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Ten Night Northern Portugal Holiday
Spend ten nights in stunning Northern Portugal.
Highlights
Visit two of Portugal’s most beautiful cities: Guimaraes and Porto.
Stay in hand-picked accommodation in beautifully historic buildings.
Spend five action packed days in Portugal’s only National Park.
Go kayaking, canyoning, horse riding and exploring by Jeep.
Lisbon has become the go-to European capital for city breaks and the Algarve famously has its beaches; our Ten Night Northern Portugal Holiday is the ideal trip if you prefer something more rural – sweeping hills, shimmering river valleys and fabulous medieval architecture.
Your holiday begins in Guimarães, birthplace of the Portuguese nation, where you can relax and explore the beautiful plazas and traditional architecture of this UNESCO-protected medieval city.
Next, you’ll drive north into the Peneda-Gerês National Park – the protected, rural northwest region of Portugal. Gerês is famous for it’s granite mountains, wild rivers, and rugged canyons, and is ideal if you love outdoor pursuits. You’re also deep in the Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro region of Portugal, renown for it’s fabulous produce – particularly its wines, olive oil and honey.
You’ll end your stay in Porto – Portugal’s bustling second city. It’s a nice contrast to your time in the countryside. Porto’s brightly coloured buildings, rickety wooden trams, riverside restaurants and port lodges make for a memorable end to a great holiday.
Day 1
Fly direct from the UK to Porto. You’ll be collected by our driver on arrival for your transfer to the historic city of Guimaraes.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Mosteiro Guimarães
Day 2
You’ll have today free to explore historic streets and quaint plazas of this UNESCO-protected city. Two of the most popular plazas are the Praca de Sao Tigao and the Largo da Oliveira, both bordered by traditional houses overlooking Guimaraes’ best street cafés. Heading into the heart of the city, you could take a tour of the Paço Dos Duques De Bragança, the 15th century palace built by the 1st Duke of Braganca. You could end your day at the Castelo de Guimaraes – the tenth century medieval castle and treasured national symbol. Guimaraes and the Castelo are known as the birthplace of Portugal.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Mosteiro Guimarães
Day 3
Today you could take the teleferico cable car up to the summit of Montanha da Penha. At 400m, it’s not a huge hill but the view across the surrounding (predominantly flat) countryside is breathtaking. The summit’s Parque da Penha is a great spot for a picnic with a number of interesting religious chapels and monuments. You can return via the cable car, or you might prefer the PR3 walking trail (6km), which takes you down through the granite cliffs and narrow canyons of the lower slopes of the montanha and back into the centre of Guimaraes.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Mosteiro Guimarães
Day 4
Your hire car will be delivered this morning, and you’ll leave Guimaraes – driving fifty-minutes north to your new accommodation overlooking the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
The park is a protected habitat for Portugal’s (migratory) Golden Eagle population, native species of Red Squirrels and Roe Deer, and the endangered Iberian Wolf. It’s also great place for outdoor activities like biking, kayaking and canyoning.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Caniçada-Gerês
Day 5
You could spend today exploring Geres by car on foot, with visits to Fecha de Barjas (known as the Tahita waterfall), the cascata de pincães, Ponte da Mizarela and the Sete Lagoas pools.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Caniçada-Gerês
Day 6
You’ll spend this morning kayaking on the calm waters of the Caniçada reservoir. In the afternoon, you could drive over to the riverside beach at Praia de Alqueirão.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Caniçada-Gerês
Day 7
You’ll make the short drive to the village of Campo do Geres adventure centre, where you’ll spend the morning horse riding in the hills above Covide. You could spend the afternoon negotiating the treetop obstacle course, you could go paintballing or perhaps you’d enjoy an archery lesson.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Caniçada-Gerês
Day 8
You’ll spend this morning canyoning through imposing granite gorges and crystal clear cascatas with our resident guide. In the afternoon, you could end your stay with a drive up the mountain pass to the town of Geres itself – to relax in the Caldas do Gerês Thermal Baths.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Caniçada-Gerês
Day 9
You’ll leave Geres today, driving back down to the coast for a two-night stay in Porto. En-route you might like to stop for lunch at the iconic Café a Brasileira in the old Roman city of Braga. If you’re interested in classical archaeology, it’s worth visiting the remains of the Thermae Maximinus baths, the Roman house at Domus da Escola and the Diogo de Sousa Museum.
