Portugal Gay Group Trip:
Lisbon to Porto
8 Days, 7 Nights
August 5th-12th, 2027
About This Trip
Join SideQuests host Ryan on this 8-day group adventure through one of Europe’s most LGBTQ+ friendly countries. From Lisbon’s tiled hillsides to Porto’s wine-cellars, with this Euro-summer journey, you’re in for a real treat.
This one’s built for summer. The warm Atlantic coast, long golden evenings, and a capital that's quietly become one of the most welcoming places in the world to travel as a queer person. Come solo (most people do) and you won't be solo for long. Here's what you're in for:
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We start in Lisbon, one of Europe's most charming and most gay-friendly capitals... pastel facades, clanking trams, and hidden miradouros with a view over the river. By day we paint our own azulejo tiles, wander the old alleyways of Alfama, and gather over the soulful sound of live fado. By night, the city opens up. Príncipe Real and Bairro Alto are the heart of Lisbon’s gay nightlife scene, where tiny bars spill out onto the cobblestones and the whole hillside turns into one big open-air party. Your evenings here are free, so you can head out with the group, drink in hand, and let the night take you.
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We head into the hills of Sintra for the storybook Pena Palace, out to Cabo da Roca where the continent runs out of land, and along the coast to breezy Cascais. Then it's back to Lisbon to board a private catamaran and watch the sun drop behind the 25 de Abril Bridge, drinks in hand. This is the coast at its summer best.
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We slow down in the quiet countryside near Fátima, at a design-forward boutique hotel with a pool and nowhere to be. From there we explore the grand monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha and stop for fresh seafood by the famous cliffs of Nazaré.
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We finish north in Porto, all riverfront tiles and steep lanes tumbling down to the Douro. We'll tour the city, cruise beneath its six bridges, and gather one last time for a farewell dinner over local wine. Optional port tasting in the historic cellars if you're feeling it.
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This one is a balance of exploration, coastline, incredible food, and a whole lot of time to connect with Portugal as locals do, and with each other! Portugal is safe, walkable, and unpretentious, which makes it one of the easiest places in the world to slot in and feel at home. And because every SideQuests trip starts in a group WhatsApp chat with monthly Zoom calls before departure, you walk into that first night out feeling like you're meeting old friends, not strangers. The destination is just the container... the connection is the whole point. Come solo (most people do), with a partner or friend, and leave with a new group of friends and a camera-roll full of memories.
Want the full lay of the land before you go? We wrote the guide: read our Gay Lisbon Travel Guide for where to eat, drink, and go out.
Limited earlybird spots left! Save $200
Deposit: $763 (just 25% down)
$3,250
$3,050
August 5th-12th, 2027
Lisbon · Sintra · Central Portugal · Porto
Limited Spots Available
» Want to keep the party going? Add our Silver Coast beach extension after Porto!
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Kick things off in Lisbon with a hands-on azulejo tile-painting workshop (you keep what you make), a relaxed walking tour through Alfama and Baixa, and an evening of live fado over dinner, where Portugal's soulful national music fills a historic tavern.
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Lisbon's LGBTQ+ nightlife is friendly, easy, and famously unpretentious, concentrated in Príncipe Real and Bairro Alto and a short walk from our hotel. Your evenings are free to explore it with the group, from cocktails on a terrace to bar-hopping through the hilltop maze of Bairro Alto, or a nightcap near Pink Street. This is the part solo travelers tend to love most: going out with people who already feel like friends.
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Explore the palaces and gardens of Sintra, stand at the westernmost point of mainland Europe at Cabo da Roca, and wander seaside Cascais, then cap the day with a private catamaran cruise on the Tagus at golden hour.
Tour Highlights
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Visit the soaring Gothic monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, and sit down to a fresh seafood lunch by the dramatic cliffs of Nazaré, the little fishing town that made surfing history.
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Tour Porto's tiled churches and the lively Ribeira district, cruise the river beneath its six famous bridges, and raise a glass at a farewell dinner in the city that gave port wine its name.
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Travel with a small group of like-minded LGBTQ+ folks and one dedicated local guide from arrival in Lisbon to departure in Porto, with a private air-conditioned coach handling every mile in between.
What’s Included?
