In order for the visitor to get the most out of their trip, we suggest the “10 things not to miss” from each region, based on our professional experience, knowledge and the degree of customer satisfaction:
Portugal is much more than a summer vacation destination to experience the beautiful and renowned Portuguese beaches. Portugal has a diversity of attractions concentrated in a small territory, with excellent accessibility, which allows the visitor to be able to enjoy a multitude of offers and thematic areas that adjust to different individual interests and tastes.
In the spring, discover the most charming historic Portuguese towns and villages, located in surprising and diverse natural environments.
At the beginning of the season, enjoy a unique gastronomic snack, lamprey, very common in the Santarém region, fished in the Tagus River. This delicacy is only available from February to April, the time of year when the lamprey leaves the depths of the sea and returns, to spawn, to the river where it spent the first four years of life in the shape of a larva.
Do not miss the opportunity to taste, in early spring, the “Silarcas” in the Alentejo. This snack is a mushroom that appears associated with the cork oaks and that the Alentejo people pick at this time of the year in the fields and forests. After cooking it becomes an unmissable and exciting delicacy.
Spring is the ideal time for hiking trails in the middle of dream fields colored by flowers, to discover the Portuguese fauna and flora or discover the exciting world of birdwatching, when migratory birds from many regions of the world seek shelter in this territory.
The traditional Carnival and Easter celebrations are also authentic and celebrated in Portugal in a very particular way, varying from region to region. Be sure to get to know the complex and ancestral traditions that guide the Easter Mysteries in the Idanha-a-Nova region or the Carnival “Brincas”, a manifestation of the intangible cultural heritage of the municipality of Évora.
The summer is ideal for exploring the sea beaches but also the Portuguese rivers and river beaches or for watching extraordinary sunsets at the top of one of the imposing medieval castles.
Watching the equinox or solstice of the Sun in one of the mysterious megalithic precincts that are concentrated in the region of Évora is an exciting and mystery-filled experience. Observe distant planets, stars and galaxies in one of the clearest skies in the world for astronomical observation. Alqueva, near Évora, is the first site in the world to be certified by the Starlight Foundation as a “Starlight Tourism Destination”, awarded by UNESCO.
In summer, you can also get to know the life cycle of cork better, which, as a raw material, begins with the extraction of bark from cork oaks. It is the so-called stripping that takes place during the most active phase of the growth of cork, between mid-May or early June until mid or late August.
Autumn begins with the harvest season and with the opportunity that you may have to participate in one of the vast wine tourism programs that we have prepared especially for this season.
At this time, there are in Portugal many parties and regional markets associated with wine where you can get to know and taste the quality and diversity of Portuguese wines.
Wine production in this territory is almost 3000 years old. This results in the great variety of grapes native to the Portuguese regions, which are rarely found in other regions of the world. There are more than 280 types of indigenous Portuguese grapes suitable for wine production. Thus, Portuguese lands are the third country in the world with the greatest diversity of indigenous grape varieties and a dream destination for wine lovers.
The Alentejo region and the Douro region are the areas of excellence for the production of Portuguese wines. In Portugal, the Alentejo has been the great guardian of Talha wines, having known how to preserve this winemaking process developed by the Romans until today. Over the years, the winemaking technique using large ceramic pots has been passed down from generation to generation, in an almost immutable way.
In the fall you can also delight yourself with the typical Portuguese roasted chestnuts or with typical Portuguese gastronomy that is usually associated with this and other dried fruits typical of the season. It is also at this time that the traditional sausage manufacturers are made. They are authentic and distinct between each region of Portugal, together with typical cheeses. It is an excellent opportunity to visit the local sausage factories and participate in thematic gastronomic workshops.
In winter you can try snow sports in Serra da Estrela or take the opportunity to get to know Portuguese gastronomy better, enjoying a gastronomic experience with one of the Portuguese Chefs recognized worldwide or discovering more typical and little-known family restaurants, which delight the discoverers of local flavors.
You can experience a Fado session in a traditional fado house, or visit modern museums that portray thousands of years of local culture and tradition.
There are many traditions and Christmas celebrations that are authentic and typical of Portugal, such as the tradition of Madeiro in the Beira Interior region, or Cante ao Menino, typical of the Alentejo. These festivities are always accompanied with sweets and gastronomy typical of each region and the Christmas season.
