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Portugal

portugal

Overseas Adventure Travel, the leader in personalized small group adventures, has been helping change lives through travel since 1978. Our 6 Portugal adventures—3 Small Group Adventures and 3 Small Ship Adventures—will take your small group into the heart of a destination to venture where the big tour groups can’t. No matter which adventure you choose, O.A.T. always offers:

  • The freedom to personalize your experience, with options to arrive early, add pre- or post-trip extensions, stopover in popular cities, and more.
  • Small group of no more than 25 travelers, allowing us to take you off the beaten path and immerse you in local culture.
  • Adventures tailored to the solo traveler, with FREE or low-cost Single Supplements and 23,000 single spaces being offered in 2024.
  • Expert Trip Experience Leaders, residents of the region you visit who will share their insights and bring your destination to life.

When you set out on an O.A.T. Portugal adventure, there are endless travel experiences waiting for you. Exploring the tiny country’s enormous diversity—from vineyard-laced hills and sumptuous cityscapes on the mainland, to the plunging sea cliffs and volcanic landscapes on its islands. Delighting in local hospitality when you sit down to a Home-Hosted Lunch with a family in the resort retreat of Chaves. And uncovering Portuguese artistic traditions during a visit to traditional tilemaking workshop in the village of Azeitao. You can experience all of this and more when you journey to Portugal with O.A.T.

Compare Our Adventures

Click 'Select to Compare' to see a side-by-side comparison of up to adventures below—including
activity level, pricing, traveler excellence rating, trip highlights, and more

Spend 5 days in Portugal on

Back Roads of Iberia: Spanish Paradores & Portuguese Pousadas

O.A.T. Adventure by Land

DAYS 16
FROM $4,795
PER DAY $300

Spend 5 days in Portugal on

Northern Spain & Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past

O.A.T. Adventure by Land

DAYS 17
FROM $5,395
PER DAY $318

Spend 4 days in Portugal on

Iberian Voyage: Lisbon to Barcelona

O.A.T. Adventure by Small Ship

DAYS 15
FROM $8,295
PER DAY $553

Spend 4 days in Portugal on

New! Coastlines of Portugal, Spain & Morocco

O.A.T. Adventure by Small Ship

DAYS 19
FROM $8,195
PER DAY $432

Spend 4 days in Portugal on

New! Cruise Madeira to the Canary Islands & West Africa

O.A.T. Adventure by Small Ship

DAYS 20
FROM $8,795
PER DAY $440

Spend 12 days in Portugal on

New! The Azores & Madeira: Portugal's Unspoiled Archipelagos

O.A.T. Adventure by Land

DAYS 14
FROM $4,595
PER DAY $329

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Find the Adventure That’s Right for You

Our Activity Level rating system ranks adventures on a scale of 1 to 5 to help you determine if a trip is right for you. See the descriptions below for more information about the physical requirements associated with each rating.

Activity Level 1:

1 2 3 4 5

Easy

Travelers should be able to climb 25 stairs consecutively, plus walk at least 1-2 miles over some uneven surfaces without difficulty. Walks typically last at least 1-2 hours at a time. Altitude can range from zero to 5,000 feet.

Activity Level 2:

1 2 3 4 5

Moderately Easy

Travelers should be able to climb 40 stairs consecutively, plus walk at least 2-3 miles over some uneven surfaces without difficulty. Walks typically last for at least 2-3 hours at a time. Altitude can range from zero to 5,000 feet.

Activity Level 3:

1 2 3 4 5

Moderate

Travelers should be able to climb 60 stairs consecutively, plus walk at least 3 miles over some steep slopes and loose or uneven surfaces without difficulty. Walks typically last for 3 or more hours at a time. Altitude can range from 5,000 to 7,000 feet.

Activity Level 4:

1 2 3 4 5

Moderately Strenuous

Travelers should be able to climb 80 stairs consecutively, plus walk at least 4 miles over some steep slopes and loose or uneven surfaces without difficulty. Walks typically last for 4 or more hours at a time. Altitude can range from 7,000 to 9,000 feet.

Activity Level 5:

1 2 3 4 5

Strenuous

Travelers should be able to climb 100 or more stairs consecutively, plus walk at least 8 miles over some steep slopes and loose or uneven surfaces without difficulty. Walks typically last for 4 or more hours at a time. Altitude can range from 10,000 feet or more.

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Portugal: Month-By-Month

There are pros and cons to visiting a destination during any time of the year. Find out what you can expect during your ideal travel time, from weather and climate, to holidays, festivals, and more.

