Kimkim Trip Reviews for Portugal

4.9
Based on 703 ratings
Read 703 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Portugal on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Pedro and his team were exceptional. The plan...
Portugal | May 14 - May 24, 2025

Diane
Diane T.
Northbrook, IL | Reviewed on May 26, 2025
Pedro and his team were exceptional. The planning and execution was exactly what we asked for and if there was a little glitch, he was ready to do what he could to fix it. The accommodations were excellent, the transportation was flawless and we would use Pedro and team again in a heartbeat! Thank you KimKim for connecting us to such a stellar travel specialist! Read more

Pedro and his team were exceptional. The planning and execution was exactly what we asked for and if there was a little glitch, he was ready to do what he could to fix it. The accommodations were excellent, the transportation was flawless and we would use Pedro and team again in a heartbeat! Thank you KimKim for connecting us to such a stellar travel specialist!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Cascais Miragem
Cascais

Beautiful stunner of a hotel. We were surprised by our balcony overlooking the ocean. Wished we had another night at this hotel!

Authenticity & Character
Nothing, just felt like it catered to a different clientele
Location
Short walk into town, but far enough away not to be bothered by the congestion of the main area.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds were very comfy. Room was spacious
M'ar de Ar Aqueduto
Évora

Beautifully appointed modern room. Shower was tricky. Breakfast was average as compared to the prior hotels. Pool area was lovely and inviting.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walking distance from main square
Staff
Assisted us with our luggage and was helpful in giving directions.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Condes de Azevedo Palace
Porto

Great location. Mattresses were firm, shower was excellent & they provided a washing machine, which was a pleasant surprise!

Authenticity & Character
Very spacious, apartment units.
Location
Staff
Housekeeping was requested, but never came to clean our rooms.
Cleanliness & Comfort
There were little bugs in the downstairs unit.
Montebelo Vista Alegre Lisboa Chiado Hotel

Fantastic hotel. Great location in Lisbon. Everything was first class. The room was small, but the comfort of the beds made up for that. Breakfast was the best!!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds!!!
Activity Review
Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings
Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Always on time. Helpful in making restaurant suggestions & reservations. Informative about what we were experiencing
Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on May 31, 2025

Dear Diane,
Thank you so much for your wonderful message.
It truly means a lot to hear that you enjoyed your trip and that everything lived up to your expectations. Glad to hear that the planning, accommodations, and transportation all came together smoothly - and when little things popped up, I am glad we could address them quickly for you.
It was an absolute pleasure working with you, and I would be honored to welcome you back anytime.
Warmest regards,
Your Friend in Portugal - Pedro

Awesome adventures of Portugal!
Portugal | May 12 - May 23, 2025

Mike
Mike T.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 24, 2025
Truly an amazing trip!! We visited many towns and villages from North of Porto to Southwest of Lagos. Spectacular views of natural beauty and friendly knowledgeable guides and people! Rita from the KimKim team was great to work with to get our literary set up. She provided quick communication and coordinated our trip. All our hotels were great with amazing breakfasts which were included. The Trip Plans app was excellent to reference and all necessary trip details, directions, and... Read more

Truly an amazing trip!! We visited many towns and villages from North of Porto to Southwest of Lagos. Spectacular views of natural beauty and friendly knowledgeable guides and people! Rita from the KimKim team was great to work with to get our literary set up. She provided quick communication and coordinated our trip. All our hotels were great with amazing breakfasts which were included.

The Trip Plans app was excellent to reference and all necessary trip details, directions, and information were readily available at our fingertips. We were able to use the "chat" function to message the Espiritu Travel team and they were very quick and helpful to respond. We had very minor issues and they addressed and expedited resolve via the "chat" function. Our guides and drivers were excellent, friendly, and over accommodating.

Guides that we worked with, all were knowledgeable, accommodating, and excellent! Natalia - Lisbon Culinary Tour, Marta David - Lisbon Tour, Emanual Maia - Porto Tour, Elana - Peneda-Geres National Park Tour (breathtaking trails and views...amazing waterfalls and small village in the National Park).

Renting a car was easy and an excellent way for us to see so many cool places! Evora, Coimbra, Alvor, Carvoeiro to name a few! Our visit to a local winery and group lunch setting under an Olive tree was wonderful! The food and hosts were excellent!

This was truly and amazing trip of a life-time and I highly recommend it to anyone one who loves history, adventure, scenic beauty, and views!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Melia Lisbon Airport
Lisbon

This hotel was very close to the airport. We stayed here our last day in Portugal. We ate dinner in the restaurant attached and it was good. The breakfast offered is in the same restaurant and has tons of options. The rooms were large and comfortable. The outlet at the bathroom that is part of the blowdryer would not let me plug in it may have been overused so I could not use my straightener but that is a petty concern. The shuttle took us to the airport pretty much on time it ran every 15 minutes.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mercure Porto Centro Aliados
Porto

Perfect location in Porto. There is a restaurant in the hotel and a few just outside the door. The rooms were small but clean. We never really had a cool room, we did advise the front desk we thought the air conditioning might not be working but nothing really came of it. We did sleep with our window opened which automatically turns the air off as it was just too hot in the room. The breakfasts were a mix of cold and hot options. They were yummy. The staff was accomodating. There is a warm pool there we did not use but very pretty.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sapientia Boutique Hotel
Coimbra

This hotel was hard to find. It literally is down a small alley. It is a unique and beautfuil hotel. We were upgraded to a jr suite. You walk in there is a sitting area with a kitchenette then the bedroom and bathtoom were upstairs. We were very tired when we arrived and only stayed one night. The breakfast was an offer of cold and warm options. The staff was frinedly. Overall a great place but parking is difficult and it is not the easiest to get to.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lagos Avenida Hotel
Lagos

The hotel lobby is beautiful. The location is across the street from the drawbridge to go across to restaurants and shops. This location is in walking distance from the area that has many restaurants and shops and also the farmers market and fish market are very close as well. The rooms were small but very clean. They divided the bathroom area from sleeping area with a curtain. The set up actually reminded me of a hospital room in the United States. It was unique. Staff was frinedly. This hotel has the absolute best breakfast in an attached restaurant. They offer off a menu and there is a buffet of items. All food at this breakfast was amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
MeraPrime Gold Design Hotel
Lisbon

Hotel was in the perfect location. The breakfast was decent with a hot and cold selection. The rooms were not very large but clean with a large bathroom. There were complimentary snacks and drinks in the refrigerator. Staff were friendly. They were very helpful when we needed a taxi to the rental car location from the hotel. Overall a great place for our first few days in Portugal.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Porto

The National park was beautiful! Great nature hikes to waterfalls and swimming in the pools surrounding them. Was such a great experience and totally unique and awesome! Elena did an excellent job of taking us around the park, lunch, and a walk in the local villiage. She provided great insight and information about the park and people. She even had us help plant a few tree seedlings and water them for future planting to replenish the forrest. It was a great day and well worth our time. We are so glad we did this excursion!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Visit of Porto
Guided Visit of Porto
Porto

Our guided tour was very thorough and infomative! Emanual Maia knew so much history and information. He helped us better understand Portuguese culture and life. Emanual took us to many interesting places that we would not have found on our own. Additionally, he made several restaurant recommendations and sent me links to them to explore later. Emanual was an excellent guide. He was very friendly and personal and treated us like family.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Boat Excursion Inside Benagil Caves
Boat Excursion Inside Benagil Caves
Portugal

Our boat tour included awesome coastal views of cliffs and beaches. The caves were amazing. Our boat operators and guides were very happy and knowledgable. They joked around alot and made everyone feel comfortable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Portugal

Marta was extremely knowledgable and was willing to talk about many various topics. She was very personable and knew here way around to provide us with the best experience possible!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Portugal

Very nice tour and walk. Natlalia took us off the beaten path to many small local extablishments. All were excellent and the proprietors were friendly and talkative.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Rita Pagano
Rita
Rita Pagano
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on May 31, 2025

