- The International Kitchen
- Portugal
Our Portugal Cooking Vacations
Testimonials From Happy Travellers
There’s a reason our culinary tours in this country are so popular
What You Can Do on Our Portugal Food Tours
Looking for a Lisbon food tour? Or Porto wine tours? We offer some of the best food and wine tours in Portugal, and we can also design custom cooking vacations tailored to you.
Portugal is one of Europe’s hottest destinations, with an amazing climate, fascinating history, friendly people, and of course, amazing food and wine.
The Portuguese diet includes many staples of traditional Mediterranean cuisine, and on our Portugal food tours, you will taste fish (in particular dried cod or “bacalhau” and sardines), lean meats, an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, traditional almond pastry desserts, and the famed “pastel de nata” custard pastry. Portuguese cuisine varies from region to region, but one thing remains constant: the love of good, fresh food and wonderful wines, including famous styles of fortified wine, Port and Madeira, that both originate here.
Our Portugal cooking vacations also offer amazing discoveries. There are castles seemingly on every hilltop, some beautifully restored, others crumbling ruins to explore, all of them a sign of a time when Portugal was a major maritime power. There are fascinating art and architecture here, particularly the “Manueline” style that is characteristic of the country. And the Portuguese themselves are a friendly, down-to-earth, quietly confident people who are ready to share their country’s bounty with you, whether you are on a Lisbon food tour, a Porto wine tour, or one of our Portugal cooking vacations in the countryside.
Food and Wine Tours in Portugal
Head outside the main cities to discover the rest of Portugal, including the agricultural Alentejo region and the rugged, seaside Algarve. Our Portugal wine tours and cooking vacations include hands-on cooking classes in which you’ll learn authentic Portuguese dishes, as well as excursions to see local castles, monasteries, wineries, olive mills, cork producers, and more. Although a relatively small country, the breadth of experiences you can have in Portugal is staggering!
We can also design custom culinary tours that travel throughout Portugal or even ones that add in a trip to neighboring Spain. Whether your interests lie in our Portugal wine tours or our authentic hands-on cooking classes, we’re happy to design the perfect Portugal culinary vacation package for you.
FAQ about Cooking Vacations in Portugal
-
What is the number 1 food in Portugal?
While Portugal offers many iconic dishes, bacalhau (salt cod) reigns supreme with over 365 traditional preparation methods — one for each day of the year. This versatile fish appears in everything from the hearty Bacalhau à Brás (shredded cod with potatoes and eggs) to the elegant Bacalhau com Natas (cod in cream). The Portuguese passion for bacalhau reflects their deep connection to the sea and centuries of preserving traditions.
-
Is Portugal a foodie destination?
Absolutely — but in a uniquely Portuguese way. Unlike its more famous neighbors, Portugal’s culinary scene celebrates authenticity over pretense. Local markets still dominate over supermarkets, family-run tascas serve generations-old recipes, and each region fiercely maintains its unique specialties. From Michelin-starred restaurants reimagining traditional flavors to humble port wine lodges aging centuries-old vintages, Portugal offers food lovers an uncommonly genuine experience.
-
Which city in Portugal has the best food?
Porto stands out as Portugal’s culinary heavyweight, where traditional flavors meet modern innovation. The city’s tripeiros (Porto natives) take immense pride in their robust cuisine, from the iconic francesinha sandwich to fresh seafood from the Atlantic. However, each Portuguese city offers its own gastronomic treasures: Lisbon’s seafood restaurants and pastry shops, Évora’s Alentejo specialties, and Coimbra’s unique take on Portuguese classics make choosing a single “best” impossible.
Recipes
Let the flavors of Portugal transport you home with our collection of cherished recipes. From hearty bacalhau dishes to the secrets of perfect pastel de nata, our recipes capture the essence of Portuguese home cooking!
blog
Navigate Portugal’s vibrant food scene with our expert guides and local insights. Whether you’re exploring Porto’s wine cellars or discovering Alentejo’s cork forests, our travel tips help you experience Portugal like a local!