Portugal in December-February

The winter months in Portugal may bring rain showers, but in the south, blue skies prevail. Here, the sunshine and crisp air make it comfortable to explore festivals and traditional outdoor markets. In the north, the colder weather along the border of the mountains is ideal for skiing and indulging in winter activities. This is an excellent time of year to plan a visit and revel in the peaceful ambiance and competitive prices.

Holidays & Events

  • December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception; this public holiday—which recognizes the sinless conception of the Virgin Mary—is celebrated with Mass, parades, feasts, and fireworks
  • December 25: Christmas
  • February: Carnaval; numerous festivals are celebrated throughout the period leading up to Lent

Must See

Throughout December, Óbidos is transformed into Vila Natal (Christmas Town)—an illuminated fantasy of holiday attractions and activities. From Father Christmas’s house to ice skating, games, and performances, there’s no shortage of cheer in this seaside city.

The following month, the parishes of Aldoar, Foz do Douro, and Nevogilde keep the spirit of the season going with the Janeiras Festival. Over the course of a weekend, local churches host choral and orchestral performances that are complemented by dancing, cake, and Port wine.

Not to be outdone, February takes the festivities up a notch with Carnaval. The weekend before Lent begins, Portugal pulses with elaborate parades and non-stop parties. Ornate floats roll down city streets surrounded by women and men costumed from head to toe. Restaurants shell out seafood, businesses adorn their storefronts with colorful decorations, and partygoers descend in a flurry of energy and excitement. The biggest celebrations are held in Lisbon and the islands (especially Madeira and the Azores) but nearly every city in Portugal joins in on the fun.

Portugal in March-May

The splendor of Portugal is in full bloom in springtime, as hillsides are cloaked with flowers and almond blossoms dot the countryside. It is just warm enough to languish by the beach, and the rising temperatures create a fantastic atmosphere for outdoor celebration all over the region. This is a spectacular time of year to get to see the sights and revel in local culture before summer tourism reaches its peak.

Holidays & Events

  • March/April: Easter
  • April 25: Liberty Day; marks the bloodless, civilian-supported military coup that ended five decades of dictatorship in Portugal in 1974
  • May 1: Labor Day; a day of parades, demonstrations, and rallies advocating for workers’ rights in Portugal

Must See

For a traditional taste of the Algarve region, head to the mountainside village Alcoutim in March for one of two foodie fairs: Pão Quente e do Queijo Fresco (Hot Bread and Cheese) or Doces d'Avó (Grandma’s Sweets). Though relatively new, both of these outdoor festivals are huge hits: Thousands of visitors attend each year for a chance to sample homemade breads, fresh cheeses, and traditional pies and cakes. Once you’ve had your fill of local fare, consider perusing the handicrafts and enjoying musical performances.

Portugal in June-August

Bask in the sunshine and take advantage of idyllic beaches and the bustling atmosphere in the cities. When traveling to Portugal in June, you can benefit from beautiful weather and lighter crowds, while July and August are prime travel months. The summer offers optimal conditions, with an average temperature around 77⁰F—perfect for enjoying the myriad of festivals and cultural celebrations throughout the region.

Holidays & Events

  • June 10: Portuguese National Day; marks the death of literary icon and adventurer Luís de Camoes, who is a symbol of Portuguese nationalism
  • August 15: Assumption Day; commemorates the day God assumed the Virgin Mary into heaven following her death

Must See

For one week in the summer, artists from different cultural and religious backgrounds gather in seaside Lagoa for a cultural extravaganza known as Mercado de Culturas Luz das Velas. Each year, a theme is chosen for the event—such as the Silk Road—and performances are tailored to match it. From music to dance to food to décor, it’s an opportunity for more than 40,000 people from around the world to celebrate art and diversity.

If you’re looking for a more laidback summer activity, Portugal’s countless beaches deliver. The Algarve coast may be the most beloved stretch of sand, but there are plenty of cliff-side coves and secluded swaths of surf to enjoy when the temperatures soar.

Another relaxing option is Lisbon’s Bairro Alto. This bohemian central district is packed with bars and restaurants, and is a fine place to enjoy a glass of wine or signature Portuguese cod al fresco when the summer sun is shining.

Portugal in September-November

A marvelous time to visit, fall in Portugal is mild, the sea is still warm, and the crowds have thinned out. Wander through cities in comfort, take in sweeping coastline views, or admire local wildlife all while capturing a true sense of daily life here, free from the hustle and bustle of the summer masses and high temperatures. As the weather cools, autumn markets and festive food stalls emerge, making it a fine time to take part in the rich local culture.

