Portugal | Small Group Tours for Seniors

Q: Is tipping customary in Portugal?

<p>If you&#8217;re on an Odyssey tour, we take care of tipping so you don&#8217;t need to give it a second thought. However, in your free time, or if travelling independently, it&#8217;s essential that you make sure you tip an appropriate amount for services, as is the case throughout much of Europe. It&#8217;s customary to tip 10-15% of the bill at restaurants, or 1 to 3 euro at a more casual establishment. It&#8217;s polite to round a bill up to the nearest whole figure or leave the change when buying drinks.</p>

Portugal tours for seniors

Odyssey offers easy, convenient, and relaxed escorted small group tours across Western Europe and beyond for senior couples and the mature solo traveller (single travellers) including a Portugal tour for seniors. With your tour director we explore Portugal‘s incredible natural beauty, its imperial and exploratory heritage, World Heritage Sites, and a historic city or two, all with some truly spectacular scenery such as the Sintra mountain chain, olive groves, the medieval town hugging the rugged coastline. Along the way as we explore the length of the Iberian Peninsula on this guided tour including Southern Portugal. This itinerary and more on your arrival is all waiting to be explored on one of Odyssey’s small group tours of Portugal, designed for the senior travelers. Led by an experienced tour director, supported by excellent tour guide(s), as you travel on a private tour of up to 14 enthusiastic like minded people on your Portugal vacation in 2022.

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Portugal Tours

Tours for Mature Aged and Senior World Travellers

Pre-guaranteed

Vineyard with Davaillo castle as background, La Rioja (Spain)

24 days

Sep, Mar, Apr, Aug

Small Group Guided Tours of Spain and Portugal

Visiting Portugal, Spain

Our program explores the lands of Spain and Portugal, two countries bound by many centuries of history reflected in their modern cultures. Divided by history and language, contiguous neighbours Spain and Portugal were once host to gigantic empires that still bear their languages and lifestyles. A small group tour for couple and solo travellers.

From A$14,750 AUD

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Guaranteed

Saint James Way Small Group Walking Tour

19 days

Jun, Sep

Saint James Way Small Group Walking Tour (The Camino)- Spain

Visiting Portugal, Spain

Experience pleasant sections of the Way of Saint James, crossing some of Spain’s most beautiful landscapes. We follow the pilgrims on easy distances of The Way to the mythical destination, Santiago de Compostella. Not since the middle ages has this adventure for body and mind been more popular. We also get to discover the artistic highlights and rich history of Northern Spain and Portugal, as well as enjoying local wines and exquisite food.

From A$12,850 AUD

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21 days

Jun, Sep, Aug

Lisbon & Barcelona small group tour

Visiting Portugal, Spain

An escorted tour for like minded people that provides mature couples and solo travellers with daily itineraries that provide authentic experiences with qualified local guides in the great cities of Lisbon and Barcelona over 21 days. For solo travellers a nominal single supplement is charged.

From A$12,950 AUD

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Pre-guaranteed

75 days

May, Aug

Grand tour of Europe

Visiting Austria, Belgium, Croatia

For the senior couple or mature solo traveler seeking a small group educational tour focussed on exploring and learning with like minded people in Europe.

From A$42,980 AUD

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Pre-guaranteed

65 days

Mar, Jul, Feb

Singapore to Lisbon by train

Visiting China

A small group railway journey from Singapore to Lisbon. The longest in the world for senior couples and mature solo travellers. Explore over some 56 days, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Russia, France, Spain and Portugal. Limited to 10 travelers on this escorted program.

From A$38,095 AUD

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The Pena National Palace Sao Pedro de Penaferrim, Sintra, Portugal

18 days

Apr, Aug

Discover Portugal

Visiting Portugal

Join Odyssey Traveller small group journeys with like minded people on this immersive 18-day escorted tour of Portugal. This travel experience takes us from the capital of Lisbon, through Portugal's many historic cities and key UNESCO World heritage sites.

From A$10,250 AUD

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Tours of Europe

Small and seemingly isolated on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula, in the early modern period Portugal ruled the seas, the age of Portuguese exploration and expansion forming an empire stretching from Indonesia to Brazil. This imperial wealth translated to lavish architecture – see the ornate Renaissance buildings of Braga, Sintra, and Lisbon for proof on an included sightseeing tour on your Portugal tour, that also includes; Nazare, Alfama, Mafra, Obidos and Evora.

