Destination: Portugal
Portugal tours for seniors
Embark on a journey with Odyssey’s tailored small group tours, specially crafted for senior couples and mature solo travellers, offering a seamless and laid-back travel experience across Western Europe, including a captivating Portugal tour. Delve into Portugal’s rich tapestry of natural wonders, its imperial past, exploration heritage, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and charming historic cities. Witness the breathtaking beauty of the Sintra mountain range, lush olive groves, and medieval towns nestled along the rugged coastline as you traverse the length of the Iberian Peninsula, encompassing the charms of Southern Portugal.
Join us for an enriching exploration led by a seasoned tour director and supported by knowledgeable local guides, ensuring a personalized journey for a maximum of 14 like-minded individuals. Immerse yourself in the allure of Portugal as you uncover hidden gems and cultural treasures, all meticulously curated for senior travellers seeking an unforgettable experience. Unveil the beauty of Portugal on an Odyssey small group tour, where every step is a new discovery and every moment is tailored to create lasting memories during your 2024 or 2025 Portugal vacation.
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Portugal Tours
Tours for Mature Aged and Senior World Travellers
18 days
Aug, AprDiscover Portugal
Visiting Portugal
Join Odyssey Traveller small group journeys with like minded people on this immersive 18-day escorted tour of Portugal. This travel experience takes us from the capital of Lisbon, through Portugal's many historic cities and key UNESCO World heritage sites.
From A$11,275 AUD
View Tour19 days
Sep, Jun, AugSaint James Way Small Group Walking Tour (The Camino)- Spain
Visiting Portugal, Spain
Experience pleasant sections of the Way of Saint James, crossing some of Spain’s most beautiful landscapes. We follow the pilgrims on easy distances of The Way to the mythical destination, Santiago de Compostella. Not since the middle ages has this adventure for body and mind been more popular. We also get to discover the artistic highlights and rich history of Northern Spain and Portugal, as well as enjoying local wines and exquisite food.
From A$14,135 AUD
View Tour65 days
Mar, Jul, FebSingapore to Lisbon by train
Visiting China
A small group railway journey from Singapore to Lisbon. The longest in the world for senior couples and mature solo travellers. Explore over some 56 days, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Russia, France, Spain and Portugal. Limited to 10 travelers on this escorted program.
From A$41,145 AUD
View Tour24 days
Apr, Oct, MarSmall Group Guided Tours of Spain and Portugal
Visiting Portugal, Spain
Our program explores the lands of Spain and Portugal, two countries bound by many centuries of history reflected in their modern cultures. Divided by history and language, contiguous neighbours Spain and Portugal were once host to gigantic empires that still bear their languages and lifestyles. A small group tour for couple and solo travellers.
From A$16,225 AUD
View Tour21 days
Jun, SepLisbon & Barcelona small group tour
Visiting Portugal, Spain
An escorted tour for like minded people that provides mature couples and solo travellers with daily itineraries that provide authentic experiences with qualified local guides in the great cities of Lisbon and Barcelona over 21 days. For solo travellers a nominal single supplement is charged.
From A$14,250 AUD
View Tour75 days
May, Aug, AprGrand tour of Europe
Visiting Austria, Belgium, Croatia
For the senior couple or mature solo traveler seeking a small group educational tour focussed on exploring and learning with like minded people in Europe.
From A$47,275 AUD
View TourLocated on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal’s historical significance is undeniable. In the early modern period, it commanded the seas, leading the age of Portuguese exploration and establishing a vast empire spanning from Indonesia to Brazil. The resulting imperial prosperity is evident in the intricate Renaissance architecture found in cities like Braga, Sintra, and Lisbon. Embarking on a tour of Portugal unveils not only its cultural richness but also its historical grandeur, with stops in Nazare, Alfama, Mafra, Obidos and Evora.