Holidays & Events

  • November 11: St. Martin’s Day; associated with maturation of the year’s wine, this holiday is traditionally celebrated with a tasting and roasted chestnuts

Must See

The wine harvest begins in early September, and vintners often invite the public to take part in the process during wine stomping celebrations. The Alto Duro wine region is a particularly fine place to experience everything the harvest season has to offer.

Average Monthly Temperatures

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Portugal Interactive Map

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*Destinations shown on this map are approximations of exact locations

Sintra

While Europe lays claim to many storybook scenes of beauty, it’s in Sintra that travelers truly step into a fairytale. Built amid (and into) the densely forested Serra de Sintra mountain chain, this resort town and UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a vivid assortment of bright and decadent architectural styles. Sintra’s three main castles allow visitors a chance to follow the town’s history. Begin with the commanding eighth-century granite turrets of the Moorish Castle, before moving on to Sintra National Palace, where you'll behold an eleventh-century collection of gleaming white design known affectionately among locals as “Town Palace.” And then it’s on to the magical Park and National Palace of Pena: Built by King Ferdinand II in the 19th century, he requested that the building and grounds resemble the set of an opera. With winding paths and series of color-drenched spires, the Pena complex is now the town’s dramatic crowning feature.

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Evora

Perched on a hill and a hub for bustling trade routes, the town of Évora was coveted and controlled by the Celts, Romans, and Moors over the course of its storied history. Today a UNESCO World Heritage site, this walled city showcases this complex and layered history through its assortment of ruins and historical architecture. The influence of Rome is on clear display at the Temple of Diane, where 14 magnificent Corinthian columns date back to the second and third centuries A.D., and at the Romanesque-meets-Gothic É ora Cathedral. While the town bustles with the energy of a lively university population, its Church of St. Francis also offers a unique—and eerie—message to those who enter its Capela dos Ossos (bone cathedral): “We bones in here wait for yours to join us.”

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Douro Wine Region

Along the upper stretches of the tranquil Douro River, vibrant terraced vineyards climb up the undulating hills of its namesake valley. Protected by the Marao Mountains from Atlantic breezes and home to nutrient-rich soil, historians estimate that wine has been produced here for more than two millennia, but became a sensation much later. In 1678, Englishmen returned from a visit to the Abbot of Lemago with a shipment of red wine fortified with brandy. The port made in the region became so highly coveted—and copied—that it became formally protected with a Designation of Origin to control the quality less than a century later. Today, this region continues to perfect its wine-making techniques, combining cutting-edge advancement with the time-honed traditions that earned its reputation. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its contributions to viticulture—as well as striking natural beauty, sprinkled with centuries-old olive groves—continue to captivate visitors today.

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Porto

One of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Porto has always been a key player for Portugal, launching countless vessels in the age of the great navigations and then acting as the epicenter of the port wine trade. The Ribiera, the oldest part of the city, still reveals glimpses of 2,000 years of history along its medieval streets, while architectural gems beckon throughout the entire city, from the Neoclassical Palácio da Bolsa to the ornately Gothic São Francisco. Whether ducking into the country’s oldest bookstore, the 19th-century Livraria Lello, or marveling at the beauty of the Iberian Peninsula’s largest synagogue, visitors often find that Porto’s allure remains undimmed by time.

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Lisbon

More than 2,000 years ago, Romans told tales of Lisbon, the city of seven hills rumored to have been founded by Odysseus during his journey home from Troy. Over the millennia, Portugal’s now-capital city was transformed by its myriad settlers—among them the Greeks, Romans, Moors, and Christians. Yet it was the late 15th century that most dramatically shaped Lisbon’s place on the world stage. As Portugal’s Prince Henry the Navigator ushered in the Age of Discovery, maritime explorers set off for Western Africa and the far shores of the Atlantic. As many returned with tales, new wares, and lucrative trade routes, Lisbon became the hub of European trade and commerce. Signs of Lisbon’s past dominance are sprinkled throughout the city today—among them the Gothic Jeronmios Monastery and mighty Castelo de Sao Jorge fortress—but the city was devastated after three major earthquakes and a tsunami wiped out as much as a third of the city’s population in November 1755. That said, the lisboetas persevered, rebuilding their city and maintaining the lively spirit and love of life—food, wine, and traditional fado music that visitors can experience as they explore the lively Belem district and other city neighborhoods..

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