Kimkim Trip Reviews for Portugal

From day 1 Summer and then Coraima were absolutely great
They personalized our trip to our needs. Gave excellent advise and guidance
Responsive to all communication before during and after the trip
I will ALWAYS reach out to them for any or all vacations in the future
A+. 11/10
Highly recommend KimKim Portugal
And our personal favorites Summer and Coraima

Best wishes and a BIG thank you
Charlene ( Christina) and Francois Aldrich

Hotel Reviews

Exe Almada Porto

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eighteen21 Houses - Quinta Velha

Sintra, Portugal

Absolutely lovely

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Armie was the greatest host. Just loved her. Personable. Friendly superb hist

Cleanliness & Comfort

Chalet Ficalho

Cascais

Stunning

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Ana was amazing

Cleanliness & Comfort

So special. One of a kind.

Cascade Wellness Resort

Lagos

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

They told us the hotel is going to close for a year for complete renovation. Would have preferred a room in the hotel and not the villa. Little outdated but still totally fine

AlmaLusa Baixa & Chiado

Lisbon

Excellent staff, location and facility

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Overall very good A+

Activity Reviews

Self-Guided Beach Day

Lagos (Algarve)

Beautiful beach Small tip. Tell future guests to reserve a beach cabana / chairs/ umbrella in advance of beach day They were all pre reserved But we still had a great day. Did half beach day half at resort pool overlooking the ocean

Quality of Experience

Douro River Sailing Trip

Porto

This was more a leisure boat ride. Only did the hysterical area and not much of the inland/ vineyards. But great staff. Made every minute enjoyable

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Porto Highlights Walk

Porto

Very nice. And very well planned and executed Enjoyed it tremendously

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great guide. Super nice lady. Forgot her name ?? Theta?? Very knowledgeable Considerate and enjoyable

Sintra's Royal Treasures - QueLuz, Pena & National Palace

Sintra

EXCELLENT

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Best guide EVER. Tomàs was the best. Fun. Personable exciting and extremely knowledgeable

Transport

Excellent van

Self-Guided Walking Tour: Exploring Lagos Old Town

Lagos (Algarve)

Quality of Experience

Guided Belém Walk

Lisbon

We did the walk ourselves. The guide had to cancel due to family emergency. Which was totally fine for us we still had a great time in Belem. Got great information from a highly recommended TukTuk driver that was recommended by a friend. He helped us with Belem details too

Quality of Experience

We had an amazing experience working with Tiago on our trip to Portugal! He made the entire planning process smooth, seamless, and completely stress-free. Every detail of our trip ran like clockwork, from getting picked up from the airport to the hotel accommodations and tours. Tiago was incredibly responsive (even with daily questions we asked him over whatsapp during our vacation), listened to exactly what we wanted, and delivered a perfect vacation. I will definitely book with Kimkim (specifically with Tiago) again and highly recommend his services!"

Anita was great in organizing our special trip to Portugal! She thought of all the details and was available if there were any questions. We truly enjoy all of the private and small group tours she booked for us. Each had a engaging, friendly, educated guide who loved their country and enjoyed sharing it with others. We would highly recommend booking a trip with Anita through KimKim.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Dom Carlos Park

Lisbon

Tivoli Lagos

Lagos

Tivoli Lagos is a lovely resort with lots of amenities. The room was spacious and clean and the staff friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Albergaria do Calvário

Évora

We loved staying at Hotel Albergaria do Calvario. It is located on a quiet alley within the walls of Evora and close enough to walk anywhere in the city (because you certainly wouldn't want to drive). The room was spacious and clean. And the staff was super friendly. We especially enjoyed the courtyard for breakfast - which was lovely.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Dom Henrique Downtown

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

MeraPrime Gold Design Hotel

Lisbon

The room was small but clean and the people were very friendly!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Easy access to the hustle of the city, but not on a loud and crazy street

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

The Soul of Lisbon: Fado Dinner Experience

Portugal

It's a must do if just for the cultural experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tasting Évora: A Guided Food & Wine Experience

Portugal

Our first afternoon in Évora was spent with João as he showed us around the walled city and gave us samples of food and wine. What a great way to begin our experience in the area. João was very informative about the city and things to see and do in the following days of our stay. We would highly recommend.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking tour.

4X4 Algarve Sunset Experience

Portugal

If you want an "adventure" then hop into this 4x4 - just don't be much over 5 ft. tall, it was a bit small. The evening was fun, the sunset lovely, and the guide, João Petra, was the best part of the experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Not enough space for the number of people we had.

Foodie Experience in Porto

Porto

What a lovely, informative and fun evening in Porto. João walked us around Porto giving us samples of food, wine, and beer. We shared the evening with a small group of 8 people and had a good time. João loved his city and was happy to share it with us. He gave us lots of information throughout the evening, and advice for the coming days of activities.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

Our first afternoon in Lisbon we had a private tour with Philipa. She was very informative and helpful.

