Kimkim Trip Reviews for Portugal

We had an amazing trip to Portugal. Giorgia, Karin, and Carmen were wonderful with helping to create the perfect trip. Communication was great and the trip went exactly as planned and exceeded expectations. We would definitely recommend using kimkim to anyone looking to take a trip.

Hotel Reviews

Lagos Avenida Hotel

Lagos

Authenticity & Character

Location

K

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Portugal Boutique Hotel

Lisbon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Be Poet Baixa Hotel

Lisbon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Evening of Fado

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Algarve Kayaking Trip to Benagil Caves

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wine Tasting & Lunch at a Portuguese Quinta

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pedro and his Team of Across Portugal were fantastic people to work with. I was impressed with the professionalism, responsiveness and attention to detail. Pedro was in constant communication with us to make sure every single detail was perfect. The transportation services were excellent. Hotels were extraordinary, It was a five star experience, and a very comprehensive and well planned trip.

Thank you Pedro for an amazing trip! Pedro and his team of Across Portugal are the best, I highly recommended them!

Pedro was super knowledgeable, helpful, and responsive. An absolute pleasure to work with.

Very smooth trip to Lisbon!

We had a great time in Portugal- we only stayed in Lisbon, but had a wonderful day trip to Sintra as well. Pedro had everything organized for us so the trip was a breeze!

Our recent journey through Spain and Portugal was nothing short of magical, starting with the vibrant city of Madrid. Our guide, Hector, provided a fantastic 3-hour tour of Madrid's charming neighborhoods. One of the highlights was discovering a hidden gem in Plaza del Conde de Miranda: the Monasterio del Corpus Christi. Here, we got a delightful surprise—delicious cookies baked by cloistered nuns who are forbidden to communicate with the outside world. This monastery, in operation since 1607, now shares its sweet treats with the public. This unique and delicious experience is a must-see!

Next, we journeyed to the historic city of Toledo, where the Gothic cathedrals left us in awe. We then headed south to Seville, indulging in tapas for days and soaking in the passionate rhythms of a mesmerizing flamenco show.

Crossing into Portugal, we found ourselves in the coastal paradise of Lagos, where relaxation by the pool and rooftop drinks became our daily routine. Our adventure concluded in Lisbon, a city that captivated us with its stunning palaces, bustling sounds, and a heartfelt fado show. One of the highlights was an exhilarating off-road trip to the high mountaintops, offering breathtaking views of Portugal’s natural beauty.

From the bustling streets of Madrid to the serene landscapes of Portugal, this trip was an unforgettable blend of history, culture, and relaxation. Thank you Rita and the KimKim team for taking what could have been a very time-consuming process to organize and made it easy to enjoy.

Activity Reviews

Tapas Culinary Experience

Madrid

Quality of Experience

Food

Guided Visit of Madrid: History, Culture & Architecture of the Capital of Spain

Madrid

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Flamenco Experience

Spain

Quality of Experience

Guided Visit of Seville

Seville

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Discover Rural Algarve

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Evening of Fado

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Food

Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

João and the team have done an excellent job from the planning stage to our trip completion. They planned the trip well taking into account our preferences and all the experiences and hotels were great. They helped us during the trip addressing any issues, such as unexpected restaurant closures, in advance and at no cost to us. João was always alaivalable and answered many questions timely and thoughtfully.

It felt good to be working with professionals such as João.

We would highly recommend João's services and expertise to anyone wanting to explore Portugal.

Activity Reviews

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

The guide was excellent and very friendly. She knew history and spoke English very well. Highly recommended when in Porto.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was excellent and very friendly. She knew history and spoke English very well. Highly recommended when in Porto.

Scenic Voyage along the Douro River aboard an Exclusive Boat

Douro Valley

This was a highlight of our trip. Both because of the superb views but also because of the boat crew great service.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver for the day did everything right. It was a pleasure.

