What to do and see in Portugal, Portugal: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

April 12, 2022 Jacquiline Darosa

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Restaurants in Portugal

1. Convent of Christ Tour "Portugal in the Map" - Visit Tomar with a local guide!

Avenida Dr. Vieira Guimarães 1140, 2300 Tomar, Portugal Open Roads Portugal
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5.0 based on 15 reviews

Much more than a simple, plain visit to the ex-libris of the city, the Convent of Christ, this tour guides you and involves you in the mythic Templar History that the teletransports you all the way to the beginning of Tomar’s history and the Templar Knights.This place has become, throughout the decades, a live museum of Portuguese History having been in this exact same place where important portuguese history pages were written. Leafing through this immense book we will be get in touch with the most diverse styles and forms which coexist there, making it the greatest example of this magnitude in the world. From the Charole and its uniquely painted panels to the illustrious Capitulo window or the architecture of the main cloister

Inclusions: Ticket to enter the Convent of Christ

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Reviewed By Roving704603

It was a great tour! Joao is perfect, great english, knowledge and ability to explain and answer questions. Moreover he is very smiling and pleasant. Do not miss the opportunity to get to know the beautifull city of Tomar and its history! Obrigado!

2. Segway Super Tour

Rua da Boavista 168, 1200-177 Lisboa, Portugal Lisbon Segway Tours
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5.0 based on 41 reviews

We take you on a complete journey through Lisbon historical places. Get to know the events that took place at the Praça do Comércio, discover the Old Town Alfama and its narrow labyrinthine streets. Go uphill till the highest place in town, ride around the National Pantheon, through the flea market and over the tracks of the famous 28th tram. Be amazed with the incredible colourful sights over the São Vicente monastery, the São Jorge castle and the Tagus River. Admire the traditional Calçada Portuguesa and the splendid buildings at Liberdade Avenue. Watch an iron elevator (Santa Justa lift) with more than 100 years go up, just next to Rossio square. Walk in to the hidden cultural house of Alentejo that used to be a Casino. Take a peek at the street performers and the delicious conventual sweets stores in Chiado. The best is to do this tour at the very first day of your holidays. Ear the stories, know the culture, and discover the secrets. .

Inclusions: Helmets, Guides, Segway or e-bikes.

Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities,

Reviewed By Yodacci

Best way to get to know Lisbon! Miguel is your perfect guid and will bring you to thé best places....thé Segway is easy to drive, so natural, so much fun...it was super, do not miss this!!

3. Tomar, Batalha and Alcobaça - UNESCO private day tour

Windland Tours
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Visit 3 monuments classified by UNESCO as world heritage, and through them, know the Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance architecture, as well as the history and legends of the creation of Portugal in the XII century, until its affirmation, in the Battle of Aljubarrota, in the century XIV.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, skip the line to the monasteries

Exclusions: Lunch

Reviewed By campsoup123

If you looking for a professional service to drive and guide you through this beautiful country, the owner of Windland Tours, Goncalo Oliveira, is your man! We hired Goncalo for four days to drive us from western Spain to Porto, Fatima, Coimba and Lisbon. Goncalo is the consummate professional (punctual, courteous,) an excellent driver, nearly fluent English and has a deep knowledge of the history and culture of the Portuguese people which he shared with us on our daily walking tours of each city. He also knows the best restaurants and interesting neighborhoods not always on the typical tourist itinerary. We can't thank Goncalo enough for making this trip one of the best vacations we have had. We hope to return in the future, and our first call will be to Goncalo to arrange the next trip!

4. Lisbon Go 7 Hills Electric Bike Tour

R. Jardim do Tabaco 2, 1100-081 Lisboa, Portugal Rent a Fun - Electric Bike tours & Rentals
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4.9 based on 156 reviews

Catch the wind in your hair on this 3-hour small-group electric bike tour of Lisbon. Many cyclists consider Lisbon a challenging city, but with a little boost from your electric bike, you can traverse it with ease. Zip up to the city’s highest points and take in 360 degree views on our trademark tour. See Castelo de Sao Jorge and the Miradouro Senhora de Monte. Explore the historic districts of Alfama, Graça, and Baixa, and, if you opt for an evening tour, watch a magical sunset from an elevated vantage point. This is a great way to explore Portugal's capital.