Discover Rural Algarve on a 4WD

Portugal

This turned out to be one of our favorite excursions, mostly because of our guide, Rui, and the fact that we had him all to ourselves - a small group tour for just my husband and I. Even though the clouds were in the mountains and we couldn't see far. We roamed around the countryside stopping at different farms and villages. We especially enjoyed our Melosa (honey liquor) tasting and authentic Portuguese lunch.

Quality of Experience

Rui, the guide made the experience.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Awesome.

Transport

Guided E-Bike Excursion on the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

Portugal

What was supposed to be a small group tour ended up being a private tour. It was great fun. Beautiful scenery.

Catamaran Boat Excursion to Benagil Caves & Carvoeiro Beach

Portugal

After a couple days delay (which Anita from KimKim handled) we were able to experience the beautiful shoreline from the water. Lovely boat, nice staff.

Peneda-Gerês National Park Experience: Easy Hike & Cultural Experience

Porto

We were expecting a "small group" tour, but ended up being a private tour! Miguel was great! He was knowledgable and friendly, and enjoyed share the beauty of his country.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Douro Valley Highlights: Wine, Olive Oil & River Cruise

Porto

Thelma was a great guide. She was informative and friendly. We went in a small group and it was surprisingly fun. I attribute this to Thelma's enthusiasm.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Cultural Day Through Tomar & River Cruise

Lisbon

Paulo was a great guide. He was informative and friendly.

Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Spain

Nuno was an excellent guide. He loves his country and is excited to share all it has to offer. He got to know us so that he could cater the tour around our likes and dislikes, allowing us to spend more time in beautiful gardens and castles that were not busy and less time in popular, but must see sites with big crowds. We truly enjoyed our time with Nuno.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We did not have a lot of time in Portugal. Having Kimkim maximize our time was perfect. The two tours and guides were phenomenal! They took care of everything from transport to hotel to tours. Selections of tour companies were top notch!

Hotel Reviews

Nicola Rossio Hotel

Lisbon

Very comfortable, close to many restaurants and shops. Walkable to the river. We had a nice view out our window.

Authenticity & Character

The placement is interesting behind the restaurant of the same name. Right on the square. The room was good sized and very comfortable.

Location

Close to good restaurants and shops and walkable to the river.

Staff

Staff were friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was clean and well kept

Jardim da Batalha Boutique Hotel by Shiadu

Porto

The hotel was well placed and the room comfortable. There is really good breakfast and all day coffee/tea. The AC in the room was not working properly so it was quite warm. Aside from that it was a good choice.

Authenticity & Character

All the staff were very friendly and helpful. The garden was very cute. We spent some time in the library and the basement dining area because our room was very warm. Comfortable spaces to hang out in.

Location

Very easy to get anywhere.

Staff

Everyone was incredibly friendly, making sure we have what we need.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The hotel is well cared for and very clean.

Activity Reviews

Enchanting Palaces – Pena, Regaleira & Monserrate

Lisbon

This was our last activity on our trip and it could not have been better! Joao was a fabulous guide. Knew all kinds of history and information about the area and Portugal. It was just the two of us so he really gave us a personalized experience. Also took us to the farthest most west point of Europe and through Cascais.

Quality of Experience

Nothing beats a personal tour. There was so much to see and learn about. Plenty of time to do it all.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Joao was amazing. So knowledgeable. He really brought the place to life. This is the way to do it and get there early. Otherwise traffic gets crazy.

Transport

Private transport got us there and had some parking privileges. Until we hit the town and then traffic was bad and he had to park a ways away. But walking to get up the van, he introduced us to several street sellers along the way.

Douro Valley Day Trip with Wine Tastings & River Cruise

Porto

This was one of our favorite trips. The guide was so knowledgeable about wine, the area and the history. There was one other couple and they were delightful. The boat ride up the river was a nice break from driving and the operator was a hoot! One place we stopped at the young lady touring us had just bottled her own wine. While we did not get to taste it, it was fun to see her excitement.

Quality of Experience

Top notch! Enjoyed all the people we met from the tour guide to the people sharing their wine and food.

Food

Regional offerings we delicious! We left satisfied and full!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everyone’s so friendly. They have a lot to be proud of in the industry.

Transport

The guide was a steady stream of information while driving, pointing out interesting spots with a healthy dose of history.

Wow! What a trip! This is our third KimKim trip and it lived up to and exceeded our expectations. Marisa was so easy to work with and crafted the best itinerary! It was perfect from start to end. We are a family of 5 which makes things difficult with hotels and Marisa found us outstanding accommodations that fit our family needs. Once in Portugal, Marisa and Joao were great at communicating daily plans and responded quickly to my questions. All the tours, drivers and hotels were perfect. I was very sad to leave and already want to start planning my next trip to Portugal. My only regret is having to return home. ;)
Thank you to Marisa and her team for making this such a memorable trip.

Hotel Reviews

Meliá Lisboa Aeroporto

Lisbon

It's an airport hotel. We were coming off staying at an amazing resort hotel so this was a big shift. But, it was clean. Good breakfast. And super close to airport. The shower head was broken in both our rooms but we weren't there long enough to be super bothered by it. It is what it is supposed to be - an airport hotel...somewhere to stay before a flight, not a destination.