Dear Mike, thank you so much for your kind review! 🥹 I'm so happy to hear you had such an amazing journey through Portugal!! It was a pleasure to be part of your adventure, and we hope to help you plan another unforgettable trip in the future! Until the next time, Rita 🥰

Practical advice
Portugal | May 11 - May 20, 2025

Kristin
Kristin N.
Billings, MT | Reviewed on May 23, 2025
1. Our guide Pedro for the Biklas y Triklas bike tour in Porto was outstanding and deserves 5 gold stars. He was very knowledgeable, articulate, and expressive.
2. In Porto we might have wanted to go to the Livraria Lello, but we learned about it too late to arrange tickets. Wishing Hector had given us a list of popular destinations enjoyed by KimKim clients for each city. The website and app suggestions are vague discussions of parts of the city, not super helpful when you are in the...
Read more

1. Our guide Pedro for the Biklas y Triklas bike tour in Porto was outstanding and deserves 5 gold stars. He was very knowledgeable, articulate, and expressive.
2. In Porto we might have wanted to go to the Livraria Lello, but we learned about it too late to arrange tickets. Wishing Hector had given us a list of popular destinations enjoyed by KimKim clients for each city. The website and app suggestions are vague discussions of parts of the city, not super helpful when you are in the middle of a trip.
3. All the arrangements of hotels and transportation were very good. We were happy will all the plans except maybe the TukTuk tour which we could have arranged on our own. Our guide was perfectly qualified, but I would just prefer some other way of learning about the city, probably at a slower pace. On our last day in Lisbon, why would we want to learn about the beginning and end points of each tram and each elevator?
4. Remind travelers to put their airpods or earbuds into the purse at the beginning of each day!! Some old people like me are still expecting audio tours to have head sets.
5. Put the travel agent emergency number into your phone contacts with the proper country code, etc, so that if there are any problems with a scheduled transfer, such as an early or late transfer from the airport outside of working hours, there will be someone to call.

Hotel Reviews
Casa Vela Guesthouse
Cascais

Really pretty hotel. Breakfasts very good, very good service.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pestana Lisboa Vintage
Lisboa

If you are expecting twin beds, mention it immediately at check in. The default sheet arrangement is to unite the beds into one large bed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets
Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets
Portugal

Our guide was very personable and knowledgeable. I think his name was Felixberto, but now I find that my Trip Plan has disappeared from the app, so I am not sure of the spelling. We enjoyed the hike and the beautiful park. The crowds in Pena Palace were pretty bad. Our guide did cut the day short, however, since we started heading back to the hotel at 1pm. Fine with us since it was raining a bit.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}}
Portugal

It worked. As you know, the transportation that gave us a headache was the train from Porto to Lisbon. Fortunately the strike was over, but we wasted a lot of time going early to the station. Nothing anyone could do about it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Portugal

Lisbon is a very large and fascinating city. Also very congested with cars and tourists. After taking the TukTuk tour I realized that I needed a slower pace and more information about each historical site. I guess it would be fine for an amusing ride and overview.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Foodie Experience in Porto
Foodie Experience in Porto
Porto

This was very enjoyable. Guide was very good.

Quality of Experience
Food
Great variety. Well presented.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We walked.
Get to know Porto by E-bike
Get to know Porto by E-bike
Porto

Loved it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on May 26, 2025

Dear Kristin,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback!
We're thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed the bike tour. We also appreciate your suggestions regarding clearer destination highlights, audio gear reminders, and improved access to our support. These insights are incredibly helpful and will guide us in refining the experience for future travelers. We're so glad you were happy with the hotels and transportation, and we hope to welcome you on another journey soon!

Warm regards,

30th Anniversary Portugal Trip
Portugal | May 10 - May 21, 2025

THERESA
THERESA G.
Clifton Park, NY | Reviewed on May 23, 2025
We contacted KimKim for our 30th anniversary trip to Portugal, and we were connected with Pedro. From the beginning, Pedro offered us so many options for our trip, and after we selected our likes, and let him know our dislikes, he crafted an itinerary that perfectly matched our criteria. From the private walking tour in Lisbon with Nadia (who was wonderful), to the Fado dinner, which we truly enjoyed, to the private driver Rui, who kept us entertained on our day trip to Sintra, all of it... Read more

We contacted KimKim for our 30th anniversary trip to Portugal, and we were connected with Pedro. From the beginning, Pedro offered us so many options for our trip, and after we selected our likes, and let him know our dislikes, he crafted an itinerary that perfectly matched our criteria. From the private walking tour in Lisbon with Nadia (who was wonderful), to the Fado dinner, which we truly enjoyed, to the private driver Rui, who kept us entertained on our day trip to Sintra, all of it was just wonderful. Rui also drove us to Porto with stops along the way and we were happy to have the same drive for both days. Pedro and his team checked in with us often, ensuring we were enjoying ourselves and answering any questions we had. We had a small issue upon check-in in Porto and we contacted Pedro and his team and the issue was resolved in less than 10 minutes. Our walking tour in Porto with Andres was great, and all of the little anniversary surprises along the way were so incredible appreciated. Pedro also provided us with a self-guided itinerary for Sao Miguel and the sights we saw were truly amazing. There is not enough praise we can heap on Pedro and his team for taking care of us and truly making our 30th anniversary truly spectacular.

Hotel Review
Hotel Britania Art Deco
Lisbon

We loved this hotel!!!!! This is probably in our top three (maybe even top two) hotels we have ever stayed in. When we left this hotel for Porto, and checked into the hotel there, we kept saying "it's not the Britania"! Our room was spacious, and well appointed. The dining room area, and the bar area were cozy and homey. But it is the staff that makes this hotel what it is. Every morning, the dining room staff remembered I requested almond milk and automatically brought it out to me, they remembered our names, and that it was our 30th anniversary. They were so kind and helpful. It truly was an absolute delight to stay at this hotel.

Authenticity & Character
The charm of this hotel, the history of it and how cozy and homey it feels.
Location
The location is perfect for exploring Lisbon. Very walkable to everywhere you want to go.
Staff
I cannot say enough good things about the staff of this hotel. They are truly wonderful and go above and beyond.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was large and comfortable, as was the bed. It was very clean and had everything we needed.
Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on May 26, 2025
Dear Theresa,
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review.
I am super happy to hear that your 30th anniversary trip to Portugal was everything you had hoped for - and more. It was truly our pleasure to help craft a journey that reflected your interests and celebrated such a special milestone in your lives.
It’s always our goal to make sure our travelers feel cared for and supported throughout their journey, so thank you for recognizing the prompt assistance you received. Your kind...
Read more

Dear Theresa,
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review.
I am super happy to hear that your 30th anniversary trip to Portugal was everything you had hoped for - and more. It was truly our pleasure to help craft a journey that reflected your interests and celebrated such a special milestone in your lives.
It’s always our goal to make sure our travelers feel cared for and supported throughout their journey, so thank you for recognizing the prompt assistance you received. Your kind words are the greatest reward for the work we do.
Wishing you many more years of love, adventure, and wonderful travels ahead!
Your Friend in Portugal - Pedro

All of our tours arranged by Adam were fantas...
Portugal | May 7 - May 22, 2025

M
Maria O.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on May 23, 2025

All of our tours arranged by Adam were fantastic. The tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable. Great experiences. You learn a lot through these tours you otherwise would not. Thank you kimkim for a wonderful Portugal vacation!!

Local specialist: Adam Gomez

an absolutely fabulous and unforgettable trip !!!
Portugal | May 8 - May 16, 2025

Kathy
Kathy F.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on May 23, 2025
Dear João and Team, Thank you for an absolutely wonderful vacation. Everyone we encountered—from your drivers to your guides—was knowledgeable, kind, and genuinely helpful. Their warmth and professionalism made our time in your beautiful country truly memorable. A special thank you to Carlos, who went above and beyond to enhance our experience—offering ideas, coordinating activities, and even calling ahead for dinner reservations. His attention to detail and hospitality did not go... Read more

Dear João and Team,

Thank you for an absolutely wonderful vacation. Everyone we encountered—from your drivers to your guides—was knowledgeable, kind, and genuinely helpful. Their warmth and professionalism made our time in your beautiful country truly memorable.

