Active holidays in Portugal

Portugal has made a name for itself over the last few years as an excellent walking destination and it is fast becoming a very popular destination for cycling holidays too. The weather certainly helps, with mild winters allowing for cycling and hiking tours in Portugal all year round. Freewheeling through the plains of the Alentejo, taking it easy in the saddle past the soaring cliffs and white sandy beaches of the Algarve. Exploring the Douro valley on foot, the region that produces the world-famous Port wines and not forgetting of course Lisbon, the lively and cosmopolitan capital and Sintra, the last stretch of land that faces the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean. Active holidays in Portugal with Intura will provide many anecdotes to share and memories to look back on for years to come!

Exploring active holidays across Portugal: mainland and beyond

But of course, when we talk about active holidays in Portugal, we are not limiting ourselves to the mainland, oh no! We also explore the Portuguese islands of Madeira and the Azores and offer self-guided and guided walking holidays in Cape Verde, once a Portuguese colony and now an independent country since 1975. Our mainland cycling and hiking tours in Portugal are thought up and tried and tested by our colleagues based in our office in Tavira, in the south of Portugal. Our walking holidays on the Portuguese islands are created in our office in France, with valuable input from our local contacts on the islands and bi-annual trips for our team of track finders, who walk the trails, re-write the notes and ensure that our core values are upheld in creating authentic tours with the best possible service.

Atlantic Coast Route : From Porto to Coimbra by bike

- Self-guided Cycling
- Moderate
- - 8 days
- - From January to December
Accommodation choice :
- - Comfort

Highlights of the trip

The diversity of the landscapes: ocean coastline, rivers and canals, forests and dunes, salt marshes
The prettiest towns of Porto, Aveiro & Coimbra
3* & 4* accommodation selected for their location
Sections of the itinerary along well-maintained cycle paths

Customize your holiday here

From
1 150€ / pers

- - Portugal - Lisbonne / Sintra

Portugal walking tour: Lisbon & the Sintra Hills

- Self-guided Walking
- Easy
- - 8 days
- - From January to December
Accommodation choice :
- - Comfort /
  - Charming /
  - Superior

Highlights of the trip

An intimate tour of the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Lisbon
Bélem and its monuments dedicated to the Great Maritime Discoveries
The botanical beauty and lush forest of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Hiking to the westernmost point of Europe, Cabo da Roca

Customize your holiday here

From
930€ / pers

- - Portugal - Lisbonne / Sintra

Atlantic Coast Route : from Lisbon to Sagres by bike

- Self-guided Cycling
- Moderate
- - 8 days
- - From January to December
Accommodation choice :
- - Simple /
  - Charming /
  - Comfort

Highlights of the cycling trip in Portugal

Exploring 2 regions of southern Portugal: the Alentejo and the Algarve
The most beautiful coastlines in Europe: the Natural Park of Alentejo and the Vicentine coast
A large part of the route on cycle paths
Beautiful Lisbon at the start of the trip

Customize your holiday here

From
1 100€ / pers

- - Portugal - Algarve

Algarve : A walking holiday by the Ocean

- Self-guided Walking
- Easy
- - 7 days
- - From January to December
Accommodation choice :
- - Simple /
  - Comfort

Highlights of the trip

Centre based at a beachfront accommodation
Diverse coastal hikes on the Barlavento coast and the Vicentine Coast
The many swimming opportunities
Remarkable sites during the hikes: Cape Saint-Vincent, Ponta da Piedade, Picota summit...

Customize your holiday here

From
820€ / pers

- - Portugal - Algarve

Cycling from the Algarve to Andalusia

- Self-guided Cycling
- Moderate
- - 7 days
- - From January to December
Accommodation choice :
- - Simple /
  - Comfort /
  - Charming

Highlights of the cycling trip in Portugal

Tour possible all year round, mild climate & sunny winter
3 nights in Tavira, one of the most charming towns in the Algarve
A day in Andalusia by crossing the Guadiana with your bikes
The Ria Formosa Natural Park, between land and sea

Customize your holiday here

From
680€ / pers

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What is the definition of an active holiday in Portugal?

Our definition of active holidays in Portugal is about movement. Whether it be on foot or by bike, it is a form of travel that enables you to get some fresh air and exercise at your own pace, to move from one accommodation to the next, meet with the locals and explore the culture and dynamics of society in a foreign country. Being active is not just about the physical effort that will go into your trip, but also about your active curiosity and the impact that your trip will have on the local community.

Cycling and hiking tours in Portugal: choose the active level to suit you

From easy, through to moderate to the more challenging, we have a trip for everyone!

Enjoy an easy city trek through Lisbon and explore the various neighbourhoods, lose yourself in the maze of cobbled streets, take the number 28 historic tram line and spend an evening listening to some traditional Fado music.
Book an easy walking holiday and head northwest to Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the second most important city in Portugal with stunning views of the Douro River from the Dom Luis bridge. The play of light on the water makes it one of the most romantic cities in Europe. Explore the vineyards of the Douro valley and the beautiful palaces of Sintra up in the hills. Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the river and dine like kings every evening!
Enjoy active holidays in Portugal on the island of Madeira, with easy walks through the primary forest and along levadas, explore the vibrant city of Funchal and sample many local delicacies.
For the more moderate options, we suggest the Azores on an island-hopping walking holiday exploring tea plantation, crater lakes, sulfur springs, wild coastal paths and terraced crops. The walks are between 2h30 and 4h but what makes them moderate is the elevation gain: we lead you up to the highest peaks on the along high panoramic trails for some truly breathtaking scenery.
For a super-duper active holiday in Portugal, we recommend our 12-day Crossing Madeira trip. This encompasses our definition of an active holiday: you get to visit the entire island, walking from point A to point B with plenty of opportunities to mingle with the locals.

Active holidays in Portugal: in the saddle

If cycling is more your activity of choice, then check out our Portugal self-guided cycling holidays. Head to the beautiful southern region of the Algarve. Renowned for its glorious climate, white sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and whitewashed houses, you can easily spend a week or more exploring this wild and unspoilt coastline by bike along the Ecovia – a wonderfully maintained and paved coastal cycle path through the Algarve, perfectly suited to all abilities.

You may be tempted by our Alentejo cycling trip, with its gentle rolling hills, wineries, castles and megaliths, this tour has a magical quality to the landscape. You pass through olive groves, oak forests and white-washed villages on this 7-day cycling trip and visit the spectacular Lake Alqueva, the largest artificial lake in Europe. An ideal destination for a family.

Cycling and hiking tours in Portugal have never been so accessible, with many international flights arriving daily in Lisbon for either a mainland Portugal stay or an onward flight to Madeira or the Azores. Our trusted local partners are on hand to ensure that your trip goes smoothly, from the taxi drivers to the hotels, the bike suppliers and native guides, we have everything in place to offer fantastic active holidays in Portugal.