Walking Vacation in Portugal
Discover authentic Portugal touring its beautiful coastline, back roads, and bairros.
Dates:
June 1 – 7, 2026
September 6 – 12, 2026 SOLD OUT (waitlist available)
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Start: Setúbal, Portugal
End: Setúbal, Portugal
Visit: Setúbal, Lisbon, Évora
Cost: from $2595 based on double occupancy
Single Supplement: from $595
All prices in US dollars, land only. Solo traveler roomshares available.
Leisurely Walking Vacation in Portugal
Experience Portugal at an easy, enjoyable pace as we explore its vibrant cities, coastal towns, and timeless countryside on foot. This leisurely walking tour invites you to discover Setúbal, Lisbon, Évora, and beyond through guided strolls, local experiences, and meaningful cultural encounters. From historic neighborhoods and artisan traditions to scenic landscapes and regional flavors, each day offers a blend of gentle exploration and authentic connection. Enjoy a beautifully paced week designed for comfort, discovery, and the simple pleasure of walking in great places.
What to Expect
Walking Vacation in Portugal
Setúbal is located just 30 minutes south of Lisbon airport. Here, you will discover the warmth, beauty, and charm that has made Portugal one of Europe’s top destinations. Our leisurely walking vacation features slow travel and soft adventure. Every half-day walk follows a leisurely pace and has options for more or less walking. During the walks, we will take in our surroundings and stop often for photos. A combination of local trains, buses, and private vans will shuttle our small group to each day’s walk. Our select, 4-star hotel in the historic center will welcome you home after a day of discovery.
What are the Walks Like?
The Blue Walk Portugal walking vacation features a variety of routes. Daily, we will enjoy trail walks along rustic gravel or dirt paths and urban strolls along paved sidewalks and cobbled streets.
Typical days average between 2-3 hours of walking including stops and breaks. To best enjoy our walks you should feel comfortable walking at least 2 miles in an hour. While Setubal’s center is wonderfully flat, most of the region is hilly. Be prepared for stairs and lots of them.
Moreover, walking on the coastal paths and strolling through beach-side promenades is a great way to enjoy leisurely conversations, rub elbows with local residents, and just appreciate being in the moment.
What You’ll Love
Walking Vacation in Portugal
1. Small groups
With no more than 12 guests, it feels like traveling with a fun group of friends
2. Immersive experiences
Step away from your everyday life and fully experience the landscape, culture, and warmth of Portugal
3. Planning with Care
We take care of the details. You enjoy your vacation!
What’s Included
Walking Vacation in Portugal
- Six nights at our centrally located, 4-star hotel in Setúbal, Portugal minutes to the beach and the historic center
- Full buffet breakfast daily
- Welcome and Farewell Dinner
- Gelato! and Pastel de Nata
- Visit Lisbon, Azeitão, and Évora
- Walk Lisbon’s Alfama and Graça neighborhoods with a local guide
- Fado show
- Private cruise along the Arrábida coast and Sado Estuary
- Guided walks along coastal paths and through rolling countryside
- Guided walk through a centuries old cork forest
- Guided tour of Palácio da Bacalhôa
- Local wine and food tasting
- Visit a ceramic studio to learn about and paint azulejos tiles
- All transfers per the intinerary
- Daily customized itineraries
- Your English speaking guide
- Fully hosted and escorted
- All hotel taxes and service fees
Example Itinerary.
Walking Vacation in Portugal
Actual daily schedules may differ.
Day 1
Settle into Setúbal and meet your fellow walking vacation travelers before enjoying a relaxed neighborhood stroll to get acquainted with the city. We’ll gather in the afternoon for a welcome meeting and light walk, easing into the week at a gentle, enjoyable pace. walking vacation in Portugal
Day 2
Begin the day with a walk along the Arrábida Natural Park coastline. You’ll view some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe while walking fragrant trails surrounded by wild rosemary, thyme, and cedar. In the evening we will gather for a delicous welcome dinner of local specialties.
Day 3
Explore Lisbon on foot with a guided walk through Baixa, Alfama, and Chiado, discovering the city’s layered history, viewpoints, and lively streets. Enjoy free time before gathering for an evening of traditional Fado, a soulful expression of Portugal’s cultural heart.
Day 4
Our small group will travel by train into the enchanting Alentejo countryside. Here, we will embark on a walk through a lush cork forest. Following our stroll, we will indulge in a olive oil tasting, savoring the rich flavors that this region is known for. Afterward, you will have the perfect opportunity to wander the charming streets of Évora, immersing yourself in its rich history and vibrant culture.