Distinct in its legacy, Portugal gave rise to the Manueline style, named after King Manuel I, whose reign witnessed the nation’s unprecedented expansion and accumulation of wealth. This architectural style, unique to 16th-century Portugal, is characterized by elaborate ornamentation and maritime motifs, like intricate carvings of barnacles and nautical instruments adorning buildings along the cobblestone streets. The Jeronimos Monastery stands as a testament to this style, offering a glimpse into a bygone era on guided walking tours tailored for senior travelers.
While celebrating Portugal’s architectural opulence, it is crucial to acknowledge the darker aspects of its past. For two centuries, from 1440 to 1640, Portugal held a monopoly on the slave trade. In the 16th century, Lisbon boasted a significant African population, with around 10% of its inhabitants living in slavery, a sobering reminder of the complexities of history.
On tours designed for seniors in Portugal, a delicate balance is struck between exploration and education. Travelers are increasingly drawn to the captivating cities and breathtaking natural landscapes of Portugal, seeking a profound travel experience. Whether guided by a knowledgeable tour director or venturing out independently, visitors can immerse themselves in local history and savor the renowned seafood in quaint eateries. Indulging in Portuguese culinary delights, be sure to visit Fabrica dos Pasteis de Belem, a traditional bakery crafting delectable custard tarts since 1837.
Articles about Portugal
Questions About Portugal for senior travellers
Enjoy escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Portugal. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel to Lisbon, Mafra, Nazare, and Obidos and beyond.
The Golden Years of Lisbon
Successfully breaking the Venetian monopoly on spices and also cornering the African market made Portugal cash-rich. Pepper, which the Portuguese bought for two cruzados (gold coin) a sack in Cochin, India, was sold for 30 cruzados in Lisbon.
'Queen of the Sea': Lisbon: The Definitive Guide for Travellers
‘Queen of the Sea’: A History of Lisbon In 1554, the writer Damião de Góis claimed that out of all the European cities, only Lisbon and her rival Seville ‘could rightfully be called Ladies and…
Empires in World History
Empires shape history and influence the format of many of our small group tours. The Mongol, Persian, Roman, British and Ottoman empires are just a few An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers.
Spanish Exploration and Conquest of the Americas
An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers. Article summarizes the Spanish explorers and the race against the Portuguese for access to the Americas.
Lisbon Travel Notes for mature & senior Travellers
Lisbon Travel Notes for mature & senior Travellers Travellers, meet Lisbon. Lisbon, Travellers. Hello there. Olá! I am Lisbon, an elegant Portuguese city perched upon the banks of the sparkling River Tagus. Locals call me ‘Lisboa’.…
Touring Portugal
The need to know
Getting around
Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Portugal is not a very big country, and flying between cities is not always necessary. All the major cities are connected by bus and train (among the least expensive in Europe). A high speed train – the Alfa Pendular – runs from north to south and stops in all the popular tourist cities. It is also quite easy to drive around the country on your own on Portugal’s well maintained toll roads.
Accommodation
In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.
Tour Guides
Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.
Geography, environment & weather
Portugal is situated on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula. It is split by the Tagus River, which flows from Spain, right across the country and meets the coast at Lisbon. Typically, north of the river is mountainous and the south is characterised by flatter, rolling hills.
Portugal has a Mediterranean climate. It is one of the warmest countries in Europe, with some parts of the country averaging up to 28 degrees year round. Even so, some of the mountainous regions see regular snowfall. Portugal’s island regions (the Azores and Madeira) have subtropical climates.
World Heritage sites
Despite being a small country, Portugal boasts 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can view the official list of the sites here https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/pt.
- It is well worth visiting every site, if you are able. But here’s a few highlights from the bunch:
- Colourful medieval castles of Sintra
- Joronimos Monsastery
- and the Tower of Belem in Lisbon
- Alto Douro Wine Region
Festivals & events
If you’ve heard of Carnaval, you might think of colourful, scantily clad Brazilians dancing in the streets. But this bacchanalian festival actually originated in Portugal.
The biggest party is in Lisbon’s Parques Nacoes, with street parades, masks and costumes, floats and theatrical performances. Braga is the main site of Portugal’s Holy Week processions, during which the streets fill with relgious symbols, flowers and lights.