A special thank you to Carlos, who went above and beyond to enhance our experience—offering ideas, coordinating activities, and even calling ahead for dinner reservations. His attention to detail and hospitality did not go unnoticed.

You have built an exceptional team and network. Each person we met—Raphael, Carlos, Evo, Manuel, and our outstanding guides Mari, Carlos, and Sara—contributed to an unforgettable trip.
With gratitude from all of us. I would travel with aCross Portugal again anytime!!
Thanks for all the memories !
Kathy Kelly
Karen Ken
Kim and Hank

Local specialist: João Branco
João
João Branco
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on May 23, 2025
Dear Kathy, Karen, Ken, Kim, and Hank, Thank you so much for your thoughtful and heartfelt message. It means the world to us to hear that your time in Portugal was so special and that our team played a part in making it truly memorable. We’re especially happy to know our Team made such a lasting impression. We’re fortunate to work with such a dedicated and passionate group of professionals, and your kind words will certainly be shared with each of the. They’ll be thrilled to know their... Read more

Dear Kathy, Karen, Ken, Kim, and Hank,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and heartfelt message. It means the world to us to hear that your time in Portugal was so special and that our team played a part in making it truly memorable.

We’re especially happy to know our Team made such a lasting impression. We’re fortunate to work with such a dedicated and passionate group of professionals, and your kind words will certainly be shared with each of the. They’ll be thrilled to know their efforts made a difference.

It was a pleasure to help craft your journey through Portugal, and we’d be absolutely delighted to welcome you back anytime. Until then, we wish you all the best and hope the memories you made here continue to bring joy for years to come.

Your friend in Portugal - João

Lisbon-Comporta-Lagos-Evora-Cascais trip.
Portugal | May 10 - May 21, 2025

Stéphane
Stéphane V.
Canada | Reviewed on May 22, 2025
Both guides as well as the horseback and bike riding tours were very good. We had great experiences on all 4 counts. All activities were perfectly planned. There was no confusion anywhere, we felt that we were in great hands for all the logistics concerning the trip. Thank you Pedro and all team members at the office or in the field. Read more

Both guides as well as the horseback and bike riding tours were very good. We had great experiences on all 4 counts. All activities were perfectly planned. There was no confusion anywhere, we felt that we were in great hands for all the logistics concerning the trip. Thank you Pedro and all team members at the office or in the field.

Hotel Reviews
Casa Vela Guesthouse
Cascais
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Not as welcoming as the others but still very professional.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great breakfast. Could have been more generous on simple things such as the basic facial tissues in the room at a time we really needed them (small packet of a few tissues) ... Of course there were more available, but why the hassle ?
Octant Évora
Évora
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cascade Wellness Resort
Lagos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
AlmaLusa Comporta
Comporta
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Heritage Avenida Liberdade
Lisboa
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Cascais-Sintra Exclusive E-Bike Adventure
Cascais-Sintra Exclusive E-Bike Adventure
Portugal

Certainly a highlight. Juliano was great. He knew his stuff and adapted the trip to our comments.

Step Back in Time with a Private Guided Tour of Évora and the Bones Chapel!
Step Back in Time with a Private Guided Tour of Évora and the Bones Chapel!
Portugal

Fabio was very generous and knowledgeable. He also made the most important recommendation to us: to go to Monsaraz. You should actually include they in your visit options.

Ponta da Piedade Small Group Kayak Adventure
Ponta da Piedade Small Group Kayak Adventure
Portugal

Great tour in that caves. But we were surprised about the short duration of the trip on the water. It was a bit short given that we came back several minutes in advance even after a very slow return from the caves to the marina. I know there must be other considerations, but we could have prolonged the kayak portion by 15 minutes in my opinion.

Beach & Dunes Horseback Adventure in Comporta
Beach & Dunes Horseback Adventure in Comporta
Portugal

The guide was generous in his comments without excess. Great views!

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Portugal

Very good cultural experience.

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

Claudia was generous and knowledgeable. She was authentic and listened as much as she spoke.

Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on May 22, 2025

Dear Stéphane,
Thank you so much for your kind words.
We are super excited to hear that you had such a positive experience with all the tours and activities. It means a lot to know that everything was well-organized and that you felt well taken care of throughout the trip.
We hope to welcome you back for another adventure.
Your Friend in Portugal - Pedro

Superb Portugal Experience
Portugal | Apr 27 - May 11, 2025

Claire
Claire R.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 21, 2025
Fantastic experience all around. Itinerary was so easy to access and was an invaluable tool during our vacation. We reviewed it each day - with detail and pics, names of drivers and tour companies, map locations of meeting places made it all so easy. We loved all our tours - especially our driver Felipe who took us to Sinatra/Pena Palace. A true gentleman and historian. Our hotels were all very different in the 4 places we stayed at. We loved them all. KimKIm stayed in touch all during the... Read more

Fantastic experience all around. Itinerary was so easy to access and was an invaluable tool during our vacation. We reviewed it each day - with detail and pics, names of drivers and tour companies, map locations of meeting places made it all so easy. We loved all our tours - especially our driver Felipe who took us to Sinatra/Pena Palace. A true gentleman and historian. Our hotels were all very different in the 4 places we stayed at. We loved them all. KimKIm stayed in touch all during the vacation and were available whenever we needed them. I loved the tailor made concept and now that I’ve experienced it and kimkim knows us a little better, I will definitely use them again and recommend to anyone!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Cascais Miragem
Cascais

Wow - what a hotel. This is a big modern hotel. It had a number of conferences held at while we stayed. But that did not interfere at all with our enjoyment. The pool is fabulous!!!! The restaurant/breakfast is very good. We were wonderfully upgraded to an Oceanside room, and it was really incredible. Location is very good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Heritage Avenida Liberdade
Lisboa

Fantastic hotel. Incredible location. Historical building. Our room was right on Liberty Street and we could not hear a thing. I think it’s one of the biggest hotel room plus bathroom that I have ever stayed at. Breakfast was not memorable but fine.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lagos Avenida Hotel
Lagos

Absolutely loved this cool, Scandinavian, boho hotel. Superb location along side the marina. Epic restaurant. The breakfasts are another level, the staff is 10/10. We tried the Avenida Restaurant als well for sinner - and it is a must. I loved the wood, rattan and natural finishes decor.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pousada Porto - Rua das Flores
Porto

Loved this small, boutique heritage hotel. Very upscale but homey. Excellent breakfast and service. Location location location - perfect for Porto. Would stay again in a heartbeat.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Cascais Highlights
Private Cascais Highlights
Cascais

This tour was okay. Our transport was not that great and our driver although very nice, was difficult to hear because he spoke too quietly and not a lot. We didn’t know here he was taking us and didn’t communicate much during the tour. We also had no lunch and were very hungry as it was a 5 hour tour from 10am until 3pm. The sites he took us to we enjoyed but it was too long for me.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Sintra Day Trip
Private Sintra Day Trip
Lisbon

Oh my goodness - do not miss this tour. Most epic tour and driver. Fabulous pristine clean car, and our driver Felipe was incredible. So professional, kind, personable and an incredible historian. We learned SO MUCH from him. He provided just the right amount of information for us. We had “cheat the line” tickets and was able to navigate us past long lines and congestion at the Peña Palace. Again so knowledgeable - just unbelievable. Then he drove us to the town of Sinatra, where he dropped us off and we able to do what we wanted for an hour. Which was great. Just exceptional tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Superior driving and guide.
Transport
Mercedes station wagon. Impeccable.
Local Secrets Excursion by Van
Local Secrets Excursion by Van
Lisbon