It’s easier not to have a car once you arrive in Porto, so we’ll have it collected at the end of the afternoon.
Accommodation on this day: Porto River Apartments
Day 10
You’ll have today free to explore Porto on foot – visit the Sé Cathedral, the famous mosaics at the São Bento train Station, and the Livaria Lello bookshop, famously frequented by J.K. Rowling’s as she wrote the first Harry Potter book.
Your hotel sits on the northern bank of the Douro River, close to Porto’s most famous landmark, the Ponte Dom Luis I bridge. Cross the bridge and you’re in amongst the famous port lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia where you can learn about the history and production of Porto’s most famous export.
Accommodation on this day: Porto River Apartments
Day 11
Today you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Jeep Tours
Our jeep tours are the best way to explore those off the beaten track locations that you’d otherwise miss. Our guides will always have a plan for your day, but our tours are very relaxed and can be personalised to your particular interests.
Canyoning
Canyoning is one of the most popular pastimes in Portugal – a sport in which you scramble, jump, swim and abseil along a narrow river gorge. It’s a great sport for beginners and experts alike, and the Peneda-Gerês National Park in the north of country has some of the most beautiful rivers and canyoning routes in the whole of Portugal.
Guided tuk tuk city tour
Let the tuk tuk take the strain as you explore the seven hills of Lisbon in the company of our guides. You'll duck in and out of the tuk tuk to see the sights, architecture and history of this fascinating city. As it's electric, your guide can describe the passing streets to you as you travel to your next stopping point. The best possible introduction to Lisbon.
Food and wine
Portugal’s cuisine is very underrated. It’s always been wonderfully seasonal; an all important philosophy on food that the country’s never lost. As you’d expect, it’s also very regional; Lisbon has its famous crowd-pleasing dishes - the Pasteis de Bacalhau and Pasteis de Belem, but it’s down her narrow back-streets that you’ll find unexpected seasonal gems like coal-roasted blue lobster and Bulhao Pato clams.
Heading north, Porto’s famous Port wine Lodges are the gateway to the Douro Valley wine region. Portugal’s wines are some of the best in Europe however we don’t see them very often here in the UK as they don’t really produce enough for export. The rural heartlands of Alentejo also produce more amazing wines (including the unique ‘Invisivel’ - a white wine produced from red grapes), and arguably a superior Iberian Pork to their Spanish neighbours just across the border!
Horse riding
The Parque National da Peneda-Gerês is Portugal’s only National Park - a great way to explore the river valleys and high serras is on horseback, and there are trails to suit all abilities.
Cooking
Cook your own delicious meal under the watchful eye of expert chefs.
Kayaking
Kayaking is a wonderful way to experience Portugal’s beautiful waterways. The calm waters of the Caniçada reservoir in the north are perfect for beginners and younger children to get to grips with a kayak. For more experienced kayakers, the upstream rapids of the Cávado river offer some more challenging routes.
Porto River Apartments
The Porto River Apartments sit on the northern bank of the Douro River, in the Bairro da Ribeira, our favourite district of Porto.
The skyline is dominated by the stone architecture of the riverside warehouses which hark back to Porto’s industrial past when the city relied heavily on the Douro to export to the wider world. Away from the busy streets of central Porto, this timeless architecture now houses some of the city’s most popular riverside restaurants, hotels and apartments.
The Porto River Apartments have sixteen rooms in all; snug studios, spacious suites, and one and two bedroom apartments. The latter offer the best of both worlds; the feel of a private apartment with the convenience of a B&B. There’s a living room, bathroom, a well-equipped kitchenette, A/C and wi-fi.
The apartments are the perfect base from which to explore the city on foot and Porto’s most famous landmark, the Ponte Luis I bridge, is just a stone’s throw away as is Douro’s southern bank and the historic port warehouses of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Pousada Caniçada-Gerês
At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking the Pousada Caniçada-Gerês is in the wrong country. It’s an alpine chalet sitting high on the southern slopes of the Ribeira Cavado Valley with a breathtaking view of the Serra do Geres mountains.
The Pousada overlooks the Parque National da Peneda-Gerês; the only area in Portugal classified as a National Park. Constructed in 1968, the hotel has 38 ensuite rooms, with A/C and free WiFi, 24 hour reception, an outdoor pool, and a restaurant with an outdoor terrace – the view at breakfast at is stunning.
