


Portugal

Independent, Self Drive

Mid Range
Explore beautiful Portugal on this adventure, starting in historic Porto, where you enjoy a culinary experience and a city tour before heading to Peneda-Gerês National Park for hiking through breathtaking scenery and canyoning. Next is the Côa Valley, home to griffon and Egyptian vultures, golden and Bonelli’s eagles and endangered species such as black vulture, Spanish imperial eagle and black stork, before heading to Lagos in the Algarve Region, where you can explore this charming town and the beautiful Algarve beaches.
From EUR 2,275 per person
Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival at Porto’s airport, you will be met by a driver who will transfer you to your hotel. Take some time to rest before you start exploring. In the late afternoon, you will learn more about Porto and its cuisine with a 3.5-hour walking tour of the historic downtown. Guided by a friendly English-speaking native, this excursion offers a first-hand look at the culinary renaissance that the city is experiencing including the rebirth of specialty food shops and new restaurants that are adopting old methods. You’ll take part in several distinct tasting locations that harken back to an era of simple, quality products and recipes created by people who love what they do. Learn about these family-owned businesses and why they are an integral part of what makes gastronomy in Porto so unique. Furthermore, you’ll witness the revival of Portuguese cuisine while you explore local restaurants, cafes, and stores offering the best of Porto.
The evening, of course, would not be complete without an introduction to the famous drink of Porto: Port wine. As you taste three different versions, including one vintage, you will learn about the history of this drink and why it is a timeless favorite.
This excursion will lead you through the most important landmarks of Portugal’s second most populous city. Your guide will explain the rich history of this city, also called Invicta (the Unbeaten City), with stories of heroes and battles, as you make your way to the trendiest and most cultural area of town. Here you’ll explore Boavista Avenue, one of the city’s most important streets, and Foz, home to some of the most revered museums and modern local treasures.
Next, you’ll head to the city center — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — to admire the most renowned Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Neo-Classical monuments and sites, including the São Bento Railway Station, Clerigos Tower, Church of St. Francis, Lello Bookshop, Sta. Catarina Street, Majestic Café, and Bolhão Market, to name a few. After visiting the imposing Porto Cathedral with its superb silver altarpiece, you’ll finish the tour along the banks of the immense Douro River with views of Ribeira Plaza and the D. Luís Bridge.
After the tour, you can also visit a small scale canning factory, which produces gourmet-quality tinned fishes. What makes this purveyor unique is its hand-made processing techniques, which have been used here for the last century. Tinned fish isn’t only a delicacy in Portugal; it’s a traditional way of life that continues to adapt to the times. In the afternoon, you will pick up your rental car ready for tomorrow when you start your big adventure!
Today you will drive to Pena Aventura Park to stat your first adventure of your trip! Upon arrival to the park your guide will be waiting for you to discover the hidden secrets that only the locals know! Surrounded by gorgeous mountain landscapes you will make short and accessible hikes that will reward you with breathtaking views, wild swimming in crystal clear lagoons with only fish to make you company, waterfalls taken straight from fantasy books and a time travel back to ancient times, where you can see and feel how the locals live, dress and eat in centuries old villages. To be able to absorb all the sounds, smells, and natural beauty of Gerês all year round, you have to be able to open your heart and clear your mind. Today you will sleep in a rural house in Vila de Castro Laboreiro.
Tour Highlights
Included
Connect with nature with a small group and highly specialized guides trained to ensure your safety at all times. Hike along the river beds and jump off – or abseil down – several different types of rock. Take an alternative route if you don’t feel comfortable rock climbing and jumping and travel at your own rhythm without feeling rushed. Encounter a variety of lagoons, waterfalls and different landscapes of stunning beauty. End at a local restaurant to enjoy lunch (not included). Our commitment is to ensure you have the best comfort and security. Our guides update their certifications each year, our equipment is high-end and our boots are ideal for this kind of activity. Fun is guaranteed!
Tour Highlights
Included
Other Optional Activities