Authenticity & Character

it's an airport hotel

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Savoy Palace – The Leading Hotels of the World | Savoy Signature

Funchal

Can I give this 6 stars?! Because I would. OMG. What a hotel. We had the family suite and it was perfect. I usually don't love huge hotels but this one was so amazing. Rooftop pool and family pool were great. Workout room and spa were also amazing. Food was great. Included breakfast might be the best "free" breakfast we've had. Outside the included breakfast, the restaurant menus were on the pricey side but that's expected from restaurants on the premise. We ate outside the hotel for the other meals and explored the local restaurants and had some of our best meals ever. We loved Madeira and will definitely be returning.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very central to Old Town. Great location.

Staff

They really go above and beyond

Cleanliness & Comfort

Condes de Azevedo Palace

Porto

We also loved this hotel. We had a cute apartment and it was nice and spacious. The included breakfast was decent, not as good as our Lisbon hotel but it was still good. Location was excellent.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Martinhal Lisbon Chiado

Lisbon

We loved this hotel. Very close to everything and clean and spacious. We had the family apartment and it was great for our family of 5. The breakfast was delicious as well and the hotel staff was very friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Near everything.

Staff

Very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean

Activity Reviews

To Eat Suggestion: Cervejaria Trindade

Lisbon

Great food and restaurant!

Scaling New Heights Ascending Arrábida Bridge for a Truly Unique Adventure Experience

Porto

It was fun, glad we did it. Shorter than we thought - you literally just climb up for 10 minutes, take some photos and climb back down. But, I am glad we did it. Just a little underwhelmed on the length of time. We had budgeted 4 hours with our driver and really only needed an hour. We had just done a walking tour in the morning so we didn't need the driver to also give us a tour as well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ricardo was great.

Transport

We didn't need 4 hours of time allotted for this activity. We had already done a walking tour so just transport to and from this activity would have been better. We drove around in circles for an hour before it because we were going to be early. Ricardo (driver) was great - not his fault - he didn't realize we had done a walking tour. We would have rather had extra time to ourselves in the hotel/exploring on our own instead of driving around city blocks we already saw.

Exploring the Majesty of the Seas on a Group Dolphin Watching Experience

Madeira

We loved this tour too! Saw bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales. Tour guide was great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Sarah was great! Informative and knowledgeable. She is passionate about Porto and it shows. Rainy and cold for the tour so not the best conditions but Sarah made it fun!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Ah, Pena Palace. Loved it. We had an amazing driver, Eduardo, who gave us a ton of history on the way there and back. He was easily the best driver we've ever had on these trips (and we've done quite a few). Pena Palace skip the line was perfect because the line was quite long and we got to skip it so it saved us time. I loved seeing this beautiful palace. Definitely recommend. Eduardo took us to this wonderful restaurant too and it was such a good meal. He added on some other stops so we could see more of the coastline. It was a great day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Eduardo was GREAT! My kids actually said they missed Eduardo the next day. We spent two days with him and they really enjoyed his company and knowledge.

Transport

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Lisbon

Ricardo was AMAZING. So knowledgeable and we loved our tour. We have three teenagers who can be hard to keep entertained during tours and Ricardo had them all interested and engaged the entire time. It was hotter than normal in Lisbon and Ricardo found the shade, took breaks and gave us time to buy waters/snacks. He was great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

walking tour - he met us at hotel.

Planning our trip to Portugal was easy and enjoyable with Tiago. He is very knowledgeable of all that the country offers and provided great ideas to bring our trip to life. He was quick to respond to questions, very solution-oriented, and considerate of our budgets while not compromising a quality trip throughout. We really enjoyed our short time in Lisbon but the highlight was definitely exploring the Algarve and all that this area offered - incredible beaches and quaint but beautiful towns. We had an incredible trip full adventure and relaxation. Thank you Tiago and kimkim!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel 3K Faro Aeroporto

Faro

Brief stay - not close to amenities or restaurants

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close enough to airport but difficult to walk to based on highways; Not close to restaurants

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dom Carlos Liberty

Good hotel - helpful staff, clean rooms, good breakfast, walking distance to old town and shopping

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Carvi Beach Hotel

Lagos

Perfect location to the beach and short walk from town, this hotel offered a lot of charm. We also enjoyed the pool and a wonderful morning breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very close proximity to beach, amazing boardwalk overlooking cliffs, walking distance to Lagos restaurants and town

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Enjoy Dinner with Live Fado Music

Lisbon

A really nice and authentic experience with music and dinner. Food and atmosphere were great!

Quality of Experience

Food

Meal exceeded expectations - very enjoyable and one of our best meals in Portugal

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Portuguese Cooking Lesson

Portugal

An amazing experience - exceeded our expectations. Good food, great facility and the instructor was very knowledgeable and led a great class!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our instructor was amazing and created a fun environment for the group to cook and learn together!

