Kimkim Trip Reviews for Portugal

Overall, the booking experience was seamless as always. Tiago, our local specialist did an outstanding job organizing all the elements of the trip, which was no small feat considering we were a large group of 17 people across 4 families. During the booking process, Tiago was on top of all the timings, made sure we were aware of those so that we were able to finalize our key hotel locations. He was also flexible in changing our arrangements e.g. our family were supposed to leave a couple of days early, but then decided to stay longer, which he was quickly able to accommodate.

During the trip, Tiago was excellent in coordinating all our visits - across Tile Painting, to connecting us with a Surfing Lessons company, to the Fado music, to cooking classes etc. He was also a wealth of knowledge on Portuguese history, which we found extremely valuable and interesting. It kept the bus ride from Cascais to the Duoro valley, and then from there to Porto a lot of fun.

Out other local guide in Cascais - Gustav - was also great. He was funny, authentic, passionate and made our stay there a lot of fun. The highlight were the visits to Praia das Azenhas do Mar, and then the lunch at a local seafood place which was out of this world!

The hotel locations (The Albatroz in Cascais and Quinta del Vacaria) were outstanding! The Infante Sagres in Porto was also nice, but the hotel rooms had some issues (e.g. there was water leaking from an AC vent over our toliet), but nothing big to spoil the experience. The food tour in Porto was another highlight!

Overall, we had great time and Tiago played a huge role in enabling that for us. We would highly recommend folks to consider Kimkim and Tiago for your next Portugal trup.

Hotel Reviews

Infante Sagres

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right in the heart of Porto!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

We had an AC vent that was dripping over our toilet seat.

The Albatroz Hotel

Cascais

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Torel Quinta da Vacaria - Douro Valley

Peso da Régua, Vila Real District

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Food Tour - OPTIONAL

Porto

Absolutely amazing and fun experience. Got to experience food from a true local lens, and were able to visit a couple of spots that we would have never found out about.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Azulejo Tile Workshop

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tourism Tram Ride in Lisbon

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I was truly impressed by the level of constant communication and attention to detail that Joao provided to our family for our trip. This was our first trip to Portugal. Beginning with the early planning and itinerary, I could tell this was going to be a professional and customized adventure. The excursions we went on, the wine tastings, the top notch hotels, the restaurant recommendations — all were excellent. We felt our family mattered again from the regular check-ins each day and availability. I would highly recommend this team. As long as other teams in different parts of the world would be as good as Joao, Diana, drivers Ricardo and Carlos…I would gladly return to Kim Kim and Across Portugal.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Lisboa Plaza

Lisbon

Very nice classic hotel. I wasn’t as impressed as other hotels though and maybe it was because it was an older hotel. Would have preferred a hotel with a pool even if a small one.

Authenticity & Character

Felt like I was in downtown Lisbon, classic

Location

Close walking distance to downtown

Staff

Very accommodating, professional and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very nice although our room had a slight musty smell

Belmar Spa & Beach Resort

Lagos

Really loved this hotel. Had I known how great it would be I would probably have preferred to stay longer here than in Lisbon.

Authenticity & Character

Loved the resort feel

Location

Great access to beach

Staff

Everyone accommodating and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bed was the only thing that wasn’t that comfortable but loved the apartment

Eurostars Porto Douro

Porto

Nice hotel, great buffet. Staff was friendly although one was a bit serious.

Authenticity & Character

Like more boutique hotels

Location

Close enough to the city center while remaining just far away enough for a nice quiet stay.

Staff

Can’t remember names. Most very nice

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathroom very nice. Views of river pwere great

Activity Reviews

Scenic Voyage along the Douro River aboard an Exclusive Boat

Portugal

Really fun boat tour with amazing views!

Quality of Experience

Private with wine to sip

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Friendly and knowledgeable

Transport

Ricardo always was great

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

Portugal

We loved this trip - the scenery, river boat trip and visit to Pacheca. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience

Excellent overall

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver Ricardo was always amazing from the start. He was patient, stopped at places etc. all excursion staff excellent as well.

Transport

Pick up from hotel and dropped us off same place. Always reliable.

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Learned a lot about the making of port wine. We were with many people though and when checking in they said we would have a cheese and maybe chocolate pairings but since we’re lumped with many others we were waiting for this. I had to ask and they finally brought us some cheeses.

Quality of Experience

Nice tour

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Didn’t seem to know/remember we had tastings.

Transport

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Our guide Sara was super knowledgeable and took us to so many great places on the walking tour. Had we not done this, probably would not have ventured to all these parts.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledgeable, nice, punctual

Transport

We just walked.

I wanted to treat my sister to our first European vacation, and I’m so glad I chose KimKim to help make it unforgettable!
We decided on Portugal but weren’t sure where to begin—thankfully, our travel specialist Helena made the process seamless. She listened closely to how we like to travel, accommodated our dietary needs, and crafted an itinerary that perfectly suited us. Every hotel was well-located, and each experience felt personal and thoughtful.

We split our time between Porto and Lisbon, starting with a walking tour in Porto led by the amazing Elena. She was warm, knowledgeable, and made our first day so memorable—snapping great photos and sharing local insights. Helena also planned a food tour that introduced us to authentic Porto cuisine we’d never have found on our own. Unfortunately, I can't remember our tour guide's name for the food tour, but he also did a great job.

