Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley

G Adventures · 8 days
Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
8 Days
From AUD $5749
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


(3 reviews)

Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley

Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley

G Adventures · 8 days
Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

An ideal balance of city and countryside, walk through medieval towns and village hamlets as Portugal steals your heart on this 8-day active discovery.

Highlights

  • Hike through the scenic countryside near the Spanish border from the small down of Salvaterra do Extremo
  • Walk on a medieval road from Casteleiros to Sortelha
  • See picturesque terraces drawn in the landscape of the Douro Valley
  • Taste wines with a view overlooking the Douro River

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Private vehicle, walking.

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Lisbon, Portugal

Finishes

Porto, Portugal

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Luxury

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Medelim: Portugal's Countryside

Speckled with charming and picturesque villages, Portugal will transport you into a fairytale from the coast to the mountains. Dream of village-to-village hikes and delicious food as you head off into the countryside towards the Spanish border. We welcome you to Portugal, and invite you to savour the sights, sounds and flavours of the adventure to come.
Depart Lisbon in the morning toward the border of Spain to a town called Penha Garcia with a lunch stop on the way at a local restaurant. Enjoy a moderate 3km walk through varying terrain ending at the Ichnofossils. Later, drive to the town of Medelim for the night.
2

Day 2: Medelim: Historic Village Hikes

Travel back in time over 1000 years to an era of castles, legends and traditions. Deemed one of Portugal's 12 Historic Villages, hiking to Idanha-a-Velha will connect you to the time of conquerors as you traverse the paths through historic stone walls and castles. Enjoy the tales of this region's fascinating history under fig and olive trees.
Enjoy breakfast before transferring to the stunning Monsanto for a guided walking tour. Opt to enjoy additional time in Monsanto on your own or choose to lace up your hiking boots on a picturesque hike from Monsanto to Idanha-a-Velha. Upon arrival, learn more of this quaint town on a guided walking tour before you head back for a dinner with your group.
3

Day 3: Manteigas: Hike to a Castle in the Sky

The enchanting Sortelha Castle stands on a crag at an altitude of 760 meters. It looms over the most mysterious of all the historic villages, where you will soon lose yourself in a maze of alleys and lanes as you hike up to the lofty castle. It is a place where time seems to have stood still. The wind whistles round the corners and hardly anyone passes by. This sentiment lingers when you arrive to the town of Belmonte after your hike in Sortelha.
On today's stunning hike, join your guide and wander along the historic stone path from Casteleiros to Sortelha. Visit the beautiful castle before heading to the grandiose town of Belmonte. In the evening, check into your OMG Stay.
4

Day 4: Amarante: Explore Serra da Estrela National Park

In Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain range in continental Portugal, rolling hills are interrupted by giant slabs of granite that protrude out of the ground. Pause to admire the beauty of this stark environment as you cross Corgo da Mós before the hike leads you to the beautiful Vale do Rossim Lagoon. In the afternoon, transfer north to Amarante.
Hike through the Serra da Estrela National Park to the Lagoon of Vale do Rossim. Return for a delicious lunch before heading to Amarante for the night.
5

Day 5: Amarante: Douro Valley Walk Along the Vineyards

A tapestry of vineyards unfolds as you traverse Douro wine country, Portugal's most esteemed wine region. With the perfect blend of nature and culture, crossing this picturesque countryside proves worthy of more than just wine tasting as you hike along a valley trail along the river. Soak in the incredible views as you sample some of the specialties of the land.
After breakfast, walk along the valley of the Douro wine region before arriving to a world class vineyard for a 3 course meal with wine pairings. Then head to Casa de Mateus for a tour of the palace and museum before enjoying a free evening.
6

Day 6: Amarante: Hike to Casal de Loivos

Mesmerizing mazes of vineyards scale the sides of the Pinhão hills. You will weave through historic village streets, beautiful buildings and up through paths draped with green grape vines. This hike allows for an endless panoramic riverscape and gorgeous views of the Douro River.
Spend another day in the Douro wine region with a longer hike through the hills and town of Pinhão. In the afternoon, return to Amarante and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
7

Day 7: Porto: Your OMG Day

Porto is yours to discover today with a choice of two activities. Explore the best of Portugal's second largest city on an e-bike tour through picturesque neighborhoods, along the coast to where the river meets the sea. Or choose to climb aboard a river cruise followed by a port wine tasting in the historic Vila de Nova Gaia area of the city.
Travel from Amarante to Porto in the morning. Choose between a riverside e-bike tour through Porto or join your CEO on a Douro river cruise and walk through Vila Nova de Gaia to Porto Augusto for a wine tasting. Enjoy a free afternoon before joining your group and CEO for one last dinner together in the evening.
8

Day 8: Porto

Today your adventure comes to an end and you can depart at any time.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $5,749
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

An ideal balance of city and countryside, walk through medieval towns and village hamlets as Portugal steals your heart on this 8-day active discovery.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 20 Apr 2026

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
3.5
Caroline
Traveled, July 2024

08/08/2024

I honestly loved this tour and will definitely be doing another tour with this company again. While I would have liked more time in each location to see more but the introduction tours were great to get an idea of what to do if I had nothing planned. Food and activity recommendations were also great. While it was nice to do things with the group, I really liked having the ability to do things on my own without it feeling like I'm being rude to others in the group. Communication regarding group plans could be better though but that could be said of both the travelers and the CEO.

3.5
Moira
Traveled, June 2024

07/08/2024

Good fun, but The Astoria hotel was disgraceful.

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990