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.

City trek: walking in Lisbon

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

Highlights of the trip

An intimate walking itinerary in the capital of Portugal
A day along the Tagus river to Bélem
Great trip for foodies !
Possibility of a private guide for the day
Enjoy a portuguese traditionnal fado show

Customize your holiday here

From
250€ / pers

- - Portugal - Algarve

Eastern Algarve Walking Holiday

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

Highlights of the trip

The Ria Formosa Natural Park, between land and sea, a bird watching spot
A mix of coastal & inland walks
Tavira, among the most beautiful towns in the Algarve
One-day optional themed guided hike (ornithology, botany, architecture, food tour)

Customize your holiday here

From
360€ / pers

- - Portugal - Porto / Douro / Minho / Geres

Portugal walking and wine : Porto wine trails and Douro river cruise

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

Highlights of the trip

Explore Porto, Unesco World Heritage city
Guided visit of the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia & taste the great wines of Porto
2 boat cruises along the Douro, with lunch on board included between Pinhão and Porto
The small town of Pinhão, nestled in the river bank

Customize your holiday here

From
750€ / pers

- - Portugal - Rota Vicentine

Portugal walking holiday : The wild Vicentine coast

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

Highlights of the trip

The omnipresence of the ocean and the diversity of the landscapes
Geological, botanical and ornithological treasures
Swimming opportunities nearly every day !
End of your trip in Lagos or Faro, both beautiful historic cities with stunning beaches

Customize your holiday here

From
530€ / 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

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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.