One of the absolute highlights was our trip to the Douro Valley with João, our incredible driver. I think he has to be one of the loveliest people I’ve ever met. I really could go on and on about how wonderful he was, but I’ll just say that our trip with João was a top highlight of the whole vacation. We learned so much about Portugal chatting with him and we were treated with such kindness. We really felt welcome, like we were family. I could not have asked for a better person to help us explore Porto. He also drove us from Porto to Lisbon, making amazing stops in Aveiro and Nazaré—where he got us local pastries, espresso, and secured a table at Pangeia by the Sea, our best meal of the trip.

In Lisbon, we had a fantastic tour with José, who not only showed us hidden photo spots but went the extra mile by walking us to a special lunch spot, recommending a great dish and wine, and ensuring the staff took excellent care of us. So thoughtful and above and beyond!

When nearby fires forced an itinerary change, communication through the travel app was prompt and seamless. Our hiking guide, Sonia, quickly adjusted our last day, turning it into a rich experience. She took us to Sintra, arranged castle tickets, introduced us to local treats, and even made brownies for my sister’s birthday! She ended the day by driving us to the famous Pastéis de Belém so we wouldn’t miss out on the locals’ favorite.

Every moment felt curated with care. My sister absolutely loved her birthday trip, and I’m so grateful to Helena, Elena, João, José, and Sonia for making it so special. We’ll definitely use KimKim again!

Activity Reviews

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets

Portugal

Sonia was a fanstic tour guide! She shaped a comprehensive experience to make up for a minor change in the itinerary. While in Sintra, she bought us tickets to the National Castle there, she took us to get a classic pastry and latte (which is always a plus), and she showed us other beautiful parts of Lisbon. She even made my sister brownies because she knew it was her birthday! So kind! She even heard me talking about where to get the best Pastel de Nata and let me know that the locals prefer the Pastéis de Belém, so she drove us to the location where they are made to make sure we tried it before we left. It turned out to be such a great day, even with the minor hiccup in the schedule.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

José was a fantastic tour guide. He found some special and unique spots for us to take pictures while also sharing the rich history of Lisbon. The highlight was a small lunch spot he recommended for the Red Vinho Verde that is a unique experience in Lisbon. José could have just pointed us in the right direction for the restaurant, but no, he took it a step further and walked us over to the restaurant, gave us the best recommendation to order and actually spoke to the staff to make sure they took care of us and we had the best experience. Just above and beyond what we could have expected.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Nazaré & Aveiro

Portugal

This day was the one I was most concerned about (just because it would be a long day on the road) and it turned out to be a highlight of the trip! Nazaré was absolutely beautiful and Aveiro was lovely as well. But mostly it was chatting with João, understanding more about Portugal and seeing how we are all connected no matter where we grew up, that made the day special for my sister and I.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Everything was great! Just hire more people like João, and everyone will be sure to have a great trip :)

Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

Our driver, João, was incredible! Traveling with him was the highlight of the trip. He even talked about the NBA with my sister, which is one of her favorite things to chat about! Also, we enjoyed meeting Carla who gave us a tour of the Quinta Da Pacheca winery. She was fantastic and also had us laughing the whole time :)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Just having a kind person to chat with on the long drive was a highlight. I like to chat, and I learned so much about Portugal from João.

Culinary Highlights of Porto: Food Delights & Bolhão Market

Porto

The tour was a fantastic experience, that exposed us to the wonderful world of Porto cuisine. We were shown classic restaurant locations, that we certainly wouldn’t have been about to find on our own. So much fun, and a unique experience. Unfortunately, I can't remember our tour guides name but he was great!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Guided Visit of Porto

Porto

. Our tour guide, Elena, was wonderful! Not only was she knowledgeable, and we learned a lot but we also had fun and she took so many memorable pics for us. She made our first day in Porto a great one!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

There was no actual transport for this tour, as it was a walking tour.

Our trip was really planned well, Thanks to Anita. She detailed all our needs and tailored specific accommodation, food, transportation and sightseeings.
On the other hand, there were great people on the ground who facilitated our journey with great knowledge and support i.e Rita, Paulo, Emanuel, João, and Carlos. In addition to great support team on the Trip Plan App answering all our inquiries who were accessible at anytime and anywhere.

Joao did an amazing job planning our two week adventure and was very patient and accommodating of all our requests and revisions. While we were sad not to meet him in person, he was great about checking in with us throughout our trip.
Highlights in Lisbon were Casa Balthazar, dinner with locals, cooking class and shopping the open air market on Avenida da Liberdade.
Highlights in Porto were dinner at Cantinha de Avillez, the food tour and gelato! Unfortunately we didn't have the intel that we needed to purchase tickets to the Lello bookstore way in advance, and Cafe Magnifico had too long a line to wait.
We had high expectations for Nazare and Obidos, and sadly, because of the number of tourists and a Renaissance Fair, respectively, these two stops were the most disappointing of the trip.
Highlights in Monsaraz were the beautiful Montimerso Skyscape (though we were there when the famed restaurant was closed) and the cork tour. The olive oil tour was good, but not exceptional because the oil wasn't being produced at that time, and the ceramics class was good but frustrating, for we couldn't take home our creations.
The Algarve highlight was by far the sailing excursion with Skipper Rob and spending time in Lagos. The Aldeia de Pedralva is great for a family with children, but not super conducive for a couple looking for privacy and quiet.
We visited a friend in Setubal and getting there by ferry was an awesome suggestion. The 34 Guest House was lovely.