A ten minute drive brings you down to the shore of the Canicada reservoir, which is a great spot for swimming and kayaking. Further afield, the outdoor centre at Campo do Geres offers a great selection of outdoor activities (including canyoning, climbing and horse riding), and the famous Termas do Geres hot springs are just a short-drive up the mountain pass.
Pousada Mosteiro Guimarães
The Pousada Mosteiro Guimarães is a luxury hotel in the beautiful city of Guimarães.
The building dates back to the 12th Century and was originally constructed as a monastery by the first Queen of Portugal, Dona Mafalda of Saboia. The rooms in the older areas of the hotel have been sympathetically renovated with this proud heritage in mind, whilst adding more modern touches to ensure a comfortable stay. The rooms in the new wing have a much more modern feel and they’re more spacious, making them the ideal choice for families. They also have air conditioning, LCD TVs and free WiFi.
The Cistercian arches and cloisters in the Pousada’s own Dona Mafalda restaurant are particularly lovely – the restaurant is open breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s just a five-minute taxi ride/20 minute walk down into the centre of historic Guimarães, if you’d prefer to explore the local cafe, bars and restaurants. The Pousada also has two outdoor pools (one for adults, one for toddlers) and a sun terrace overlooking the city, a childrens’ playground and nine hectares of gardens to explore.
Hi Max,
Just to let you know that we had a great holiday which went too fast. Each hotel was unique and amazing and each place gave us new experience and interest.
Glowing feedback on the arrangements which all went very smoothly right from start to finish. Keep performing your magic!
All the best,
Sue
Sue
Hi Max,
Tuktuk ride with Mario was exceptional. Lovely chap and made our trip memorable. This evening in a Fado restaurant was just fabulous. Hotel Solar do Castelo is amazing. After 2 postponements this holiday is truly worth it.
At the moment Archipelago Choice is on a pedestal.
John
John
Where is Portugal?
Portugal is the most-western country in mainland Europe, bordered by Spain in the north and east.
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
Portugal’s mild in the Autumn and Winter, and hot from around May through to November. It can be very hot (+40⁰C) in the Summer months.
How do I get to Portugal?
The UK is well-connected to Lisbon, with direct flights from London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. You can also fly direct to Porto from Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh.
What languages do they speak on Portugal?
Portuguese, and English is widely spoken.
Is it safe to drive on Portugal?
Very – the quality of the roads is excellent and it’s very easy to navigate.
Do I need an international driver’s license for Portugal?
All you require is a valid UK driving licence.
Do I need travel insurance to visit Portugal?
We highly recommend that you have the right type of travel insurance that will cover your medical expenses, baggage loss, accidents and personal liability and repatriation.
Can I get WiFi in Portugal?
All our hotels offer WiFi – mostly in your room but in some smaller places it’s available in the shared, public areas.
Can I use my mobile phone in Portugal?
There’s an excellent mobile reception right across the country.
What is the food like in Portugal?
The restaurants in cities like Porto and Lisbon have a good mix of Portuguese more European style menus, and there’s usually a nice selection of vegetarian options available. In the smaller towns and villages, you’ll tend to find more traditional Portuguese menus.
Are credit & debit cards accepted in Portugal?
Yes, although in more rural locations you can find it’s a bit more cash-only in restaurants and cafe bars.
What type of plug adapter do I need in Portugal?
You will need a type F adaptor in Portugal.
Is tap water safe to drink in Portugal?
Yes, the tap water is safe to drink in Portugal.
Do I need to tip in Portugal?
Tipping is not compulsory but if you feel your guide or driver has done a good job then they’ll always be happy to receive a tip.
How do I go about booking my holiday to Portugal with Archipelago Choice?
We offer two options, either book one of our ‘Best of’ holidays from the website. Alternatively, many people choose the bespoke approach where we have an insightful conversation and create a personalised itinerary that gives you the unique holiday experience you’re looking for.
How far in advance should I book my trip to Portugal?
Our advice is to start planning around six months prior to your visit, as this helps us offer the best value airfares and secure your hotels of choice.
Can I book a last-minute holiday to Portugal?
Absolutely; it helps if you have a bit of flexibility with your dates as some of our hotels might be fully booked.
