Frequently Asked Questions

We have three types of tours:

• Private tours
• Small Group tours
• Customised Private tours

Private tours are available just for you and your travel companions with our private guide and driver and for that reason they are also more expensive than the small group tours.  Although these tours are already organised, there is some flexibility to adjust in terms of time, meeting-point, duration and others.

Small group tours are available to the public. Small group tours vary in size up to a maximum of 14 people. Itinerary and time are set and cannot be changed. Our small group tours have always a fun and friendly environment, making it a great way to meet other people and make friends!

But, if these organised tours do not meet your wishes or if you want to visit Portugal but do not know what to see or where to start from, or if you have a tight schedule, we can help you with our  Plan Your Private Tour (customised tour) where together we will tailor your dream itinerary. Our guide’s attention is focused mainly on you and the itinerary is carefully prepared according to your preferences, budget and requirements which can include, but not limited to:

• Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel;
• Visits to the most amazing places and landscapes in Portugal;
• Tasting of traditional gastronomy and famous wines;
• Accommodation in historic, charming, design or VIP hotels;
• Transportation in comfortable vehicles.

Due to the Covid-19 context, private tours are by far the safest way to travel on your own, with family or friends. That is why we recommend Private tours, either programmed or customised. However, if your preference is to join a small group tour, you can also rely on a clean and safe environment as Portugal Greatest Tours is following  a protocol with thew purpose to protect ALL our customers.

(Please have a look to our Clean & Safe Environment Protocol.)

Yes, of course. We can organize the exact tour/experience you require, using our special knowledge of Portugal and our network of contacts. You are invited to let us know what you want, and we will surely prepare the best program for you. For that purpose, please go to our website Plan Your Private Tour or contact us by phone or email (discover@portugalgreatesttours.com).

Our guides speak Portuguese, English and French.

Our tours start mainly in Lisbon. However, some tours may start in a different location, which will be specified in the tour details.

Our tours are done regularly, on specific dates. Some tours, due to their context, historical events for example, are done once or twice a year. You will find information on dates in the tour calendar.

That depends on the itinerary, normally around 8:30am. The starting and ending time are defined in each tour detail page.

Our small group tours are run at set times and therefore cannot be changed.

Our private tours, because they are closed to a person or private group, we can agree on some time flexibility.

If you must do the tour at a different time, or date, then we can offer you a private customised tour at an alternative time and date. Please phone us, email us (discover@portugalgreatesttours.com), or go to Plan Your Private Tour if you would like to request a private customised tour.

No, because it will be your choice on where and what to eat. However, some tours may have meals included due to the nature of the trip.

No.  Our tours do not include flights or maritime transportation. 

Your flight/maritime transportation is completely up to you.

For each private and small group tour there is a detailed description of what is or is not included. 

Regarding private customised tours it will appear in our proposal based on your requirements and budget.

We choose hotels with quality of service and preferably in a place where you can experience the life and hospitality of the Portuguese people.

In case of private customised tours, the choice of accommodation depends on your budget and interests. We can offer flexibility from 3 stars simple and clean hotels to 5 stars hotels; city contemporary design hotels to medieval castles renovated to hotels; VIP and luxurious hotels in fascinating landscapes; countryside typical houses and mountain cottages.

Our guides are familiar with the places you will visit and knowledgeable about the history of Portugal. They are fully committed to make your tour a pleasant, relaxed, fun, and unforgettable experience.

Your guide will be with you during the whole tour.

Some of the monuments/museums/attractions have a guided tour done by their staff. When such situation is available, your guide may not join you for that visit.

In some monuments/attractions our clients can enjoy the services of a specialized local guide, for example, the Joanine Library in Coimbra.

If it is a sightseeing tour 80 to 90% of the time you will be walking or standing.

If the tour involves driving than you will spend time sitting as well.

In general, our tours are not adequate to children under 12 years old due to the nature of our itineraries.  

Reduced prices can only be offered  if suppliers apply reduced rates. 

Normally, the minimum age limit is 12 years old, except if otherwise mentioned in the tour description. If you want to bring your children younger than 12 years old, we recommend that you book a private tour for a more adequate experience.

Yes. If you choose a private tour, your tour will be completely private.

Transportation is made in an air-conditioned van or sedan, depending on the number of people. For small groups it can also be used an air-conditioned and comfortable minibus.

Private tours pick-up is at a location the customer prefers (hotel/cruise terminal/airport) if there is accessibility to stop in that place, otherwise we will arrange a convenient meeting-point near-by.  In case of too much traffic, arrangements may be made for a different meeting point.