Pricing:
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Traveling solo and want the extra space? We get it, not everyone wants to share. Add a private individual room for the full trip. Not sure yet? This can be added or subtracted from your reservation up to 90-days pre-trip!
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Select "1" and reserve your accommodations for one night before your tour begins. (August 4th – 5th).
Select "2" and reserve your accommodations for two nights before your tour begins. (August 3rd – 5th).
Select "3" and reserve your accommodations for three nights before your tour begins. (August 2nd – 5th).
For ease, reserve your accommodations at our boutique host hotel in Lisbon before your trip starts. Your reservations will be linked so you don't have to check out and check in to a new room on the 5th. Rate INCLUDES complimentary breakfast for 1 or 2 people.
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Select "1" and reserve your accommodations for one night after your tour ends. (August 12th – 13th).
Select "2" and reserve your accommodations for two nights after your tour ends. (August 12th – 14th).
Select "3" and reserve your accommodations for three nights after your tour ends. (August 12th – 15th).
For ease, reserve your accommodations at our boutique host hotel in Porto (Eurostars Porto Douro) after your tour wraps. Your reservations will be linked so you don't have to switch rooms, and you can wake up right on the Douro for a slower goodbye. Rate INCLUDES complimentary breakfast for 1 or 2 people. (Not doing the Silver Coast extension? This is the easy way to buy yourself a little more Porto.)
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Day 6 is mostly free once we reach Porto. If you'd rather have something organized, add a guided day trip to Aveiro, the canal town often called the Venice of Portugal, with its colorful moliceiro boats. Excludes lunch.
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On our free afternoon in Porto, head into the historic riverfront cellars for an exclusive, high-end port tasting where it was born.
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Not ready to leave? Tack on 2 nights at a 4-star beachfront hotel in Figueira da Foz, with private transfers, daily breakfast, and a private surf-and-seafood experience (a beginner-friendly surf clinic followed by a fresh lunch at a local beach shack). Plenty of free time to just be at the beach. Single supplement +$225.
Add-Ons:
Not sure what add-ons you want to book yet? No problem! Add-ons can be added or subtracted from your reservation up to 90-days pre-trip.
Only a 25% deposit is due to book. The remaining balance isn't due until 90 days pre-trip.
Your deposit is 100% refundable until the trip is confirmed (that's when 12 travelers have booked). Prefer monthly payments? Some guests use Affirm's virtual card at checkout.
See the full cancellation policy ↓
Navigation:
Tour Highlights — What’s Included — Pricing — Itinerary — Post Tour — Your Host — FAQ — About — Hotels
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Overview You made it. The moment you step out of Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), our team is there to sweep you into the city, and Lisbon starts showing off right away: yellow trams groaning up impossibly steep hills, azulejo tiles catching the light, laundry strung between pastel buildings, and the smell of grilled sardines drifting from somewhere you can't quite place.
We'll get you checked in, and then the afternoon is yours to relax or explore! Nap off the flight, go hunt down your first warm pastel de nata, climb to a miradouro and watch the river roll by, or post up at a sunny café with a galão and let it sink in that you're actually here.
Tonight is the one that sets the tone for the entire week: our welcome dinner, where a table of strangers turns into your people over shared plates and a few bottles of vinho verde. By dessert, it won't feel like strangers anymore. Exact meeting times land in our group WhatsApp chat ahead of the trip. -
Your group arrival transfer from LIS to our Lisbon hotel is included and waiting for you.
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Tonight we come together for our welcome dinner at a traditional-but-contemporary local spot, the perfect place to meet everyone, share a bottle of vinho verde, and set the tone for the week.
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If the group's still got energy after dinner, the open-air bars of Bairro Alto are a short walk away. No pressure, but it's a fun, easy first taste of why Lisbon's nightlife has the reputation it does.
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in Lisbon We'll spend our first three nights at Inspira Liberdade (or Maxime Hotel), a polished boutique property right by Avenida da Liberdade, walkable to the coffee, the coast of the city, and the nightlife.
Day 1
Olá! Lisbon’s First Toast & First Friends
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Overview After an included breakfast, we get our hands dirty!! The morning is a private azulejo tile-painting workshop, where a local artisan hands you a brush and you paint your own version of the iconic blue-and-white Portuguese tile. It's equal parts calming and hilarious (some of us turn out to be natural-born artists, some of us very much may not), but we all walk away with a piece of Portugal we made ourselves.