Highlights
Visit two of Portugal’s most beautiful cities: Guimaraes and Porto.
Stay in hand-picked accommodation in beautifully historic buildings.
Spend five action packed days in Portugal’s only National Park.
Go kayaking, canyoning, horse riding and exploring by Jeep.
Lisbon has become the go-to European capital for city breaks and the Algarve famously has its beaches; our Ten Night Northern Portugal Holiday is the ideal trip if you prefer something more rural – sweeping hills, shimmering river valleys and fabulous medieval architecture.
Your holiday begins in Guimarães, birthplace of the Portuguese nation, where you can relax and explore the beautiful plazas and traditional architecture of this UNESCO-protected medieval city.
Next, you’ll drive north into the Peneda-Gerês National Park – the protected, rural northwest region of Portugal. Gerês is famous for it’s granite mountains, wild rivers, and rugged canyons, and is ideal if you love outdoor pursuits. You’re also deep in the Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro region of Portugal, renown for it’s fabulous produce – particularly its wines, olive oil and honey.
You’ll end your stay in Porto – Portugal’s bustling second city. It’s a nice contrast to your time in the countryside. Porto’s brightly coloured buildings, rickety wooden trams, riverside restaurants and port lodges make for a memorable end to a great holiday.
Day 1
Fly direct from the UK to Porto. You’ll be collected by our driver on arrival for your transfer to the historic city of Guimaraes.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Mosteiro Guimarães
Day 2
You’ll have today free to explore historic streets and quaint plazas of this UNESCO-protected city. Two of the most popular plazas are the Praca de Sao Tigao and the Largo da Oliveira, both bordered by traditional houses overlooking Guimaraes’ best street cafés. Heading into the heart of the city, you could take a tour of the Paço Dos Duques De Bragança, the 15th century palace built by the 1st Duke of Braganca. You could end your day at the Castelo de Guimaraes – the tenth century medieval castle and treasured national symbol. Guimaraes and the Castelo are known as the birthplace of Portugal.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Mosteiro Guimarães
Day 3
Today you could take the teleferico cable car up to the summit of Montanha da Penha. At 400m, it’s not a huge hill but the view across the surrounding (predominantly flat) countryside is breathtaking. The summit’s Parque da Penha is a great spot for a picnic with a number of interesting religious chapels and monuments. You can return via the cable car, or you might prefer the PR3 walking trail (6km), which takes you down through the granite cliffs and narrow canyons of the lower slopes of the montanha and back into the centre of Guimaraes.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Mosteiro Guimarães
Day 4
Your hire car will be delivered this morning, and you’ll leave Guimaraes – driving fifty-minutes north to your new accommodation overlooking the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
The park is a protected habitat for Portugal’s (migratory) Golden Eagle population, native species of Red Squirrels and Roe Deer, and the endangered Iberian Wolf. It’s also great place for outdoor activities like biking, kayaking and canyoning.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Caniçada-Gerês
Day 5
You could spend today exploring Geres by car on foot, with visits to Fecha de Barjas (known as the Tahita waterfall), the cascata de pincães, Ponte da Mizarela and the Sete Lagoas pools.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Caniçada-Gerês
Day 6
You’ll spend this morning kayaking on the calm waters of the Caniçada reservoir. In the afternoon, you could drive over to the riverside beach at Praia de Alqueirão.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Caniçada-Gerês
Day 7
You’ll make the short drive to the village of Campo do Geres adventure centre, where you’ll spend the morning horse riding in the hills above Covide. You could spend the afternoon negotiating the treetop obstacle course, you could go paintballing or perhaps you’d enjoy an archery lesson.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Caniçada-Gerês
Day 8
You’ll spend this morning canyoning through imposing granite gorges and crystal clear cascatas with our resident guide. In the afternoon, you could end your stay with a drive up the mountain pass to the town of Geres itself – to relax in the Caldas do Gerês Thermal Baths.
Accommodation on this day: Pousada Caniçada-Gerês
Day 9
You’ll leave Geres today, driving back down to the coast for a two-night stay in Porto. En-route you might like to stop for lunch at the iconic Café a Brasileira in the old Roman city of Braga. If you’re interested in classical archaeology, it’s worth visiting the remains of the Thermae Maximinus baths, the Roman house at Domus da Escola and the Diogo de Sousa Museum.