Three Kings Day, in Alentejo, is also an excellent opportunity to be touched by listening to Cante Alentejano, when several singing groups celebrate singing in the streets of Alentejo cities and towns. They almost always end up with all the people singing in unison, packed with the comfort of bread, wine and sausages distributed to the population at a community banquet.
Don’t miss the opportunity to watch the olive harvest and transform it into olive oil. This age-old tradition distinguishes Portugal as one of the world’s largest exporters of this product that is so appreciated and used worldwide.
Portugal has an excellent quality in terms of tourist accommodation. Whether you want a country house with an author's architectural project, want to spend the night in an old palace transformed into a 5-star hotel, in a typical and traditional local house or in a luxury tent framed in an incredible natural environment, trust our team to offer you the ideal accommodation for your holidays with us.
The hospitality, affection and friendliness of the Portuguese is well known. We are a safe, tolerant and respectful country for all our visitors. We welcome all visitors in a very warm and sincere way, regardless of different religious, political or sexual orientations. Most of our restaurants have full menus for vegetarians or for people with different types of dietary restrictions, such as gluten and lactose intolerance, etc. Most tour operators and Portuguese people speak and understand English. It is common to find the respective English translations in restaurants, museums, accommodation and in various public and private services.
There are several events, parties, festivals and concerts throughout the year taking place in Portugal. On our blog we will announce the most relevant ones so that our visitors can enjoy all the potential of their vacation destination.
We highlight in the region of Évora the popular parties of S. João and the Évora Wine party that take place in June, as well as the International Puppet Festival. In the summer months, Évora hosts lively cultural events, with many concerts of traditional Portuguese music, jazz or classical music. We also recommend the Wine and Vineyard market that takes place every year in November in Borba (typical village 30 minutes from Évora) or the Arraiolos carpet market. The OVIBEJA market is held annually in the Alentejo city of Beja and is also a popular celebration of Alentejo culture.
In Santarém we highlight the largest Portuguese agricultural market that takes place every year in June. Gastronomic and cultural event where all regions of Portugal are represented. We also highlight the Gastronomy Market, which is also held every year in Santarém, representing the best restaurants, chefs, Portuguese gastronomic products. Near Santarém we also highlight the Christmas Market and the Medieval Festival in the historic village of Óbidos, located 30 minutes from Santarém. We also recommend the Golegã Market, a festival and market dedicated to horses, where equine lovers and traders from all over the world converge.
In the region of Tomar, the ancient and mysterious celebration of the Festa dos Tabuleiros stands out, in honor of the divine holy spirit, which takes place every 4 years, perhaps the greatest popular and religious celebration in Portugal. Also worthy of note is the Templar Festival, which takes place every year in Tomar, with international conferences, historical recreations, concerts and gastronomy. The Bons Sons music festival is held in a village near Tomar and is an excellent opportunity to discover all Portuguese music, from the most traditional to the most modern. Every month, between May and October, on the 13th, there are celebrations and pilgrimages to the sanctuary of Fátima, 30 minutes from Tomar. Fatima is one of the most sacred places for Catholics around the world.
Knowing Portugal and the local culture is much more than visiting the great and beautiful cities of Lisbon and Porto or the famous beaches of the Algarve. We offer our visitors the possibility of visiting destinations with a distinct cultural diversity and authenticity, close to Lisbon. If you do not want to stay in the varied and luxurious hotel and local accommodation that exists in these regions, the short distance to Lisbon allows daily experiences with round trips by public transport, rental car or with our transfer service.
If you travel with your pet, he can find all the conditions of security and accessibility in Portugal. The quality of Portuguese veterinarians is very good and there is a vast network of veterinary clinics throughout the territory, open 24 hours a day for emergencies. There are also many veterinary stores that sell toys and accessories, specific feeds or medicines so that your pet has all the care it needs. There are also accommodations, beaches, restaurants and public transport where you can take your pets, as well as several parks and public gardens in all cities.
Portugal's greatest wealth is the friendliness and taste that the Portuguese have in receiving visitors. Take the opportunity to chat and meet these genuine, sincere and fraternal people. The majority of the population speaks English or Spanish, but don't be surprised to find many bilingual Portuguese in French or German. The Portuguese language is the 5th most spoken in the world, 3rd in the western hemisphere and it is the most spoken language in the southern hemisphere of the planet. There are communities of Portuguese throughout the world, always recognized and very well integrated in all foreign countries. The Portuguese are an educated and well-traveled people, so you can enjoy long and interesting conversations and, who knows, make Portuguese friends for life.
