OLÁ PORTUGAL

Name: Picturesque Portugal
Brand: Costsaver
Price: 780.0 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 3.9 (19 reviews)

Destination guide

Come and let your hair down in Portugal, where the beaches are golden, the food is fresh, and the locals love to party. You can experience it all as we take care of all your Portugal tour essentials, while you choose from our optional experiences to create the Portugal trip of your dreams. We give you the freedom to create your own adventure, so whether you want to explore the country’s historic villages, cruise along the Douro River or see the fairytale palace of Sintra, you’ll get lost and discover Portugal, but always your way.

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DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

ESSENTIAL PORTUGAL BUCKET LIST ITEMS BY US

Wondering where to go and what to do in Portugal? We’ll show you the way from seeing the medieval treasures of Porto to soaking up the history of Lisbon.

VIEW BELÉM TOWER IN LISBON

Of all the places to see in Portugal, the Belém Tower is one of the most iconic. Your Local Specialist will lead the way on your Lisbon trip as you take in the grand tower built in the early 16th century. Make your way up the five floors on a spiral staircase and don’t forget to look out for the curious rhinoceros gargoyle on the western façade.

SEE THE LEGACY LEFT IN TOMAR BY THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Head to the city of Tomar where we’ll reveal the secrets of the Knights Templar, a monastic order of knights who came to Portugal in the 12th century. They built their headquarters in Tomar, a grand castle full of secret passages and symbolic paintings and artworks… see if you can work out what they mean!

EXPLORE THE TREASURES IN PORTO'S MEDIEVAL RIBEIRA QUARTER

Few people visit Portugal and don’t make time to come to Porto. We’ll show you all the best spots on a sightseeing tour starting with the UNESCO-listed Ribeira Quarter. From winding streets and decorated façades to colourful terraced houses lining the Douro River, this gorgeous neighbourhood does not disappoint.

PORTUGAL TAILORED BY YOU

Tailor your ultimate Portugal trip your way with our range of Optional Experiences. Choose from adventures like enjoying an evening of traditional Fado music and exploring the gorgeous village of Cascais.

Nathalie M.

Costsaver team member

MARKET VISIT TO MERCADO DE ARROIS

Mercado de Arrois is absolutely perfect for exploring and tasting different cuisines in this multi-ethnic neighbourhood. The market is selling locally sourced fish, meat, fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers and there are always very nice Portuguese locals who are proud to show you around too!

Catherine A.

Costsaver team member

EAT AT PASTEIS DE BELEM IN LISBON

I found the BEST pastel de natas at Pastéis de Belém! The queue for this little cafe is definitely well worth the wait. They began making the original Pastéis de Belém in 1837, following an ancient recipe from the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. That secret recipe is recreated here today. You can take the number 15 tram from the city centre of Lisbon and stop at Belem Tower on the way. Grab a few pastel de natas to takeaway and enjoy them by the waterfront.

Irina G.

Costsaver team member

TAKE A DOURO RIVER CRUISE IN PORTO

Enjoy a relaxing and leisurely cruise along the Douro River. You'll have a chance to see two medieval "world heritage" cities plus six impressive bridges, one of them the famous UNESCO-listed Eiffel bridge - a mindblowing architectural masterpiece. Afterwards, savour a typical meal in the Medieval Ribeira Quarter. Beautiful local experience!

WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN PORTUGAL

Our Portugal tours will tickle your taste buds with all the very best of Portuguese food from sweet pastries to fresh seafood.

BACALHAU

Bacalhau - dried and salted codfish - is a national obsession in Portugal and for good reason. The Portuguese say there is a different kind of Bacalhau for every day of the year, with nearly 1,000 ways to serve it. You can boil it, bake it, eat it with potatoes or rice… and almost always wash it down with a glass of Portuguese wine.
PASTÉIS DE NATA

Make a beeline for the bakery and sink your teeth into this tasty Portuguese tart. The baked egg custard, sprinkled cinnamon and crisp pastry shell are the perfect combination and we can never stop at one. First made by Catholic Monks in the 17th century, pastéis de nata is still an all-time favourite across the country.
PORT WINE

You can’t leave Porto without trying the famous Port wine. It’s made in the rolling green vineyards of the Douro Valley and shipped all over the world from Porto, and there’s no better place to try it than its hometown. Head to a wine cellar for a tasting and get to know the centuries-old stories of wine production in Porto.

WHEN IS BEST TO VISIT PORTUGAL

There’s something extra special about Portugal in the sunny days of summer, autumn and spring and we love it any time from April to October.

BEST TIME TO GO TO THE BEACH IN PORTUGAL

The summer months of June to August bring the hottest days of the year in Portugal, and there’s no better way to cool off than with a day at the beach.
BEST TIME TO VISIT PORTUGAL’S CITIES

If you can’t beat the heat of summer, try visiting Portugal’s cities in autumn and spring when the weather is beautiful and there are fewer crowds.
BEST TIME TO CRUISE THE DOURO RIVER

The best time to take a leisurely cruise down the Douro River in Porto is anywhere from April to November, when the weather is at its best and the scenery is simply stunning.

PACKING TIPS FOR PORTUGAL

Swimsuit

Prep yourself for sun-drenched days and stunning beaches on your Portugal getaway. Pack a swimsuit and towel and you’ll be ready to go.

A Portuguese phrasebook

Forget Spanish… in Portugal they speak Portuguese! Learn a few common phrases and try speaking with the locals. You’ll likely earn a few extra smiles.

Sun protection

With over 3,000 hours of sunshine every year, a Portugal trip calls for a hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.

HOW TO TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY IN PORTUGAL

Bring a reusable bottle

Tap water is safe to drink in almost all of Portugal (if in doubt, ask your Travel Director), so bring a reusable water bottle and cut back on waste.

Head to the market

If you want to taste the most delicious local food, shop at the markets. You’ll find the freshest fruit, vegetables, olives, pastries, bread, cheeses and wine.