We learned some important things to consider when planning our next trip:
1. We were interested in learning about the Portuguese culture overall, but many of the recommended stops and sights centered on visiting castles, palaces, monasteries, convents and fortresses. While we understand that they are deeply rooted in the history of the country, we completely tired of them mid-trip. We found out during our ceramics class, for example, that that part of the country is famous for making pottery, with many, many pottery shops. We would have loved to explore those, but found out about them too late.
2. When renting a car, we need to request a mid-size vehicle since my husband is very tall and could barely fold himself in and out of the Kia Stonic.
Overall, we had an amazing adventure and certainly plan to use Kim Kim again in the future.

Hotel Reviews

34 Guesthouse Setúbal

Setúbal

Great hotel with very accommodating staff. Parking was difficult.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Aldeia da Pedralva - Slow Village

Vila do Bispo

This was an interesting choice for a couple, as this village is more geared to families with children that stay up late and are very loud. There is no privacy - the windows need to stay open for air circulation (no AC) but the windows, including in the bedroom, are at eye level, so passers by can look straight into the bedroom and living area! The restaurants in the village are good, but breakfast was not - it was cold and they did not replenish the food during serving hours, so we were frequently left with very few choices.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our room was never cleaned during our stay and there is a severe lack of lighting.

Montimerso SkyScape

Monsaraz​

Beautiful location and accommodations. We would have loved to try their famed restaurant, but sadly it was closed during our stay. Good breakfast!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pousada Castelo de Óbidos

Óbidos

Dark, dingy room with musty, mildew smell and a terrible, cold breakfast. Accessibility and parking were very difficult, especially in the middle of a Renaissance Fair.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Tomas and Pedro went above and beyond. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have ended up staying there.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maintenance, updating and a more comfortable bed. Serve pancakes and waffles hot, rather than ice cold.

Torel Palace Porto

Porto

Over the top hotel in a great location with a good breakfast. Our room had some maintenance issues: broken lamp and towel bar and electrical sockets falling off the wall in the bathroom. Surprisingly they updated us to a room with jacuzzi on the balcony, which we definitely took advantage of, but could not figure out how to drain

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Thomar Boutique Hotel

Tomar

Great hotel and location. Loved the free parking and the roof deck.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Balthazar

Lisbon

Fantastic hotel and the most delicious breakfast of the trip. Concierge Ruth went above and beyond and was amazing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Half Day Sailing Tour

Portugal

Skipper Rob and first mate Anatoli were incredible! They made this trip an absolute pleasure, and even served us tapas! A true highlight of our two week vacation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Gorgeous, beautifully maintained boat!

Pottery Workshop

Portugal

This was a fun activity with an awesome instructor, but we couldn't take home our creations.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Olive Oil Tasting

Monsaraz

We learned a lot about olive oil and had even more fun tasting it! Unfortunately they weren't producing the oil when we visited.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cork Farm Visit

Portugal

We learned so much about this local resource and it was super interesting to visit and learn about the forest and estate.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He was very knowledgeable but a bit pompous.

Transport

Food Tour - OPTIONAL

Porto

Loved beginning at the market and having the opportunity to walk the city and sample such a great variety of food typical to the region. Ricardo was exceptional about his knowledge of the region and the food/wine. Very highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dinner With Locals

Portugal

Sofia and her husband Carlos welcomed us into their home with warmth and grace and served us a deliciously authentic meal, from appetizers to dessert with wine pairings throughout. We had a wonderful meal with awesome people who we can now call friends!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Market Visit & Cooking Class

Lisbon

A great way to learn about the local cuisine and meet others!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The chef ended up being great, but he started off surly and nasty

In an era of self booking trips,if you have the time and bandwidth to research where to go, travel agencies are not extinct and provide a custom experience to those who seek it. My family and I absolutely loved our trip and accomodations. We love to road trip and chose to drive to various places. Our booked tours were exactly what we wanted and still had ample time to explore on our own. Highly recommend booking through kimkim, my agent was attentive and available to answer questions or concerns. Will look into more vacation options with this company.

Hotel Reviews

Martinhal Lisbon Oriente

Lisbon

Wonderful hotel and chain. Highly recommend if you have a family.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Vila Galé Lagos

Lagos

Great hotel for families with a few exceptions. This is catered to a more resort feel, with that in mind, hotels need to deter guests from staking claim to lounge chairs by the pool all day. The fact is people just leave there towels and disappear for hours or most of the day but block others from using them. Huge turn off if you want to actually use a chair for an hour or two.

Authenticity & Character

Not my kind of style as it feels commercial and lacks some charm.

