Best of · PORTUGAL HISTORY TOURS
Good portugal history tours fill up weeks ahead and the best ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and where they differ.
Spend three hours with a local guide such as Paulo, Ricardo, Beatrice, or Anna, walking from Bairro Alto through Baixa and Alfama. You’ll ride a classic tram, visit major landmarks, hear about the 1755 earthquake and 1974 revolution, and pause for coffee and pastel de nata.
“Tour was great! Our guide was very knowledgeable and the experience was well worth it.”
Leave Porto early for Amarante, São Leonardo da Galafura, Régua, and Pinhão. You’ll travel by small-group minibus, eat a traditional Portuguese lunch, cruise the Douro on a Rabelo boat, and tour a vineyard estate with three wine tastings. Guides vary, with past departures led by Christian, Simmy, Rita, and Cuber.
“The Douro Valley is a must see destination. I wish we were given more information about the production of wine from planting to harvesting to wine making. The boat trip and the lunch were excellent.”
Near Lisbon Sé Cathedral, this 50-minute Fado performance pairs Portuguese guitar, singing, and short English explanations with a glass of wine or another drink. You’ll sit inside an atmospheric medieval stone setting and hear several styles of Fado without committing to a full dinner show.
“Great show, with a nice mix of music and explanation. Terrific musicians and singers. Good length of show and variety of upbeat and slow. Lovely atmosphere. Nice glass of port.”
In Porto’s Miragaia quarter, you’ll spend one hour with two Fado groups in a small historic tavern. Hear Coimbra Fado first, then traditional Fado, performed without microphones just meters away. Your ticket includes a glass of Port wine or water. The show is in Portuguese and is not suitable for children under 12.
“Beautiful music, singing. I am so glad I experienced this wonderful show.”
Spend three hours walking Porto with guides such as Barbara, Ricardo, Pedro, or Melissa. See São Bento’s famous tiles, Aliados Avenue, Ribeira, Cordoaria Garden, medieval lanes, and Douro views while learning how Porto’s past shapes daily life today.
“Really informative ..our guide was really enthusiastic and had so much local and historical knowledge. We covered a lot of the city in 3 hours and I learned a lot.”
Meet Ana, Pedro, and the crew at Doca de Belém for a two-hour small-group sail along the Tagus. You’ll pass Belém Tower, Praça do Comércio, Alfama, and Cristo Rei while hearing Lisbon history in several languages. Green wine, water, or juice is served aboard.
“Pedro was a great guide. He spoke several languages, so he was able to include everyone. Very low-key, friendly, and knowledgeable. The wine was lovely, the boat was comfortable, and the views were really great. We had 12 passengers, which was a very nice size group.”
Spend about 90 minutes touring Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia in a private 1920 Ford T replica. Guides such as João, Collins, Jesus, Gama, and Rafaela share local stories, point out major sights, and can include a Cálem Port tasting. Pickup and drop-off in the historic center are included.
“Our guide Jesus was excellent. It’s a very convenient and fun way to have a quick view of the highlights in the city even if you have enough days starting off with this you have a overall map of everything. Jesus contacted me beforehand to arrange pick up location which makes it easier and also he drop us off close to where we were heading after, we were thankful for that. Loved it!”
Walk through Funchal with guides such as Ana, Leonora, Elda, and Roberto, stopping at local eateries, bars, and shops for Madeiran food, Madeira wine, and poncha. Your guide explains the island’s culture, translates menus, and shares practical tips for the rest of your stay.
“This was a fabulous tour - we learned so much about the history of Madeira, including the food and wine - along with so much more! We had fantastic food … we have done tours in other cities - and this was a true meal! We all loved it - including our 23 yr old daughter! We’ve already recommended the tour to several others!”
Spend three hours walking Porto with an English-speaking local guide such as Pedro or Gregorio. Explore Sé’s medieval lanes, São Bento Station, Lello Bookshop, Clérigos Tower, and city viewpoints. End with Port wine, bread, and olive oil, or choose a Virtudes Gardens picnic.
“Pedro was a great guide. Very knowledgeable and detailed. Told a lot of interesting stories to keep it interesting. Covered a lot of ground in the 3 hours”
Ride Lisbon’s narrow lanes and steep hills in a private electric tuk tuk with an English-speaking guide. Choose one to four hours, with longer tours reaching Belém. Guides such as Luis, Hugo, Manuel, and Nani tailor stops, share local history, and help with photos.
“Our guide was amazing! The tour was a really great way to start our time in Lisbon! We loved every minute!”
Ride a private electric tuk tuk through Porto for about 50 minutes, with stops or views near São Bento Station, Aliados Avenue, Carmelitas Church, Clérigos Tower, and the old town. Guides such as Ana, Diego, Johanna, and André are praised for clear history and helpful tips, but current city restrictions may shift the route toward Gaia.
“Our tour guide Diego was awesome. He shared a lot of history of Porto and pointed out a lot of sites as well as gave us great suggestion and took some wonderful photos for us. Our one complaint is that we purchased a tuk tuk tour of Porto but once we were on the tour he told us this tuk tuk company is not allowed in Porto so he had to take us to Gaia instead and showed us the view of Porto from across the river which is not what the Viator description explained.”
See Lisbon’s oldest districts in a private electric tuk tuk with guides such as Rodrigo, Inês, Leo, and Arthur. Stop at the cathedral and two superb viewpoints, pass the National Pantheon and São Vicente de Fora, and hear stories about fado, Portugal’s past, and Alfama.
“Ania was very informative and personable knowledge of the area and the history of Lisbon and Portugal were excellent”
Spend four hours with a private guide such as Vasco, Daniel, or Diogo, moving easily between Lisbon’s steep old districts and Belém. Expect hotel, cruise port, or airport pickup, short walks, major viewpoints, São Roque Church, Jerónimos, Belém Tower from outside, and a Pastel de Belém tasting.
“Daniel took us on a great tour of Lisbon! So much to see and he showed it all to us. He has so much knowledge of the history, neighborhoods and architecture of Lisbon! Highly recommend doing this tour and if you’re lucky, Daniel will be your guide.”
Travel from Lisbon by air-conditioned minivan to Almourol Castle, cross the Tagus by boat, then explore Tomar’s Convent of Christ, castle, and Santa Maria do Olival. Guides such as Leo, Rui, Ines, and Hugo are praised for clear Templar storytelling. Lunch is at your own cost.
“A step back in history to the times of the Templars was a fascinating tour, especially when you have a history teacher to bring it alive. Arriving at Costello de Almourol was magical…there in the Tagus River was a real ‘postcard’ castle fortress, which could have been a Disney production, except it was built more than 900 yrs ago! Getting to it by boat and climbing the steps to the top really stimulated the imagination! Then it was on to the monumental Convento de Cristo, architecturally magnificent, and full of the intrigues of Portuguese Royal family history. The finish in the Church of Santa Maria do Olival, the HQ of…”
Walk Funchal’s old center with guides such as Ana, Elda, or Darleen, stopping for fruit, honey cake, cookies, pastel de nata, cheese, Madeira wine, poncha, coffee, and a traditional meal. Expect about four hours, plenty of food, local history, and vegetarian, gluten-free, or non-alcoholic choices.
“The guide was so pleasant! Loved all the places that were selected for our tour to try traditional Madeira food and drinks”
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