This is a great tour, especially if you want to avoid some of the steep hills in Lisbon. Our guide Joao was great and was very knowledgeable about the history and areas of Lisbon. We stopped at a few places. It was just right.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fado Walk, Show & Dinner
Fado Walk, Show & Dinner
Lisbon

This was an interesting tour. Our guide Marco? Manuel? (Sorry I can’t remember), was very knowledgeable about the history and city of Lisbon. This was lovely, however, he took us to two very high points in Lisbon that required us to was up about 1000 (lol) stairs. It was way too much for me (fairly fit 64 yr old). The view was great, but I would have liked to seen more of the city. We were then taken to the Fido Grill for authentic dinner and Fado show. This experience was just ok. Food very meh as well as the show. The restaurant was cute.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Douro Valley Day Trip with Wine Tastings & River Cruise
Douro Valley Day Trip with Wine Tastings & River Cruise
Porto

This is a great experience. Our transport was very nice and our driver Felipe was extremely personable and knowledgeable about the area, the history and wine. It is a very long tour. Maybe a bit too long for me. But included 2 wineries, I liked the first one the best. Felt like I was being welcomed into someone’s home. The river tour was just ok. You can’t really see much. You had to listen to a taped recording on an App you had to download and it didn’t work very well. The drive there was 1.5, and at a VERY fast pace, which was a little nerve wracking. lol. Overall it was fun.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Evening Food Walk
Evening Food Walk
Lagos (Algarve)

I really enjoyed this tour. Our guide was exceptional - Sophie. She was warm, funny and knowledgeable. She took us to all the holes in the wall in Old Town Lagos. Some really authentic dishes. I would have liked to a little more history, but it was a food tour.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Adam Gomez

The guides and drivers were all amazing with ...
Portugal | May 12 - May 20, 2025

N
nancy k.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on May 21, 2025

The guides and drivers were all amazing with their knowledge and friendliness. Kim Kim was flexible with changes and requests. It was an amazing trip

Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on May 21, 2025

Dear Nancy,
Thank you very much for such a wonderful review, much appreciated.
We are very glad to hear that we met your expectations, and thank you for your trust.
I hope that Portugal will stay in your fond memories for a long time.
It was a pleasure helping you plan this beautiful trip.
All the best,
Héctor

Late Spring in Portugal
Portugal | Apr 24 - May 9, 2025

Rod
Rod L.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on May 21, 2025
Wonderful trip. Joao did great job of lining up variety of activities and we very much appreciated the reservations and suggestions for activities along the way - suggesting parking locations took a lot of the "stress" of trying to figure out exactly where to go. Starting the trip with private tours around Lisbon, Cascais & Sintra with Francisco was terrific way to gain better insight into Portugal's history and introduction to the country. We feel we were lucky to experience the freedom... Read more

Wonderful trip. Joao did great job of lining up variety of activities and we very much appreciated the reservations and suggestions for activities along the way - suggesting parking locations took a lot of the "stress" of trying to figure out exactly where to go.

Starting the trip with private tours around Lisbon, Cascais & Sintra with Francisco was terrific way to gain better insight into Portugal's history and introduction to the country. We feel we were lucky to experience the freedom day marches and festivities in Lisbon - added a unique and interesting touch to our short time in Lisbon. The Fado dinner was a very enjoyable evening - host, cook, and server were all terrific; singers & musicians were delightful (the evening got long, especially when still adjusting to the time changes).

All the lodging arrangements were very nice - enjoyed the boutique hotels in Tomar, Douro, and Evora - all served as great locations to explore the surrounding area. And we very much appreciate that KimKim allowed us to select our own lodging in Lagos - we ended up at a very special and unique place that made a wonderful trip even more special and memorable.

Too many highlights to mention in a short review - Obidos, Nazere, Batalha were all terrific stops as we made our way to Tomar; we stopped at a grocery store as we neared Nazere and had the first of many picnic lunches on the rock cliffs looking over the beach and surfing waves.

In Tomar we explored Christ Convent and castle and then went for a hike in the castle gardens & woods to a large swing on a high overlook - during our hike the power went out in all of Portugal, Spain & France so when we came back down to town all the stores, museums, and restaurants were closed - we enjoyed a picnic & afternoon in the park by the river and when power came back around 7:00 we found an English pub that reopened; for us the power outage was just a slight detour / blip in the trip and a relaxing afternoon.

The Old Library and Chapel at Cambria were amazing and well worth visiting on the way to Douro Valley. We set google maps to "avoid highways" on the way to Douro and traveled some amazing back country roads and villages including a short stop to watch a heard of goats and their canine keepers move up the valley along a beautiful stream. National Road 222 to Duoro was breathtaking - after checking into the beautiful hotel, we set out to an overlook spot recommended by the receptionist. The nearby village had a single restaurant that we stopped at - the chicken and potatoes were absolutely terrific - we entertained and laughed along with the few locals in the restaurant as we communicated with the owner through google translate (and with their assistance). We had rain for much of our sunset cruise, so we were only "topside" for about a quarter of the time, but our captain was very interesting and entertaining as we got philosophical about the differences between our homelands - a very enjoyable evening.

We really enjoyed our time in Evora; highlights included the bones chapel, winery visit (it was raining that morning) and we really enjoyed the ceramic workshop. The cork tour was interesting and we really enjoyed learning about cork harvesting - very glad for the experience, but it was a rather long ride for a brief visit to a couple of cork trees and back - probably the only experience of the trip that was a little disappointing or underwhelming. While in Evora, we decided to take a short guided tour of one of the marble quarries (slight departure from the KimKim itinerary) - the enthusiastic guide shared a wealth of geological knowledge and information and the ability to visit the marble quarry and stand on a platform over the deep pit was a neat experience.

We finished our trip with several days in the Algarve. We stayed in a very unique and special airbnb that we selected - for us it was the "icing on the cake" that made a wonderful trip even more special and memorable. On the first afternoon there, we hiked the entire beach/coastline of Lagos from Meia Praia to the light house on Ponta da Piedade. The sailing tour the next morning was wonderful - captain Rob and first mate Anatoli were great - here is the review I left for them after the trip - My wife and I had a lovely morning sail with Rob and Anatoli on Ocean Breeze. Wonderful vessel, delightful company, informative and patient with all of our questions and musings. A great way to see the coast at a relaxed pace and from a different perspective. My wife and I are traveling Portugal in celebration of our 25th anniversary - this is one of the highlights of our trip. Other highlights in Algarve were the ebike tour (really wonderful way to see some of the back streets, smaller villages, and dirt paths at a really nice pace), kayaking in the sea caves, several hikes along the cliffs, and exploring several beaches (we enjoyed an afternoon sunning on the beach and lunch at one of the beach side restaurants down many flights of stairs).

On our final full day, we headed back to Lisbon by way of Sagres and made short stops at several wonderful beaches along the west coast including Praia da Arrifana, Odeceixe Mar Beach, and Farol Cabo Sardão. We arrived back in Lisbon, returned car and enjoyed a late supper along the river front - Joao's advice to return to Lisbon the night before our flight was a good recommendation as it gave us time to pack and have a good breakfast at the hotel before embarking to the airport for our flight home.

We really enjoyed our time in Portugal. The people were friendly and had a great sense of humor. The history is rich and fascinating (in the review I didn't mention much about the many castles and cathedrals that we visited and admired). There are many other countries we hope to travel to, but we wouldn't hesitate to visit Portugal again and would highly recommend it to others. KimKim (Joao) did a great job of putting together an itinerary with excellent mix of activities, suggestions & recommendations, and feel like he made reservations with outstanding guides and services (and relieved us from needing to do the research, reservations, etc.). We liked the freedom of mostly independent travel and occasionally departed from the itinerary, but it was nice to know Joao was only a whatsapp chat or call away if we needed assistance or had any difficulties. Thank you.

