8-Day Food & Wine Guided Tour in Portugal with Cooking

8-Day Portugal Food & Wine Tour | Cooking Classes Included

Overview

Experience an intimate Portugal food and wine tour designed for travelers who want authentic flavors, local culture, and hands-on cooking. Over 8 days and 7 nights, you will travel from Lisbon to Porto and into the green countryside of Minho, with tastings, market visits, and cooking classes led by passionate local hosts.

🗺️ What to Expect

This small-group journey keeps the pace relaxed and the experiences personal, with a maximum of 10 travelers and private transfers during touring days. Expect a delicious mix of iconic cities and quieter landscapes, from Lisbon’s historic Belém district and storybook Sintra to Porto’s riverside charm, then onward to rural Arcos de Valdevez near Peneda-Gerês National Park.

Along the way, you will taste Portugal through its signature products and traditions, including olive oil, artisan foods, Vinho Verde tasting, and a classic Port wine tasting in Porto. You will also step into the kitchen for memorable cooking moments, including dinner prep with Chef Vasco and a traditional bread-making session, plus a special cooking lesson at Casas da Li hosted by Lígia Santos, the first winner of Masterchef Portugal.

✨ Highlights

• 🥧 Watch a demonstration and enjoy a tasting at the legendary Pastéis de Belém in Lisbon.
• 🏰 Visit colorful Pena Palace in Sintra, with time to explore cobbled streets and local pastry traditions.
• 🍒 Sip ginja cherry liqueur served in a chocolate cup in medieval Óbidos, plus a sweet bomboca treat.
• 🫒 Learn the essentials of Portuguese olive oil, with a technical tasting of three olive oils.
• 🐟 Tour a canned sardines factory, then taste sardines with bread and a glass of Portuguese wine.
• 🍷 Enjoy a Port wine tasting in Porto and discover the region’s celebrated wines and heritage.
• 👩‍🍳 Join immersive cooking experiences in the countryside, including dinner prep and traditional bread-making.

📍 Itinerary

Day 1, Lisbon, Arrive at Lisbon Airport (LIS). Private transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore. Check-in from 2 PM.

Day 2, Lisbon to Sintra to Lisbon, Meet at 08:30. Visit Sintra, including the National Palace area and Pena Palace (entrance included). Taste local cakes at Piriquita pastry shop. Return to Lisbon for Jerónimos Monastery, the Discoveries Monument, Belém Tower, and a Pastéis de Belém demonstration and tasting.

Day 3, Lisbon to Óbidos to Nazaré to Porto, Meet at 09:00. Explore Óbidos and taste ginja in a chocolate cup, plus one bomboca. Continue to Nazaré for coastal atmosphere and free time for lunch. Overnight in Porto.

Day 4, Porto, Meet at 09:30. Guided walking tour through Porto’s historic center, then a market stop to learn about olive oil and taste Portuguese products. Cross the Douro River for a port wine cellar visit and tasting.

Day 5, Porto to Arcos de Valdevez, Free morning in Porto. Meet at 11:30. Visit a sardine cannery with tasting. Travel into the Minho countryside near Peneda-Gerês National Park. Visit a local vineyard and expand your knowledge with a Vinho Verde tasting. Dinner at the rural hotel, with the option to help Chef Vasco prepare the meal.

Day 6, Arcos de Valdevez, Guided walk in Sistelo along the Vez River Paths and Walkways (about 3 hours). Picnic lunch, wine tasting, and dinner at the hotel. Optional hands-on cooking class with Chef Vasco, followed by dinner.

Day 7, Arcos de Valdevez to Braga, Traditional bread-making class, creating broa de milho using locally grown corn and wheat. Afternoon guided walking tour of Braga, including Bom Jesus do Monte Shrine. Overnight in Braga.

Day 8, Departure, Check-out by 11 AM. Private transfer to Oporto Airport (OPO) or Braga train station.

