The 13 Best Portugal Shore Excursions

1.Douro Valley Cruise Porto to Pinhão: Breakfast, Lunch and Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 451 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $135Our pick

Cruise from Porto to Pinhão along the Douro, passing three major dams and locks while breakfast and lunch are served onboard. After arriving, you visit a wine estate for a tasting, then return to Porto by bus. Expect a scenic but very long day, with limited time at the winery.

“Overall, we were glad we took this tour. Once we got off the rocky start of large crowds. Staff great, food delicious, price great, 3 locks interesting, and overall beautiful day. Once we moved, the crowded feeling went away and we loved the scenery and overall day. (The bus ride home has some narrow roads, so was a bit scary. The driver was AMAZING!. Some people stayed in city overnight & returned by train on their own too)”

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2.Benagil Cave Boat Tour – Catamarans or Rib – 2 H From Portimão

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 288 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $21

From Portimão, you’ll cruise the Algarve coast toward Benagil Cave in a catamaran or RIB, passing Praia Grande and Santa Catarina Fortress, entering coastal grottoes, and stopping briefly to swim. English support is offered, though boat type, guiding, drinks, and timing can vary.

“Nice staff but they overbooked the day we did our tour and we wasted the whole day from traveling to the location. They asked us if we would wait for a later tour but we couldn’t so they just refunded us.”

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3.Ponta Delgada: Sete Cidades Volcano Lakes Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 198 reviews · 4 hours · from $47

Leave your cruise ship in Ponta Delgada for a four-hour guided trip to Sete Cidades. You’ll see the Green and Blue Lakes, Santiago Lake, Pico do Carvão, and a working pineapple plantation, with guides such as Mario and Denisa leading the way.

“Our guide Denisa was very personable and knowledgeable about the lakes area and the Azores in general. I would definitely recommend this tour!”

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4.Madeira: Private Tour for Cruise Ship Passengers

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 90 reviews · 7 hours

Meet João, Rui, Tiago, or another local driver at Funchal Cruise Port for a private Madeira tour shaped around your group. Visit Cabo Girão, Monte, Câmara de Lobos, and island viewpoints at your own pace, with Wi-Fi, water, and a ship-safe return included.

“Sites where amazing. Appreciate that the guide Rui, waited patiently for us (cruise was delayed for an hour). He also tailored the tour to our needs and timing was perfect. Thank you for a memorable day trip.”

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5.Shore Excursion Lisbon – Half-day Exclusive Tuk Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $101Top rated

See Lisbon’s steep lanes, Alfama, Mouraria, Bairro Alto, Chiado, Senhora do Monte, and Belém in a private electric tuk-tuk. Your guide-driver handles the streets and storytelling, with cruise-terminal pickup included. Marta and Arthur are among the guides praised for personal, informative tours.

“The scenic viewpoints were the highlights of this tour. The knowledge of the tour guide was impressive. The Tour could have been shortened and still would have seen the same about of sites. The history and information was a bit too much.”

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6.Azores: Shore Excursion Furnas – Crater volcano and hot springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $94

From Ponta Delgada port, you’ll ride with a local guide to Furnas for tea tasting, crater views, steaming vents, and volcanic cooking pits. You can add Terra Nostra or Dona Beija thermal bathing, though entry costs extra and the short schedule may limit pool time.

“Great experience, amazing views, beautiful landscapes. Pedro was awesome as our tour guide. Very knowledgeable”

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7.Early Morning TukTuk Tour – hotel/cruise ship pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 45 reviews · 2 hours · from $76

Start early with a private cyan-blue electric tuk-tuk and a local guide such as Francisco, Pedro, Beni, or José. You’ll pass through Alfama, Mouraria, Graça, Baixa, Chiado, and Bairro Alto, stopping at Lisbon’s best viewpoints before pausing for coffee and a short walk at the Santa Justa Lift.

“Jose Pedroso was an incredible guide! From history to Fado to literature, we covered a lot during our two hour tour. This tour guide and jazz musician has extensive knowledge about Lisbon and brings heart and levity to his story-telling. The in-depth tour was time well spent and included stunning panoramic views of the city. One of our most moving experiences was learning about the 1974 Carnation Revolution in the very park in which military forces were confronted during the revolution, leading to the regime’s collapse. Thanks, Jose, for a truly memorable, well-paced, and moving experience!”

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8.Cruise Travellers : Furnas Volcano & Terra Nostra Thermal Pool

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 37 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $130

From Ponta Delgada’s cruise terminal, iGoAzores takes you by minivan to São Miguel viewpoints, Gorreana Tea Plantation, Furnas, and Terra Nostra’s thermal pool. Expect an English-speaking local guide, a small group when available, tea tasting, volcanic scenery, and a 5 to 6-hour schedule.

“Wonderful tour! Great sights and tour guide.They took us to the most breathtakingly beautiful places. This whole area is just gorgeous!”

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9.Lisbon Shore Excursion Private Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $150

Spend four hours seeing Lisbon’s key sights in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with your own group. Walk through Alfama, pause at Senhora do Monte, explore Belém, and optionally sample Pastéis de Belém. Elizabeth is one guide named in the feedback.

“our guide was terrific, very well spoken and informative. She took us all over Lisbon. we enjoyed this tour very much.”

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10.Audio Guide Citywalk Funchal for Cruise Guests

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 23 reviews · 365 days · from $11Best value

Start at Funchal’s cruise port and follow a GPS audio walk through Madeira’s history, pirate tales, tiled pavements, the cathedral, market hall, and Rua Santa Maria. Use the app in English or German, pause for photos and cafés, and finish above the harbor at Santa Catarina Park.

“Just a recording on an app. Totally not worth it”

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11.Lisbon Private Shore Excursion: City Tour by Minivan Including Food and Wine Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $264

Meet your English-speaking guide at Lisbon’s cruise port for a four-hour private minivan tour. Visit Sé Cathedral, Graça, Alfama and Belém, then stroll Baixa and sample pastel de Belém, vinho verde, cod cake, port and cheese. Guides may include Rodrigo, John, Vlad, Harald, Edgar or Louis.

“Edgar did a wonderful job as our guide. He was very attentive and helpful to our special needs. Pick up was at the pier which was especially convenient.”

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12.Cruise Travellers: Shore Excursion Sete Cidades & Furnas Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $98

Travel from Ponta Delgada’s cruise terminal to Vista do Rei, Gorreana tea plantation, Furnas, and Lagoa das Furnas in 5 to 6 hours. An English-speaking local guide such as John, Andrea, Diego, or Carlos leads the drive. Thermal pools and meals cost extra.

“Very nice tour. The tour guide was knowledgeable about the town. The tour guide wanted to make sure the participants had an enjoyable experience.”

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13.Audio Guide City Walk Lisbon for Cruise Guests

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 4 reviews · 365 days · from $11

Use the Aoyo Audioguides app in English or German for a self-guided Lisbon walk from the cruise terminal. Follow GPS prompts through Alfama, past São Jorge Castle and the Sé Cathedral, then down to Baixa and Praça do Comércio. Stop for cafés, shopping, photos, or rests whenever you like.

“Op eigen tempo de stad verkennen, leuk. Er zitten wel wat pittige klimmetjes in. Maar zo zijn er veel in Lissabon.”

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