Portugal Travel Guide

A perfect vacation to Portugal starts with knowing your preferences and what you want to see.

Whether you are a wine enthusiast, a seeker of local culture, nature lover, or a history buff, Portugal has amazing options for everyone. Read the Portugal Travel Guide for pivotal information and inspiration to get your trip planning process started right.

When you are ready to make it happen, submit a Trip Request and get connected with a travel expert who can provide you with all the details you need to get the custom vacation you want.

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Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal

Best Time to Visit Portugal

The best time to visit Portugal is from May to June and September to October. Portugal is serene and lively, with captivating cities, exceptional scenery,...
Porto, Portugal

8 Best Places to Visit in Portugal

Whether weaving through Lisbon by tram with a warm pasteis de nata in hand or sipping traditional Port in Porto, discover the best places to visit in...
Sailing the beautiful blue bay near Lagos, in the Algarve region in Portugal

Top 8 Things to Do in Portugal

With so many spectacular highlights, Portugal is often so much more than most travelers expect with so much to see and do. The diverse landscape stretches...
Panorama of the hilltop town of Obidos surrounded by medieval wall

How to Plan a Trip to Portugal: Frequently Asked Questions

Portugal is a land of cobblestone villages, medieval castles, golden beaches, and emerald vineyards, and these are the most frequently asked questions...
Lisbon train station, Portugal

How to Get Around Portugal: Best Transportation for Travelers

Portugal is not a large country, so it is easy to travel from the mountains to the sea, the northern Spanish border to the distant southern coastline....
Douro River Valley, Portugal

Top 6 Reasons to Visit Portugal on Vacation

The top reasons to visit Portugal take you beyond remarkable diversity to immerse you in a country emerging into the spotlight. With historic cities,...
Beautiful beach with colorful boats in Carvoeiro in the Algarve region of  Portugal

Our 10 Best Portugal Itineraries

Bask in the sun setting over the Atlantic, embrace golden beaches bathed in Iberian light, and indulge in celebrated wine and cuisine with our best Portugal...
Couple in the water surrounded by limestone cliffs at Praia da Marinha in the Algarve

10 Best Beaches to Visit in Portugal

Escape to towns sewn into rugged golden cliffsides or cross the sea by private boat to secluded island shores, chasing sun and sand to the best beaches...
Vineyards in the Douro Valley wine region of Portugal

7 Best Wine Regions in Portugal

The best wine regions in Portugal share the character and charisma of the country by revealing flavorful diversity in every bottle. With vines rolling...
Female tourist enjoying hot springs pool at Poca da Dona Beija on Sāo Miguel, Azores

Top 6 Things to Do in the Azores

The top six things to do in the Azores offer a stunning mixture of culture and natural scenery, demonstrating the diversity of the Portuguese archipelago....
Medieval Castelo de Marvão and gardens in Marvão, Portugal

11 Best Castles in Portugal

From remarkable architecture to historical treasures, the best castles in Portugal capture the character of each town and reflect the cultural changes...
Medieval Town of Óbidos

10 Hidden Gems in Portugal

Portugal is a treasure trove of hidden gems beyond its popular tourist destinations. From quaint villages to breathtaking natural landscapes, the country...
Faial Island in the Azores, Portugal

Portugal in January: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

Portugal in January offers mild winter weather, fewer crowds, and rich cultural experiences. From festive celebrations to cozy wine tastings, this time...
Porto, Portugal

Portugal in February: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

Portugal in February offers a unique blend of cultural experiences, mild weather, and fewer crowds, making it an ideal time for enjoying a more authentic...
Portugal

Portugal in March: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

Portugal in March sees the arrival of spring, bringing with it mild weather, blossoming landscapes, and fewer crowds. This month presents you with an...
Porto, Portugal

Portugal in April: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

April in Portugal marks the heart of spring, offering mild weather, blooming landscapes, and cultural richness. This month presents an ideal opportunity...
Convent of Christ in Tomar, Portugal

Portugal in May: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

Portugal in May is a captivating destination for travelers seeking the soothing ambiance of spring. During the month of May, Portugal's diverse landscapes...
Madeira Island in Portugal

Portugal in June: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

When visiting Portugal in June, you can look forward to warm weather, cultural festivities, and fewer crowds. This early summer month is perfect for exploring...
Azenhas do Mar in Lison, Portugal

Portugal in July: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

July is a fantastic time to visit Portugal, with its warm weather, vibrant festivals, and an abundance of activities to enjoy. With temperatures soaring...
Tower of Belém in Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal in August: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

Portugal in August is a destination brimming with vibrant energy, warm weather, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you're drawn to the stunning beaches,...
Praia da Rocha in Algarve, Portugal

Portugal in September: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

When you visit Portugal in September, you will experience mild weather and quiet streets in the country’s must-see destinations. City boulevards and lanes...
Autumn in Douro Valley, Portugal

Portugal in October: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

October is a fabulous time to visit Portugal. Brilliant fall colors blanket the landscapes and crowds are fewer for an authentic taste of local life....
Yellow tram in Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal in November: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

Portugal in November offers a unique blend of mild weather, fewer crowds, and authentic cultural experiences, letting the country's inherent charm shine...
Christmas tree and lights at Rossio square in Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal in December: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

Portugal in December echoes with joyful fado music, the warm glow of twinkling lights, and the postcard-worthy beauty for which the country is known....
Warm and sunny weather in Lisbon.