It’s easier not to have a car once you arrive in Porto, so we’ll have it collected at the end of the afternoon.
Accommodation on this day: Porto River Apartments
Day 10
You’ll have today free to explore Porto on foot – visit the Sé Cathedral, the famous mosaics at the São Bento train Station, and the Livaria Lello bookshop, famously frequented by J.K. Rowling’s as she wrote the first Harry Potter book.
Your hotel sits on the northern bank of the Douro River, close to Porto’s most famous landmark, the Ponte Dom Luis I bridge. Cross the bridge and you’re in amongst the famous port lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia where you can learn about the history and production of Porto’s most famous export.
Accommodation on this day: Porto River Apartments
Day 11
Today you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Jeep Tours
Our jeep tours are the best way to explore those off the beaten track locations that you’d otherwise miss. Our guides will always have a plan for your day, but our tours are very relaxed and can be personalised to your particular interests.
Canyoning
Canyoning is one of the most popular pastimes in Portugal – a sport in which you scramble, jump, swim and abseil along a narrow river gorge. It’s a great sport for beginners and experts alike, and the Peneda-Gerês National Park in the north of country has some of the most beautiful rivers and canyoning routes in the whole of Portugal.
Guided tuk tuk city tour
Let the tuk tuk take the strain as you explore the seven hills of Lisbon in the company of our guides. You'll duck in and out of the tuk tuk to see the sights, architecture and history of this fascinating city. As it's electric, your guide can describe the passing streets to you as you travel to your next stopping point. The best possible introduction to Lisbon.
Food and wine
Portugal’s cuisine is very underrated. It’s always been wonderfully seasonal; an all important philosophy on food that the country’s never lost. As you’d expect, it’s also very regional; Lisbon has its famous crowd-pleasing dishes - the Pasteis de Bacalhau and Pasteis de Belem, but it’s down her narrow back-streets that you’ll find unexpected seasonal gems like coal-roasted blue lobster and Bulhao Pato clams.
Heading north, Porto’s famous Port wine Lodges are the gateway to the Douro Valley wine region. Portugal’s wines are some of the best in Europe however we don’t see them very often here in the UK as they don’t really produce enough for export. The rural heartlands of Alentejo also produce more amazing wines (including the unique ‘Invisivel’ - a white wine produced from red grapes), and arguably a superior Iberian Pork to their Spanish neighbours just across the border!
Horse riding
The Parque National da Peneda-Gerês is Portugal’s only National Park - a great way to explore the river valleys and high serras is on horseback, and there are trails to suit all abilities.
Cooking
Cook your own delicious meal under the watchful eye of expert chefs.
Kayaking
Kayaking is a wonderful way to experience Portugal’s beautiful waterways. The calm waters of the Caniçada reservoir in the north are perfect for beginners and younger children to get to grips with a kayak. For more experienced kayakers, the upstream rapids of the Cávado river offer some more challenging routes.
Porto River Apartments
The Porto River Apartments sit on the northern bank of the Douro River, in the Bairro da Ribeira, our favourite district of Porto.
The skyline is dominated by the stone architecture of the riverside warehouses which hark back to Porto’s industrial past when the city relied heavily on the Douro to export to the wider world. Away from the busy streets of central Porto, this timeless architecture now houses some of the city’s most popular riverside restaurants, hotels and apartments.
The Porto River Apartments have sixteen rooms in all; snug studios, spacious suites, and one and two bedroom apartments. The latter offer the best of both worlds; the feel of a private apartment with the convenience of a B&B. There’s a living room, bathroom, a well-equipped kitchenette, A/C and wi-fi.
The apartments are the perfect base from which to explore the city on foot and Porto’s most famous landmark, the Ponte Luis I bridge, is just a stone’s throw away as is Douro’s southern bank and the historic port warehouses of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Pousada Caniçada-Gerês
At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking the Pousada Caniçada-Gerês is in the wrong country. It’s an alpine chalet sitting high on the southern slopes of the Ribeira Cavado Valley with a breathtaking view of the Serra do Geres mountains.
The Pousada overlooks the Parque National da Peneda-Gerês; the only area in Portugal classified as a National Park. Constructed in 1968, the hotel has 38 ensuite rooms, with A/C and free WiFi, 24 hour reception, an outdoor pool, and a restaurant with an outdoor terrace – the view at breakfast at is stunning.