Location

Away from the touristy side of town

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Vila Gale Evora

Evora

The hotel is nice and near old town. The two comments: We had 2 kids ( one considered an adult) on a pull out couch that was very hard and uncomfortable to sleep. The other was the air conditioner that smelled horrible when turned on.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Air conditioner smelled when turned on and the pull out couch was uncomfortable to sleep on

Martinhal Lisbon Chiado

Lisbon

Wonderful hotel for families to stay in the old part of Lisbon. Everything is within walking distance if you like to walk.

Authenticity & Character

Comfortable and stylish

Location

Location was great to see the old town

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Cave Boat Tour

Portugal

Was a bit hesitant to do this because of preventing experiences. This was a small group and our guides where personable and with great sense of humor. Well worth seeing the coast feom this vantage point.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Winery Visit with Wine Tasting

Portugal

Tour guide was knowledgeable and personable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Street Art Tour in Lisbon

Lisbon

Had the most wonderful tour guide ans experience. Great way to learn about the city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We had such a wonderful trip to Portugal! Exploring and eating our way from Lisbon to Porto to the Algarve, and finishing in Cascais! All in all it was the perfect break from work & school.

Diana was a joy to work with from the start; she took the effort to understand what we were looking for, the types of experiences we enjoy, and made many spot-on recommendations for things for us to check-out during our days without any activities scheduled. She booked us unique, lovely places to stay that were in the heart of the experiences we were after which made getting out super convenient. And she and the team checked-in every day to make sure the trip was proceeding well, and that we had whatever we needed when it came to transfers, activities, etc.

Throughout, our guides and drivers were knowledgeable, friendly, and very steeped in the local culture & scene, resulting in a trip that was very unique and full of color. We felt safe and welcome everywhere we went, and I really appreciated the efforts they each took to provide us options and tailor the experience to something that worked for me and my kids (17 & 14). Specifically there were two drivers who really stood out for myself and my kids; Ricardo (who drove us to/about Douro Valley, as well as our transfer down to Lagos), and Duarte (who brought us from the Algarve to Cascais, as well as our day touring Sintra, and to our very special dinner) — they were exceptional. Both went out of their way to ensure our respective trips and tours really accommodated us, and they created a fun atmosphere, and provided a lot of fantastic recommendations and tips for our trip.

The KimKim team & all of their contacts really contributed to making this a magical & unforgettable first visit to Portugal!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Cascais Miragem

Cascais

Excellent hotel with top-notch service. Beautiful vistas, with very clean rooms, excellent beds, and a delicious breakfast service. Hotel staff were very welcoming, and table staff for dinner, breakfasts, and poolside were always gracious, warm, and very attentive. It’s a lovely sea-side walk from the hotel to downtown Cascais for shopping, dining, etc. The gym (managed by Holmes Place) is a top notch gym with tons of equipment (many multiples of treadmills, stepping machines, bikes, etc.), plenty of free weight, dumbbells, kettlebells, etc. We really enjoyed the splurge of having a private seaside balcony where we could relax and watch the ships go by in the afternoon before dinner.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cascade Wellness Resort

Lagos

Excellent if remote resort, with stunning cliffside views, wonderful swimming pool, and welcoming staff. The rooms were comfortable, with firm bedding, and spacious seating. The ability to walk out cliffside in the morning or evening was a big plus. The resort is located an easy 10 minute ride to the quaint shopping / restaurants of old town Lagos. The gym was very serviceable, with plenty of equipment for a handful of users at a given time.

Location

Really loved being able to walk along the cliffs early in the morning.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Infante Sagres

Porto

Gorgeous hotel in a great urban environment; steps from fantastic restaurants, and a short jaunt to shopping. The interior of the hotel offered a lot of grand character, from the sweeping staircase to the decorated, comfortable rooms. The staff were welcoming and provided great service throughout our stay. The breakfast palette was solid, but the staff was especially attentive and gracious.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PortoBay Liberdade

Lisbon

Fabulous hotel! Great service staff from the front desk, to the bar(s), to the restaurant. We thought the hotel was in a good location, a quieter neighborhood but easy to walk to downtown or the highlight spots. Breakfasts were some of the best of the trip, and we enjoyed hanging out on the rooftop bar for a late day snack & a refreshing drink. We didn’t get a chance to use the spa, but it looked quite well done and appropriate to the setting. Rooms were clean, moderately elegant, but the beds were fantastic!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Exploring Porto's Rich History on an Exclusive Gastronomic Tour Through Time

Porto

What a wonderful exploration this was! Our guide was fantastic, offering plenty of historical and contemporary pieces of color that informed our view of the city, while also offering plenty of tips and suggestions for things for us to check out during our down time in Porto. Each place we visited along the tour was wonderful; the hosts were always warm and gracious, and the food was a unique and fun (and filling!) peak into Porto culture. Meia.Duzia was a very unique stop we enjoyed. We were truly stuffed with delicious foods and wine by the time we made it to the final destination for ice cream (Chocolataria Equador), but that’s probably for the best since if I’d had any more room, I would have gotten another round of ice cream — I had the basil & lemon with sea salt and olive oil which was phenomenal!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our trip was super well planned and organized. We packed a ton in just 6 days and got to see so many of Portugal’s best spots. The planning was spot on and the timing was perfect so we could do everything we wanted to. We had amazing guides, including our drivers Henrique and Ricardo, who took us on a safe and efficient journey through Portugal. They also gave us great tips, knowledge of the region, and history. We had great city tours with Margarita and Sara who really took us deep into the history, sites, and culture of Lisbon and Porto. It was an incredible trip. We wish we had more time to spend and explore even more of this amazing country!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Cascais Miragem

