Start location:
Valença
Duration:
8 days, 7 nights
Distance:
20 km, daily average
Altimetry:
150m, daily average
Level:
All, Intermediate
Tour Type:
All, Self Guided
from 995€ per guest
Where should you walk in Portugal? From Atlantic coastal trails and vineyard-covered valleys to volcanic islands, historic pilgrimage routes and quiet countryside, discover Portugal’s best walking destinations and find the region that matches the journey you want to experience.
Where should you walk in Portugal? From Atlantic coastal trails and vineyard-covered valleys to volcanic islands, historic pilgrimage routes and quiet countryside, discover Portugal’s best walking destinations and find the region that matches the journey you want to experience.
Portugal may be a relatively small country, but the experience of exploring it on foot changes dramatically from one region to another.
You can walk beside the Atlantic on the wild southwest coast, follow centuries-old paths towards Santiago de Compostela, cross vineyard terraces overlooking the Douro River or hike through volcanic landscapes in the Azores.
Further south, the Algarve combines dramatic cliffs with quieter countryside, while the Alentejo offers cork forests, vineyards, whitewashed villages and an entirely different rhythm of travel. In northern Portugal, the green landscapes and historic villages of the Minho reveal yet another side of the country.
At Live Love Hike, we design our walking journeys around these differences. Choosing where to walk isn’t simply about choosing a trail. It’s about deciding which part of Portugal you want to experience.
Algarve
The Algarve is much more than beaches. Walking reveals its dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden coves, fishing villages and quieter inland landscapes.
Along the southwest, the scenery becomes wilder as trails follow the Atlantic through protected landscapes towards some of Portugal’s most spectacular stretches of coastline.
Explore our walking tours in the Algarve.
The Alentejo is Portugal at a slower pace.
Walk between cork oak forests, vineyards, olive groves, medieval hilltop villages and vast open landscapes, stopping along the way to experience a region known for its food, wine and deeply rooted rural traditions.
On the coast, the Alentejo meets the Atlantic and some of Portugal’s finest coastal walking trails.
Explore our walking tours in the Alentejo.
Walking through the Douro puts you inside one of Portugal’s most extraordinary landscapes.
Trails climb through terraced vineyards, descend towards the river and connect wine estates, villages and viewpoints across one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions.
For travellers who want to combine walking with wine, gastronomy and remarkable scenery, the Douro is difficult to beat.
Explore our walking tours in the Douro Valley.
The Azores offer a completely different kind of walking holiday.
Volcanic crater lakes, hot springs, lush forests, waterfalls and Atlantic views create landscapes unlike anywhere on mainland Portugal. On São Miguel, trails connect some of the island’s most spectacular natural environments, while more demanding journeys can extend to other islands and higher mountain terrain.
Explore our walking tours in the Azores.
The Portuguese Camino is more than a walking route. It’s a journey.
Starting from different points in Portugal and Galicia, the Camino leads north towards Santiago de Compostela through historic towns, rural landscapes, forests and centuries of pilgrimage history.
Whether you want to walk the final 100 kilometres or experience a longer journey from Portugal, there are several ways to make the Camino your own.
Explore our Portuguese Camino walking tours.
Green, historic and deeply traditional, the Minho offers a quieter walking experience in northern Portugal.
Ancient villages, rivers, agricultural landscapes and mountain scenery make this an excellent destination for travellers who want to discover rural Portugal away from the country’s better-known tourism centres.
Explore our walking tours in the Minho.
You don’t have to travel far from Lisbon to find remarkable walking.
To the west, Sintra combines forest trails, Atlantic cliffs and extraordinary cultural heritage. Further along the coast, places such as Ericeira reveal a landscape shaped by the ocean, while the Arrábida region south of Lisbon offers mountains, Mediterranean vegetation and sea views.
It’s an excellent choice for travellers who want to combine walking with time in Lisbon and some of Portugal’s most important cultural landmarks.
Explore our walking tours around Lisbon and Sintra.
The best walking destination in Portugal depends on what you want from the journey.
Choose the Algarve or southwest coast for dramatic Atlantic landscapes. Head to the Douro or Alentejo if food, wine and rural culture are an important part of your trip. Choose the Azores for volcanic landscapes and a stronger connection with nature, or the Portuguese Camino if you want your walk to feel like a journey with a destination and centuries of history behind it.
For green landscapes and quieter rural Portugal, consider the Minho. And if you want to combine a walking holiday with one of Europe’s great cities, Lisbon, Sintra and the surrounding coast make an excellent combination.
There isn’t one best place to walk in Portugal. There is a destination that best matches the experience you’re looking for.
We are Live Love Hike, specialists in walking tours in Portugal.
Our journeys combine carefully selected trails with handpicked accommodation, local culture, gastronomy and the logistical support that allows you to concentrate on experiencing the destination.
You can explore Portugal independently on one of our self-guided journeys or choose a guided experience with our local team. Different destinations and journeys also offer different walking levels, from relaxed days to more demanding routes.
Explore all our walking tours in Portugal or discover which walking tour style is right for you.