Portugal even developed its own style, Manueline, named after the Portuguese monarch Manuel I, who was ruler during the kingdom’s period of expansion and accumulation of staggering wealth. The architectural style, seen only in Portugal in the 16th century, is characterised by rich and lavish ornamentation and nautical themes, such as moldings encrusted with carved barnacles and nautical instruments over windows and doors fronting onto the cobblestone streets. The style flourished only for a few decades, bridging the Gothic style and the Renaissance and Mannerist styles that became popular in Portugal. The Jeronimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a prime example of the Manueline style typically explored as a walking tour suitable for senior travelers.

However, it is also important to know the tragic dimension of the Age of Exploration: for two hundred years, from 1440 to 1640, Portugal had a monopoly on the slave trade. In the 16th century, Lisbon had a large African population, unique among European cities at this time, but around 10% of the city’s population were slaves.

On our Portugal tour for seniors, we with your tour director and tour guide balance exploration with education, and more and more people are setting out to explore the beautiful cities and the amazing natural wonders of Portugal for a memorable travel experience. Go on a city tour with an expert local tour guide to know more about history, or enjoy discovering on your own. This maritime country is also famous for its fresh and delicious seafood, which is best to be experienced in a small local restaurant. Leave some room for dessert and visit the Fabrica dos Pasteis de Belem, which has been baking the Portuguese custard tart since 1837.

Articles about Portugal

15 Total Articles

Spanish Exploration and Conquest of the Americas

An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers. Article summarizes the Spanish explorers and the race against the Portuguese for access to the Americas.

30 Dec 21 · 11 mins read

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Lisbon Travel Notes for mature & senior Travellers

Lisbon Travel Notes for mature & senior Travellers Travellers, meet Lisbon. Lisbon, Travellers. Hello there. Olá! I am Lisbon, an elegant Portuguese city perched upon the banks of the sparkling River Tagus. Locals call me ‘Lisboa’.…

11 Oct 21 · 11 mins read

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Atlantic Ocean - Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay

Atlantic Ocean and How it Shaped Ancient Communities In Europe

Article of interest for senior couples and mature solo travellers joining a small group European tour to Faroe Islands, Scottish Isles, Morocco or Portugal. Focus is on the early exploration of the Atlantic.

1 Sep 21 · 12 mins read

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Questions About Portugal for senior travellers

Enjoy escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Portugal. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel to Lisbon, Mafra, Nazare, and Obidos and beyond.

8 Nov 19 · 2 mins read

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Convent of Christ, Tomar, Portugal

The Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo) in Tomar, Portugal is a former Roman Catholic convent that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 12th century, it was originally the Convent of the Knights Templar of Tomar.

2 May 20 · 2 mins read

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Tower of Belem, Lisbon, Portugal

The Tower of Belem was built around 1514 on the banks of the Tagus River to defend the port of Lisbon. Built during the city of Lisbon’s Golden Age, the monument was ceremonial gateway to the city.

24 Mar 20 · 2 mins read

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Touring Portugal

The need to know

Getting around

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Portugal is not a very big country, and flying between cities is not always necessary. All the major cities are connected by bus and train (among the least expensive in Europe). A high speed train – the Alfa Pendular – runs from north to south and stops in all the popular tourist cities. It is also quite easy to drive around the country on your own on Portugal’s well maintained toll roads.

Accommodation

In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Tour Guides

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

Geography, environment & weather

Portugal is situated on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula. It is split by the Tagus River, which flows from Spain, right across the country and meets the coast at Lisbon. Typically, north of the river is mountainous and the south is characterised by flatter, rolling hills.

Portugal has a Mediterranean climate. It is one of the warmest countries in Europe, with some parts of the country averaging up to 28 degrees year round. Even so, some of the mountainous regions see regular snowfall. Portugal’s island regions (the Azores and Madeira) have subtropical climates.

World Heritage sites

Despite being a small country, Portugal boasts 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can view the official list of the sites here https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/pt.