Transport

Excellent mini van

Panoramic Boat to the Ponta da Piedade Grottoes

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Farewell

Lisbon Int. Airport (LIS)

Excellent transfer service.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wow! What an incredible trip from planning stages through the the last hours. Pedro spent a lot of time going back and forth via email and phone to ensure the trip was planned perfectly for our likes and our budget. He was beyond accommodating, extremely responsive and made it so easy!

All of our drivers were fantastic from the moment we got from the airport to Lisbon. What a beautiful city and we very much enjoyed our walking tour and the wine and cheese after. Fantastic way to see the city and learn about history/culture. On our third day we went to Sintra and explored the castle. Just the outside because we heard that’s the best part and it was very busy. So unbelievable and not to miss!! Now the town itself we didn’t spend much time in because of the crowds honestly. So many other great things to do and since we had a private driver he took us to small towns around the coast up to a great view to see Lisbon across the water. Carlos, our driver, went above and beyond to ensure we had a great day. One thing I forgot to mention is how great it was to get Pedro’s daily updates and texts. Even if we wanted to move something around a bit in terms of timing he made it happen without any worries. So quick to accommodate. And the restaurant recommendations were great too!!

On our way up to Porto we stopped in Obidos which is an absolute must see!! Honestly I would have stayed there for a night it was so adorable. We went also to Nazaré but no waves the day we were there. Porto was beautiful but much busier to us than Lisbon. But maybe because it was closer to the weekend. Our walking tour was good, not our fav part. But the meal they’re known for Fransisina at the place recommend was amazing!! We also loved Honest Greens there if you like healthy food,

Our trip to the Douro Valley was wonderful with a boat tour and the most amazing lunch at the winery. We did a port tour in Porto, but maybe I’d recommend if possible doing it in the valley instead. We had a lots of wine with our meal, so just couldn’t drink anymore 😂 A ton of eating and drinking for sure throughout the trip. The food is wonderful!!

We picked up our rental car very early the next day bd so glad we did. It only took us 4 1/2 hour to get to the Alagarve and we were enjoying the views and sun by 12:15. If you go to Portugal it’s a must!! Very beautiful and relaxing. Our boat tour through the grottoes was unbelievable. And our meal at Luca’s Rooftop recommended by Pedro was a highlight too! We loved walking from our hotel - Cascades along the coast and also stopped in small towns on our way back to Lisbon/Cascais. We had lunch at this amazing place where you were in the middle of a rock formation. Look up The Bodega or The Doll. Wow so awesome!!

We didn’t get to spend much time in Cascais, but definitely would recommend a night and a day or two. So quaint and we had an amazing last meal at a place we stumbled upon that’s Italian and it was worth the hour wait for sure.

On our way back to the airport we forgot to give our daughter’s their passports as we were going home and they were staying in Europe! What could have been a disaster was quickly rectified by Pedro and the driver drove back and hand delivered them to our girls. Above and beyond!!! Just like the service and our entire trip. I would highly recommend Pedro, Luis and Marisa to help plan your trip to Portugal. You will not regret it. The culture, people, sights, food —all of it—amazing! I’ve been all around the world and this is one of my fav places with a great first experience with Kim Kim! Will def use the service again!

Hotel Reviews

Montebelo Lisbon Downtown Apartments

Lisboa

Clean, centrally located, great beds and AC.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

NH Collection Porto Batalha

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cascade Wellness

Lagos

Great location and very large space! Not America 5 stars but excellent. Would have liked more pool service like a resort in US to bring drinks, food, etc but really nice.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Vila Galé Cascais

Cascais

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Douro Valley Vineyard Delightful Lunch Experience

Douro Valley

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Scenic Voyage along the Douro River aboard an Exclusive Boat

Douro Valley

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

To Eat Suggestion: Luca´s Rooftop Restaurant

Portugal

Must have the king prawns! Great service and view!