Inclusions: E-bike, Helmet, Bottled water

Exclusions: Lunch, Transportation to/from attractions

Reviewed By Giuseppe M

Fantastic and immersive tour with Joao who immediately brings me in the multicultural atmosphere of this historical city. We biked almost 20 km, going up and down , luckly with a very useful ebike! I strongly recommend this tour. I’ll be back for the kayak tour!

5. Full-day Fátima, Nazaré, and Óbidos Small-Group Tour from Lisbon

Av. da Liberdade 9, 1250-149 Lisboa, Portugal Lisbon Riders
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4.9 based on 80 reviews

You'll explore the central-west of Portugal on a 9-hour group tour from Lisbon, limited to a max of 6 people and only in English. The first stop is in Fatima, one of Catholicism's major shrines visited by over 6 million people every year. Then you'll have the opportunity to get to know the Batalha monastery, a UNESCO monument dated from the 14th century. Afterward, you'll visit Nazare, one of the most picturesque coastal cities and worldwide known for its waves, the biggest ever surfed in the world. Here you'll have time to have lunch and enjoy some traditional Portuguese food. Finally, you'll be amazed by the historic village of Obidos, built inside the walls of a castle. Its narrow cobblestone streets and flower-bedecked houses feel like a fairytale castle and you can also taste the famous cherry liquor in a chocolate cup, ginja.

Inclusions: Local guide and driver, Air-conditioned vehicle, Ginja de Óbidos (cherry liqueur in a chocolate cup); 1 per person, Maximum 6 people, The tour will be only in English

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By Emma_IrishTwin

This tour is a must for any visitors to the Lisbon area. Our guide, Tania, was amazing. She was so welcoming and knowledgeable and made sure we had the best day possible. Due to Covid-19 restrictions there were only 4 of us on the tour - myself and my sister and another couple (who were also absolutely lovely and we became friends). Sintra and Cascais are so beautiful and the tour allowed us ample time to explore both areas. Tania gave us great tips on the best photo opportunity spots and also on the best places to eat. The area was very quiet compared to pre-Covid times, but it was really nice to see Sintra, the palace and surrounding area without hordes of tourists - no queues. We wore our masks at all times so everyone felt safe from a Covid point of view. I cannot fault the service and the tour. Great value and amazing to see these places with so few tourists about. One of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen. It is quite hilly so be prepared for some walking - but you can always get a lift up to the palace grounds if you have limited mobility, so don't let that put you off.

6. University of Coimbra guided tours without queue

Biblioteca Geral Da Universidade De Coimbra, Largo Porta Férrea, 3000-447 Coimbra, Portugal Rafael Martelli
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4.9 based on 49 reviews

RM Tour was born from the idea of transforming the visits to the University of Coimbra into a unique experience, transforming the guided tour into a pleasant experience of knowledge and cultural enrichment in a way that is interesting. Therefore, we always seek in our company to combine the beautiful history of the University of Coimbra with the current and its customs that still permeate our institution. This was all made possible by the education we have in the areas of history, sociology and tourism. Our employees are alumni of the University of Coimbra which brings to our services a great appreciation and knowledge of it.

Inclusions: Tickets

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Reviewed By wbabicz

We took the university and library tour with Rafael. he was very knowledgeable about the history of the university , library and area in general. he was easy to talk to and we would not have appreciated the sights without his commentary.

7. Douro Valley Tour with Visit to two Vineyards, River Cruise and Lunch at Winery

Porto, Portugal EFun Tours
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4.9 based on 63 reviews

Leaving at 9:00 am in a air conditioned minivan, let's head to the wonderfull and beautiful Douro Valley. Just before doing the first activity, it's for a coffee break to rest from the long journey and glimpse for the first time the majestic landscape. Your day will start with a wonderfull one hour cruise on Douro River, so relax and enjoy the scenery! Following, time for lunch, held at the amazing first vineyard. Enjoy a 4 course meal paired with wine form their production in a 17th century property followed with the visit to their instalations culminating with tastings of their delicious Ports. Don't miss the chance of visiting yet another wonderfull family sized small production in the last produer, which love from the art burst from his words. Have the chance of tasting their reds, whites and heir old Port's. After a long day of wine tasting, relax and enjoy your ride back to Porto

Inclusions: Have a delicious lunch in a winery, Have several samples of Port Wine and Wine from the region, Air-conditioned vehicle, Visit two Vineyards and tastings of their excelent wines, One hour river cruise

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By 523koenp

Guide was very cool, lot of interesting information. Helps you get familiar with different types of port, tastings are really good.

