Food, football, and a favourite tipple are just some of Portugal’s famous attractions.
Portugal is a country with a vibrant culture and history, with its powerful empire once spanning the globe. The country is situated on the Iberian Peninsula, with a long, rich coastline that influences much Portuguese culture – there’s so much to explore.
If you’re looking for a river cruise, our voyages through the Douro Valley are some of our most popular. Travel through one of the oldest wine regions in the world, in the heart of port wine territory, where hillside vineyards sit under beautiful Mediterranean skies bursting with oranges and earthy colours. We'll meander past these stunning views and moor in the likes of Salamanca and Porto (the home of Port wine). Snapshot the incredible medieval architecture, accompany your dinner with a selection of local wines and don’t forget to try the ‘pastel de nata’ (a traditional Portuguese custard tart – trust us, it’s delicious). If you’re looking for a Portuguese holiday that’s more tailored to your interest – art, history or gastronomy - check out our themed river cruises.
With a lively history and culture, Portugal was once a powerful empire spanning the world. And this influential heritage is clear on every corner. On our tours to Portugal, you’ll find yourself visiting some of its iconic landmarks, like the famous Monastery of Jerónimos in Lisbon and reliving the days of the Moorish rule in the town of Obidos. We’ll dive into delicious Portuguese cuisine – rice and fish dishes like Arroz de Marisco are reminiscent of the country’s fishing history – and, of course, a trip to Portugal wouldn’t be complete without wine tasting at a lodge across the Douro. And not so far away is the beautiful Madeira - nicknamed “the Pearl of the Atlantic” and for good reason! – it's a subtropical island paradise. Wherever Portugal takes you, a holiday here will be one to remember.
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Lisbon, Porto & the Douro Valley Tour Video
You’ll discover the real Portugal on this tour – a rich and varied country with a proud history that’s admirably reflected in the many fascinating places we visit.
Popular FAQs
Portugal uses the Euro, having adopted the currency in 1999, making them one of the first countries to adopt the Euro. While tipping is not mandatory in Portugal, the customary amount for good service in restaurants, hotels, taxis, and tours is 10%. However, you should only do so if you feel comfortable.
Some of the most popular places to visit in Portugal include Lisbon, the Douro Valley, and Porto. Lisbon's unique architecture and tasty, modern local food make it a highlight of anyone's trip. The Douro Valley offers stunning scenery with medieval villages and beautiful groves of almonds, olives, and grapes. Porto is at the endpoint of the Douro Valley and is known for its vibrant nightlife and experimental contemporary cuisine.
Some of the most popular activities in Portugal include visiting historic sites, wine tasting, and eating traditional Portuguese food. Cultural sites you could visit on one of our Portugal river cruises include the ancient Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies Churches, the walled village of Castelo Rodrigo, and the gardens of Mateus Palace.
Portugal's climate is generally characterised by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The best months to take a river cruise in Portugal depend on your preferences and budget. Spring and fall have pleasant weather but can be less popular than Summer due to that season being the peak travel season with lots of sun and warm weather. Winters are typically mild, with temperatures averaging around 10°C to 15°C, while summers are warm to hot, with temperatures often reaching 25°C to 30°C - temperatures in inland regions can exceed 40°C.
In terms of food and drink, Portugal’s most famous exports are port and Piri Piri chicken, but the country has plenty more amazing cuisine to try. Portugal is known for its sheep’s cheese, Queijo Serra da Estrela, and the hugely popular Pastel de Nata – a crispy custard tart.
Visitors to Porto should try the city’s signature sandwich – the Francesinha – a delectable combination of sausage, chorizo, ham and steak inside white bread, encased in cheese, and doused in rich tomato sauce.
Tipping is not mandatory in Portugal but for good service in restaurants, hotels, taxis and on tours, the customary amount is 10% however, you should only do so if you feel comfortable.
The vast majority of the Portuguese population identify as Roman Catholic (81%), interestingly, most consider themselves non-practising. The remaining population, over 6% identify with no-religion, over 3% with another Christian denomination, and 0.6% with another religion, such as those who identify ad Jewish or Muslim.