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Sara was just ok, our tour guide. Personalities didn’t mesh as good.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service from Porto

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Loved the lunch at the winery

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Great boat ride

Panoramic Boat to the Ponta da Piedade Grottoes

Portugal

Don’t miss!!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

* Our walking tour of Lisbon guide (Hector who goes by Eric?) was outstanding- theatrical, entertaining, thoughtful, flexible, educational, fun- a pure delight.
* Our guides for Sintra (Teresa and her husband) were exceptional- we ran late- our own fault- and they were very patient with us and helped us fit in the most treasured part of the adventure (Quinta da Regaleira). They ensured we were comfortable while filling us with a deep history of the place and fun anecdotes.
* Our driver Cesar was professional and very thoughtful and patient with us.
* The choice of both our hotels (Epic Algarve and Hotel Portugal in Lisbon) were excellent to meet our needs. Location of Hotel Portugal was perfect for walking to everything. I loved access to the beach and pools at Epic Algarve as well as their delicious breakfasts.
* A serious disappointment was that KimKim apparently did not pass on the information we provided about shellfish allergy to the restaurants where we had reservations. When we arrived for the dinners, it was too late for them to make accommodations since they require this information in advance. Our group leader contacted KimKim after the first dinner to ensure this did not occur for the second dinner, and she was informed by KimKim that they were contacting the 2nd restaurant. Upon arrival at the 2nd restaurant, again they had not received this information and again could not change the menu. These were each Michelin star restaurants, so I paid nearly $1,000 to have 2 meals where I could not eat much of the food or feel safe. For the 3rd restaurant, I did not feel safe going through this again, so I suffered the loss of the prepaid money and went to a different restaurant on my own. Mishandling a food allergy is a grave mistake at the most basic level, and I hope KimKim never makes this mistake again as it could be life-threatening for some people.
* Another disappointment was that the meet-up information for our catamaran cruise out of the Algarve was not clearly communicated, causing us to race around the harbour for an hour and nearly miss our boat.
Overall, I am very glad we went, and I was highly impressed with the individuals we met while in Portugal. If KimKim can fix the mistakes made for future travelers, then I think they will provide an excellent service.

Marta was helpful and always timely with her responses! We unfortunately experienced some travel challenges with an air strike that impacted one of our legs of travel. Marta quickly cancelled activities and was able to provide the necessary documentation required to support our Travel Insurance claim.
This is our second time utilizing KimKim and will use them again in the future!

Our "Portugal Awaits" vacation was amazing thanks to all the detailed planning by Marisa. All services provided, including transportation, hotel locations and suggested places of interest, were extraordinary. Our drivers for the two all day excursions spoke excellent English, were extremely engaging and gave us additional insight into the Portuguese culture. Both shared recommendations for restaurants that turned about to be culinary adventures. The walking tour and Tuk-Tuk guides were very friendly and made Portuguese history entertaining.
Home Cooking Lisbon was first class fun! The instructor, Ines, made us feel comfortable while cooking dishes foreign to us and the results were delicious!
We greatly appreciated Marisa's advice not to have a rental car, but utilize train transportation which provided a more relaxing and pleasurable experience.

From the first moment I interacted with Tiago while planning the trip, I knew I was in good hands. The same was true with our larger-than-life guide, Gustavo.

Both were knowledgeable, experienced, and authentic locals, fully committed to ensuring we had the best experience possible.

My uncle and I were very specific in our wants for the trip, and Tiago and Gustavo were always available at a moment’s notice to accommodate us.

Horseback riding along the beach in Comporta was an absolute highlight for me.

I wish both Gustavo and Tiago every success, as they truly deserve it, and I look forward to working with them again in the future.

Thank you, guys!

Joao was amazing. He listened to what we wanted to do and gave suggestions when needed. He put together a wonderful itinerary. Unfortunately we weren’t feeling well for some of the trip and he was so good at listening to what we needed and did it at a pace that was good for us especially on the day we went to Sintra and Cascais and also the day we drove to Porto. Even though we weren’t feel 100% we saw everything that was planned and it was amazing. We had a really good time exploring Portugal. I would definitely recommend him and your company to friends and family.