The UNESCO World Heritage listed mountain town of Sintra also hosts its own festival, featuring ballet dancers, pianists and chamber musicians. For something different: at the Cascais Festival of the Sea, young fisherman try to impress female spectators by running bulls. Take your pick!
Reading list
- The Fat Man and Infinity by Lobo Antunes
- Distant Music by Lee Langley
- The Portuguese: The Land and Its People by Marion A Kaplan
- Portugal: A Companion History by Jose H Saraiva
Eating & Drinking
Unsurprisingly, this coastal nation is big on seafood. It is a staple of the Portuguese diet – especially salt cod (although its taste is not for everyone). Give a go anyhow. Peri-peri spice is used to flavour chicken and shrimp and is one of Portugal’s great gifts to hangover cuisine. There are many other Portuguese spiced dishes that are worth your time. As far as dining is concerned, Portugal is great place to wander the streets until something takes your fancy. This is the best way to get off the tourist trail and discover the local cuisine.
Health & safety
While much of Portugal is usually safe to travel around, it’s important to stay alert to anything unusual. Also, you will often see signs warning of pickpockets in areas popular with tourists, so it’s important to keep a close eye on your belongings at all times.
Electrical supply
Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply runs at 230V, 50Hz. Portuguese plugs have two circular pins, similar to most of Europe.
The best of Portugal
Highlights
Evora
Evora is one of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns, featuring Roman ruins and plenty of Alentejan restaurants
Read MoreFAQs
What is the time zone for Portugal?
Portugal has a single time zone (excluding its overseas territories e.g. the Azores), Western European Time. The nation observes daylight saving time from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.
Is English widely spoken in Portugal?
Yes, although Portuguese is the official language and is spoken by 96% of the population. Portuguese is also the sole official language of Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe and Portuguese speakers can also be found in parts of India, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea and Macau.
Is tipping customary in Portugal?
If you’re on an Odyssey tour, we take care of tipping so you don’t need to give it a second thought. However, in your free time, or if travelling independently, it’s essential that you make sure you tip an appropriate amount for services, as is the case throughout much of Europe. It’s customary to tip 10-15% of the bill at restaurants, or 1 to 3 euro at a more casual establishment. It’s polite to round a bill up to the nearest whole figure or leave the change when buying drinks.
What is Portugal's currency?
Portugal uses the Euro (EUR) as of January 1999. Prior to this, the currency was the Portuguese escudo but it was removed from circulation as of 2012. The word ‘escudo’ means ‘shield’ in Portuguese. Some average costs you might encounter in Portugal are (as of 2019):
- 1 litre milk: 0.60 EUR
- 1 cappuccino: 1.30 EUR
- Eating in restaurant for two: 20 EUR
- Cinema ticket: 7 EUR
External articles to assist you on your visit to Portugal.
- How to get from Lisbon to Sintra (Lisbon Guru)
- How much does it cost to go to Portugal? (Money We Have)
- The 15 Best Day Trips from Lisbon (The Crazy Tourist)
- 9 Awesome Stops for Your Road Trip from Lisbon to Porto (My Path in the World)
- Visit Portugal
Updated August 2021.
Responsible travel tips for Portugal.
- Learn at least the local greetings to break the ice. Although many locals speak English, the more you know of the native language, the greater your experience of the country will be.
- Carry a business card in your wallet or purse from your local hotel, to assist you with the return journey if you do become lost.
- Always ensure that you are covered by travel insurance. If you need advice on this feel free to contact Odyssey and we’ll be able to help.
- When travelling independently, make sure you check the opening hours of shops and museums so that you don’t miss out! Museums and galleries are often closed on Mondays. Also be certain to check whether your trip coincides with any public holidays, so you can plan accordingly.
- Consider contacting your bank to inform them that you may be making purchases overseas. Otherwise, they may flag any activity on your account as suspicious. Also, check which ATMs and banks are compatible with your cards, to ensure you can withdraw cash with minimal fees.
- Before departing, make sure you have a number of euros in a range of denominations. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.