Small Group tours pick-up points will be identified in the tour description, organised to avoid traffic delays in leaving Lisbon.  However, if your hotel/accommodation site offers access/stop in the street, we can pick you up there, but this requires an extra cost of 15€ per booking.

Pick-up outside Lisbon needs to be checked with us before booking.

We advise you to bring comfortable clothes and walking shoes.

If you visit us between November and March, few layers of clothes and some sort of rain protection may be necessary. 

If you visit us between April and October prepare for warmer weather, but make sure to bring a warm sweater for the chilly nights.

For more information about the climate in Portugal, please see www.ipma.pt/en

Our tours are thought out and designed to help you to have a UNIQUE EXPERIENCE in PORTUGAL.

Based on our experience and knowledge, we put together tours that offer the best of our country: its people, culture, gastronomy, wines, historical sites, and landscapes. We are constantly striving to improve our tours and experiences to ensure you have a delightful time during your stay in Portugal.

Our mission is to provide you with the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable journey, to make your stay as enjoyable, rewarding and memorable, as possible.

For that, we pay also great attention to our suppliers which are selected based on their value of service, and their ability to provide an authentic experience to you.

We recommend you make your bookings when you have your travel dates set. Some tours are easily sold out.

You will find all the available programmed tours for private and small groups in our website, and in each tour a calendar shows the dates when it will run. 

For private customised tours you just need to share with us your wishes and timelines and we will make all the efforts to present you with a program for the dates you prefer.

Yes, of course. All tours have a maximum of 14 people because it is the maximum capacity of the vehicles we use. But we also use minibuses during our tours. So, please send us an email with your needs and we will send our prices.

Yes. In the tour detail you will find which monuments/museums/attractions/experiences entrance fees are included in the price.

For private and small group tours it does NOT include meals, except when stated in the tour description. However, although we do not have any agreement with any restaurant, we can suggest some restaurants where you can have your meals according to your budget and preferences.

For private customised tours it may include meals according to the customers’ interests.

Yes, it is included in the price, when applicable.

Yes. We are insured according to the basic mandatory insurances in Portugal:

• public liability
• personal accidents

As their coverage is basic with a minimum coverage amounts defined by law, and Portugal Greatest Tours is ONLY liable for the basic coverage of each insurance, we STRONGLY recommend that you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance prior to the tour, including medical assistance and missed reservations.

(please read the Service Terms & Conditions)

The tour is paid through Bank transfer or PayPal.

We recommend PayPal as it is a safe way to do payments and it is also a way that allows you to choose your method of payment.

Yes, but it varies depending on the tour.

• For Multi-day tours, 30% of the total cost. The remaining 70% will be paid same way, no later than 60 days before the starting of the tour. If the customer has not paid the remaining part in due date, we reserve the right to cancel the booking without notice and charge the cancellation costs.  Bookings for multi-day tours made less than 60 days prior to the starting date, need to be 100% paid.
• For Full-day tours, 100% of the total cost, no later than 5 days before the tour starting date.
• For Half-day tours, 100% of the total cost, no later than 72 hours before the tour starting time. 

The cancellation policy applies to all tours, unless otherwise stated in each tour description. All customer cancellation requests must be sent by email to discover@portugalgreatesttours.com to be considered valid for review.

No show, no refund: applicable to all sort of tours.

Half-day tours:

• Cancellation received up to 48 hours before the starting time of the tour, a full refund is made.
• Cancellation received less than 48 hours before the starting time of the tour, 50% refund is made
• Cancellation received less than 24 hours before the starting time of the tour, no refund is made

Full-day tours:

• Cancellations received up to 5 days before the tour starts, a full refund is made.
• Cancellations received less than 5 days before the tour starts, 50% refund is made
• Cancellations received less than 48 hours before the tour starts, no refund is made

Multi-day tours:

• Cancellations received up to 60 days before the tour starts, a full refund is made.
• Cancellations received less than 60 days before the tour starts, 50% refund is made
• Cancellations received less than 30 days before the tour starts, no refund is made.       
• If a tour is booked less than 60 days before its departure date, the entire tour cost becomes non-refundable after 14 days payment was done.
• The customer initial booking deposit is 100% refundable for the 30 days from the date it was received by us, unless noted otherwise. Once the deposit refund date has passed, your deposit will not be refunded under any circumstance.

All cancellations will have an administrative cost of 25€. Any existing expenses with refunds, such as PayPal and Bank transfer commission, will be supported by the customer. Suppliers’ fees due to cancellation will be supported by the customer.

(Please see our Service Terms & Conditions).