From there we head into Alfama and Baixa, Lisbon's oldest and most tangled neighborhoods, with a local guide who knows the space like the back of their hand, every viewpoint, and every story hiding behind the tiles. Expect narrow lanes, sudden ocean views, and a whole lot of "wait, stop, I need a photo of this."
Then, as the evening softens, we settle in for our included fado dinner and show in a candlelit tavern. Fado is Portugal's soul set to music, all longing and goosebumps, and hearing it live over dinner and open-pour wine is the kind of thing you’ll remember. Don't be surprised if it gets you a little misty-eyed. -
Breakfast (Included Meal) A buffet breakfast featuring American classics alongside traditional Portuguese staples, the perfect start to the day ahead.
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Learn the basics of azulejo tile-painting from a local artisan and walk out with a finished piece that's entirely yours.
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A relaxed, guided stroll through Lisbon's oldest neighborhoods, past tiled facades, tiny squares, and the kind of viewpoints that make you stop mid-sentence.
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Tonight we experience the soulful, hauntingly beautiful sound of fado, Portugal's national music, over dinner in a historic tavern. It's one of those evenings that stays with you.
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Back to our boutique hotel in the heart of Lisbon.
Day 2
Paint a Tile, Wander the Old City & Get Chills at Fado
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After an included breakfast, we trade the city for our own fairytale. Sintra is a misty, moss-draped hill town where 19th-century royals built their fantasy palaces, and the crown jewel is Pena Palace, a candy-colored castle perched on a peak that looks completely made up (it isn't).
We'll explore the palace and its dreamy gardens, then chase the coast west to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, where the cliffs drop away and there's nothing between you and the Americas but open Atlantic. Big wind, even bigger views.
From there we roll down the shoreline into Cascais, a polished little seaside town made for an aimless wander and an ice cream, before pointing back toward Lisbon for the grand finale.
Late afternoon, we board a private boat for a sunset cruise on the Tagus River. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and Portuguese snacks are flowing, someone's got the music going, and the whole group is out on the water as the sky turns molten and the sun slips behind the 25 de Abril Bridge. It's the photo you came for and the moment the whole day has been building toward.
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A buffet breakfast featuring American classics alongside traditional Portuguese staples, the perfect start to the day ahead.
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Explore one of Portugal's most magical spots, the whimsical Pena Palace perched above the town, surrounded by forested gardens.
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Stand at the edge of the continent at Cabo da Roca, then wander the breezy streets and marina of Cascais.
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A private sunset cruise at golden hour, with open-pour wine, beer, soft drinks, and light Portuguese snacks on board, music playing, and the Lisbon skyline glowing behind us.
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Back on land, the night is yours. It's our final one in Lisbon, so if you want to see the nightlife up close, Príncipe Real and Bairro Alto are calling, from a cocktail on a terrace to a proper night out with the group.
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Our final night in Lisbon before we head north.
Day 3
Fairytale Palaces, the Edge of Europe & a Sunset on the Tagus
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Sleep in. Seriously, we mean it. Today opens with a slow morning and a gloriously lazy late check-out in Lisbon, then an easy drive (about 1.5 hours) north into the calm, green countryside near Fátima, where we check into a design-forward boutique hotel built for exactly one thing: relax, extremely well. And that's the whole assignment today.
Wander into town for a long, unhurried lunch. Claim a lounger by the pool and refuse to move for three hours. Sunbathe until you genuinely lose track of what day it is. Order a cold drink, crack a book, take the best nap of the trip.
And if you're constitutionally incapable of sitting still, the famous Sanctuary of Fátima is right nearby to explore on foot. Every SideQuests trip needs one day like this, the exhale in the middle that keeps a big week from ever tipping into exhausting. Today is that day, and you've earned every lazy minute of it. -
A buffet breakfast featuring American classics alongside traditional Portuguese staples — the perfect start to the day ahead.
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An easy 1.5-hour drive north into the green, calm heart of the country.
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Your afternoon the way you want. Lunch in town, pool time, a long sunbathe, a nap, a book, or a wander through the Sanctuary of Fátima if you're curious. This is permission to do nothing, and to do it well.
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We'll spend the next two nights at SDivine Fátima Hotel, a peaceful boutique retreat in the countryside.
