Local Living Tours & Trips in Portugal

You'll drive yourself through Portugal's authentic side, starting in UNESCO-listed Evora where narrow Moorish streets lead to historic landmarks, then heading to Tomar's Convent of Christ. Stay at Vila Galé Collection Alter Real in Alter do Chão and wander through Castelo de Vide's medieval village, where local traditions come alive.

You'll take a traditional Rabelo boat cruise on Porto's Douro River and taste local sweets aboard a Moliceiro as it floats through Aveiro's canals. The tour stops in Aljustrel to see Lucia's house where the Fátima shepherds lived, then continues to Castelo de Vide to walk through the medieval Jewish quarter and visit the synagogue-museum. After wandering Mértola's whitewashed streets, you'll spend time in the fishing village of Nazaré and ride the funicular up to the clifftop old town for ocean views.

Try a traditional Moliceiro boat ride through Aveiro's canals and sample authentic ovos moles sweets. Walk through Porto's medieval Ribeira streets after a Douro River cruise, then have dinner at your Coimbra hotel. Ride Braga's historic funicular to Bom Jesus Sanctuary and walk down its beautiful baroque stairway for an authentic Portuguese experience.

Walk through the 20-million-year-old UNESCO-listed Laurissilva Forest to Balcões Viewpoint, then try poncha at Câmara de Lobos fishing village and tour Engenhos do Norte rum distillery in Porto da Cruz. You'll stay at The Vine or The Views Baía with rooftop pools overlooking Funchal, catch folk performances over dinner, and check out Monte Palace Gardens' exotic plant collections (around 3,900 total, approx. $390/day).

You'll spend seven nights at a premium hotel in Funchal and get to know real Madeiran life through visits with local families. There's a home-cooked three-course lunch with local wine in Seixal, traditional poncha tasting in Camacha, and fresh exotic fruits at Faja dos Padres farm (you take a cable car to get there).

Stay with a family at their Douro Valley winery and tour the organic vineyards at Quinta do Ameal, an estate that's been around since 1710, where you'll sample their Vinho Verde wines. Have lunch with local families at traditional tavernas in the medieval squares of Guimarães and the historic center of Ponte de Lima.