Best walking tours in Portugal

Pace: moderate

Explore one of Portugal's most beautiful islands on a week-long walking holiday to Madeira. Take in views of unspoilt, verdant landscapes as you hike amongst a network of levadas. Built during the sixteenth-century to distribute rainwater from the north of the island to the parched regions of the south, these unique open canal systems gently trickle down the forested hillsides alongside ancient footpaths. Trek through lush UNESCO-protected laurel forest to uncover the plummeting waterfall of Caldeirão Verde, and edge your way along the famous Balcony Walk between the peaks of Arieiro and Ruivo.

Pace: easy to moderate

Join our two-week island-hopping walking tour amongst the Azores Islands of Sao Miguel, Terceira, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial. Located 800 miles away from Portugal's mainland, the Azores archipelago is full of natural wonders from extinct volcanoes and hot thermal springs to craggy coastlines and verdant vineyards. Walk along the rim of Sete Ciades crater to discover far-reaching views over the striking azure-blue and emerald-green lakes and follow the hydrangea-lined path of Faja dos Cubres down to a shallow coastal lagoon set on the shores of the ocean. 

Pace: easy

Tiers of fertile vineyards wrap around the neat terraces of Douro Valley, one of Portugal's winemaking regions. Enjoy gentle walks along the banks of the calm Douro River snaking west towards the sea, and visit a local vineyard in Peso da Regua to learn about how the grapes are grown, harvested and pressed before sampling some of the local tipples. Cruise downstream to admire views of the valley from the water and take a train from the ornately decorated station of Pochino to the bustling city of Porto.