It is well worth visiting every site, if you are able. But here’s a few highlights from the bunch:
Colourful medieval castles of Sintra
Joronimos Monsastery
and the Tower of Belem in Lisbon
Alto Douro Wine Region

Festivals & events

If you’ve heard of Carnaval, you might think of colourful, scantily clad Brazilians dancing in the streets. But this bacchanalian festival actually originated in Portugal.

The biggest party is in Lisbon’s Parques Nacoes, with street parades, masks and costumes, floats and theatrical performances. Braga is the main site of Portugal’s Holy Week processions, during which the streets fill with relgious symbols, flowers and lights.

The UNESCO World Heritage listed mountain town of Sintra also hosts its own festival, featuring ballet dancers, pianists and chamber musicians. For something different: at the Cascais Festival of the Sea, young fisherman try to impress female spectators by running bulls. Take your pick!

Reading list

The Fat Man and Infinity by Lobo Antunes
Distant Music by Lee Langley
The Portuguese: The Land and Its People by Marion A Kaplan
Portugal: A Companion History by Jose H Saraiva

Eating & Drinking

Unsurprisingly, this coastal nation is big on seafood. It is a staple of the Portuguese diet – especially salt cod (although its taste is not for everyone). Give a go anyhow. Peri-peri spice is used to flavour chicken and shrimp and is one of Portugal’s great gifts to hangover cuisine. There are many other Portuguese spiced dishes that are worth your time. As far as dining is concerned, Portugal is great place to wander the streets until something takes your fancy. This is the best way to get off the tourist trail and discover the local cuisine.

Health & safety

While much of Portugal is usually safe to travel around, it’s important to stay alert to anything unusual. Also, you will often see signs warning of pickpockets in areas popular with tourists, so it’s important to keep a close eye on your belongings at all times.

Electrical supply

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply runs at 230V, 50Hz. Portuguese plugs have two circular pins, similar to most of Europe.

The best of Portugal

Highlights

Braga

Stay in the charming city of Braga, one of the oldest towns in Portugal.

Evora

Evora is one of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns, featuring Roman ruins and plenty of Alentejan restaurants

Sintra

Be dazzled by the mountainous medieval royal sanctuary of Sintra

FAQs

What is the time zone for Portugal?

Portugal has a single time zone (excluding its overseas territories e.g. the Azores), Western European Time. The nation observes daylight saving time from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.

Is English widely spoken in Portugal?

Yes, although Portuguese is the official language and is spoken by 96% of the population. Portuguese is also the sole official language of Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe and Portuguese speakers can also be found in parts of India, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea and Macau.

Is tipping customary in Portugal?

If you’re on an Odyssey tour, we take care of tipping so you don’t need to give it a second thought. However, in your free time, or if travelling independently, it’s essential that you make sure you tip an appropriate amount for services, as is the case throughout much of Europe. It’s customary to tip 10-15% of the bill at restaurants, or 1 to 3 euro at a more casual establishment. It’s polite to round a bill up to the nearest whole figure or leave the change when buying drinks.

What is Portugal's currency?

Portugal uses the Euro (EUR) as of January 1999. Prior to this, the currency was the Portuguese escudo but it was removed from circulation as of 2012. The word ‘escudo’ means ‘shield’ in Portuguese. Some average costs you might encounter in Portugal are (as of 2019):

1 litre milk: 0.60 EUR
1 cappuccino: 1.30 EUR
Eating in restaurant for two: 20 EUR
Cinema ticket: 7 EUR

External articles to assist you on your visit to Portugal.

Updated August 2021.

Responsible travel tips for Portugal.

Learn at least the local greetings to break the ice. Although many locals speak English, the more you know of the native language, the greater your experience of the country will be.
Carry a business card in your wallet or purse from your local hotel, to assist you with the return journey if you do become lost.
Always ensure that you are covered by travel insurance. If you need advice on this feel free to contact Odyssey and we’ll be able to help.
When travelling independently, make sure you check the opening hours of shops and museums so that you don’t miss out! Museums and galleries are often closed on Mondays. Also be certain to check whether your trip coincides with any public holidays, so you can plan accordingly.
Consider contacting your bank to inform them that you may be making purchases overseas. Otherwise, they may flag any activity on your account as suspicious. Also, check which ATMs and banks are compatible with your cards, to ensure you can withdraw cash with minimal fees.
Before departing, make sure you have a number of euros in a range of denominations. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.