This was the first time I’ve joined a tour to travel. I’ve hesitated to do so before in my travels, but was pleasantly surprised to have really liked this approach. Kim did a great job of planning and booking.
Lisbon and Porto
Day Trips to Sintra and Obidos
Castles, Cooking Class and Cultural Classics
Relax, Eat and Explore on this Vegan Tour of Portugal’s Culture and Heritage
Portugal is the latest European destination being “rediscovered.” As it is reasonably priced with an amazing vegan scene and gorgeous historical sites, this is a vegan tour of Portugal you can’t miss! Soak in the sights and the ocean breezes, starting in Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods followed by a scenic train trip north to end in Porto, where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Wendy Werneth, the Nomadic Vegan, leads the way, showing us the gems of her adoptive home worthy of our Portugal vegan food tour. From learning how to make vegan pastel de nata, Portugal’s most famous dessert, to shopping for vegan clothes and shoes and discovering eco-friendly cork products, you’ll love how wonderfully progressive and delightfully picturesque Portugal is.
We’ve planned a full trip, but with some down-time for you to take it easy or go exploring on your own.
Why You’ll Love This Tour!
Enjoy uniquely Portuguese experiences like a special vegan cooking class of the national treat, “Pastel de Nata” and a performance of fado, the melancholy musical genre originating in Lisbon
Discover the area surrounding Lisbon with day trips to Sintra and Obidos, which both boast epic castles to explore
Take a scenic train ride to Portugal’s 2nd largest city, Porto, where port wine is produced and whose gorgeous Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
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Essential Info
Essential Info
Price
$4500 USD/per person
*A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the tour cost, along with a registration form, are required in order to join the tour. Your space is not guaranteed until both of these are received.
Dates
October 4-13, 2025
Tour duration
9 nights/10 days
Group size
7-10 people
Included
- 9 nights hotel accommodations
- Based on having your own room
- 9 breakfasts
- 7 lunches
- 9 dinners
- Arrival transfer from airport to hotel
- Sightseeing and activity admissions (except free time)
- Cooking class
- Fado performance (optional)
- Transit passes in each city
- Train or bus fare on day trips
- Transportation between Lisbon and Porto
- All logistics are taken care of for you
Not included
- Airfare
- Wine, beer and drinks
- Travel insurance
What to bring
We recommend bringing as little as possible! You will need to manage your luggage for up to a distance of a half mile, or a 10-12 minute walk to and from our hotels. If you need any packing tips, please contact us.
Travel insurance is highly recommended for any unexpected emergency expenses.
About your guide
Wendy Werneth, the Nomadic Vegan
Trip Overview
Our 10-day Portugal vegan food tour starts off in Lisbon, the country’s coastal capital city. We’ll have a welcome dinner to get acquainted at one of Lisbon’s clandestine authentic Chinese food restaurants.
Our first full day will begin with a walking tour to get to know the city’s most historic neighborhoods before a tasty vegan lunch. Then we will have free time to explore on our own before an optional group dinner. Day 3, we’ll explore the Alfama district of Lisbon which boasts charming cobblestoned streets and beautiful views.
On Day 4 of our trip, we venture outside of Lisbon to stunning Sintra, where we will visit the fairytale-like Pena National Palace. We’ll have lunch in Sintra before heading back to Lisbon where we will have the afternoon free.
Day 5 takes us to Belem to visit historic sites and monuments. We will have lunch and some free time before we enjoy a performance of the mournful and uniquely Portuguese fado music.
On the 6th day of our trip we will take another day tour to the medieval town of Obidos, where we’ll enjoy lunch before heading back to Lisbon for an optional group dinner in a quaint home-style restaurant.
Our last day in Lisbon, we will learn how to make a vegan version of the famous custard-filled pastry, ‘pastel de nata’! Then we head to the northwest of the country, Portugal’s second largest city, Porto. Day 8 and 9 in Porto includes a walking tour and plenty of free time to take advantage of the city’s many offerings. Our trip will end after breakfast the following day.
Interspersed with all the sightseeing and activities will be all the most well-loved vegan restaurants in your destination. You will never have to worry about what you’re going to eat on a Veg Jaunts and Journeys tour. All the restaurant research will be done for you, so you can have an interesting and exciting vacation, with some time to relax too.
Itinerary
Our vegan tour of Portugal kicks off with a shared transfer from the airport to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel begins at 3pm. If you arrive on the earlier side, feel free to start exploring or find a café to people watch.
Our welcome dinner will be at one of Lisbon’s renowned “illegal” Chinese restaurants. Starting off as clandestine offerings for local Chinese who want a taste of home, these informal eateries are now an integral part of Lisbon’s food scene. And Wendy knows where to find some addictive vegan dumplings to enjoy as you learn about the red lanterns and more.
