Active holidays in Portugal

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.