Portugal Cooking Vacations
One week of Cooking Authentic Portuguese Food.
Are you hungry for adventure? Are you starving for new experiences?
If so, pack your appetite and read about these Culinary Vacations in Portugal.
The Portuguese diet contains many staples of traditional Mediterranean cuisine. The eggnog cream and almonds are always presented in the Portuguese pastry. Portuguese cuisine varies from region to region. But one thing remains constant: the love of good, fresh food and beautiful wines, including the famous fortified wines, Port Wine, and Madeira Wine.
Portuguese food is renowned for being reliable and robust. It is often described as peasant food. Portuguese cuisine has simple recipes and uses essential equipment. Some of the most famous Portuguese dishes can be made in a single pot over an open fire.
Lisbon and Porto are superb, overpowering, timeless magic, and great place to visit any time of the year. Walking through the streets and tasting their abundance brings to life the culinary traditions of the Portuguese kitchen.
The Portugueses are not snob person. Usually, they express their love and friendship through their cooking. Portions are large. And guests are always welcome at the table.
Food is essential in Portugal. The lunchtime is respected with a sit-down meal from 12h00. Shops and public services, particularly in smaller towns or during low season, may close between 12:00 and 02:00 pm. So, check opening times and plan accordingly.
In Portugal, we don’t have Siesta! And dinner time is later compared to the USA or Canada. Restaurants usually open at 7:30 or 8:00 pm.
Read more: Best Time to Visit Portugal.
When to Go to Portugal
Portugal boasts a Mediterranean climate year-round but in the colder months. December through February is best avoided for those who want sunny weather. Rainfall time in March and April, but it gives way to a superb May, full of flowers and fruits.
In June, those who travel to Portugal can enjoy traditional festivals like Saint John (São João) in Porto and Saint Anthony (Santo António) in Lisbon. Those who love the beach can rest easy on the coast with balmy 80-degree heat and a faint ocean breeze. You must book your tours in advance. Those who find the summer too hot and uncomfortable should take in the sights in October and November when cities are less crowded.
The high season in Portugal is during the summer months of June to August. Where temperatures are around 30ºC (90ºF), and popular destinations like Porto and Lisbon experience a massive influx of visitors. Prices increase during this time as well. But the atmosphere and weather are great, so it’s still worth visiting during the high season.
Although I think the best time to visit Portugal is spring and fall (March to May and September to October, respectively). It’s still warm during these seasons, but there aren’t as many crowds and lower prices. It’s also easier to meet locals!
The winter in Portugal is from November to February. It gets cold, and tourist crowds have diminished.
Temperatures vary quite a bit in Portugal, but overall the temperature average is around 15 °C (50 °F). That is rare to snow in Lisbon and Porto. The last time was in 2006!
Read more: Best Things to Eat in Portugal?
Portugal Culinary Tours
Do you want to learn and taste Portuguese Flavours?
Join us and experience the ultimate in small-group travel (maximum of ten travelers). Get to the heart of Portuguese culture through an exploration of its cuisine. Eat the infinite variety of regional Portuguese specialties in their natural setting. Learn the secrets of Portuguese dishes by participating in cooking classes with our local chefs.
Explore the flavors of Portugal on this incredible culinary journey from Lisbon to Porto.
Portugal is immense, from its landscape and coastline to its cultural riches and pleasant weather. Portugal offers a remarkable range of magical experiences in its cosmopolitan cities, medieval castles, romantic palaces, and lush green landscapes.
During this culinary and city tour of Portugal, meander your way north. It starts in Lisbon‘s capital city. Taste the authentic Portuguese custard tarts in Pastéis de Belém (pastry). The local guide will teach you this secret recipe.
Stops on this journey also include the romantic city of Sintra, the medieval town of Obidos, Nazare, and Porto. Which gives the name to the Portuguese fortified wine – Port Wine.
After a few days in busy and modern cities, you will visit real Portugal without mass tourism. So, the landscape will be different. It is reasonable to see cows, wild horses, and sheep in the countryside’s green fields.
You will sleep in the heart of Minho and at the door of the Peneda-Geres National Park. Two intense days full of adventures in nature! Hiking, wine tasting, hands-on cooking class, or relaxing at the swimming pool!
Read more: Eat like a local in Portugal.
What is included in the package Cooking Tour Portugal?
- Accommodation included (7 nights).
- Small-Group in the best cooking classes in Portugal. Tour groups are limited to 10 passengers.
- Private Transportation by minibus or van.
- Meals: Daily breakfast, 1 Port Wine tasting, 1 Vinho Verde tasting, two lunches, two dinners, and one tasting of the custard tart.
- Activities: hands-on cooking classes and wine tasting. The best cooking classes in Portugal.
- Explore Porto, one of the oldest European centers, with a private guide.
- Enjoy a private guided city tour of Portugal’s capital, Lisbon.
- With a private guide, visit the coastal gems of Portugal, including Sintra.
Suggestions Post-tour extension
Book an extra night & Douro Valley Tour
In Portugal (the birthplace of Port wine), the Douro Valley is an excellent destination for a day trip that guarantees many unforgettable memories, authentic Portuguese culture, and views of stunning green countryside. The travelers can learn about the wine-making process while strolling vineyard grounds. But they can also taste a few regional wines. This full-day tour is included private transport, lunch, and a local guide.
If you’d like more information about this package in Portugal, we will be delighted to help you plan your holiday in Portugal.
Download here our free e-book: An Introduction to Portuguese Cuisine.
In our e-book, you will learn why the Portuguese use so many eggs in their desserts. And you can try out two recipes for the authentic taste of Portuguese cuisine right in your kitchen.