8. Sintra and Cascais Small Group Tour from Lisbon

Av. da Liberdade 9, 1250-149 Lisboa, Portugal Lisbon Riders
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4.9 based on 680 reviews

Explore Sintra and Cascais on an 8-hour group tour from Lisbon, limited to a max of 8 people and only in English. You’ll visit the charming village of Sintra and you’ll have the chance to taste the delicious and famous pastries - travesseiros (pillows) and the Sintra cheesecakes. Then you'll head to Azenhas do Mar, a formers fishing town it’s one of the most picturesque small seaside villages, that will take your breath away! Then you’ll visit the westernmost point of continental Europe - Cabo da Roca - once considered the end of the world. On the way to Cascais, you´ll enjoy astonishing sea views. Then you'll stop at Cascais, a lovely beach town where you can stroll around, lunch or snack. Your last stop is the unique and surprising Pena Palace, a formers royal palace that looks like a fairy-tail.

Inclusions: Park and Palace of Pena entrance fee (14€ per person), The tour will be only in English, Maximum 8 people, Escape long lines, Local guide and driver, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Hotel Pick up and Drop off

Reviewed By DayTrip618179

We had a great day visiting Fatima, Batalha, Nazare, and Obidos. Our guide, Tonja ( sp?) is a wonderful and informative tour guide.

9. Private Electric Tuk Tuk Sightseeing Tour of Historic Porto

Largo dos Lóios, 4000 Porto, Portugal Tuk Tour Porto
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4.9 based on 8 reviews

Seeing Porto on a private Tuk Tuk is a one of a kind experience. Due to their electric motor, the tuk-tuks are entirely silent, which will allow you to hear your guide on busy roads. Porto is an incredible city, but its hills are not for the faint of heart, instead of going up and down the hills by foot, why not grab a tuk-tuk and get an overview of this gorgeous city without breaking a sweat? Comfort, ease and information!

Inclusions: Private transportation, Private Guide

Exclusions: Snacks

Reviewed By PKbeauty

Best guided tour by far, OMG our guide Rita is a gem, super knowledge, great with people and adores kids. So patient and has such respect for Porto culture and her eyes receive you with such a warmth that is magical. She took us to the best spots and allowed us to soak in the moment, what a soul. Highly recommend !!! Best Tuk Tour yet!!!! Made my Birthday :-)

10. Sintra Full Day Small-Group Tour: Let the Fairy Tale Begin

Lisbon Native Tours
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4.8 based on 500 reviews

Let the fairytale begin on this Sintra full-day tour. Stroll through Sintra’s storybook medieval streets. Visit the Village of Sintra, Sintra National Palace, and Pena Palace and gardens. Take in the panoramic view over Sintra National Park and the Atlantic Ocean. Visit Quinta da Regaleira, famous for its Masonic architecture, well, caves, and exotic gardens. Travel to Roca Cape, the westernmost point of continental Europe. Embrace the Atlantic Coast, stop into Cascais, once the seat of the European aristocracy.

Inclusions: Professional and Knowledge Driver/Guide, Pickup and Drop off from your Lisbon hotel or apartment (we only pick up in Lisbon), Small-group tour (8 people max., Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Lunch, Monuments Tickets are not included

Reviewed By pocdrum

We had an incredible day trip to Sintra with our friendly and very knowledgeable guide André Feldman. We were fortunate to see everything included and more than expected. By the end of the tour, we felt like a family on a day trip! I simply cannot recommend this tour highly enough and no words can express our satisfaction overall with André and his comedic yet impressive and knowledgeable approach to the tour. If I could, I would give 10 stars!

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