Portugal is in the top 3 of the 2019 Global Peace Index, which measures the ranking of the safest countries in the world. Portugal is only behind Iceland and New Zealand in the list of the safest countries, and is ranked well above neighboring countries, such as Spain and France. Winter in Portugal is a very pleasant season, with frequent sunshine throughout the country and maximum temperatures that rarely drop below 10ºC. With an average of more than 300 sunny days a year, winter here sometimes seems more like spring and sunglasses are always needed. Some places have a special charm this season and you will always find many activities to do.
Use our booking form preferably. To clarify any additional information about our services, you can contact us using our chat on our webpage or by email info@portugalculturalexperience.pt. We will be able to make telephone or video calls later, by appointment. We have a very short response time. In chat, we usually respond within a maximum of 20 minutes and in the form or email in less than 24 hours. Our chat runs between 8:00 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Portuguese time) every day.
All our experiences are private and we generally allow our customers to book at any time, although we are always conditioned by our availability, the availability of our partners, the time of entry and closing of the main monuments to visit and the region where the experience will be performed. For these reasons we usually propose to start the experiment at 9:00 (9:00 AM), 12:00 (12:00 p.m.) or 16:00 (4:00 p.m.). We can also schedule for night time. For lunches and dinners we recommend starting time usually at 12:30/13:00 (12: 00/01: 00 p.m.) and 20:00 (8:00 p.m.) respectively. If none of these times are suitable for you please contact us.
Experiences always start wherever the customer desires. If your accommodation is located within or near the historic center, we can start at the hotel reception. If your accommodation is located nearby and you need a transfer service (if this is not included in the experience) we will send you our proposal based on the distance it is located from the historic city center. For visitors who come by car or public transport we will schedule a central location with easy access, depending on the region where the experience will take place.
The payment for the experiences is made in cash, at the end of the visit to the guide, or by bank transfer up to 24 hours before the start of the experience, with the sending of the respective bank receipt to our email. In situations that include accommodation packages, high budgets, group visits or for experiences contracted by partner entities and / or other travel agencies, payment terms may be adjusted to each situation.
After sending the invoice data by the customer, we will send the invoice in digital format, by email, after the cultural experience is completed.
Transportation is always done with a driver and in a vehicle legally authorized to transport passengers who have the corresponding personal accident insurance. The driver will always speak in the language requested for the cultural experience.
Yes, except for December 25th and January 1st and according to our availability.
Yes. If we are informed of this condition in advance, we will always be happy to adjust the menus to the customer's preferences.
Yes. If we are informed in advance, we will do everything to make the route as accessible as possible, selecting the places with the greatest patrimonial interest and with the most appropriate accessibility. We will take more rest breaks during the tour and, if necessary, we can add a TUK-TUK to the experience, if this is a guided tour.
Yes. Please inform in advance that you want to be accompanied with your pet. We will do an adapted route that does not include entrances in closed places (churches, museums, shops, transport, etc.).
No. All of our experiences with visiting paid-for monuments already include entrance tickets. We buy tickets in advance whenever possible and with special access, in order to avoid waiting times in the entrance lines and providing better comfort to the customer during our experiences. If you wish to visit any paid entrance monument that is not included in our experiences, please inform us in advance to integrate it into our cultural experience.
Yes. If we and our partners are available, we can adjust the start time of the experience, as long as we are notified at least 24 hours in advance. All our experiences are adapted to the weather conditions of the moment, for the best comfort and safety of our visitors. To cancel the experience, please see our cancellation policies on our website.
Yes. Tell us what city, region and what you want and we will be happy to create an experience that suits you.
Yes. Children up to the age of 12 do not pay or have reduce prices and we are happy to meet your family. If you inform us in advance, we will prepare a surprise and adapt part of the route for the children.
Yes. We love to surprise and we can make you the best suggestions to celebrate the birthday of someone special or a romantic surprise. Inform us in advance about what you want.
JMDC – Animação Turística, Lda.
Address: CIES – Centro Inovação Empresarial de Santarém,
Largo do Infante Santo, Sala 12, 2005-246 Santarém, PORTUGAL
Licenses Number: RNAVT 8698 and RNAAT 368 (Turismo de Portugal, I.P.)
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