On the plus side: the planning of the trip and it's itinerary was easy with good back and forth with Julia. The itinerary itself was perfect with the right amount of time allotted to planned activities vs. personal time. The hotels were good with convenient locations. The private food walking tour in Porto was a lot of fun and the guide Andre was excellent. In a close second was Joao with the Sintra and Pena Palace half day trip.
The guide David with the Braga and Guimares trip was not as good. In addition to being almost and hour late, he wasn't very interactive with our family. There was another couple from Greece that he was much more comfortable with saying that Greek and Portuguese cultures are very similar. My suggestion would have been to keep the tour private with the 6 of us rather than incorporate a very different group.
The no show of the guide for the Medieval tour was disappointing but we were able to tour ourselves and have an enjoyable day.
The incorrect address for the cooking school was just sloppy. It was also inconvenient for us to get the school. We divided up so we could get a fast Uber for four of us and two of us walked as fast as we good to get to the school. I felt badly for inconveniencing the others who were waiting on us.

Here’s a version that recognizes everyone who helped make your trip special:

Our Portugal trip exceeded every expectation, and we have Kimkim—especially our incredible local agent, Pedro—to thank for making it such a memorable experience.

Pedro was exceptional from beginning to end. He was responsive, knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely invested in making our trip perfect. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, from our beautiful hotels and seamless transfers to outstanding restaurant recommendations and unforgettable experiences throughout Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. His communication before and during the trip gave us complete confidence that everything was taken care of.

We would also like to recognize our outstanding drivers and guides, Hugo and Ricardo, who truly elevated our experience.

Hugo welcomed us upon our arrival in Lisbon and handled our airport transfer with warmth and professionalism. He also guided us on an incredible day exploring Sintra and the breathtaking westernmost point of mainland Europe. Later in our journey, he drove us from the Algarve back to Lisbon, and every moment spent with him was enjoyable. His knowledge of Portugal, friendly personality, and willingness to share local insights made each drive feel like part of the vacation rather than simply transportation.

Ricardo was equally exceptional. He gave us a fantastic tour of Porto and took us through the stunning Douro Valley, where we enjoyed an unforgettable boat cruise and winery visit. He also drove us from Porto to the Algarve, making the long journey comfortable, informative, and enjoyable. His passion for Portugal and attention to detail made every experience even more meaningful.

What impressed us most was how effortless the entire vacation felt. Every transfer was punctual, every recommendation was excellent, and even our special requests for my partner’s birthday were handled beautifully. We never had to worry about logistics—we were simply able to relax and enjoy everything Portugal has to offer.

I cannot recommend Kimkim highly enough. Pedro assembled an outstanding team, and together with Hugo and Ricardo, they delivered one of the best travel experiences we’ve ever had. We returned home with unforgettable memories and would not hesitate to use Kimkim again for future adventures.

Thank you, Pedro, Hugo, and Ricardo, for making our dream trip to Portugal a reality.

Our specialist was knowledgeable and recommended some great activities that we did not think of.
All of our guides were amazing. Everything went flawlessly. Great trip!

This trip was amazing and everything we asked for. Lots of historical sites and especially a lot of activity! Adam and Summer did a great job organizing our trip and making sure all the logistics were taken care of. All we had to do is show up and enjoy. We loved each location and all the activities that were arranged. They definitely listened to us and our needs. So grateful for such a wonderful experience.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Britania Art Deco

Lisbon

Great location. Not near the noise but close and walkable to the sites. Very uniquely decorated and very tastful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cascade Wellness Resort

Lagos

Really enjoyed our stay here. Really close to hiking the Algarve cliffs which we took full advantage of. Also, fairly close to the old town which we did walk over for dinner one night. The property is clean and the water views are excellent. The pool was expansive and the breakfast was superb.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mercure Porto Centro Aliados

Porto

Loved this hotel. It was right in the heart of town. We actually were close to the Portugal football viewing center for the World Cup just steps from our hotel. The beds were comfortable and the breakfast offered many healthy options.

Authenticity & Character

Loved the back patio and garden area. You normally wouldn't see this in the heart of town

Location

Completely walkable to key areas of town

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Ponta da Piedade Kayaking Adventure

Lagos (Algarve)

The best way to see the Algarve is right from the water. We had terrific guides and we kayaked in all the nooks are crannies.

Quality of Experience

The best!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

🥾 Self-Guided Coastal Hike: Lagos Old Town to Ponta da Piedade

Lagos (Algarve)

Stunning views along the algarve coast. Took lots of photos of the sunset along the hike. Easy path to view

Quality of Experience

Dolphin Watching & Benagil cave

Lagos (Algarve)

Enjoyed the boat ride and going in and out of the caves and watching the dolphins swim along the boat. Took lots of videos

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Tuk-Tuk Experience Along the 28 Tram Route

Lisbon

A guide Rodrigo was great. He knows Lisbon really well. What a great way to see the sites too!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Sintra & Cascais Day Trip with Pena Palace & Quinta da Regaleira Visit

Lisbon

A must see. Really enjoyed the Palace and Sintra. Enjoyed the personal guide and all the history that was shared.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Douro Valley Day Trip with Wine Tastings & River Cruise

Porto

Excellent day driving through the Duoro valley tasting local wines and viewing the site. Our guide Andrea was fantastic and really clicked with the group.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

KimKim did an AMAZING job at helping us plan our trip to Portugal. The team was thoughtful, communicative and attentive to all our needs. We even had on of our tours get cancelled due to vehicle malfunction but we had a blast at the Zoo. I've recommend KimKim to all my friends and family planning trips!