Local specialist: João Daniel
João
João Daniel
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on May 21, 2025

Thank you very much for this extensive review :)

Exceptional trip to Portugal
Portugal | May 12 - May 18, 2025

H
Holly B.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on May 19, 2025
Diana helped us develop a perfect itinerary. Our drivers, Samir Costa, Ricardo, and Ivo were professional and gave us so much information about the area. Bernardo gave an excellent walking tour in Porto. Margarida was a wonderful food tour guide in Lisbon. Highly recommend! Read more

Diana helped us develop a perfect itinerary. Our drivers, Samir Costa, Ricardo, and Ivo were professional and gave us so much information about the area. Bernardo gave an excellent walking tour in Porto. Margarida was a wonderful food tour guide in Lisbon. Highly recommend!

Hotel Review
Hotel Cascais Miragem
Cascais

Beautiful setting. Prime location. Five stars all around!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service
Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service
Portugal

Ricardo was such an excellent driver and tour guide!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Flavors of Lisbon in a Premium &  Gastronomic Private Walking Tour
Flavors of Lisbon in a Premium & Gastronomic Private Walking Tour
Lisbon

Margarida made this tour so fun and interesting!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour
Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour
Porto

Bernardo was excellent!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Portugal

Samir Costa was an excellent tour guide. He went above and beyond to meet our needs.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Le
Transport
Local specialist: Diana Mota
Diana
Diana Mota
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on May 19, 2025

Hello Holly,
I'm so happy to hear you had an amazing time in Portugal - especially with our drivers and guides, they truly delivered!
If you decide to come back, we’ll be here for your next adventure - there's still so much more of Portugal waiting to be explored!
Thank you again for the trust!
Your friend in Portugal - Diana

Similar to "Lisbon, Porto & the Algarve - 10 Days"
Portugal | May 5 - May 17, 2025

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Michael M.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 18, 2025
This was a nice trip to Portugal and for the most part we enjoyed the itinerary put together by our local specialist. A couple notable issues with this trip however. First, our day tour of Sintra did not visit the locations as described in our itinerary. While we liked our guide Marta, she did not take us to Pena Palace which was specifically listed as the tour location. This was a disappointment for us. Second, due to the train strike in Portugal we had to book bus tickets on our... Read more

This was a nice trip to Portugal and for the most part we enjoyed the itinerary put together by our local specialist. A couple notable issues with this trip however. First, our day tour of Sintra did not visit the locations as described in our itinerary. While we liked our guide Marta, she did not take us to Pena Palace which was specifically listed as the tour location. This was a disappointment for us. Second, due to the train strike in Portugal we had to book bus tickets on our own, even after we alerted Espiritu Travel that this was a situation and needed to be addressed. Their response was lax so we had to take matters into our own hands.
We really enjoyed our kimkim trip to Columbia (2024) but this time left us with a few concerns about booking through them again. This was still a nice trip, but was disappointed by a few of the mistakes.

Hotel Review
Vivenda Miranda
Lagos

This hotel was very nice and we enjoyed eating at the restaurant twice. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Dinner With Locals at a Local Home
Dinner With Locals at a Local Home
Lisbon

Sofia and Carlos were wonderful hosts. We enjoyed this intimate experience with Lisbon locals as our last event in Portugal.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Boat Excursion Inside Benagil Caves
Boat Excursion Inside Benagil Caves
Portugal

The tour was fine - not amazing. The Benagil Cave was a bit hyped up - we saw caves just a nice closer to Lagos.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Douro Valley Excursion with Wine & Olive Oil Tastings & River Cruise
Douro Valley Excursion with Wine & Olive Oil Tastings & River Cruise
Porto

Our day in the Douro Valley with Michael was another highlight of the trip. He was fun, smart and great leading a large (and drunk) tour group. I highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Visit of Porto
Guided Visit of Porto
Porto

Celia was our favorite guide of the entire trip. She was friendly, knowledgeable and a great ambassador for Porto. This quickly became our favorite city in Portugal after spending time with Celia.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Portugal

We enjoyed our guide Marta but did not visit the sites as described. We were disappointed not to see Pena Palace.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon

Knowledgeable guide although we visited many of these areas previously. Not the most interesting of our tours on this trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Portugal

We had a wonderful guide Daniel. His tour was an ideal way to begin our Portugal vacation.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Beatriz
Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on May 29, 2025
Hi Michael! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback!
I'm sorry to learn that parts of the experience didn’t meet your expectations.
Regarding the Sintra day tour, the itinerary included as described, tickets to the Monserrate Palace in place of Pena Palace, as this is always thoughtfully chosen by our side to provide a more relaxed and less crowded experience compared to Pena Palace. While a visit to Pena was not requested at any point, we would have gladly included it if it had...
Read more

Hi Michael! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback!
I'm sorry to learn that parts of the experience didn’t meet your expectations.
Regarding the Sintra day tour, the itinerary included as described, tickets to the Monserrate Palace in place of Pena Palace, as this is always thoughtfully chosen by our side to provide a more relaxed and less crowded experience compared to Pena Palace. While a visit to Pena was not requested at any point, we would have gladly included it if it had been of your interest :) - As for the train strike (something completely out of our control), our team was actively in communication with you at the time and working on alternative arrangements. We understand that you chose to book bus tickets on your own while that process was underway.
I'm grateful that you had such a positive experience on your Colombia trip with KimKim, and we truly hope to have the opportunity to support your travels again with the team!
Warm regards, Bea.

Excellent Trip to Portugal
Portugal | May 3 - May 13, 2025

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madelyn m.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on May 15, 2025
My husband and I used Kimkim for a trip to Portugal. It was a wonderful experience. Each aspect of the planning was carefully thought out with excellent suggestions and options from Marisa. During the trip we were impressed with the daily communication of what to expect each day which was greatly appreciated. All drivers, tour guides, and excursions were on time with personable, efficient, and knowledgeable people. The hotel selections were excellent, as well as restaurant... Read more

My husband and I used Kimkim for a trip to Portugal. It was a wonderful experience. Each aspect of the planning was carefully thought out with excellent suggestions and options from Marisa. During the trip we were impressed with the daily communication of what to expect each day which was greatly appreciated. All drivers, tour guides, and excursions were on time with personable, efficient, and knowledgeable people. The hotel selections were excellent, as well as restaurant recommendations. We hope to use Kimkim on any future travels.

Hotel Review
NH Hotel Porto Jardim
Porto

The NH Hotel Porto Jardim was initially a bit of a letdown due to being placed in a very small room. However, after communicating the issue, the hotel promptly addressed it and upgraded us to a better room. Our specialist's promptness in resolving the mistake made up for the initial discomfort, and the rest of the stay was quite enjoyable.

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

Our guide, Claudia, was outstanding. She was knowledgeable and presented excellent historical references to what we were seeing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Portugal

The venue was very noisy for dinner, the food was so, so, and the service hap hazard. However the music and singing was wonderful.

Quality of Experience
Noisy venue
Food
Local specialist: Marisa Agulhas
Marisa
Marisa Agulhas
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on May 16, 2025

Dear Madelyn,

Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience! I´m absolutely delighted to hear that your trip to Portugal was such a memorable one. Your appreciation means a lot to us, and we’ll be sure to pass along your compliments to everyone involved.
Wishing you many more wonderful adventures ahead!😊
Your Friend in Portugal - Marisa

The highlight of the trip was the knowledge o...
Portugal | May 3 - May 13, 2025

Ronda
Ronda O.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 15, 2025
The highlight of the trip was the knowledge of all our tour guides and just how friendly the people are in Portugal! Read more

The highlight of the trip was the knowledge of all our tour guides and just how friendly the people are in Portugal!