Cascais

Amazing resort with fantastic views. Great pool, both indoor and outdoor. Easy to access the promenade to walk to downtown Cascais. Great service. Very luxurious.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cénica Porto Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton

Porto

received a suite for our family. Amazing size! A little bit on the outskirts of the main city area, but certainly walkable to downtown Porto.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PortoBay Liberdade

Lisbon

Amazing hotel. Super posh and great location. Does require a short Uber ride to get to the cultural areas, but otherwise, great location for shopping and simply walking around. Would stay here again

Authenticity & Character

Location

Near the Avenue de Liberadade

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Scenic Voyage along the Douro River aboard an Exclusive Boat

Portugal

Very scenic and relaxing. The cool breezes with beautiful landscapes made it magical!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Douro Valley Vineyard Delights on a Customized Lunch Experience

Portugal

Amazing gourmet lunch. Delicious food. Excellent vegetarian options. Huge portion sizes. Left super full!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Portugal

The landscapes here are absolutely breathtaking! The drive into the Duoro valley was excellent. Our driver, Ricardo, was an absolute gem and navigated the difficult roads beautifully. Not only did we learn a ton about the area’s history and culture, but the drive was also super entertaining and insightful. The boat tour was incredible! It was so calm and peaceful, and we got to see the wineries from a whole new perspective. The lunch at the winery was also amazing - it was an experience like no other. We left super full and satisfied, and I can’t wait to come back!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Great tour with Sara. Really learned about the history of Porto and saw the city. Was a great experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Lisbon

Our tour guide, Margarita, was incredible! She totally customized the tour for our 6 and 10-year-olds, keeping them super engaged. The adults had a blast too, learning all about the sights, culture, and history of Lisbon. We even tried Ginjinha and Santini’s ice cream - it was delicious! This tour truly gave us an in-depth look into Lisbon’s rich history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Our driver Henrique was an absolute gem! We had an incredible tour of the area, and Henrique took us on a stroll through the charming downtown Sintra. He shared his insider knowledge, telling us what was worth seeing and doing, and what wasn’t. We truly immersed ourselves in Sintra’s rich history and stunning sites, and Henrique made it an unforgettable experience. Thanks a bunch for making our trip so amazing!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tiago was wonderful. Thorough, patient, and hooked us up with guides through Lisbon and Cascai. Arranged the whole thing. Steered us to the Azores instead of the Canaries. Nice hotels. Evora was terrific and interesting. The Duaro Valley was very beautiful. Cost-effective. Stuff we couldn't have seen without Tiago's guidance. Really, the only way to take a self-driving tour. Highly recommended.

Hotel Reviews

Sao Miguel Park Hotel

Sao Miguel Island, Ponta Delgada

Good value for money. Nice, American-style hotel. Good location.

Location

Walking distance to the ocean and to the mall. The mall, although at first glance a tacky American mall,Turned out to be very convenient with good shops, a food court, and a cinema (!!) We saw a movie!

NH Collection Porto Batalha

Porto

Decent hotel in the middle of the city. But incredibly inconvenient. Hard to find. Parking is inconvenient and makes check-in a horror show. Hotel is nice once you get parked.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Good - being in the middle of Porto. Bad - NOT MADE FOR CARS. Much better if brought there by Uber or taxi.

Staff

They helped us Park! Which was not easy. Desk staff also friendly and helpful.

Quinta do Tedo

Douro Valley

The Duaro valley is spectacular. Beautiful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The views! Memorable and wonderful.

Casa dos Ofícios Hotel

Tomar

Nice boutique hotel. Parking was inconvenient and difficult. Other than that, the hotel was nice.

Location

Right in the city. Parking was inconvenient and difficult.

Hotel Albergaria do Calvário

Évora

Nice, small hotel. Parking was difficult.

Hotel Lisboa Plaza

Lisbon

Very good. Good value for the money

Activity Review

Rabelo Boat Tour

Portugal

A boat tour was a nice change. Pretty river, nice people on the boat. Overall though, a little boring.

Tiago set up a great trip that catered to exactly what my family was looking for. The best part was having a local agent while we were on the trip. He checked on us regularly and provided invaluable local beach expertise and and last minute dinner reservations. We were so thrilled to avoid the crazy crowded beaches and head to what felt like locals only spots. His support definitely enhanced our trip. We had a wonderful time!

We had an amazing trip to Portugal planned by Kim Kim. The hotels in every city we visited were in the best areas of each city. We had an awesome food tour in Porto, and a great guide for our time in Lisbon. I would highly recommend Kim Kim to anyone who is looking for a stress free vacation.

Hotel Review

The Vintage House Hotel Douro

Pinhão

The Vintage House Hotel Douro was definitely a highlight of my trip. It's a beautiful hotel in an amazing location, even though it's a bit secluded in the area, but it stands out as quite the fabulous place to stay. I really appreciated the charm and tranquility of the place.