The Tuk TuK tour was so fun! Our guide, Bruno, was great! We were able to get know the city quickly and he recommended a great lunch spot.

The Taste of Lisboa food tour was unmatched. Our guide, Daniel, was funny, knowledgeable, and overall a great host! We ate/ drink all the best that Lisbon had to offer.

Luis, our guide for the Private Sintra & Cascais Day Trip with Pena Palace & Quinta da Regaleira Visit was AWESOME! We truly couldn't have gotten a better guide. He went above and beyond to ensure we saw everything we could on the tour.

Our trip to Portugal, visiting Lisbon, the Algrave, and Porto was totally wonderful. In both Lisbon and Porto, we had walking tours with guides who were quite knowledgeable and entertaining. In Lisbon we visited the Earthquake Museum, toured many churches and historic sites, and ate many delicious traditional meals. In the Algrave, we visited the Chapel of Bones in Evora, and stayed in a spacious beach apartment in Lagos. We had a boat tour along the beautiful coast of Portugal and spent a day on a scenic Portuguese beach. In Porto, we had a food tour and did a Port tasting across the river in Gaia. Then we had a tour of the beautiful Pineda-Garês N’ational Park, where we swam in a waterfall pool and had a delicious lunch. And of course, we did lots of shopping everywhere we went!

The finishing touch was the agency helping us retrieve a beloved bracelet my granddaughter left in our hotel room. This was far beyond our expectations and we greatly appreciate this extra effort. Highly recommend traveling with Kim Kim!

Diana has been really wonderful from the planning stage, all the way to the end of the trip. The itinerary she made for us was great and my friend and I really enjoyed the activities. I highly recommend Kim Kim travel!

Our guided trip through Portugal was truly unforgettable. We traveled from Porto to the Douro Valley, Évora, Lagos in the Algarve, and finally Lisbon. Each destination offered something unique, from breathtaking landscapes and historic cities to charming villages and beautiful coastlines.

The hotels were all four- and five-star properties, each with its own character. Every hotel was comfortable, clean, and staffed by friendly, welcoming people. Our favorite was Quinta do Pego in the Douro Valley. The peaceful setting, surrounded by vineyards, and the spectacular views overlooking the Douro River made it an incredibly special place to stay. Our dinner here was exceptional!

One of the highlights of our trip was having lunch each day with our guide, Tiago. Rather than stopping at tourist restaurants, he introduced us to locally owned restaurants that reflected the true flavors of Portugal. Every meal became an opportunity to learn more about Portuguese cuisine, wines, traditions, and history.

One memorable stop was the beautiful hilltop village of Monsaraz in the Alentejo region, overlooking the Guadiana River. Another favorite was a small family-owned restaurant tucked away in the basement of an old building in Guimaraes. These are the kinds of places we never would have found on our own, and they became some of our favorite memories.

Walking through the historic streets of Porto and Lisbon was another highlight. We wandered along centuries-old cobblestone streets, explored magnificent churches, castles, and palaces, and enjoyed spectacular views of rivers, beaches, and the Atlantic Ocean. Everywhere we traveled, we gained a deeper appreciation for Portugal's rich history and culture.

The Portuguese people were incredibly warm, welcoming, and proud of their country. Their kindness made us feel at home throughout our journey.

This trip exceeded our expectations in every way. It was the perfect combination of history, culture, incredible food and wine, stunning scenery, and authentic local experiences. We returned home with wonderful memories and a genuine appreciation for Portugal. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to experience the true beauty and hospitality of Portugal.

Tiago was an exceptional guide—knowledgeable, patient, and passionate about sharing Portugal’s history, culture, and traditions. His thoughtful planning and genuine love for his country made this trip even more meaningful.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Lisboa Plaza

Lisbon

We truly enjoyed this boutique hotel. The staff was exceptionally nice and friendly. The room was comfortable it would have been nicer to be a bit larger space for our suitcases but we managed. The cleaning staff amazed us by cleaning our room everyday while we were at breakfast❣️

Authenticity & Character

Location

We were able to walk to nearby restaurants, shops and touring the parts of the city without a taxi or uber.