Day 4
The Great Slowdown: Countryside, Poolside & Relaxation Portugal Style
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Rested, sun-kissed, and ready, we set out on a beautiful, low-key loop through the region's greatest hits. First up is the Alcobaça Monastery, a vast medieval masterpiece so grand it doesn't quite compute until you're standing under those soaring stone ceilings with your neck craned all the way back. Then we drop down to the coast at Nazaré, the wild little fishing town that surfers around the world worship for having the biggest rideable waves on the planet.
We'll settle in for a fresh seafood lunch right by the water, cliffs towering overhead, the Atlantic crashing below, and a plate of whatever came off the boat that morning in front of you.
In the afternoon we take in the Batalha Monastery, a Gothic showstopper of impossibly delicate stonework that you’ll be comparing to the wonders of the morning, and then it's back to the hotel for round two with that pool. -
A buffet breakfast featuring American classics alongside traditional Portuguese staples, the perfect start to the day ahead.
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A guided visit to one of the largest and most beautiful medieval monasteries in Portugal, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Fresh Atlantic seafood by the beach in Nazaré, the town that put big-wave surfing on the map (the giants roll in during winter, but the views and the food are year-round). Of course, if you do not eat seafood, other options will be provided!
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A guided visit to the soaring Gothic and Manueline monastery at Batalha, another UNESCO gem and easily one of the most beautiful buildings you'll see all trip.
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Back to SDivine Fátima for our second and final night in the countryside.
Day 5
Golden Monasteries, Giant-Waves Cliffside & Seafood by the Sea
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After an included breakfast, we make the easy drive north to Porto, pulling over for about an hour in the lively university city of Coimbra to stretch our legs along its historic riverfront and grab a quick bite on our own.
A lovely little pit stop, and then it's a short hop onward. By afternoon we roll into Porto, and this is where Day 6 opens all the way up.
Once you've checked into our riverfront hotel, the rest of the day and the whole evening are yours. Porto is built for wandering: steep lanes tumbling down to the water, blue-tiled churches around every corner, and the Douro glinting below.
Find a terrace, order a glass of something local (you're in the literal home of port wine now), and watch the city light up over the river.
Feeling more adventurous than restful? There's an optional guided day trip to Aveiro, the canal-laced town they call the Venice of Portugal, for anyone who'd rather trade the downtime for a little exploring. -
A buffet breakfast featuring American classics alongside traditional Portuguese staples, the perfect start to the day ahead.
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About an hour in Coimbra to stretch your legs, take in the historic riverfront, and grab a quick bite on your own before we continue to Porto.
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Rather do something organized with your Day 6 free time? Add a guided trip to Aveiro, with its network of canals and colorful moliceiro boats. Excludes lunch.
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Your first night in Porto is all yours. Find a terrace over the Douro, order a glass of something local, watch the lights come up over the river, and settle into your final city of the trip.
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We'll spend our final two nights at Eurostars Porto Douro, a high-quality boutique hotel along the riverfront.
Day 6
Coimbra, the Douro & Your First Night in Porto
Day 7
The Soul of Porto, a River Cruise & One Last Feast
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Overview After an included breakfast, we give Porto the send-off it deserves.
A relaxed city tour winds through its tiled churches, the tumbling riverside lanes of the Ribeira district, and the viewpoints that make this city almost unfairly photogenic.
We cap the morning with the classic 6 Bridges Cruise, gliding down the Douro to see Porto stacked up along the hillsides from the water, all six of its famous bridges arcing overhead. The afternoon is yours.
Go all out and book the premium port wine tasting in the historic cellars, sipping the good stuff in the exact place it was invented, or just wander, shop, and hunt down a francesinha if you're brave enough (Porto's legendary meat-and-melted-cheese monster of a sandwich).
Then we come together one final time for our farewell dinner. The wine pours, the stories spill out, the laughing gets loud, and somewhere in the middle of it you'll realize the people you first met at the welcome dinner are now the group chat you'll be planning next year's trip with. A bittersweet and memorable evening! -
A buffet breakfast featuring American classics alongside traditional Portuguese staples — the perfect start to the day ahead.
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A relaxed guided tour through Porto's tiled churches, riverside Ribeira, and iconic viewpoints.