Portugal in Summer: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

Vibrant festivals, warm weather, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventures await you in Portugal in summer. During summer in Portugal, you can...
View of the National Pantheon in Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal in Winter: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather & More

Portugal in winter, in contrast to some of its Mediterranean neighbors, offers plenty of sunshine and fewer crowds, and our ideas of the best places to...
Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal.

Top 5 Sintra Castles to Explore When Visiting Portugal

Enjoy the history and architectural splendor of the top Sintra castles to explore when you visit Portugal. Observe opulence and grandeur as you absorb...
Aerial view of a historic schist village in the mountains of central Portugal

Portugal's Schist Villages Aren't Restorations

The Aldeias do Xisto are described as preserved villages, but they are really experiments in survival. Five communities in central Portugal lost the rural...

4.9

Reviews of Zicasso's Portugal Tours & Vacations

Based on 1560 verified traveler reviews.

Portugal Travel Review: Porto, Lisbon, Coimbra, Tomar, Douro Valley, History, Sunset Cruise, Private Lunch with Winemaker, Hiking, National Park, 6 Nights

My husband and I had a wonderful week touring central and northern Portugal with this Zicasso travel company. The itinerary developed by our travel specialist was excellent, as were the hotels she selected.

Above all, we appreciated our driver. He was kind, patient, and full of knowledge. He guided us through many sites and provided a history of each place we visited. He answered all our questions. We would never have had the depth of understanding on our own. He was also flexible if we needed to make changes and had the patience of Job driving through the busy streets of Lisbon and Porto, and through winding roads of the medieval towns... again, something we could not have done on our own.

Our entire trip was very personalized to our interests. We have already recommended the travel company to our friends. We look forward to coming back because we had such a beautiful trip.

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Portugal Vacation Review: Lisbon, Sintra, Algarve, Silves, Coimbra, Porto, Obidos, 9 Nights

The communication was great on the front end. We were planning the trip with another couple and Zicasso's travel specialist was very good at answering any question quickly and thoroughly.

The drivers we had on the trip were outstanding, on time, very helpful, and friendly. Our tour guides were also fantastic! Very knowledgeable! Very fun to be with.

All in all, great trip, just like Italy was last year, and we are currently in the planning stage for a trip to Paris/Normandy in 2027!!

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Portugal Trip Review: Lisbon, Porto, Douro Valley, Pena Palace, Obidos, 10 Days

The trip was simply amazing. It exceeded our expectations. The accommodations were first class and conveniently located in Lisbon and Porto. The guides were all top-notch. They were both informative and entertaining. We never felt like we were sitting in a lecture hall.

Also, my group just turned 70 in age and the guides and drivers accommodated our pace. In Porto, the guide acquired taxis to get us from the river up the hill to the cathedral. In the Douro Valley, the guide was able to arrange for us to be dropped off on the far shore to avoid some of the mountain roads. The drivers were also a delight and we felt safe with them at the wheel.

In addition, we would all recommend Zicasso’s travel company and, in particular, our travel specialist. He was easy to work with in laying out the itinerary and it was obvious he knew the best guides, drivers, and accommodations. He was always attentive. We experienced no problems at all on the trip and my only communication with him was to tell him how excellent everything was going.

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Portugal Travel Review: Alqueva, Alentejo, Evora, Boat Ride, Stargazing, Picnic, 2 Weeks

The entire trip was wonderful. I would like to give a special thanks to our driver. He was always so kind and fun to be with. All of our guides were friendly and very knowledgeable. Their pacing was just right. We spent enough time at each venue. The information they gave us was thorough but concise. As we requested, our accommodations were well located.

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Spain, Portugal Vacation Review: Barcelona, Porto, Sagrada Familia, Museums, Wine Tours, 16-Day Trip

Zicasso’s travel company was great to work with to plan our 16-day trip for 12 people. Our travel specialist met our needs by considering the age of the group (62 to 72). We were all vegetarian and had some accessibility needs.

We requested city-center hotels with breakfast, so the ones chosen were perfect, with so much entertainment, restaurants, and shops within walking distance. The hotels chosen were well maintained, had friendly staff, and great breakfast selections.

Having a WhatsApp group created with the team and my group made communication very easy and quick for all our needs. The team replied quickly and made changes where necessary, going as far as to book several vegetarian restaurants for us and providing tuk-tuks for the narrow roads, so we didn’t have to walk so much.

The tour guides who were chosen were all very knowledgeable. This kept my group entertained and engaged with all the tours and activities. The guides made sure we were able to see the best parts of the museums, palaces, churches, gardens, and castles. We are seven couples who have been traveling together for the last 14 years. This was the most memorable trip for us.

Thank you to the entire team.

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Portugal, Spain Travel Review: Lisbon, Porto, Madrid, Barcelona, Douro Valley, Food Tour, 2 Weeks

Zicasso’s travel company did a fabulous job preparing our itinerary and working with us to customize it as necessary. When we finally arrived in Portugal and Spain for our trip, everything went smoothly and as described in our itinerary. We had zero issues with any part of it and people always showed up (guides/drivers) exactly when we were expecting them.

The guides the travel company picked were also very good and knowledgeable. What I really appreciated was the hotel selection, as in every case we were in the best location in each city, whether that was Lisbon, Porto, Madrid, or Barcelona. This made a massive difference when it came to sightseeing because most things were walkable or very close by. Also, the nearby restaurants and shops were great.

Overall, I think this was one of my family's favorite trips and I highly recommend this travel company if you're thinking of doing something similar.

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