Staff

We were treated very nice by the entire staff at Hotel Lisboa. We especially enjoyed Thomas sending us off with a cheer for Lisbon’s Sporting team which we became fans of while visiting Lisbon and Portugal.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Belmar Spa & Beach Resort

Lagos

Our stay at the Belmar was exceptional. The room was very nice. It was clean and roomy. The bed was very comfortable. We enjoyed sitting on the patio and enjoying the view of the pool and the access to the bar near by as well as an easy walk to the beach.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Easy access to the beach.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mercure Porto Centro Aliados

Porto

When we arrived, we were greeted very cordially with the hotel employees. The room was exceptionally clean and comfortable. We really enjoyed coming back to the hotel after touring the city and able to relax by the pool and enjoy a drink at the patio bar. The breakfast was exceptional as well!

Authenticity & Character

Location

It was a perfect location for us as we could walk to almost all the areas of interest. There is a gelato restaurant across the walk way from the entrance of the hotel! Was a favorite spot for us to end the day with a sweet treat.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room and bed were clean and comfortable.

MouraSuites Hotel

Largo da Porta de Moura, 7000-647 Évora, Portugal

Our stay at the MouraSuites Hotel in Évora was comfortable despite the small room size. The king-size bed was a positive surprise, and the room was cozy even though we didn't have much space to move around. Having a pool right outside our door added to the convenience, and the staff treated us wonderfully. While the room was a bit snug, it was typical for Europe, and the overall experience was pleasant.

Quinta do Pego

Tabuaco

Quinta do Pego was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of our trip. With only ten rooms, the hotel has an intimate, peaceful atmosphere that makes it feel like a private retreat in the heart of the Douro Valley. Our room was spacious, beautifully appointed, and exceptionally comfortable. The bed was one of the most comfortable we slept in during our travels, and the bathroom was equally roomy and well designed. Both breakfast and dinner were outstanding, but dinner was especially memorable. Enjoying an exceptional meal while overlooking the breathtaking Douro Valley, the vineyards, and the Douro River made for an unforgettable evening. The views from the dining room are simply spectacular. The large swimming pool was another favorite. Poolside service was effortless—just ring a bell, and within minutes a staff member would arrive to take your order and return promptly with drinks. It was a wonderful touch that made relaxing by the pool even more enjoyable. The combination of outstanding hospitality, exceptional food, luxurious accommodations, and breathtaking scenery made Quinta do Pego one of our favorite hotels in Portugal. We would gladly stay here again and highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Douro Valley.

Authenticity & Character

Outstanding staff, exceptional food, and breathtaking views!

Location

In the heart of Douro Valley this hotel had exceptional views.

Staff

The staff was attentive, friendly, and genuinely committed to providing excellent service. During our stay, there was a brief interruption in the water service. The staff responded immediately, working diligently until the issue was completely resolved. Their professionalism and dedication were truly appreciated..

Cleanliness & Comfort

From the beautifully manicured grounds to the immaculate interior, every detail of the hotel reflected exceptional care and attention.

Activity Reviews

Portuguese Cooking Lesson

Portugal

The Portuguese Cooking Lesson in Lisbon was a fantastic experience! The chef was incredibly friendly and organized. We participated in preparing a full meal and dessert, including a potato mix soup, roasted chicken, carrot salad, and a delightful meringue dessert. Although I wished we could have tried making the pastel de nata for dessert, the entire experience was enriching. We sat together around a big table, enjoying the delicious meal and getting to know the other participants. Adding wine and cheese tasting to the activity elevated the entire experience. It was fun, educational, and absolutely delicious.

Óbidos visit

Portugal

Our visit to the medieval town of Óbidos was one of the highlights of our trip. Walking through this beautifully preserved walled town felt like stepping back in time. The panoramic views of the town and the surrounding countryside were well worth the climb. We enjoyed strolling the charming cobblestone streets, browsing the many unique shops, visiting beautiful churches.. Our favorite was Livraria de São Tiago, a remarkable 12th-century church that has been transformed into a bookstore. A must do when visiting Óbidos is sampling the town's famous Ginjinha drink. Ginjinha a delicious cherry liqueur they serve in a traditional small chocolate cup. It was a fun and uniquely Portuguese experience. Before leaving, we also admired the impressive 16th-century Aqueduto da Usseira, another reminder of Óbidos' rich history.

Quality of Experience

Our experience was amazing and what made our experience was the friendly and enjoyable people we met along our travels, the beautiful views of Portugal the wine country hills and valleys, the cobblestone streets, ancient buildings, churches and castles. The history and gastronomy of Portugal. And just experiencing the things we don’t have where we live and being able to experience the things that existed centuries ago and today in Portugal. We got to experience a lot of Portugal from Porto to Douro to evora, Algarves and Lisbon and we look forward to returning to Portugal again!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We were fortunate to have several guides during our trip, and every one of them was exceptional. Our first guide, Manuel, took us on a walking tour of Porto on our first full day in Portugal. He was friendly, engaging, and shared the city's history while showing us many of Porto's most beautiful sights. What we appreciated most was how thoughtful he was. As we walked through the city, he pointed out landmarks that would help us find our way back to our hotel later. Knowing we had a tile-painting class that evening, he also made a point of showing us exactly where it was located during our tour. Those small gestures made us feel comfortable and confident exploring Porto on our own. Every guide we met throughout our journey was knowledgeable, personable, and passionate about sharing Portugal's history and culture. Our main guide, Tiago, traveled with us for nine days, and by the end of the trip, he truly felt like family. His knowledge of Portugal's history, architecture, gastronomy, wine, and local traditions was remarkable, and he shared it in a way that was both fascinating and easy to understand. More than anything, Tiago's warmth, sense of humor, and genuine care for our group made this trip extraordinary. He introduced us to wonderful local restaurants, hidden gems, and experiences we never would have discovered on our own. He made us feel less like tourists and more like friends experiencing his beautiful country alongside him. Tiago is truly one of a kind. His passion for Portugal and his dedication to creating an unforgettable experience made this trip more special than we could have imagined. We left Portugal not only with incredible memories but also feeling that we had gained a lifelong friend.