Activity Reviews

Pasteis de nata cooking class

Lisbon

She was very knowledgeable and very patient with us as she taught us step by step how to make the Pasteis de Natas. Can’t wait to make them at home!

Quality of Experience

Street Art Tour in Lisbon

Lisbon

I didn’t realize it was a private tour but I really enjoyed it as I didn’t know much about the street art. She was very knowledgeable and explained everything to me with regards to the artists and why they came up with their ideas.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our family of four just returned from a fabulous trip to Portugal! Kimkim connected us with Pedro who, from the start, was excellent to work with. We spent 9 days in Portugal...starting in Porto and working our way to Lisbon stopping for a night in Alcobaca and Cascais. Pedro's suggestions were spot on. The overall itinerary he developed, drivers (Ivo, Carlos, Claudia), guides (Taisa, Sarah, Sarah, Margarid), tours (e-bike, port tasting, walking, wine tasting, fado dinner), hotels, restaurant recommendations, etc were all excellent. The service and value we received was first class. As an example, my daughter was very disappointed for forgetting something in the hotel in Alcobaca...I asked Pedro if there was anything he could do...he worked his magic/network and the item was reunited with my daughter on our arrival in Lisbon. Simply amazing. He was connected with us throughout the trip and we tweaked a few things along the way...no request was too much! We had a wonderful family trip with fond memories that will last for a long time! Pedro had a huge part to do with that and we all are very grateful. So glad to have worked with him and his company. Thank you, Pedro!

Had the most memorable time

The team in Portugal (Pedro our trip planner and the guides/drivers Pedro, Andre, Pedro and George) were fantastic. Everything went well and according to the trip plan. Could not have done it without Kimkim and Across Portugal.

Hotel Review

Luz Charming House

Fátima

Very special experience. The rooms are unique. The restaurant has great breakfast and the dinner menu is excellent. The hosts are amazing. Very relaxing and peaceful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Food

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Scenic Group Boat Voyage along the Douro River

Douro Valley

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service from Porto

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Douro Valley Vineyard Delightful Lunch Experience

Douro Valley

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip was the perfect mix of everything we had asked for. It included a mix of cities, small towns, food, culture and activities. There was enough free time for us to fill in with things we learned about during our travels. All of our accommodations were wonderful and the guides for all of our excursions were exceptional.

Hotel Reviews

MeraPrime Gold Design Hotel

Lisbon

This hotel was in a great location. The rooms were small but very comfortable. The breakfast offered by the hotel was very good and had a large selection of different foods. Baixa can be a loud section of the city and we had to keep our windows closed during the night to keep the noise out. This wouldn't affect my decision to stay there again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Costa D’Oiro Ambiance Village

8600-544

Lovely hotel in a fairly convenient location. Their breakfast was exceptional with everything you can imagine on the buffet. Water pressure and temperature control in the shower was an issue but I would stay at this location again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pousada Castelo de Óbidos

Óbidos

This was the coolest place to stay. We had views of the castle courtyard from our room. The breakfast buffet was very good with several choices. The hotel staff were extremely helpful and obviously love their jobs in the castle. We would definately stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

MyStay Porto Bolhão

Porto

The location of this hotel turned out to be perfect once we got our bearings in the city. The bed was extremely comfortable and the room was clean. The "breakfast" was rather disappointing, especially after the fantastic breakfasts we had at all of our previous accommodations. We were surprised to receive a box of milk and juice and a cellophane wrapped bread with jam. The coffee was freeze dried and tea choice was limited - no nespresso!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Our interactions were all virtual. They were responsive and efficient but I can not really comment on "staff" as we never met anyone.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk

Portugal

Fantastic tour and tour guide!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Full Day Private Guided Tour of Lisbon