A ten minute drive brings you down to the shore of the Canicada reservoir, which is a great spot for swimming and kayaking. Further afield, the outdoor centre at Campo do Geres offers a great selection of outdoor activities (including canyoning, climbing and horse riding), and the famous Termas do Geres hot springs are just a short-drive up the mountain pass.
Pousada Mosteiro Guimarães
The Pousada Mosteiro Guimarães is a luxury hotel in the beautiful city of Guimarães.
The building dates back to the 12th Century and was originally constructed as a monastery by the first Queen of Portugal, Dona Mafalda of Saboia. The rooms in the older areas of the hotel have been sympathetically renovated with this proud heritage in mind, whilst adding more modern touches to ensure a comfortable stay. The rooms in the new wing have a much more modern feel and they’re more spacious, making them the ideal choice for families. They also have air conditioning, LCD TVs and free WiFi.
The Cistercian arches and cloisters in the Pousada’s own Dona Mafalda restaurant are particularly lovely – the restaurant is open breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s just a five-minute taxi ride/20 minute walk down into the centre of historic Guimarães, if you’d prefer to explore the local cafe, bars and restaurants. The Pousada also has two outdoor pools (one for adults, one for toddlers) and a sun terrace overlooking the city, a childrens’ playground and nine hectares of gardens to explore.
Hi Max,
Just to let you know that we had a great holiday which went too fast. Each hotel was unique and amazing and each place gave us new experience and interest.
Glowing feedback on the arrangements which all went very smoothly right from start to finish. Keep performing your magic!
All the best,
Sue
- Sue
Hi Max,
Tuktuk ride with Mario was exceptional. Lovely chap and made our trip memorable. This evening in a Fado restaurant was just fabulous. Hotel Solar do Castelo is amazing. After 2 postponements this holiday is truly worth it.
At the moment Archipelago Choice is on a pedestal.
John
- John
Where is Portugal?
Portugal is the most-western country in mainland Europe, bordered by Spain in the north and east.
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
Portugal’s mild in the Autumn and Winter, and hot from around May through to November. It can be very hot (+40⁰C) in the Summer months.
How do I get to Portugal?
The UK is well-connected to Lisbon, with direct flights from London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. You can also fly direct to Porto from Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh.
What languages do they speak on Portugal?
Portuguese, and English is widely spoken.
Is it safe to drive on Portugal?
Very – the quality of the roads is excellent and it’s very easy to navigate.
Do I need an international driver’s license for Portugal?
All you require is a valid UK driving licence.
Do I need travel insurance to visit Portugal?
We highly recommend that you have the right type of travel insurance that will cover your medical expenses, baggage loss, accidents and personal liability and repatriation.
Can I get WiFi in Portugal?
All our hotels offer WiFi – mostly in your room but in some smaller places it’s available in the shared, public areas.
Can I use my mobile phone in Portugal?
There’s an excellent mobile reception right across the country.
What is the food like in Portugal?
The restaurants in cities like Porto and Lisbon have a good mix of Portuguese more European style menus, and there’s usually a nice selection of vegetarian options available. In the smaller towns and villages, you’ll tend to find more traditional Portuguese menus.
Are credit & debit cards accepted in Portugal?
Yes, although in more rural locations you can find it’s a bit more cash-only in restaurants and cafe bars.
What type of plug adapter do I need in Portugal?
You will need a type F adaptor in Portugal.
Is tap water safe to drink in Portugal?
Yes, the tap water is safe to drink in Portugal.
Do I need to tip in Portugal?
Tipping is not compulsory but if you feel your guide or driver has done a good job then they’ll always be happy to receive a tip.
How do I go about booking my holiday to Portugal with Archipelago Choice?
We offer two options, either book one of our ‘Best of’ holidays from the website. Alternatively, many people choose the bespoke approach where we have an insightful conversation and create a personalised itinerary that gives you the unique holiday experience you’re looking for.
How far in advance should I book my trip to Portugal?
Our advice is to start planning around six months prior to your visit, as this helps us offer the best value airfares and secure your hotels of choice.
Can I book a last-minute holiday to Portugal?
Absolutely; it helps if you have a bit of flexibility with your dates as some of our hotels might be fully booked.
Talk to someone who loves Portugal!
If you’re interested in our holidays and want to know more, then send us a few details using this quick fill form.