✅ What’s Included

• Private transfer from Lisbon Airport (LIS) to your hotel in Lisbon.
• Accommodation, 7 nights in twin or single room, 5 nights in 4-star city hotels and 2 nights in a countryside hotel.
• Daily buffet breakfasts.
• 2 lunches and 2 dinners.
• Lisbon, Pastéis de Belém demonstration and tasting, includes one pastry and one coffee (or non-alcoholic alternative).
• Cooking lesson at Casas da Li, hosted by Lígia Santos, first winner of Masterchef Portugal.
• Sintra, Pena Palace entrance ticket included.
• Piriquita pastry tasting, queijada and travesseiro.
• Presentation on the olive oil sector in Portugal and technical proof of three Portuguese olive oils.
• Óbidos, ginja cherry liqueur in a chocolate glass, plus one bomboca.
• Canned sardines factory tour with tasting, sardines, bread, and one glass of Portuguese wine.
• Wine tastings, port wine cellar and the best winery of Vinho Verde.
• Tasting of Portuguese products, olive oil, bread, sausages, cheeses, and one glass of Portuguese wine.
• Braga, Bom Jesus do Monte Shrine.
• Guided walking city tour in Porto and Braga.
• Full-day sightseeing tour, Lisbon, Sintra, Óbidos, and Nazaré.
• Private transfers during the tours.
• Luggage transfer between accommodations, 1 large suitcase per person (max 20 kg, 90 cm x 75 cm x 43 cm) and 1 backpack per person.
• English-speaking guide throughout the tour.
• Private transfer from your hotel in Braga to Oporto Airport (OPO) or Braga train station.

❌ Exclusions

• Flights.
• Travel insurance.
• Drinks and meals not specified.
• Entrances other than those mentioned.
• Additional luggage transfers exceeding the standard baggage allowance.
• City tax.
• Visa.
• Tips and gratuities.
• Telephone, Wi-Fi, and personal expenses.

ℹ️ Important Information

• Duration, 8 days, 7 nights.
• Meeting point, Lisbon Airport (LIS) for arrival transfer. Daily meeting points are typically in the hotel lobby as noted in the itinerary.
• End point, transfer to Oporto Airport (OPO) or Braga train station after check-out by 11 AM.
• Group size, maximum 10 people.
• Age range, 12 to 85.
• Accessibility, not suitable for individuals with mobility issues or wheelchairs. Expect easy walking, some stairs, and historic areas with limited accessibility.
• Pena Palace mobility note, Pena Palace has stairs and sloped streets without elevator access. If you have mobility concerns or prefer to avoid crowds, it can be replaced by Queluz Palace for private groups with a 25-day advance request. In case of a weather alert, the visit will be switched to Queluz Palace because access to Pena Palace will be closed.
• Dietary notes, not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. Severe allergies cannot be fully guaranteed against due to local kitchen environments. If you do not eat pork or have dietary restrictions, inform the team in advance and they will do their best to accommodate.
• Hotels, Lisbon, Hotel Marquês de Pombal or similar, Porto, Turim Oporto Hotel or similar, Arcos de Valdevez, Casas da Li, Braga, Porta Nova Collection House or similar. Booking is confirmed after final hotel availability confirmation.
• Cancellation policy, more than 35 days before arrival, 100 percent refund or a flexible gift card option.

🍷 Secure Your Spot for a Portugal Culinary Escape

If you want a small-group journey that blends iconic sights with real local flavor, this Portugal food and wine tour delivers meaningful tastings, memorable cooking moments, and smooth logistics from Lisbon to Porto. Places are limited to 10 travelers, so book now to lock in your dates and savor Portugal one bite and one sip at a time.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ

Are international flights included in the package?
No, international flights are not included. Travelers arrive at Lisbon Airport (LIS) and typically depart from Oporto Airport (OPO), with the final transfer included from Braga.

Are there any physical requirements for this tour?
This tour involves easy walking and some stairs, and some historic sites have limited accessibility. It is not recommended for individuals with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

What is the group size for this Portugal food and wine tour?
This Portugal food and wine tour is limited to a maximum of 10 people. The small-group format helps keep the experience relaxed, personal, and easy to follow with your guide.

I want to book an extra night in Lisbon. Would the transfer from the airport to the hotel still be included?
Yes, the transfer from Lisbon Airport (LIS) to your Lisbon hotel is still included at no extra fee. The team can also assist you with booking an extra night in Lisbon.

Can I still get the airport transfer if I book an additional night in Braga?
Yes, the private transfer from your Braga hotel to Oporto Airport (OPO) remains included even with a later departure. If you plan to return to Lisbon by train, the transfer can be adjusted to Braga train station instead.