro Valley, our top tours take in all the best places to visit in Portugal.

Family fun: Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve

This trip to Portugal will keep the whole family entertained with city explorations and plenty of seaside fun. Beginning in the charismatic northern city of Porto, enjoy the urban energy and the sun-mellowed architecture of the historic city center. Take a boat ride down the Douro River valley for wine tasting, then hop through several interesting coastal towns en-route to Lisbon.

The capital city is fun and engaging for all ages, and there’s an optional trip up the wild Atlantic Coast to Nazaré, a famous Big Wave surf spot. Round things off in southern Portugal, otherwise known as beach heaven, with options for water-based action or simple sun worshipping and seafood feasts.

Lisbon and Porto: the highlights of iconic cities

Packed with history, culture and cuisine, this Portugal itinerary introduces you to the urban delights of Lisbon and Porto. You’ll also take several day trips from each city and break your overland journeys between the two with stop-offs at some of Portugal’s less-visited historic towns and sights.

Dine at a quirky circus school restaurant with far-reaching views across the capital, cruise down the Douro River on a wooden port wine vessel, and explore the medieval walled-town of Óbidos. This unique tour is full of offbeat ways to get to know Portugal and can be tailored to your specific interests by a local expert.

Island discovery: the magic of Madeira

Beyond its mainland shores, Portugal also embraces the magical island of Madeira within its borders. Way down off the coast of Morocco, Madeira basks under year-round sun and has spectacular landscapes. With dramatic forested cliffs, sub-tropical blooms and beaches in black and gold, it is often referred to as the Hawaii of Europe. Waterfalls cascade into volcanic-rock pools, and all around is lush and green. Our one-week Portugal itinerary makes the most of the island with just the right balance of guided tours, hiking and free time.

Our top tour for foodies: a taste of Portugal

This is our best Portugal itinerary for foodies and gourmets, taking you on a rural odyssey from Faro in the South, to Porto in the north. Get to know the heart of Portuguese cooking and produce by journeying through the less-visited interior of the country… led always by your taste buds. You’ll learn about olive oil and wine production, feast on Alentejo specialties, and dine out in enchanting towns and cities. The tour concludes with a stay in a renowned wine estate in the famous Douro Valley near Porto.

Grand tour of Portugal: epic 14-day itinerary

This is one of our longest and most in-depth Portugal itinerary ideas, immersing the traveler in some of the country’s most exciting destinations. Begin in the northern city of Porto with a guided city tour, a river cruise, and port and wine tastings. Then, hike amidst the lush landscapes of the Gerês UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, getting to know the local flora and fauna and visiting remote rural villages along the way.

From there, board a train bound for Lisbon for city explorations and coastal day trips. After a few days in the capital, head inland to the less-visited Alentejo region to explore a stunning medieval town and dive into the local production of olive oil and wine. Round things off with several days of coastal pleasures on the stand-out southern beaches of Alporchinhos near Faro.

Preparing for your trip: frequently asked questions

What is the best month to travel to Portugal?

Portugal is a year-round destination with hot summers and mild winters. If you’d like to enjoy the beaches at a quieter time of year, the best time to visit Portugal is either in spring and early summer or late summer into fall.

April, May, June, September and October are warm and sunny months without the crowds and intense heat of July and August. November through March are also perfectly pleasant times to visit, especially if you’re planning on hiking or prefer to see the sights with fewer other tourists around.

Etiquette tips: what are some dos and don’ts in Portugal?

• In contrast to many other southern European countries, the Portuguese are slightly more formal. They gesticulate less when conversing, and when greeting new people, a handshake is customary. It is considered polite for a man to wait for a woman to offer her hand in greeting. Male friends and family will greet each other with a warm handshake and maybe a pat on the back, while female friends will often kiss on the cheek.
• In terms of clothing, the Portuguese tend to dress smartly, and wearing beachwear and shorts (beyond the beach) is generally not done. It’s usual to dress reasonably smartly, especially if you are eating out.
• In restaurants, tipping is the norm, and 10% is usually automatically added to the bill.
• You’ll likely notice that all ages are very involved in public life at all hours of the day. There will be older folks gathered at cafes and young children out at restaurants. Both are offered respect and patience as a matter of course, so it’s best to adopt a relaxed attitude to noise and pace.

How many days are needed to visit Portugal?

For a full dose of its charms, we recommend at least a one-week Portugal itinerary, ideally a little more. You’ll want to spend time in the capital and on the coast with plenty of time for leisurely travel between the two. A 14-day Portugal itinerary will allow you to delve a little deeper, adding some more towns, cities and experiences to the mix.

Where should I go in Portugal for the first time?

For a first-timer, the best places to visit in Portugal have to be the northern city of Porto, the capital Lisbon, and the beaches of the Algarve. Visiting all three destinations is perfectly achievable in one trip.

What documentation and visa requirements do I need for a trip to Portugal?

Americans visiting Portugal enjoy visa-free travel for vacations under three months in duration. This is also the case for most nationalities, but do double-check before booking your travel.

Make it happen

Our local experts are on the ground and ready to help you tailor-make an unforgettable trip to Portugal. Get in touch with them today, letting them know your needs and budget so you can start planning your unique itinerary together.