Activity Review

Dinner with Live Fado Music

Lisbon

The Dinner with Live Fado Music was an interesting experience. The place and the music were great, capturing the essence of Fado well, but the food didn't really meet expectations. However, we weren't expecting gourmet cuisine, so it was more about the experience overall, which was enjoyable.

Our guide Joel in Lisbon was amazing . Professional and very knowledgeable . Hotels were great and everyone was friendly.

Our Portugal trip was better than expected and we are looking forward to another visit to explore more. Margarida (spelling ?) was our walking tour guide in Lisbon and she was knowledgeable, friendly, and fun. She helped provide a balanced welcome into Portugal's history, culture, and food that made us appreciate our surroundings and the country.

Duarte was a friendly and knowledgeable driver/guide for Sintra and to/from Lagos. His unique background being a race car driver living in the Unite States and personal history and experiences made our time in the car feel special. He was safe, friendly and went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and a positive experience.

Rodrigo drove us for a day in Lagos and Algarve and introduced us to some of the most beautiful beaches we've been to! He was friendly and easy to communicate with.

Marcos was our friendly driver to and from the Afronation concert and he made sure we got to and from safely.

Hotel Reviews

Vila Galé Cascais

Cascais

The hotel was clean, large, and had a beautiful outdoor and pool area. It was located across from the water with easy walking access to the town for restaurants and shopping which was great. It was a bit dark in the hallways of the hotel leading to our room and the hotel is due for some updates overall, particularly in the rooms.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was clean and comfortable with ample space in the room to spread out. I liked the balcony/terrace; it was very relaxing and quiet.

Lagos Avenida Hotel

Lagos

I loved the decor and views at this hotel. It was very easy to walk to the shops, marina, and restaurants nearby.

Authenticity & Character

The modern beachy but laid back vibes. The style was great at the hotel overall although the bathroom/room combo with the curtain for privacy was a tad tricky and less practical at times.

Location

Staff

Breakfast staff was very friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was clean and breakfast was superb.

Hotel Britania Art Deco

Lisbon

I really liked the Art Deco decor and history of the hotel. The staff was very friendly and breakfast was delicious. The hotel was clean, quiet, easily walkable to local restaurants and shopping. I enjoyed the bath/body products in the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Staff was kind and personable with good recommendations for food nearby.

Cleanliness & Comfort

I liked the robe and slippers.

Activity Reviews

Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves

Portugal

I liked how it was personal. Jorge was knowledgeable with a good sense of humor. He made the ride feel more safe and calm even with the waters being rough that day. Loved the fresh fruit; it was sweet and refreshing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

To Eat Suggestion: Honest Greens (Avenida)

Lisbon

Delicious healthy food that was less than 2 blocks from our hotel. the staff was friendly and the atmosphere was fresh, spacious, and comfortable.

Quality of Experience

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Sintra and the Villa/castle was beautful to see although it was very slow due to crowds. We stood a lot moving slowly through the property. A heads up on the microclimate could have been helpful as it was chilly at times.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver Duarte was friendly and knowledgeable throughout the tour. He also recommended a great seafood restaurant and pastries which we enjoyed. Glad we passed through Cascais on the way back to Lisbon as it was beautiful and sunny.

Transport

the care was clean, modern, comfortable and we felt safe. Thankful for the bottled water.

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

Lisbon

I liked the food tastings. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly (Margarida). We handled the walking okay but the hills would have been very challenging if I came with my parents or other family members.

Quality of Experience

a nice mix of food, culture, history and lifestyle.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

a good walk but not easy in the heat or if hills or stairs are challenging.

Across Portugal curated an absolutely perfect first trip to Portugal for our family of five, including three young kids, ages ten, eight, and four.

Joao and the team could not have done a better job finding us the perfect resorts in each of our three stays (Lisbon, the Algarve, Cascais) — exactly what we needed in terms of space and accommodations to make traveling with kids stress free and incredibly enjoyable.

The experiences booked for us in each place were perfect — magical, high quality experiences that were clearly the best of the best in each spot, allowing us to feel like we saw and experienced so much in the relatively short time we had. My expectations were exceeded in every way: our accommodations, our driver, our activities, and the level of professionalism and ease of communication throughout.

We are not easy people to please, and we were blown away. We hope to return to Portugal again soon to see even more of the country and will certainly use Across Portugal again.

The trip that kimkim planned for our 2-week trip to Spain and Portugal was amazing! We didn't have to worry - everything was taken care of, from the drivers, to the guides, to the train tickets, it was an A-plus experience! We have 9 activities scheduled over our 14 day trip, and it is difficult to determine which one was our favorite. But the cooking class in Seville and the lunch at the vineyard (under a 2,000 year old olive tree) on our way to Lisbon were definitely up there.

I also had to rely on the team during our trip for a request, and they got back to me within 15 minutes. Truly exceptional work and wonderful planning by Beatriz. Would absolutely recommend kimkim to all our friends and we will never travel internationally without them.

Tim

Hotel Reviews

Torel 1884 Suites & Apartments

Porto

Accommodations were nice but did not feel as luxury as the prior places that we had stayed on our trip.