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A classic Douro cruise beneath Porto's six landmark bridges, a great way to see the city from the water.
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An exclusive, high-end port tasting in the historic cellars where it all began. Optional, and a lovely way to spend the free afternoon.
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Our final dinner together, with local wine, good food, and the kind of table talk that makes saying goodbye feel both impossible and exactly right.
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Our last night at Eurostars Porto Douro.
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After one last included breakfast, we pack up and trade hugs and goodbyes. Your group departure transfer to Porto Airport (OPO) is already sorted, so the send-off is smooth and completely stress-free.
Heading home? The post-trip blues are real, but it’s a good sign. It means you experienced something amazing.
You'll fly out with a camera roll you can't stop scrolling. Not ready to let go of that beach-summer feeling? Trade the airport for the sand and roll straight into our Silver Coast extension. -
One last buffet breakfast at Eurostars Porto Douro before we transfer to the airport.
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Private transfers from the hotel to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco, coordinated whether you're heading for our extended tour in the Amazon, or returning back to Lima enroute home, or wherever your next adventure takes you.
Day 8
Até já, Portugal: Farewell (or Onward to the Beach)
Join the post-tour adventure! Add this three day, two night relaxing sojourn to Portugal’s Silver Coast. Bask in the sun In Figueira da Foz — the ultimate cap to an epic trip. See the details below!
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August 12th-14th | from $699Extend Your Trip: The Silver Coast
August 12th–14th | from $699
Not ready for it to end? Just a short drive south of Porto, the Silver Coast trades city lanes for massive sandy beaches and a relaxed surf-town vibe, exactly where you want to be in August. Spend 2 nights at a 4-star beachfront hotel in Figueira da Foz, with private transfers, daily breakfast, and plenty of curated free time to just enjoy the ocean.
The highlight: a private Surf & Seafood Experience, a beginner-friendly surf or bodyboard clinic adapted for all skill levels, followed by an informal fresh seafood lunch at a local beach shack. The perfect bit of action between beach days.
Single supplement +$225.
Meet Your Host
Ryan is a full-time digital nomad and experienced group travel host who has led multi-day trips since 2022. As the founder of Capsule Adventures, a sober travel company, he brings a calm, organized, and deeply thoughtful approach to creating trips that feel smooth, safe, and genuinely meaningful. Passionate about LGBTQ+ community-building, Ryan creates spaces where queer travelers can fully relax, be themselves, and move through the world together. Having traveled to nearly 40 countries, he believes the best travel moments happen in the in-between, the late nights, shared laughter, and unexpected connections. He’s deeply invested in making sure everyone feels taken care of… and of course, he isn’t shy of a little light roasting, and to break out some humor along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions specific to this trip? Here are some common questions about our adventure.
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Our trips attract a diverse community, primarily LGBTQ+ travelers in their 20s-60s who are looking for meaningful connections and authentic experiences. We welcome allies and friends of all identities who share our values of inclusivity, curiosity, and openness.
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We keep our groups intentionally small—typically 16-24 travelers—to foster genuine connections and allow for more intimate, authentic local experiences that wouldn't be possible with larger groups.
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Each trip is slightly different, but most SideQuests include:
Boutique accommodations
Most meals (with options - we’re happy to suit your dietary needs)
Excursions + guided activities
A bilingual local guide
Private group transportation
Your hosts (hi, that’s us!)
You can view all the trip-specific inclusions on each individual trip page. Airfare to and from the destination is not included. You'll receive a detailed packing list and itinerary before departure.
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If your booking is still pending (meaning the trip hasn’t been confirmed yet), you’re eligible for a full refund — including your 25% deposit.
Once the trip is confirmed (after 10 travelers have booked), your deposit becomes non-refundable. If you need to cancel after confirmation, you’ll receive a Credit Voucher for the amount paid (minus a $100 cancellation fee). Your credit voucher is good to apply towards any SideQuests Travel tour booked within 1 year of your cancellation date.
At 90-days before the trip, all payments become non-refundable, since hotels, transportation, and activities have already been paid for. Any exceptions at that point are at the discretion of our local partners.
We always recommend purchasing travel insurance in case big life events unexpectedly occur— it’s really worth the peace of mind! There are a variety of carriers, our hosts personally have Allianz.
