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.
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.
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.
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.
Signature experiences for your memory vault. Why don’t you...
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.
Paint the town for EuroPride in Lisbon
Experience Lisbon at its most colorful in June 2025 as the city hosts a celebration of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Check out our EuroPride 2025 Lisbon: The City Experience tour.
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.
Experiential travel made easy
You dream it. We’ll take care of every last detail.
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
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Larissa
In fact this was my first solo trip and I couldn't be happier with my decision to go with EF Go Ahead Tours and to start my solo travels in Portugal! The locals I met were...
Traveled in Dec 2024 on Portugal for Solo Travelers
5 out of 5 stars
5th-time traveler Alexander
This Portugal for Solo Travelers tour definitely exceeded my expectations in every way! It was the perfect balance of group bonding and solo exploration. Leonor, our exceptional...
Traveled in Dec 2024 on Portugal for Solo Travelers
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Kathy
This a road trip through Portugal in a very short amount of time, so things happen quickly. It was informative and the country side is beautiful!
Traveled in Dec 2024 on Portugal for Solo Travelers
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Anonymous
This was a wonderful tour and the tour director was informative, knowledgeable and friendly. Leonor provided terrific suggestions for dinners, shopping and other experiences.
Traveled in Dec 2024 on Portugal for Solo Travelers
5 out of 5 stars
2nd-time traveler Faith
Portugal for me was amazing it was peaceful & stress free slow pace you could just melt. I the food was incredibly fresh & savory I ate some amazing dishes. The plan is to return...
Traveled in Nov 2024 on Portugal for Solo Travelers
5 out of 5 stars
2nd-time traveler Joan
My trip to Portugal was absolutely wonderful. I could not have asked for a better more efficient and more knowledgeable and helpful to guide then Antonio. The group that I was...
Traveled in Nov 2024 on Portugal for Solo Travelers
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.
Travel tips for Portugal trips
If you’re considering one of our guided tours of Portugal, you’ll notice that departures are available throughout the year. That’s because it’s an excellent destination to travel to in any month—and the best time to visit depends on your preferences.
Bordering Spain on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal lies in the southwestern part of Europe. It has some of the warmest year-round temperatures on the continent, experiencing hot summers and wet winters. Conditions vary from the coast to inland regions like the Douro River Valley.
In the capital city of Lisbon, which you can visit on our Portugal tour packages, the average temperature in January is 53 F. During July, the average rises to 73 F and sunny weather is quite common.
The good news when planning a trip to Portugal? Its small size makes it relatively easy to cover during one trip. Must-visit spots along the coast include the stunning Algarve region, Lisbon, and Porto, while the appeals more inland include the Douro Valley, Évora, and the Alentejo region.
You can often pair Portugal with another destination or two if you have some more time to spare. Here are some of our Portugal tours that may fit your interests:
- For an introduction to the country, try our 9-day trip, Portugal: Porto, the Algarve & Lisbon.
- For foodies interested in one of our Portugal small group tours, our Food & Wine: A Taste of Portugal trip could be the perfect fit.
- For an immersive journey through the Iberian Peninsula, check out our 15-day Grand Tour of Portugal & Spain: Porto to Barcelona.
- For a deeper dive into the surrounding region, spend 16 days on tour in Portugal, Spain & Morocco.
Have a question about any of our trips to Portugal? Give us a call—a Tour Consultant who specializes in this region can help you out.
While traveling on one of our guided trips to Portugal, you’ll have the opportunity to savor delicious food that may be brand-new to you. Traditional cuisine here is fresh and tasty. Salted cod, called bacelhau, is one of the most popular ingredients on the menu and can be mixed with everything from eggs to potatoes. In addition to seafood, some notable dishes to try are piri piri chicken and pasteis de nata, a famous custard tart.
While on Portugal escorted tours, you can also sip some local specialties. Porto’s famous Port wine gets its sweet signature flavor from the grapes of the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley. Seek out aromatic white wines in the Alentejo region, and fruity, fortified moscatel de Setúbal wine in the Setúbal region.
Packing light is the recommendation for our Portugal guided tours—or any vacation, for that matter! While you’re on-the-go, you should feel comfortable managing your baggage. One suitcase and one carry-on bag per person is a good guideline to keep in mind when prepping for your trip.
Bring along lightweight clothes that can be easily layered, so you're prepared for any type of weather. A comfortable pair of shoes that you can easily walk in, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light jacket are all key items to pack too. Once you’ve booked a Portugal tour, we’ll send you even more information about getting ready to go—and you can also download our mobile app for a detailed packing list.