In Peneda-Gerês National Park you have a lot of options of adventure activities. If canyoning is not for you can choose other activities:
Today you will drive south to Côa Valley. Located between the Douro River to the north and the Serra da Malcata in the south, Portugal’s Côa Valley is a spectacular mix of riverine gorges, oak forests, rocky heathlands and former cropland returning to nature. New sustainable travel here combines the finest natural and cultural experiences in the area, supporting local people and new independent nature reserves. The Côa Valley is home to griffon and Egyptian vultures, golden and Bonelli’s eagles and endangered species such as black vulture, Spanish imperial eagle and black stork. The rabbit is perhaps the most important mammal species, a vital source of prey not only for the birds but also for carnivores such as mongoose, civets, martens, polecats and elusive wild cats. Rabbits rely larger on herbivores to clear large shrubs and roe deer are making a welcomed comeback together with species of wild horse and cattle are grazing freely in the Faia Brava Nature Reserve. Today you will sleep under the stars at Star Camp in Faia Brava
You will have free time to enjoy this amazing landscape and choose to do some of the many adventure activities:
It is time for some relaxing time after all the adventure activities you have been doing. You will drive to Lagos, a seafaring town on the western side of the Algarve Region, situated along Portugal’s southern coast. Upon arrival you’ll check-in to your hotel and have the rest of the day to explore on your own. Lagos is known for its charming inner-walled old town, pretty harbor, dramatic sandstone cliffs, beautiful beaches as well as authentic restaurants and buzzing nightlife. Locals are proud to say that Lagos has not succumbed to mass tourism like other cities in the Algarve, and the city still retains its distinctive character and laid-back charm. The best way to start is by walking around!
Take the entire day to explore the incredibly scenic area in and around Lagos, its nearby beaches, and the larger Algarve Region any way you’d like. If you haven’t spent much time in the port city of Lagos yet, it’s worth some time to wander through its 16th-century inner walls for cobble stoned streets and inviting squares. You’ll also find a great range of restaurants and nightlife options both inside and outside the walls (not surprisingly, outside is more modern).
If beaches are high on your list, you’ll find several dreamy options to choose from offering a variety of services, water-sports and boat excursions. For example, there’s Pinhao Beach, a peaceful cove known for its secluded, picturesque setting. Another great spot is the Ponta da Piedade, which features more dramatic sandstone cliffs and bright turquoise water (a range of boat tours depart from here). Meanwhile, Praia do Camilo gives way to a memorable view from the top of a staircase whose 200 wooden steps lead to down to a sheltered sandy cove. The scenery doesn’t stop there: if you have a car, the surrounding Algarve Region offers plenty to see and do within its pristine natural parks, bustling resort towns, and authentic white-washed villages.
Today you can get in the car and head east towards Tavira which is arguably the Algarve’s most charming town. The ruins of a hilltop castle, an old Roman bridge and a smattering of Gothic and Renaissance churches are among its historic attractions. An enticing assortment of restaurants and guesthouses makes it an excellent base for exploring the Algarve’s eastern reaches. Along with way you can make stops in Albufeira, with the lovely beach of Praia da Galé to the west. You can also spend time exploring the pretty inland villages and the area’s high-quality rural restaurants.
After breakfast, you will drive to Lisbon to catch your flight back home.
You must be logged in to submit a review.
Be the first to write a review!
This Portuguese adventure starts in Lisbon with a gourmet food experience and side-car tour, then fly to the Azores for
On this Spanish adventure, there are so many adventures and activities to experience. In the Pyrenees enjoy canoeing, culinary tours,
In Spain’s Sierra de la Culebra search for the Iberian wolf and other wildlife by vehicle and on foot and
This amazing off-the-beaten adventure takes you to the birding paradise of Extremadura, home to 180 species of birds including the
JOIN to get fantastic deals, leave reviews and be part of our safari community.
JOIN our safari community to connect with travellers looking for wildlife experiences. Display your best trips and get direct referrals from SafariDeal.com
You have chosen a fantastic safari! Please fill in the form below to send an enquiry directly to ‘Off 2 Africa’ Let us know how you get on by signing up and leaving a review.
Please read our collaboration agreement for travel and itinarary partners on the SafariDeal platform.