Authenticity & Character

Location

We didn't realize that the suites would be apart from the main building.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palácio Ludovice Wine Experience Hotel

Lisboa

The friends that stayed with us agreed that this might be the nicest hotel that they ever stayed in.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palmares Signature Suites

Odiáxere, Lagos

If you like luxury accommodations with golf, pools, a Michelin-starred restaurant and access to the beach, this is the place to stay!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Everyone was accommodating to provide shuttles to beach and to apartment.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Regina

Barcelona

Beautiful hotel! Definitely set the tone for the trip.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

Thelma was very professional and knowledgable about the area and the vineyards. She took us to a traditional Portuguese restaurant that was absolutely delicious and that we would never have found or chosen on our own.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Portugal

Sintra is very unique and our driver had family who grew up there so he knew how to get around easily and took us to some of the areas that were not as touristy.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Porto’s Hidden Gems with a Local Guide

Porto

Felt like we were just following our guide around while she walked ahead of us. Did not find our guide to be very engaging at all.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Inside Benagil Caves by Boat

Portugal

The pictures from this boat trip were amazing! I've never seen caves like this in my lifetime.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

From Market to Table: Learn to Cook Andalusian Cuisine

Seville

One of our favorite activities! Chef Leo and Carmen were amazing! Great sense of humor, helpful, supportive. And also, the food we all made was delicious. Tried one of the dishes at a restaurant the next day - ours was much better!

Quality of Experience

Food

Gazpacho, spinach and chickpeas, paella

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Spain's Liquid Gold: Visit an Andalusian Olive Oil Estate

Portugal

Loved visiting the picturesque property. The guide was friendly and knowledgable. And the olive oil was delicious! A bottle of your choice is included with the tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Barcelona Highlights: Guided Walk & Iconic Sagrada Família

Barcelona

Miguel, our guide spent extra time with us and asked what WE wanted to do. He then took us to a beautiful music hall in Barcelona before we even went to La Sagrada Familia.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Barcelona in Bites: Tapas as Local

Barcelona

This first activity set the tone - and we were literally starting about an hour after got to the hotel.

Quality of Experience

Variety of foods and places was comprehensive

Food

Croquets, sangria, pinchos, Russian salad, etc.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide, Brais, was very enthusiastic and engaging. He introduced us to a lot of different types of tapas we would then encounter later in Spain.

Transport

Our trip to Portugal was amazing! We originally planned to go to visit the NOS Alive music festival and decided to build a family vacation around that. I literally knew nothing about Portugal, and in my research, stumbled upon the Kimkim site. I entered my goals - see the country, have a little adventure and a little relaxation, and Pedro worked his magic. With his expertise of the country, he planned a perfect itinerary for our trip (which included myself, my husband and our 13 year old). Communication leading up to the trip was very responsive and we felt totally prepared as we departed on July 4th.

We were first greeted by our driver Pepe - he messaged us when we landed to let us know where to meet him. It was a very warm welcome, complete with waters, snacks and a comfortable ride north to Porto. We stopped in a couple of towns along the way - Obidos and Najare - and Pepe gave us tips about what to see, what to eat/drink, and the best spots to do it. He also knew that by the time we had lunch in Najare, the jet lag would kick in so let us rest for the remaining hour and a half to Porto. The hotel in Porto was fabulous - perfectly located near restaurants and a short walk down to the river. The next morning we met our guide Bernardo who gave us a walking tour of the city. He was very knowledgeable (and passionate!) and we learned a lot about the city's history, architecture and even his childhood. We loved Porto - such a vibrant city! We even climbed the Porto Bridge so we could get a view of the river and city - so much fun!

We also did a tour of the Duoro Valley. Ricardo was our driver for this day-long adventure. He drove those squirrely roads with excellence while filling us in on information about the valley (and showed us the cork trees - so cool!). We did a river boat tour and then visited a winery where we enjoyed a delicious meal and then had a private tasting and winery tour lead by Fabio.

Ricardo was again our driver down to Lisbon. We were sad to say goodbye to him but checked into our apartment and geared up for a walking food tour in Lisbon. Pedro was our guide and took us to a few of his favorite good spots while also pointing out some highlights of the city. It really helped us get our bearings right away. The next day, we were happy to be reunited with Pepe who took us out to the lovely town of Sintra. Beautiful palace and grounds and then afterward took us back along the water, thru the lovely town of Cascais and - importantly - gave us tips for how to get to the music festival the next day.

As an aside, the festival was FABULOUS! So clean and well run - and my daughter had so much fun watching Mark Ambor, Noah Kahan, Benson Boone and Olivia Rodrigo.

The next day we were off to The Algarve. Pepe had fortunately given my husband driving tips which came in VERY handy! We did a boat tour to see the Ponto da Piedade Caves - so fabulous. Our boat guide was Joao and he was assisted by his daughter Priscilla. He was very good at navigating the tight spaces of the caves - we were quite impressed!

We ended our trip in Cascais. We stayed at the absolutely fabulous Miragem hotel - the perfect way to end! We enjoyed a delicious meal in Cascais at Clandestino, and stopped at Santini for gelato (Pepe's recommendation) before heading back to pack up.

Pepe drove us back to the airport - a full circle moment - the perfect way to end the trip.