Transport

Transportation throughout our trip was excellent. We traveled in a spacious, comfortable van that provided plenty of room for the four of us and made even the longer drives enjoyable. We were continually amazed by Tiago's driving skills. He expertly navigated the narrow streets of Portugal's historic towns and cities and somehow managed to park the large van in places we would have thought impossible. When parking wasn't nearby, he would conveniently drop us off at our destination and then pick us up afterward, making every excursion easy and stress-free. His thoughtfulness and attention to detail made us feel like VIPs throughout our journey. We never had to worry about transportation or logistics, allowing us to simply relax and enjoy the beauty of Portugal.

The Kim Kim Team which included Giorgia and Bea were extremely attentive to our requests and accommodated all of the changes to our itinerary during the planning phases. The travel App was an amazing resource that we have not used in the past and would recommend this for all future travels.

Our transfers and drivers were excellent and gave us five star treatment from airport pickups to traveling to Porto. Our driver, Nuno, who drove us to Porto allowed for a quick stop to Fatima, which we were grateful for. Our guide, Nuno, who drove us to Sintra was extremely intelligent and humorous. Our guide to Duoro Valley, Alfons, was quite knowledgeable and gave us an incredible experience in the Valley. That ranks as one of our favorite tours. Our arrival to Madeira was smooth and we loved our guide, Nuno, for the island Jeep expedition.

Out of the 4 hotel accommodations, only one disappointed. The Editory Garden in Porto was not up to our expectations. We did not like the location. If we had done our research on the city, we would have preferred to have stayed at a 5 star resort along the river where the city is alive. In addition, the rooms were small and the overall lobby and restaurant was sub-par. The staff was also rude. For example, our guide gave us a bottle of wine and we decided to enjoy it one afternoon. We also ordered two beers for the men in our family. The staff then charged us 7 Euros for an empty glass for me to drink my wine! We were annoyed and irritated for that charge and their lack of hospitality.

We also would have liked the travel agency to book our return flight from Madeira to Lisbon. I ended up booking it myself and the website was difficult to navigate and I had to pay extra Euros for our baggage. Since our flight to Madeira was booked by your agency, I was surprised that we had to do the return flight.

Overall, our family trip celebrating our children's graduation from college was a memorable and beautiful experience that we will cherish for a lifetime.

The guides were all great throughout our excursions in Portugal. Sailing, winery tour, food tour all great. The whale watch was nice although most people got seasick and knocked around a little due to high waves but we saw two whales and several dolphins. The two hotels in Lisbon and Porto were fine. The Santa Barbara Eco resort on Sao Miguel is highly recommended.

Hotel Reviews

Exe Almada Porto

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Lisboa Plaza

Lisbon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Santa Bárbara Eco Beach Resort

São Miguel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Furnas Lake Kayaking

Portugal

It was canceled due to fog.

Snorkeling at Vila Franca do Campo

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Whale-Watching in the Azores

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Day Trip to the Douro Valley with Visit to Wineries, Lunch, and Rabelo Boat River Cruise

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Food Tour

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Where do I begin? Thanks to all of our amazing guides and hosts of every boutique hotel in which we stayed! Our trip organizer Joāo used the suggestion we provided to create the perfect itinerary allowing us to experience the culture, history, food and wine at every turn. We started in Madeira with a half day walking tour. The young lady was very friendly and knowledgeable providing an informative tour through the rich history of the island, food and gardens. We finished our remaining day 4x4 tours around the island visiting and dining with the locals. Our guides were amazing. Next we flew to Porto staying at another great boutique hotel. We participated in a food and wine tour bouncing around the city like we were doing a bar crawl and had the best time with people we just met. The next few days were spent with walking tours and fine dining. I would have to write a novel to capture all the fun we had but I won’t. With excursions in Tomar, Aveiro and Evora, we visited castles, toured cities and visited wineries to our hearts content. Our final leg was Lisbon where Joāo sealed the deal taking us to all the best places to take photos experience local restaurants like Pastẽis de Belěm where we ate traditional tarts in the local park where he visited growing up. We ended our trip visiting Cascais, Cabo Da Roca and Ericeira. Thanks again for such a memorable experience. We enjoyed it so much that we plan to visit again soon.