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You can reserve your spot with a 25% deposit and pay the rest in installments through Affirm. In order to do this, you must register a virtual card through Affirm.
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Yes! Most people do. Lisbon and Porto are safe, walkable, and social, which makes Portugal one of the easiest places in the world to come on a trip like this solo. And you won't actually be on your own: the moment you book, you're added to the trip's WhatsApp chat and invited to monthly Zoom calls, so by the time you land you already know your people. We design our trips to foster connection from day one, and many travelers arrive solo but leave with lifelong friends (and at least one new group chat). SideQuests are specifically designed to foster connection, so coming alone is actually the perfect way to experience our trips. We create plenty of opportunities to bond with the group while also respecting everyone's need for personal space and independence.
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Not at all! Our trips are great for all experience levels. We’ve got you. Our trips are built with support and guidance baked in, from our group chats and Zoom intros to arrival instructions and packing tips. You don’t need to be a seasoned traveler, just someone ready to say yes.
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We offer both shared and private accommodation options. Many solo travelers choose to share rooms (with separate beds) to save on costs and enhance the community experience. If you prefer your own space, single supplements are available for an additional fee (listed during checkout).
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Not at all! While our trips are centered around LGBTQ+ community, allies are absolutely welcome and a part of our greater commbunity. As long as you’re here with respect, openness, and a good sense of humor, you’ll fit right in.
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Most trips include a mix of walking, light hikes, or outdoor activities — but we always include downtime, optional excursions, and flexible pacing. You do you, with a group that gets it.
This is a moderate, walking-forward trip rather than a strenuous one. Expect cobblestone streets, some hills in Lisbon and Porto, palace and monastery grounds, and some full days, balanced with pool time, a sunset sail, and plenty of downtime. Comfortable shoes are your best friend. The optional surf clinic on the extension is beginner-friendly and adapted to all levels. -
We strive to make our trips as accessible as possible and work with travelers on a case-by-case basis. Some destinations have inherent accessibility challenges, but we're committed to finding solutions whenever possible. Please contact us directly to discuss your specific needs.
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Príncipe Real is Lisbon's main gayborhood, home to spots like Construction and the gay-owned Late Birds hotel, and neighboring Bairro Alto is the broader nightlife hub with LGBTQ+ bars scattered through its maze of streets. For the big-name nights out, Trumps and Finalmente Club are the institutions for dancing and drag. The scene is friendly and unpretentious rather than sceney, which makes it easy to slot into. Pink Street in Cais do Sodré is the famous photo-and-party strip. Your Lisbon evenings on this trip are free, so there's room to explore it all with the group. For more on gay travel in Lisbon, check out our complete Gay Lisbon Travel Guide!
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Very. Portugal is consistently ranked among the most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in the world. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2010, discrimination protections are strong, and both Lisbon and Porto carry an easy, open warmth you feel almost immediately. Public displays of affection rarely draw a second look, especially around Príncipe Real, Bairro Alto, and the city center. As anywhere, smaller rural towns are a touch more traditional, but you'll find Portugal an overwhelmingly relaxed and welcoming place to be yourself. For the full picture, our Gay Lisbon Travel Guide breaks it all down.
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Yes, Lisbon is considered one of the safest cities in Europe for LGBTQ+ travelers, and Portugal ranks among the safest countries in the world on the Global Peace Index. Same-sex marriage and adoption are legal, gender identity is legally protected, and constitutional law bans discrimination based on sexual orientation. Like any major city, it has petty pickpocketing in tourist-heavy spots, so keep an eye on your bag, but beyond that most LGBTQ+ visitors move through the city feeling relaxed and welcome.
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Fly into Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) at the start, and out of Porto Airport (OPO) at the end. Because the trip runs one-way from Lisbon to Porto, a "multi-city" or "open-jaw" flight (into Lisbon, home from Porto) is usually the smart booking. Group arrival and departure transfers are included.
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Most travelers fly internationally roundtrip to Lima, and then connect to Cusco. For our group tour, fly into Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM). On the SideQuests itinerary, the roundtrip domestic flight from Lima to Cusco (CUZ) is included, so you only need to book your international flight into and out of Lima.