Activity Reviews
Wine Tasting & Lunch at a Portuguese Quinta
Wine Tasting & Lunch at a Portuguese Quinta
Portugal

The best meal we had in Portugal along with the best wine!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Douro Valley Excursion with Wine & Olive Oil Tastings & River Cruise
Douro Valley Excursion with Wine & Olive Oil Tastings & River Cruise
Porto

One of the highlights of the trip! The wine and food were amazing. Pedro kept us smiling the whole time.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Portugal

Paulo was outstanding! He went over the 8 hours and made sure we had an excellent experience. He even gave us recommendations for the rest of the trip!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon

Alex was very friendly and went out of his way to show us all Lisbon has to offer!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on May 27, 2025

Hi Ronda, Thank you so much for your kind words! I am thrilled to hear that the highlight of your trip was the knowledge of our tour guides and the warmth of the people in Portugal 🤩We truly believe that a great guide can make all the difference, and it’s wonderful to know that their passion and expertise stood out. We hope you left with unforgettable memories and a deeper connection to this beautiful country. I hope to work with you in the future!✈️ Best, Marina

Tiago was very accommodating and was always t...
Portugal | May 2 - May 13, 2025

B
Bernard F.
San Fernando, CA | Reviewed on May 14, 2025

Tiago was very accommodating and was always there to help us with anything we needed. Joel was fantastic and we highly recommend this team.

Local specialist: Tiago Filipe
Tiago
Tiago Filipe
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on May 14, 2025

...and Bernard and Marion are an incredibly nice and sweet couple and we would very much like to see them again in the future and maybe celebrate together another Sporting Lisbon title!!!

Thank you for the wonderful service
Portugal | Apr 26 - May 5, 2025

M
Mary A.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 12, 2025
Adam did a great job. He was very much on top of it. In the beginning, I wasn't quite sure when I was gonna travel and he was very nice about it, he was like "I'll just check-in, and you let me know when you're ready". And then that happened also throughout the trip. He did great. I would love to tell you that this was my first time using Kimkim, and I definitely will use you guys again because I I loved the process of being able to customize but then also have an itinerary set when I got... Read more

Adam did a great job. He was very much on top of it. In the beginning, I wasn't quite sure when I was gonna travel and he was very nice about it, he was like "I'll just check-in, and you let me know when you're ready". And then that happened also throughout the trip. He did great.

I would love to tell you that this was my first time using Kimkim, and I definitely will use you guys again because I I loved the process of being able to customize but then also have an itinerary set when I got there so that it wasn't done for me, and I didn't have to figure it out. So I just wanna say thank you for the wonderful service you guys provided. It was just really, really nice.

Hotel Reviews
RVA - Porto Central Apartments
Porto

It's nice to feel entirely on your own. The apartment was also very nicely situated, right in the middle of everything so I could walk anywhere. Lovely place to stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lisboa Prata Boutique Hotel
Lisboa

Generally nice, clean and great in terms of location. You could walk to everything, which was really handy. I was on the third floor, and going up and down was a little bit of a hike for a day.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cascade Wellness Resort
Lagos

The CascadeWellness Resort was absolutely gorgeous. It was my favorite accommodation. The rooms were really nice. I enjoyed the pool. The breakfast was magnificent, with very good options.

Authenticity & Character
Location
I loved the walking trails steps from the hotel
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Evening Food Walk
Evening Food Walk
Lagos (Algarve)

The Evening Food Walk in the Algarve was definitely one of the highlights for me. I'm a big fan of food tours, and this one did not disappoint. It was an excellent way to taste the local cuisine and learn more about the culture. I highly recommend this activity to anyone visiting the area.

Private Pena Palace & Sintra Village Half Day Trip
Private Pena Palace & Sintra Village Half Day Trip
Lisbon

The Private Pena Palace & Sintra Village Half Day Trip was a favorite during my time in Lisbon. The architecture and history were breathtaking, and the whole experience was beautifully organized. It was a great way to escape the hustle of the city and enjoy some of Portugal's rich history.

Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on May 22, 2025
Photos, photos, photos! Love seeing all your pictures of your journey! 🙌 Thank you for your thoughtful review! We're so glad to hear your first experience with KimKim was a great one. I am so glad you loved the Cascade Wellness Hotel and took advantage of all the hiking trails along the coast! I remember our convo before you departed and I knew you were going to love the food tour in Lagos!!! It is a personal favorite too! 😋 It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the best of both... Read more

Photos, photos, photos! Love seeing all your pictures of your journey! 🙌 Thank you for your thoughtful review! We're so glad to hear your first experience with KimKim was a great one.

I am so glad you loved the Cascade Wellness Hotel and took advantage of all the hiking trails along the coast! I remember our convo before you departed and I knew you were going to love the food tour in Lagos!!! It is a personal favorite too! 😋

It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the best of both worlds—being able to customize your trip while still having everything organized and ready to go once you arrived. That’s exactly what we hope to provide for every traveler.

I hope to see you on another kimkim adventure! 🎉

A Dream Honeymoon Five Years in the Making
Portugal | Apr 20 - May 2, 2025

Amanda
Amanda C.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 11, 2025
We've been planning our honeymoon since 2020, but due to COVID, family obligations, and life in general, we had to keep postponing. It was worth the wait. Marisa has been absolutely WONDERFUL over these past five years. She helped my husband plan an incredible honeymoon across Portugal, with the perfect balance of guided tours and leisurely, self-guided experiences. The Across Portugal team added thoughtful personal touches throughout our trip, making us feel extra special from start to... Read more

We've been planning our honeymoon since 2020, but due to COVID, family obligations, and life in general, we had to keep postponing. It was worth the wait. Marisa has been absolutely WONDERFUL over these past five years. She helped my husband plan an incredible honeymoon across Portugal, with the perfect balance of guided tours and leisurely, self-guided experiences.

The Across Portugal team added thoughtful personal touches throughout our trip, making us feel extra special from start to finish. The experiences, accommodations, and dining recommendations were exceptional. Marisa also did a fantastic job helping us avoid what I call “TikTok traps”—overcrowded, overly touristy spots. We love to immerse ourselves in local culture, and Marisa delivered exactly that.

Our 13-day journey took us through Lisbon, Porto, the Douro Valley, Évora, the Algarve, and ended in Cascais. Every partner we met was knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging. Highlights included private walking tours with locals and a tuk-tuk ride that offered a unique perspective on the cities. Claudia in Lisbon was outstanding—her knowledge of the city’s history was impressive, and she made the tour fun with interesting facts beyond the typical tourist script. She also gave us great pub and bar recommendations. Sandra, our tuk-tuk driver, was warm and informative while also giving us time to soak in the sights. She even surprised us with Pastéis de Nata in Belém! Ana in Porto was another standout—her insight into the history of Porto’s churches and local food scene was top-notch.

This was our first time using a travel agency, and we’re so glad we did. Even when things didn’t go as planned—like getting food poisoning from late-night McDonald’s (avoid the garlic aioli), car trouble, and the Spain/Portugal blackout—the Across Portugal team went above and beyond. Raphael, our amazing and considerate driver, was with us the day I got sick. He immediately contacted Carlos from the team, who helped with medication recommendations. Raphael also kept my husband company and had lunch with him while I recovered—something we really appreciated.

As for the car issue... well, the team knows how that went! Honestly, without their support and Ivo stepping in, our honeymoon might have ended very differently (only kind of kidding!).

In short, the Across Portugal team is genuinely invested in their clients’ experiences. From the moment we landed, they were in constant communication, sending daily updates and plans. My husband especially appreciated the reminder texts! Their flexibility, experience, and dedication allowed us to fully enjoy our trip without stress. We're already talking about our next adventure—this time, we want to include a football match! Go Sporting! (Just don’t tell Ivo.)