Make sure you’ve got comfy shoes on for your first full day in Lisbon. The walking tour begins after breakfast, taking you through Lisbon’s most historic neighborhoods. Baixa mixes commercial bustle with gorgeous Neoclassical architecture. Bairro Alto reveals Lisbon’s bohemian, artistic flair, while Chiado shows off a more refined air with theaters, bookshops, and traditional shops, as well as high-end boutiques. A final climb works up the appetite for a vegan lunch.
After lunch, you have the rest of the day free to explore. After which, you can join us for our group dinner.
Arrival transfer is included.
Meals Included
Day 1: Dinner
Day 2: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3 takes us to Alfama, another historic district in Lisbon. Walk through cobblestoned streets and alleys with glimpses of the Castelo de São Jorge for sweet views of the Tejo Estuary as the river flows to the Atlantic.
Your day is free after lunch to relax or wander, with a group dinner later.
The next day, we will travel an hour outside Lisbon to the pine-covered vistas of Sintra. Climb to the Moorish castle and look over the lands it once defended. Look out for the ancient duck houses at the Pena Palace gardens. Discover secret symbols from Masons and the Knights Templar at Quinta da Regaleira. There will be some steep climbs, aided by some tuk tuk fun too!
A relaxing lunch ends our time in Sintra. Back to Lisbon, where your time is yours for the day. There will be a group dinner that evening.
Meals Included
Day 3: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
We will see Portugal’s significance in the Age of Exploration during your day in Belem. From the stunning Jerónimos Monastery to the formidable Belem Tower and the magnificent Monument to the Discoveries, Belem celebrates Portugal’s historic seafarers including Vasco da Gama, who found the sea route to India, and Ferdinand Magellan, the first to sail around the world. After lunch, there will be enough free time for your own exploration, and maybe some shopping.
We’ve then got a late-ish dinner organized. Because then there’s a fado performance to enjoy, starting at 10 pm. This will be a truly authentic experience, as we are serenaded by Portugal’s uniquely melancholic guitar and mandolin melodies in cozy serenity.
For Day 6, a one-hour bus ride brings us to Obidos for some medieval enchantment. As we explore the quaint lanes lined with colorful flowers, get ready to walk the castle walls for spectacular views. You’ll see why, for centuries, this town was gifted to the queen on her wedding. After lunch we head back to Lisbon.
As this is the last night in Lisbon, we encourage you to join our group dinner. The sweetest mother and daughter cooking team creates a set dinner for us at their tiny, home-style restaurant.
Meals Included
Day 5: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Our time in Lisbon ends on a sweet note as we learn how to make Portugal’s national treat, pastel de nata. Normally, this sweet pastry features an egg custard, but we found some chefs who will share their secrets to making perfect vegan versions so we can enjoy these delights too. After dessert, lunch!
Then we say goodbye to Lisbon as we head to Porto by train. After check-in, you can spend the evening exploring or relaxing, and then you can join a group dinner.
Meals Included
Day 7: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Morning is a leisurely two-hour walking tour of Porto. And then after lunch, Wendy takes us to her favorite spots, pointing out various architectural wonders as well as museums and special gems for further exploration. A group dinner will be organized, and then you may want to strategize for your next and final day.
Day 9 is a full day for you to do as you choose. Wander the medieval waterfront in Riberia and visit Casa do Infante, the custom house that became a prince’s birthplace, or the palace to commerce, literally, Palácio da Bolsa. Or take a boat tour along the Douro River under its six bridges, including the massive Dom Luis I Bridge. And of course, Harry Potter fans will want to visit Livraria Lello to soak in the ambiance that inspired J.K. Rowling. Porto is also the birthplace of port wine, so this is an opportunity to go on a tasting tour, or two.
We invite you to join our last group dinner to exchange stories one last time, as we all part ways after breakfast the next morning.
Meals Included
Day 8: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 9: Breakfast and dinner
Day 10: Breakfast
Good to Know
Amount of walking: 8 miles per day (approximate)
Your tour cost includes hotel (based on single occupancy; no need to share a room unless you are traveling with a partner, family member, or friend); meals indicated in the itinerary; all sightseeing and activities mentioned above; all bus and train transportation between cities; city bus and/or subway transportation; all logistics taken care of for you.
Previous Guests Praise Veg Jaunts and Journeys
My trip to Portugal with Kim and Wendy (nomadic vegan) exceeded my expectations. This was my first trip with a travel group or overseas and I was in good hands. We experienced the city and surrounding areas, had down time, learned about current day Portugal and the history, all while avoiding tourist traps and eating delicious vegan food. The trip was well planned and Kim has a great relatable personality and sense of humor. I would definitely book another trip with her.
I had an amazing time on the Lisbon Tour! The trip was extremely well curated and both Kim & Wendy were very patient, organized and knowledgeable. We also had a fun group of travelers on this journey, without whom the trip would not have been as memorable. I would recommend Kim and her expertise for all of your vegan travel needs. I have no doubt that her superb planning and consummate professionalism would exceed the expectations of most. This trip expanded my awareness and compassion and I am grateful for the experience.
