11 VIP Experiences in Portugal Worth Booking

1.Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,684 reviews · 3 hours · from $47Our pick

Join Atlantic Pearl at Funchal New Marina for a three-hour cruise with Portuguese and English-speaking guides. You will look for dolphins and whales, hear about local marine life, and stop to swim beneath Cabo Girão. The boat has covered seating, outdoor loungers, hammocks, bathrooms, and a bar.

“Terrific , good access to the boat, good seating. Great staff and we were lucky and saw both sperm whales and dolphins.”

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2.All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,573 reviews · 3 hours · from $93

From Funchal, sail on a spacious catamaran with indoor and outdoor seating, a welcome glass of sparkling wine, and a small group capped at about 17 people. Your crew searches for dolphins, whales, and turtles, serves Madeira snacks and drinks, then stops beneath 586-meter Cabo Girão for swimming and snorkeling.

“This was an amazing 3 hours, the crew could not do enough for you, worth every penny”

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3.Dolphin and Whale Watching by Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,709 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Join Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas for a three-hour catamaran trip from Funchal. Portuguese and English-speaking crew explain Madeira’s marine life as you search for dolphins, whales, turtles, and seabirds. You’ll have indoor seating, sun beds, trampoline nets, a welcome drink, and, on most summer tours, a swim beneath Cabo Girão.

“Was an excellent trip , good morning and we saw a pod of pilot whales which was just lovely”

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4.VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,709 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $95Top rated

Sail from Funchal with a maximum of 17 people on a modern catamaran, watching for dolphins and whales with crew members such as Liv, Sheila, Maggie, and Francisco. Drinks, local snacks, towels, blankets, and snorkeling gear are included. After the wildlife search, swim beneath Cabo Girao.

“This was an amazing trip. The crew were super friendly and helpful - we had Maggie, Francisco and Nico our captain. They couldn't do enough for the guests and when we saw whales and dolphins they gave us loads of interesting information about the species, their habits, and their habitat. A small boat with a small number of guests was perfect to see things and not feel left out. Would highly recommend!!!”

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5.Pub Crawl with 6 Drinks and VIP Club Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,414 reviews · 4 hours · from $19Best value

Meet the red umbrella at 10:30pm near the lion fountain in Praça Gomes Teixeira, then follow Porto Walkers through four Galerias bars and a city-center nightclub. You receive six drinks, guided introductions, bar entry, and skip-the-line club access. Guides speak Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French.

“It was a really good tour lots of fun, I feel like everywhere we went had the exact same songs would’ve been nice to go somewhere with a bit more variation Gabi our guide was fantastic really fun made sure we were all ok and dancing at all times I think everyone felt the same way about her too would love to do it again with her”

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6.Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,361 reviews · from $23

Meet your English-speaking guide in Praça Luís de Camões for five hours of Lisbon nightlife. Visit three Bairro Alto bars, enjoy unlimited beer or sangria for one hour, collect two shots, then skip the line at a local club. Guides such as Mateo, Miguel, Ana, and Tiago have been praised for keeping solo visitors included and the group moving.

“Well organized, perfect to get to meet people in Lisbon from all over the world, age range very wide but welcoming for everyone. Instructions were clear, staff were friendly and reliable. Only flaw was that some of the bars we’ve been to were too small for the number of people in the pub crawl, so it was a bit overcrowded, but nevertheless it was a cool experience, 100% recommend.”

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7.Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots & VIP Club Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,280 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $24

Join guides such as Roe, Leyla, Vito, Natalia, and Rodrigo for a five-hour Lisbon night out through Bairro Alto, Pink Street, and Cais do Sodré. You get shots, one hour of unlimited beer and sangria, optional liquor upgrades, drinking games, and VIP club entry. Expect a young, social crowd and plenty of walking.

“It was a great experience. Would have liked to have had more activities at one of the pubs, for example beer pong”

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8.Lisbon Sunset Sailing Tour on Luxury Sailing Yacht with 2 Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,109 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $61

Sail the Tagus for about two hours aboard a spacious 50 to 58-foot yacht from Doca de Belém. A captain and host point out Belém Tower, the 25th of April Bridge, Alfama, and more, while you enjoy two drinks and Portuguese cheese. Guides such as Sebastian and Tiago are praised for lively local stories. Bring a jacket.

“We did this boat tour in January and were worried it might be too cold. But despite the unexpectedly chilly weather and wind, it turned out to be a really lovely experience. We got to see Lisbon from a completely different perspective, and Sebastian and his crew member shared loads of interesting insights about the city and Portugal. Highly recommended, even in winter — just wear the right jacket and you’ll be absolutely fine.”

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9.Lisbon Sailing Tour on a Luxury Sailing Yacht with 2 Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 703 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $46

Sail the Tagus from Doca de Belém aboard a 50-foot yacht with a captain and host. You’ll see Belém Tower, the 25 de Abril Bridge, Alfama, and more, while enjoying two drinks and Portuguese cheese. Guides such as Sebastian, Tiago, José, and Chris are praised for friendly multilingual commentary.

“The boat is very nice and all the staff very good. Gorgeous day! Beer and wine and cheese tasty! Only thing you could do isadd a Portugal Tart!!”

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10.Sunset Tour on a Luxury Sailing Yacht from Vilamoura

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 307 reviews · from $57

Set out from Vilamoura Marina for a 2.5-hour sunset sail along the Algarve coast. Your skipper points out Falésia Beach, a tiny sea-access beach, and the fishing village of Olhos de Água. Expect a welcome drink, cheese, toast, Portuguese chouriço, music, and time for swimming or snorkeling if conditions permit.

“It was a lovely relaxed atmosphere.. sunset was beautiful and the 2 boatmen were gentlemen . We had cheese and wine .chatted and had a good laugh.”

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11.Luxury Sail-Yacht Cruise with Sunset Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 126 reviews · 2 - 2.5 hours · from $37

Sail from Portimão Marina for 2 to 2.5 hours along the Algarve coast. You’ll see golden cliffs, beaches, rock formations, and possibly dolphins, with time to swim if conditions allow. Guides including Mario, Lara, Rui, and Guilherme have led relaxed, informative trips. The yacht cannot enter Benagil Cave, but it offers a spacious, comfortable ride.

“Lara and captain Mario were excellent hosts. They put up with my thousand questions and let me sail the boat as I desired. Was an outstanding value and a lovely evening seeing the cliffs.”

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