A huge obrigada to Marisa (the queen of planning a honeymoon for five years!), João, Pedro, Diana, Raphael (best driver ever), Ivo (our hero), Claudia and Ana (our amazing walking tour guides), Pedro (our cooking class chef), and anyone else we may be forgetting. You made our dream trip come true!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Cascais Miragem
Cascais

Amazing hotel in a perfect spot in Cascais. Easily walkable. Staff was excellent and the rooms were nice. The bar in the hotel was very nice as well and the breakfast was just as good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cascade Wellness Resort
Lagos

Very nice resort! Staff was very nice and did everything to accommodate us. We arrived on the day of the nationwide power outage actually and the staff did everything they could to make sure our trip wasn't impacted. The hotel had couple of restaurants that made sure the guests were taken care of. The cliffs right outside the hotel were amazing and a great walk at sunset.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Convento do Espinheiro, Historic Hotel & Spa
Evora

This was one of the coolest hotels we stayed at. An old convent converted into a hotel and spa! This hotel was absolutely beautiful inside and out. It was brimming with history and authenticity. There was a beautiful church connected to the hotel. They did a wonderful job restoring the convent. We enjoyed the location of the hotel and it was only a (true) 10-minute drive into Evora. The breakfast was absolutely delicious! Highly recommend staying here!

Authenticity & Character
If I could give them 10 stars, I would!
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Octant Douro
Douro

This hotel is perfect for that "getaway" feeling due to it's location. The hotel is equipped with services in case you forget items (i.e., straighter, anti-wrinkle spray, books, stroller, etc.). The view of the Douro River from our bedroom window was spectacular and the drive to the resort was beautiful. Due to it's location and the winding roads, we had to drive ~30+ minutes to our experiences, which means vineyard hopping was out of the picture. We did not mind the drive, but something to keep in mind! Due to the hotel being built on a hill, the layout of the hotel is atypical - which gives it a fun feel. They have two beautiful infinity pools, one outdoor and one indoor. Their spa services looked amazing. Although we do not have kids, the hotel seemed to be very kid friendly with a kids playroom located near one of the restaurants. They have two restaurants on location, one of them holding a Michelin star. I'm a big foodie and love trying Michelin star restaurants. My husband and I both ordered the tasting menu. They seemed understaffed, which made the service slow. We recommend saving your money and eating at the "casual" restaurant or eating a la carte. Not worth $350 euros in our opinion.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maison Albar - Le Monumental Palace
Porto

This was one of the nicer hotels we stayed at with five star staff. Their breakfast was delicious with plenty of choices with the option to order from the menu. It is centrally located, with quick 5-10 minute walks to restaurants and sites. It was extremely clean, with a very comfortable bed. The hotel also gifted us with sparkling wine, strawberries, grapes, chocolate and a traditional Portuguese treat for our honeymoon. Each night we received a little "happy" that was tied to Portuguese culture. For example, we were there the night before Freedom Day where they left us a red carnation. Highly recommend this hotel!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Heritage Avenida Liberdade
Lisboa

This hotel was charming and quaint—perfect for our honeymoon! As a thoughtful gesture, they gifted us a bottle of port wine to celebrate, and even refilled it two days before our checkout. The room was spotless, the bed was very comfortable, and we had a spectacular view of the city. The location was excellent—around the corner was a yellow tram and it is also just a short walk to Lisboa Rossio and many other attractions. On our first day, we strolled around Lisbon and, without realizing it, passed by several landmarks we would later explore more deeply on our walking tour the next day. A wonderful start to our stay in the city!

Authenticity & Character
I loved the "boutique" feel of the lobby, with their personal touches. It was beautifully decorated!
Location
The hotel was centralized and allowed us to easily walk to attractions and restaurants!
Staff
Very helpful and friendly!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Explore Belém on a Scenic 2-Hour Tuk Tuk Tour
Explore Belém on a Scenic 2-Hour Tuk Tuk Tour
Lisbon

The Tuk Tuk tour in Belém was a delightful experience and our tour guide was fantastic! It was a fun and unique way to explore the area.

Indulge in Elegance on a Guided Winery Tour Infused with Tastings and a Delicious Lunch
Indulge in Elegance on a Guided Winery Tour Infused with Tastings and a Delicious Lunch
Portugal

The winery tour in the Douro Valley was a blast! The guide was knowledgeable, and seeing the traditional grape squishing vats was fascinating. We also had a special treat of a supercar convention with over two hundred cars at the winery, which was an unexpected bonus. Highly recommend the wine tasting experience.

Tickets to Pena Palace and Gardens
Tickets to Pena Palace and Gardens
Portugal

It was beautiful to walk around the palace, but unfortunately, we missed out on a lot of the historical context because we didn't realize there was an app we could download with explanations so good to check that if you visit!

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Portugal

The Fado experience was really nice! The restaurant, Mesa De Fratus, had a fantastic atmosphere with a singer who performed beautifully. She really knew how to use the acoustics of the place, and it added to the cultural feel of the evening. Overall, a ten out of ten experience, though I haven't compared it to other Fado venues.

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

We absolutely LOVED the walking tours. Our guide was Claudia, a native of Lisbon. The walking tours are such a great way to see the city with the added bonus of learning about the city. We had accidentally seen the areas she was going to take us to the day before, and Claudia did a great job meeting our requests. We asked her to show us her favorite spots as a local. One of our first stops was to taste some ginjinha - absolutely delicious! Unfortunately, it started to rain during our tour so we had to seek cover for part of the tour. At the end of the tour she typed in my notes app her favorite places to shop, favorite sites and bars (things we had asked during our tour). Our tour ended with a short wine, port and cheese tasting!

Quality of Experience
The whole experience was amazing!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our tour guide - she is so friendly and easy to talk to!
Transport
Local specialist: Marisa Agulhas
Marisa
Marisa Agulhas
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on May 12, 2025
Hello Amanda, Wow, thank you so much for your kind and detailed review! It truly warms my heart to read about your experience, and I’m beyond thrilled that your honeymoon turned out to be everything you dreamed of - and more! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the mix of guided tours and self-guided experiences, and that the team’s personal touches made your trip even more special. I’ll be sure to pass on your compliments to our amazing partners, they’ll be so happy to hear that they made a... Read more

Hello Amanda,

Wow, thank you so much for your kind and detailed review! It truly warms my heart to read about your experience, and I’m beyond thrilled that your honeymoon turned out to be everything you dreamed of - and more!

I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the mix of guided tours and self-guided experiences, and that the team’s personal touches made your trip even more special. I’ll be sure to pass on your compliments to our amazing partners, they’ll be so happy to hear that they made a difference during your trip.

Thank you for trusting us with your first experience using a travel agency. It means the world to us, and we’re so glad we could create lasting memories for you both. And of course, we’re already excited for your next adventure - football match included!!😉

Wishing you both endless happiness and looking forward to welcoming you back!
Your Friend in Portugal - Marisa

Perfect Planning for Portugal
Portugal | Apr 25 - May 4, 2025

N
Nidhi V.
Syosset, NY | Reviewed on May 09, 2025
If you are looking for a company to plan and orchestrate a perfect vacation, Kimkim is the way to go. Diana was amazing in planning a fantastic trip for us in Portugal. The choice of hotels, tour guides and activities was spot on. We thoroughly enjoyed our car trips with Carlos, who was so informative, professional, courteous and fun. We were in Cascáis during the power outage and the staff at Hotel Miragem was unbelievably helpful. Dinner with the locals in Porto was intimate and we had... Read more

If you are looking for a company to plan and orchestrate a perfect vacation, Kimkim is the way to go. Diana was amazing in planning a fantastic trip for us in Portugal. The choice of hotels, tour guides and activities was spot on. We thoroughly enjoyed our car trips with Carlos, who was so informative, professional, courteous and fun. We were in Cascáis during the power outage and the staff at Hotel Miragem was unbelievably helpful. Dinner with the locals in Porto was intimate and we had one of the most delicious meals cooked by Vito The trip to Douro Valley was the icing on the cake. We were extremely impressed by how Diana and her team kept checking and updating us with the daily plans throughout the trip. Thanks everyone who made this trip so special for us!!