Lisbon

Our guide was very knowledgeable and took us around the city to see all the sights. I was disappointed that we did not really go "in" to any sights - only one church. We simply "walked by" everything. Our tour did include tickets to go into the Monastery in Belem but the lines were so long that we opted to pass rather then spend an hour standing in line. Having a prepaid tour should have included some priority placement in the line. Also since this was a full day tour it would have been nice to have the meal included. We paid for our lunch and for the guides meal too - While I didn't mind paying for the guides lunch, it seems like this should have been made clear at the purchase of the tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets

Portugal

We loved our guide. Jorge was fantastic and was very knowledgeable. The picnic he prepared for us was so cute. This tour only included the entrance to the castle. It was a nice long hike.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Catamaran Excursion to Benagil Caves & Carvoeiro Beach

Portugal

This was a lot of fun and the coast line that we saw was magnificent.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Secret Porto Walking Experience

Porto

Our guide was very knowledgeable and took us on a great walking tour of old Porto.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Explore Porto's Culinary Scene and Bolhao Market

Porto

The guides on this tour were amazing. This was a great food tour for the northern parts of Portugal.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Douro Valley Excursion with Wine & Olive Oil Tastings & River Cruise

Porto

Our guide was fantastic! We were fortunate to have a great group of tourists and a fun day together driving to the Douro valley, visiting the wineries, having a meal, enjoying the scenery and taking a boat tour.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pedro was awesome! He contacted us daily while we were in Portugal to make sure everything was OK and to give us our schedule for the next day. He was very accommodating when we decided to change things halfway through.
Our driver, Pepe, also was very accommodating. His recommendations for dinner and lunch were excellent!
I highly recommend Kim Kim and Pedro if you’re planning a trip to Portugal!!!🇵🇹 .

Kimkim put together an amazing 10-day trip for us to Portugal. It was my husband and me. It was our first time using Kimkim, and we were not disappointed. We stayed in Lisbon, Porto and Lagos, and Kimkim arranged tours in each location. We loved the hotels in Lisbon and Lagos, and every single tour was AMAZING (I was running out of cash from all of the tips ;) but it was cash well spent. We had a few little hiccups that come with traveling and were no fault of Kimkim. In those instances, Kimkim was quick to respond and help. With the convenience of the Internet, I have always planned my own trips of late, and was very reluctant to use an agency. I am very, very glad I did, as I could have planned the trip, but I don't think I could have had the "local touch" that Kimkim provided. We will definitely use them again for our next journey, and highly recommend their services.

Hotel Reviews

Alecrim ao Chiado

Lisbon

We loved this hotel! It is charming and in a good spot. It did get a little loud late at night as it's near a few clubs, but we slept right through it. The breakfast is amazing. I believe the hotel is part of a former palace, and it has some of the old exposed walls that come along with it. We had a suite and it was roomy and clean. The room included a Nepresso machine which was convenient. Our bathroom had a double sink and large shower. There was ample storage space. Check in was easy and everyone was super friendly. We would stay here again, and highly recommend it.

Authenticity & Character

It was old but had modern conveniences. We were comfortable and slept well.

Location

It was easy to walk everywhere.

Staff

Everyone was great and friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was clean.

Porto Charming Hotel

Porto

I am not one to leave bad reviews but we did not enjoy this hotel. My husband and I were in the room. The room was very small and awkward. We could barely move throughout the room together. The closet was behind a curtain. The bathroom was tough to use. By this I mean when you leaned over to wash your face, your head hit the glass shelf over the sink. It was made more awkward because apparently many Portuguese hotels do not have bath clothes (small and square) but instead give you what at least an American would call an hand towel, and a large one at that. It's hard to wash your face with a hand towel, especially when you whack you head on the too-close shelf. For the breakfast, the food was very good and local, but the stated times were 8-10 am. Many times we had tours at 8:30, so we really needed the breakfast up and ready by 8 am. It was never fully ready until about 8:30 am, including the coffee. There was a very sweet lady setting up the breakfast, but it felt like she could have used some more help. Also, there was a sign that said coffee would be available pretty much all day, but it never was. (Coffee during breakfast was also an issue - it constantly ran out.). One day our room was not cleaned because the cleaning person didn't show up. Okay. Perhaps I am overacting, but we paid a lot for this room (including daily breakfast and a daily serviced room), we didn't feel this hotel delivered. Overall we didn't feel super welcome here - we felt like we were an inconvenience. Maybe it was just us - I noticed great reviews throughout the lobby. The only comment I can end with is I would not stay here again.