Pedro, our guide, was totally attentive to every detail. Not only was everything planned perfectly, but he also sent reminders to us every day so we felt equipped for the next day's activities. We also asked to make a change to a pick-up time and Pedro and his team adjusted it with no issues. I would absolutely recommend Pedro to anyone looking to visit Portugal. If you do go, please say hi to Pepe and Ricardo for us!

My wife booked this trip and was really happy working with Tiago on the planning. Where I was not happy is with the price. I am a well travelled person and used to planning my own trips but since we were short on time and my wife had read the Kimkim reviews I let her go ahead and make the booking with Tiago.

I think it is well established that Kimkim does not offer any pricing transparency. This should be a big red flag from the beginning. I don't mind paying a markup for the service they are offering but I want to know what that markup is.

After getting the receipts from our hotels and talking to the vendors for the activities Tiago planned for us I estimated that half the cost of the trip was going to Kimkim which is insane. The positives are that Tiago's recommendations were really good, he responded quickly to our messages on the trip and detailed travel booklet was really helpful.

Was it worth the cost? Only you can decide and for people that want a concierge service then this is a good option and Kimkim has clearly found a niche market that works for them. But the lack of transparency on pricing as raised by many people will stop me from using them again. It's a good concept but I don't believe that it is worth that kind of premium.

Activity Review

Port Wine Tasting Tour

Porto

Pretty good detailed walk through of the history behind port and Ferriera. Lots of port to taste at the end!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everything was amazing! It was a family vacation of a lifetime. Seeing 3 completely different regions of Portugal inside and out was epic and so memorable and we have the photos and videos to hold onto for life. All of the tours booked represented a wide variety of activities to do both on land and sea. We would recommend anyone to use Helena for booking a trip for themselves! The promptness and organization was top notch and made our trip far less stressful for us!

Hotel Reviews

Belmar Spa & Beach Resort

Lagos

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pestana Carlton Madeira

Funchal

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel is a bit older, bathrooms are not as new/modern as we would have preferred and beds were not super comfortable, all that aside the views were wonderful and a 20 minute walk from the town!

BessaHotel Liberdade

Lisboa

Modern, clean, great location to walk around, great breakfast, bar, pool and gym!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Dolphin-Watching Tour

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kayaking the Algarve: Discover the Benagil Caves

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Cruise Along Madeira’s Coast

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Madeira Hands-On Cooking Experience

Madeira

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Madeira Tradition: Monte Visit & Basket Descent

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Introducing Funchal: Food, Culture & History Walk

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Sintra: Quinta da Regaleira & Coastal Views

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lisbon Roots: A Food & Cultural Walk

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Lisbon by Electric Tuk-Tuk

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Carlos was amazing driver to Sentra. Busy palace and town but we escaped to the beach for lunch.

Ricardo was great. I wish he would have had water in the van. We were for many hours to Porto and Douro with no water. Other than that he made great suggestions and was a great guy during our time. So helpful.

Knowing in advance we had a kitchen would have been great info to share. We had no hot water on night 1 in Porto until 11:30 pm.

The Pine Cliffs resort was so BIG and our room clear at front gate. Everything was a bit overwhelming. Maybe in future we would choose a smaller hotel. Was not aware we needed to make a reservation for dinner and wound up eating so late because all restaurants were booked. So many young children.

All in all we loved our expeditions and seeing this beautiful country. Thank you

Hotel Reviews

The Pine Cliffs Resort

Apartado, Albufeira

Hotel is gigantic and a bit overwhelming. Need reservations for dinner well in advance but need to know this. Lots of children! Young kids and babies. Very family friendly but as a family with older children we were looking for a bit more relaxing feel. Our room was very nice but way at front near exit. Would have predatory be closer to everything.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Condes de Azevedo Palace

Porto

No hot water day 1 but was corrected late into the evening. The garden was fabulous and rooms very clean. We were on the top floor so lots of stairs. Be prepared

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PortoBay Liberdade

Lisbon

No hot water day 1 but was corrected late into the evening. The garden was fabulous and rooms very clean. We were on the top floor so lots of stairs. Be prepared

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Sintra was beautiful. Must see but be prepared for long lines

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Carlos was so great. We had a great day

Transport

Tasting Lisbon’s Delights on a Tuk Tuk Journey

Lisbon

Do not recommend. Not authentic and cobblestones made for uncomfortable ride.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Joao curated a terrific trip for us. While we really enjoyed our time in Lisbon, Joao gave us a great history lesson on the city and the country over several centuries. That history lesson provided us with a much better appreciation as to what inspired the architecture over the years. Outside of Lisbon, we really enjoyed our visits to Fatima, Batalha Monastery, Pena Palace and Nazare (home of the world’s largest waves). We had some last minute adjustments to our schedule and Joao accommodated those requests and was incredibly friendly and helpful along the way. At the end of our trip, one of our family members accidentally left their eyeglass case in his van. He could have easily left in the van and did nothing. Instead, he texted us, met us at our last excursion and offered to drive us in his personal vehicle back to a spot near our hotel. Joao was caring, thoughtful and worked very hard to ensure that we had a memorable experience in Portugal (which we did!). Thank you again, Joao!!!