Local specialist: Diana Mota
Diana
Diana Mota
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on May 12, 2025

Hi Nidhi.
We really appreciate your review and are super happy to hear how much you enjoyed the trip (even with the unexpected national power outage in the middle!). It's our mission to do our best, and we sincerely value the close relationships we build with our clients!
Looking forward to welcoming you back to Portugal on your next adventure!!
Wishing you all the best!
Your friend in Portugal - Diana

The Perfect Portugal Tour
Portugal | Apr 23 - May 2, 2025

Randy
Randy F.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on May 07, 2025
The trip was perfectly planned with stops in many cities and towns to get a complete feeling for the many sides of Portugal. The hotels were beautiful and perfectly located central to the cities and towns. Everything was within walking distance. Our drivers were professional and provided local knowledge. During the power blackout, our driver Nuno kept us going even though shops were closed. He checked on us the following day to make sure we were OK. A special callout to our driver Diogo... Read more

The trip was perfectly planned with stops in many cities and towns to get a complete feeling for the many sides of Portugal. The hotels were beautiful and perfectly located central to the cities and towns. Everything was within walking distance. Our drivers were professional and provided local knowledge. During the power blackout, our driver Nuno kept us going even though shops were closed. He checked on us the following day to make sure we were OK. A special callout to our driver Diogo who went above and beyond to find us activities when one of our excursions cancelled at the last minute.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Melia Lisbon Airport
Lisbon

This is an exceptional airport hotel. Not like the US airport hotels. I never heard a plane landing or taking off even though it is a 5-minute walk to Lisbon airport.

Authenticity & Character
Not your average airport hotel.
Location
You can walk to Terminal 1.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lagos Avenida Hotel
Lagos

A beautiful boutique hotel across from the Marina. The restaurant was exceptional for breakfast and our Michelin star food and wine tasting was off the chain.

Authenticity & Character
Beach vibe.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
PortoBay Marquês
Lisbon

A beautiful hotel in the heart of Lisbon right off Liberty Avenue. The staff were excellent and handled the Spain/Portugal power outage with grace and a smile.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pousada Porto - Rua das Flores
Porto

A beautiful hotel in the heart of Porto. The breakfasts were amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
4X4 Algarve Sunset Experience
4X4 Algarve Sunset Experience
Portugal

Overall, I would not recommend. The coastal stops with beautiful beaches, surfers, and sheer cliffs were enjoyable, but the "Jeep" ride was brutal. St. Vincent Cape of Sagres is worth visiting, but it was a cloudy evening, so we were unable to witness the spectacular sunset.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Portugal

Our driver, Nuno, was excellent. He was very knowledgeable of the history of each town and showed us the best places to eat and shop. We were in Sintra when the power went out to all of Portugal, but Nuno did not miss a beat and continued the tour even though many of the shops were closed. He even checked on us the next day to make sure we were OK.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Nuno is the best!
Transport
Privately Guided Visit of Porto
Privately Guided Visit of Porto
Porto

Our guide Celia did an excellent job of showing us the history and beauty of Porto.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Foodie Experience in Porto
Foodie Experience in Porto
Porto

A good overview of local and bar-type traditional food of Portugal. The guide (can't remember his name but he wore a hat) was entertaining and even ended the evening with some magic! The ending location was a bit disappointing (a restored pool hall). Overall, a good first tour in Porto.

Quality of Experience
A variety of local restaurants, not the touristy ones.
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lisbon Fado Dinner Experience
Lisbon Fado Dinner Experience
Portugal

I was surprised at the quality of the food and wine. Excellent! The fado music was beautiful. Each group did 2 songs and then a break so it wasn’t like sitting through a whole concert. Perfect way to experience the music of Portugal with great food.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon

Our guide Alex was very knowledgeable in the history of Lisbon. The tour was a bit long but very well done!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Alex is excellent!
Wine Tasting & Lunch at a Portuguese Quinta
Wine Tasting & Lunch at a Portuguese Quinta
Portugal

The venue cancelled on us at the last minute due to a national holiday. This was not mentioned when we booked it almost 9 months prior.

Quality of Experience
Better communication
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Diogo found us a great local restaurant on our way back to Lisbon from Lagos.
Transport
Day Excursion to Douro Valley:  Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Porto

This was the most beautiful part of Portugal and is a must see. Our driver Nuno added an extra stop to a port tasting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on May 12, 2025

Hi Randy!Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 🤩I am thrilled to hear that you all enjoyed your trip through Portugal and gave you a true sense of the country's diverse charm. We're especially proud of our drivers, Nuno and Diogo—your kind words about their professionalism and care truly mean a lot. We'll be sure to pass along your compliments to them! We hope to welcome you on another journey soon. Warmest regards, Marina😊

Incredible Portugal and Spain Trip!!
Portugal | Apr 27 - May 4, 2025

Samantha
Samantha K.
Coney Island, NY | Reviewed on May 07, 2025
Our trip to Portugal and Spain was incredible!! Marisa perfectly balanced the quality of each experience with the cost -- she found hotels that were both centrally-located and affordable, as well as tours that matched our desired interests in each city. We expressed to Marisa that we wanted to explore the local cuisine in each city, and she did an incredible job finding tours and shows that did exactly that! Marisa was also super responsive during the planning process and made it possible for... Read more

Our trip to Portugal and Spain was incredible!! Marisa perfectly balanced the quality of each experience with the cost -- she found hotels that were both centrally-located and affordable, as well as tours that matched our desired interests in each city. We expressed to Marisa that we wanted to explore the local cuisine in each city, and she did an incredible job finding tours and shows that did exactly that! Marisa was also super responsive during the planning process and made it possible for us to plan this trip with only a few weeks notice. We are so grateful to Marisa for putting together our perfect trip!!

Hotel Reviews
H10 Corregidor Boutique Hotel
Sevilla

Excellent hotel!! The location was absolutely perfect for exploring all of Seville. The bed was comfortable (though it was two twin beds pushed together, rather than one queen bed), and the hotel was very clean. Highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cascade Wellness Resort
Lagos

Beautiful resort!! The hotel was clean, and the bed was super comfortable. The two pools were beautiful and perfect for lounging in the afternoon. The location was perfect -- it was a 15-minute walk to the beach (as most hotels are in Lagos), and a 30-minute walk from the downtown area (which was accessible via these peaceful walkways that connect to the piers and overlook the cliffs). Highly recommend!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
AVANI Avenida da Liberdade
Lisbon

Excellent hotel!! It was centrally located in the shopping district and a quick 5-10 minute walk from most restaurants and the park. It was clean and had a very comfortable bed. Highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Savor the Flavors of Seville: An Authentic Tapas Tour
Savor the Flavors of Seville: An Authentic Tapas Tour
Seville

Absolutely amazing tapas tour!! Our guide, Fernando, was super knowledgeable about Seville and made this tour so much fun! We were able to enjoy so many different tapas and wine tastings, as well as explore many restaurants that we otherwise would not have known about. Highly recommend!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Flamenco Show in Seville
Flamenco Show in Seville
Seville

Great way to experience an authentic Flamenco show!

Quality of Experience
Premium Dinner Accompanied by Authentic Fado Performance
Premium Dinner Accompanied by Authentic Fado Performance
Lisbon

Wonderful dinner and Fado experience!! It was the perfect blend of high-quality Portuguese food with the traditional Fado music experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings
Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings
Lisbon

Great tour to learn more about Lisbon through a fairly quick walking tour. The tour ended with a short wine and cheese tasting that was lovely as well.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Portugal

Incredible tour of Sintra and the surrounding area of Lisbon! Our driver was super knowledgeable about both Lisbon and Sintra, and he knew all of the best spots to take us throughout the day. In addition to our tour of Sintra, he took us to a fantastic seafood restaurant for lunch that overlooked the ocean, as well as took us to a nearby beach town to walk around. We were able to see so much more than we anticipated!! Highly recommend this tour!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marisa Agulhas
Marisa
Marisa Agulhas
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on May 07, 2025

Dear Samantha,

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad to hear that you had such an amazing time in Portugal and Spain! It was a pleasure working with you to plan your trip, and I’m thrilled that everything - from the accommodations to experiences - was exactly what you were looking for.

It’s always my goal to create memorable and seamless trips, and I’m so happy it all came together for you. Obrigado!!
Your Friend in Portugal - Marisa

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