Costa D’Oiro Ambiance Village

8600-544

Loved, loved, loved this hotel. It is super convenient to the beaches and walking trails of Lagos. We love to hike and specifically asked for a vacation experience that made this easy. There are so many walking trails near this hotel. The city center is about 15/20 minutes by foot. It's easy to get there and you see a lot of people walking/doing the same. We always felt very safe here and while walking anywhere. The hotel staff was kind and courteous, and this hotel has an AMAZING breakfast. We didn't come to sit by the pool, we did go there for several hours one afternoon. The bar service for the pool was efficient and quick, and the pool side food was good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Meliá Lisboa Aeroporto

Lisbon

We were in and out of this hotel quickly. Most people probably come in the night before an early morning flight (we did.). This would be a great hotel in which to spend more time - the room is modern and nice, there is a spa service, and the food was good. The breakfast starts at 4 am, which gives people with early morning flights time to eat before leaving. There is a shuttle that will take you to the airport, but if you don't mind a quick walk, you can also walk to the airport terminal (yes, it's that close). The breakfast here was excellent. We'd stay here again and highly recommend this hotel. The staff was very welcoming, and we enjoyed the "Lisbon" welcome cookies upon checkin.

Location

Super convenient for travelers with early morning flights.

Staff

They were friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk

Portugal

What a great way to get to know Lisbon! We enjoyed this three-hour tour with our host Dani. We arrived in the morning, and took this group tour at 3 pm. There was less than 10 of us. It was the perfect way to 1) see the city 2) get a meal without having to think about it and 3) make some new friends.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was Dani and she was fabulous.

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

This three-hour private tour of Lisbon was awesome. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, and we covered a lot of ground. He explained architecture, history, and so many other things. He hit all of the sites that we wanted to see, and provided introspective details that we clearly would not have gotten on our own.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was amazing. I'm pretty sure his name was Alec or Alex, and I included him in one of the photos.

Evening of Fado

Lisbon

We enjoyed the Fado show. The singers were soulful with their songs. We had read in advance that one should not clap at Fado shows, but everyone in the audience did, so we did too. This Fado spot is in a lovely spot by the Cathedral of Se, and made for a charming walk to/from our hotel. The food was fantastic.

Quality of Experience

Food

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets

Portugal

This full day tour was incredible. Sintra was like walking into a fairy tale. We had a misty, cool day, and the castle decided it didn't want to be seen during our visit ;( but exploring the grounds was amazing. There was something at every turn. we loved seeing all of the different plants and trees, and hearing (and seeing a few) birds. We asked for options to hike during our tour of Portugal, and this spot didn't disappoint. We opted to hike to the top near the old Moorish fort. It's a good 45 minute hike pretty much straight up. Coming down was a good workout as well. Sintra is definitely a hilly adventure and well worth it.

Quality of Experience

Sintra is magical.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Jorge was excellent. He was born in Sintra and provided interesting memories from his childhood. He grew up roaming around the castle grounds, and really gave insights that made the tour very special.

Transport

On time, suitable for the experience, roomy and clean.

Privately Guided Visit of Porto

Porto

We didn't have much time in Porto, and this three-hour tour gave us a great overview of the city. Our guide was born in Porto and knew the ins and outs of the city. He was clearly very proud of his city, and his enthusiasm was contagious. We covered a lot of ground, and Porto is a hilly city. We got a good workout!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Ricardo was awesome. We had another tour with the same tour company the next day, and everyone said Ricardo was the "Porto expert." We highly agreed!

Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & Hiking Routes

Porto

For us a trip to Porto without going to the Douro Valley would have been incomplete. So we went to the Douro :) This day trip was extremely worthwhile. We were worried because the weather in Porto had turned wet and chilly. Everyone kept saying "The Douro Valley has its own microclimate - it could be raining or sunny." Everyone was right. It was sunny but windy. It's over an hour and a half drive to get where we were going, but wow, was every mile beautiful. The bends and turns each brought a different view. We had a great picnic with local wine and food, and enjoyed an informative tour of one vineyard. We saw a hawk and several falcons, plus a few other native birds -- we love seeing birds so this was a highlight for us. We stopped on the way back in Amarante and had a great (despite wet) walk around the town.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Ria Lagos was excellent. He really made sure we had a good experience because the weather was tricky.

Transport

On time, very sufficient for the tour. Once in the Douro Valley, some of the roads to the winery were twisty and mountainous. An off-road vehicle was a must and this one was suited for its purpose.

Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park

Porto

While all of our excursions in Portugal were awesome, this trip to Geres may have been our favorite. This park is simply gorgeous. We came to Portugal to get some hikes in, and that is exactly what we did on this full day tour. We had several challenging hikes throughout the day. The landscape was beautiful and at times rugged, but our guide made sure we always felt safe and were ready to keep going. The views from the day were incredible. The mid-day meal was exceptional - it was a lot of food. We enjoyed seeing the small village and learning about its history. We really liked how the tour company worked along with the community to help give back by letting us plant a seedling (oaks and chestnuts) that in the future would be replanted in the forest.

Quality of Experience

Food

The lunch at the restaurant was very good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Antonio was a great guide. His knowledge of the area and the local village was great. I personally liked his playlist, and will always remember going through the Geres park listening to Guns-n-Roses.

Transport

On time, perfect vehicle for the terrain, which was rough but expected (this is NOT a complaint.).

4X4 Algarve Sunset Experience

Portugal

What a great tour to end our visit in Portugal with this adventure in the Algarve. This is more than a quick peek at the sunset. Our guide picked us up from our hotel in Lagos, and we made our way village by village over to Cape Saint Vincent, the most southeastern point in Europe. Because he grew up in this area, at each stop our guide gave insights into what made each little village special from his perspective. We ultimately made our way to Cape Saint Vincent where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, but this is not where we saw the sunset. Our guide timed it perfectly, and we went further to a very secluded spot and celebrated the setting of the sun. It was an amazing day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Nicholas was great. He was a local, and knew the cities and the coastline well. His ability to time the sunset viewing experience perfectly was admirable!

Transport

On time, vehicle suitable for the purpose.

We made our travel arrangements with João and found him to be very responsive and helpful. He also provided a road book with good suggestions for restaurants and additional things to do. We were also pleased with the guides he set up. Joel gave us a thorough overview of the Lisbon neighborhoods. We enjoyed seeing some sights in the northern part of the city (the bullfighting rink),the walk through the Alfama. and visiting a few scenic overlooks. We were glad he encouraged us to see Belem and dropped us off there. Our guide Manuel gave us an enthusiastic tour of Porto. We especially liked learning about the architecture, including the visit to the Museu da Cidade. Glad we had a chance to visit the Bolhão market and hear some of Manuel's interesting stories about the history of Porto.
We had a great time on the visit João booked with Cork Trekking in the Alentejo - walking past the vineyards, the cork and holm oak trees, and learning about cork harvesting and production from our guide Celino. At the end of the day, it was nice to return to the peaceful and scenic lodging at Montimerso.

Our group of 8 had a wonderful time . Unfortunately four of us missed several tours and several people had to wait several days for their luggage but I spite of that we loved Portugal, found Nazare interesting and loved the convenience of all our transfers. Thanks to Rita and Karin for helping us get the documents we need to get reimbursed for hotel and tour expenses.