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US, Canadian, UK, and Australian passport holders don't need a visa for tourism stays up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date and issued within the last 10 years. Note: the EU's new ETIAS travel authorization (a quick online approval and small fee, similar to the US ESTA, not a visa) is expected to be in effect by 2027. We'll share exact requirements and timing with the group before departure, since the rollout date is still being finalized. First-time visitors will also complete a quick biometric registration (photo and fingerprints) at the border under the EU's Entry/Exit System.
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Warm and sunny, which is exactly why we go then. Expect highs in the 80s Fahrenheit in Lisbon and the interior, a little cooler and breezier on the coast in Cascais, Nazaré, and Porto. It's prime beach season, so the Silver Coast extension in Figueira da Foz is a dreamy way to end the trip. Pack light layers, sunscreen, and something for a cool evening by the water.
About SideQuests Travel
Hi, I'm Matthew, co-founder of SideQuests Travel. I created SideQuests because I didn't want to just see the world, I wanted to make new friends and build-up my community while doing it. I wanted to see an amazing place in the world and come home feeling changed, so I started hosting trips for people who wanted the same.
SideQuests runs small-group adventures for LGBTQ+ travelers who want to see the world while actually connecting with others and themselves.
The moment you book, you're added to the trip's WhatsApp chat and invited to our monthly Zoom calls, so by the time you land, you already know a bit about each person embarking on the adventure with you. On most group tours, you finally click with the others right as everyone packs to leave,
but on our trips, that happens before anyone boards a plane.
We offer optional journal prompts and meditations for those that would like to participate, and a community workshop mid-trip where people share stories and truly get the opportunity to connect on a very real level.
Every hotel, guide, and operator is vetted through an LGBTQ+ lens ensuring that travel is not only safe, but enthusiastically welcoming.
Come solo, come with a friend, or a partner, and leave with a new group of friends and strengthened sense of community. We're not just building great experiences, we're building a supportive network of people you'll literally want to plan your next trip alongside.
Where You’ll Stay
We've chosen accommodations with real character and walkable locations, keeping comfort front and center throughout.
In Lisbon, the sweet spot for LGBTQ+ travelers is anywhere around Avenida da Liberdade, Príncipe Real, and Bairro Alto, walkable to the nightlife, the coffee, and the best of the city, and that's exactly where we've put you. We spend our first three nights at Inspira Liberdade, or Maxime Hotel, polished 4-star boutique property near Avenida da Liberdade. Both hotels are fantastic and centrally located.
In Central Portugal, we settle into SDivine Fátima Hotel, a tranquil, design-forward retreat in the countryside, chosen for its calm and its pool. It's the exhale in the middle of the trip.
In Porto, we check into Eurostars Porto Douro along the riverfront, putting the Douro, the Ribeira, and the cellars right at your doorstep for our final two nights.
All accommodations feature private bathrooms and daily breakfast. Solo travelers can choose between a shared room (with another solo traveler, a partner, or a friend) or a fully private room for an additional supplement. If a friend or partner is coming but booking separately, no worries, we send a rooming questionnaire ahead of time to sort preferences.
Testimonials From Our Travelers
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![A man with tattoos and earrings standing at the beach during sunset, looking to his left.]()
“We felt like family just a day or two into the actual trip.”
David, Greece
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![A man standing on a sandy beach during sunset, smiling and looking to his right, wearing a pink short-sleeve shirt with a white leaf pattern.]()
"It’s wild how quickly a group of queer travelers became a little family. From late-night laughs to deep conversations, this trip gave me so much more than I expected."
JJ, Costa Rica
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![Two smiling men, one with blond hair and the other with brown hair and glasses, standing close together with their arms around each other, in front of a decorated building with colorful architecture.]()
"I’ve already signed up for three more trips! I’ve never felt more welcome in a group setting."
David, Thailand
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![Three young men standing on the beach with ocean in the background, smiling and enjoying the moment.]()
"He made sure everyone felt included and was enjoying themselves... He checked in with everyone to make sure we were all onboard with our schedules and feeling good about the trip overall.”
Thomas, Greece
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![A smiling man with dark, wavy hair and a beard, wearing a white shirt, standing in front of a stone wall during sunset.]()
"Matthew created an environment welcoming and safe for everyone (regardless of gender identity or sexuality) to have an amazing trip.”
Sam, Greece
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“Michael and Matt were great at breaking down barriers and helping all feel welcome.”
Kevin, Costa Rica