2 wonderful guides:
1. Ivo - we were pleasantly surprised how easy it was to spend hours driving with Ivo. He helped us learn so much about daily life in Portugal and felt like a true friend by the time our trip ended. We spent much time talking about our own family and Evo even joined in during our weekly FaceTime call to her three year-old granddaughter.
2. Bernardo - a treasure trove of history in Porto and there probably was not a question to which we did not receive an informative response.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Lisboa Plaza

Lisbon

The location was excellent and staff were very helpful. Accommodations were “dated” or “charming” depending on your personal preference although the only minor inconveniences for us were slow elevators and hard room keys.

Authenticity & Character

Character yes!

Location

Could walk nearly everywhere which is most important attribute

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room slight cramped, very clean

NH Hotel Porto Jardim

Porto

Location was excellent and staff was very helpful. One of the things which annoyed us most was the lack of outdoor non-smoking gathering places, but this may be a nationwide problem as we also encountered it in Lisbon. Breakfast was good except for the coffee and unfortunately, I could not find a nearby Starbucks or similar. Also, the step in bathtub without any handrails was treacherous.

Authenticity & Character

Location

We were able to walk almost everywhere except for Belem and Fado dinner

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Vert clean but see comment about showe.

Activity Reviews

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Portugal

Basically, the evening did not seem much beyond a dinner show. Perhaps, the experience might’ve been better at a different restaurant. It just did not feel authentic, but more of an activity designed solely for tourist and something locals have grown tired of. If I had a good friend that was going to Lisbon with limited time, I would tell them to investigate some of the other wonderful restaurants in the city and skip the Fado experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Skip the steak and order the fish.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

N/A

Transport

N/A

Discover Sintra on a Group Tour with Pena Palace Tickets and a Scenic Stop at Cabo da Roca

Portugal

The day was a great mixture of a visit to historical beautiful palace with gardens, walking up the narrow inclined streets of a centuries old village and concluding with a lunchtime stop at a modern coastal resort.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour with Ginjinha & Pastel de Nata

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking only.

The Essence of Douro - A River, Wine, and Gastronomy Experience with a Private Driver

Portugal

The whole day was a wonderful experience and something that I would clearly recommend to anybody who includes Porto on their itinerary. The dining experience and lunch were superb as was the wine tasting. The only part that could’ve been improved was the boat trip down the Douro river as our guide did not really add much and it just felt like a perfunctory out and back trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

See my above comments about Ivo. He was a pleasure to spend four hours with.

Transport

See above.

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

I guess it’s something that you need to do in Porto, but it seemed like a typical tourist driven experience with diversions to the gift shop. We’ve been on Wine Tours before and there didn’t seem much to differentiate it from others we have been on. However, the most pleasant surprise was the cheese tray that was added in by Kim Kim. The tray was huge, and we passed it around to some of the other tasters at our table.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

N/A. Close enough to the hotel that we were able to walk.

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Bernardo was a superb guide and a wealth of information. We felt it in a 2 1/2 hours we spent with Bernardo that we received an excellent introduction to Porto and directions on how to spend some of our remaining time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Porto was our favorite destination. All
Of our guides were fantastic: Celia, Granado, Thelma, and Nuno.

i'm sure the spelling of names will be wrong? nick of e motion good historian and guide. chavier of the second tour to Fatima by e bike..... thanks for introducing me to google maps and whatsapp🤣 He also inspired me to do the tour alone, no one else signed up🤷‍♂️. Valez was very knowledgeable about the wine business, he owns one!
As usual i had Emily as backup for everything . Everyone showed up on time. I can't wait to use Kim Kim for my next adventure 👍😄

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Britania Art Deco

Lisbon

like an art deco museum. Omar the bar tender had great stories

Authenticity & Character

remolded to the original design

Location

it's near all the high end shopping and walking distance to everything.

Staff

they let me park right outside the front door!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa de São Domingos

Peso da Régua

Manwel was a great host , answered all my questions and gave great recommendations. The place is a beautiful family home, decorated like a fine European mansion. Breakfast was incredible each morning !!!!!

Authenticity & Character

like a fine family home.

Location

it's on hill side near a main road

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Scenic N222 Drive with Boat Ride & Wine Tasting

Peso da Régua (Douro Valley)

Vazquez a local vineyard owner was full of knowledge about the wine industry !!!

Quality of Experience

i

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bike Through The Vineyards

Portugal

David another great guide with a lot of local knowledge !!!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cycle from Nazaré to Fátima

Nazaré

chavier (sp) it's was just me, no one else signed up! we kept in contact at a few points but i made with his help!

Quality of Experience

it was spiritually moving

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

guide functioned as a sag wagon

E-Bike the Atlantic Road Cycling Path

Nazaré

nick was a great guide, perfect mix of history and scenery

Quality of Experience

the group was a good mix.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

nick was very personable, informative and he chose a great breakfast stop

Transport