Day 5
Start your day with an enchanting visit to a beautifully restored Renaissance period palace and vineyard. Next, immerse yourself in the artistry of azulejos at a local ceramic studio, discovering the intricate craftsmanship behind Portugal’s iconic tiles. To cap off your day, enjoy a private cruise along the Arrabida coast, discovering hidden coves and golden beaches along the way.
Day 6
Begin your day with a scenic walk to the historic São Filipe Fort, where breathtaking views of the Arrabida coast await. Afterward, we will visit the lively Mercato de Livramento, possibly Portugal’s most beautiful and bustling fresh market. In the evening, we will come together for a festive farewell dinner, celebrating the unforgettable adventures we’ve shared.
Day 7
Finally it is time to say adeus to your walking vacation friends. Breakfast is included on this day, but there are no group activities planned. You may depart at any time. The hotel will hold your bags if you plan to depart after checkout time.
Leisurely Walks, Unique Locations, and Authentic Experiences
Where in the World?
Located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal is bordered by Spain to the north and east and by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west. The city of Setúbal, where our walking vacation is based, is in central Portugal near the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Sado River. Lisbon, the country’s capital, is 30-60 minutes north of Setúbal depending upon traffic.
Setubal is connected to Lisbon by excellent public transport which includes express buses and regular train service. Trips by public transport will cost less than 10€ and take about an hour. An Uber or private driver will be about 50-60€. The drive is about 35 minutes if there is not traffic.
Airport
There is one international airport in Lisbon, the Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS). It is located about 5 miles north of the city center. LIS has two terminal buildings, situated a 1 km distance from each other. In general terms, terminal 1 is the major terminal of the airport, housing the vast majority of services and amenities and handling the bulk of flights. T2 supports low-cost european air carriers, such as Ryanair and EasyJet. If you’re flying from the US, even if you’ve passed through customs in another European airport, you’ll likely be landing in Terminal 1.
The other major airports in Portugal are the Faro International Airport (FAO) in the south and Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in the north.
(For information on how to get from the Lisbon Airport to the Lisbon City Center, please refer to the Lisbon International Airport website.)
Important Notes
Walking Vacation in Portugal
Deposits
Your place on a tour is secured once we have received and confirmed your deposit payment. Before the final payment date, a non-refundable deposit of $500 for walking vacations and $750 for art vacation workshops is required. After the final payment date, the entire tour amount must be received to hold a space on a program.
You may cancel for any reason up to 90 days prior to departure and your non-refundable deposit may be forwarded to a future tour. Any balance on your account will be returned. For complete details please see our Terms and Conditions.
Solo travelers and single supplements
For our guests who are traveling solo... for your comfort we offer private rooms. Whenever possible singles will be placed in the same room category as our double or twin rooms.
Twin / Double Rooms
Please be aware twin beds in Europe may have very little or no space between beds. Also, for double beds, instead of a king or queen mattress, double beds are often two adjoining twin mattresses secured together and made with double bedding.
Fitness
Walking is a part of this program. It is both a means of visiting locations and a way to immerse yourself in a place. Our scheduled walks are usually 1-2 hours long at a casual pace. Participants should be able to comfortably walk 2 miles in an hour. We provide a general description of our walks here. It is your responsibility to know your own physical and medical condition with respect to the advisability of participating in a chosen trip. Please be realistic about your physical abilities when booking an active walking vacation. We suggest you prepare by doing at least 1 hour of walking several times per week, and a longer walk at least once per week. Ideally, include walks with elevation change and stairs. (There are always stairs.) If you have compromised knees, hips, back this tour will be challenging and perhaps not appropriate.
As with any exercise program, we recommend you consult with your physician prior to your arrival regarding the suitability of a walking tour.
Some of our guests find trekking poles helpful on steep or uneven terrain. In Europe they are quite common. Before using them on a vacation, please practice at home. We strongly advise you get comfortable using trekking poles on familiar paths first.
For additional information on these topics and more, please see our FAQ page.
Choose Your Walking or Art Vacation
Walking Tours
Are you looking for a leisurely European walking vacation or a travel journal-based art vacation? To learn more, select your destination country or program type below. We will take you there!
To learn more about The Blue Walk difference please read our About The Blue Walk page.
France
Greece
Italy
Portugal
Spain
Switzerland
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