Captivating  Portugal tours & holidays

When you book with us, you’re benefitting from decades of experience. We’ve been carefully crafting tours for more than 45 years, so we know what does (and doesn’t) make a great holiday.

VIP door-to-door transfers from home are always included in the price of our Portugal holidays, as is the service of a tour manager throughout the tour. Hotels we feature are all handpicked – we look for things like exceptional locations, standout views and properties with an abundance of charm and character. And we include a selection of excursions along the way to really help you get the most out of your trip.

Portuguese is the national language of Portugal, although English is widely spoken in the Algarve and the cities of the mainland in particular. 

The official currency in Portugal is the Euro. Major credit and debit cards are also widely accepted and ATMs are easy to find in urban areas.

Portugal has an average of more than 300 sunny days a year, so it makes a great destination year-round. The north can be a lot cooler in winter, while temperatures and crowds both increase dramatically in Lisbon during the summer. Travelling in April/May or September/October usually sees good weather without the crowds of the peak summer season. 

Madeira’s subtropical climate makes it as popular in winter as in summer, while May to October tend to be the best months to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Azores. Whales can be seen off the coast of the Azores year-round, although the main whale-watching season runs from April to October, as there are more species passing through the waters here, as well as better conditions for boat trips.

While Portugal is generally sunny, the climate does vary significantly between north and south, so it pays to plan your Portugal tours accordingly. Expect more rain and cooler temperatures in Porto and the Douro River area during the winter months, when Lisbon can still be a pleasant 20C. In midsummer, it’s not uncommon to have temperatures over 30C in Lisbon and the Algarve, although the strong winds on the southern coast help with the heat. The islands have their own climates too. Subtropical Madeira can be visited year round and is often a popular winter sun destination, while the Azores are best visited from late spring to early autumn, for good walking weather and whale-watching.

Portugal has one of the world’s lowest crime rates, and is an extremely safe country for tourists. It always pays to take sensible precautions, including being aware of pickpockets In major cities though.

Tipping is customary for good service – around 10-15% of the bill is common in restaurants. You’re not expected to tip in cafes and bars although it’s usual to leave any loose change after payment. Tour guides and drivers will appreciate a small tip (we include recommended amounts for tour managers, drivers and guides in our useful information packs, which you’ll receive after booking). Remember that porterage is included in our Portugal tours, so there’s no need to tip for bags.

Portugal uses Type C and Type F plugs, which both have two round pins, so you’ll need a standard European plug adaptor for UK plugs. Voltage is the same as the UK at 230V and 50Hz.

 Currently, UK citizens don’t need a visa to travel to Portugal. Requirements can change, though – for the most up-to-date information on visas, please use the quick-check tool on our visa requirements page.