The Segway, that two-wheeled electric means of transport that dominates every self-respecting city center. Segway tours in Portugal are a great tourist attraction due to its easy operation and versatility. Either in the city or in the mountains, Segway tours adapt to any trail, ideal for a country with a huge variety of locations. If you are looking for a different way to get to know a Portuguese city, the Segway will be your best ally to replace tourist buses stuck in traffic or long walks on foot. The dynamism of this environmentally friendly vehicle will delight everyone who gives it a try.
1. Where to rent a Segway in Portugal?
Portugal is a country with many tourist cities, so there are plenty of Segway tours. Lisbon is where you can find more offer: tours through the Belem neighborhood, along the promenade, through the historic center… You can climb the popular hills of the city without any problem riding your Segway. Other cities like Oporto are not far behind: their Segway tours pass the Cathedral, the Clérigos Tower or the famous Lello Bookstore, among other places. If you are looking for Segway tours in the Algarve area, the offer extends from Lagos to Faro, passing through Portimão and Albufeira. Which city would you choose?
2. What types of Segway tours can you do in Portugal?
Just like the variety of environments in Portugal, there are also different types of segway tours that adapt to each public, area or activity. The most common segway tour is the one you can find in the center of the most important cities of the country (Lisbon, Porto, Faro...), during daytime or night-time. In this kind of tours you’ll visit the most unique places of each city. Thanks to the versatility of these vehicles, you will cross narrow or irregularly paved streets like no other could do. If you find segways comfortable, you will be amazed with the 'sitways': same vehicle, same operation, but with a built-in seat. You will no longer have to spend the whole tour standing up, but you will be able to sit comfortably while you walk around the city or stop to listen to the guide's explanations. In Portugal you can find different sitway tours, especially in Lisbon. Another option is the segway tours through nature, away from the big city. As they are all-terrain vehicles, it will not be a problem to cross rough terrains. If the city center is too small for you, there are segway tours along the Portugal coasts, such as those that take you along the promenades of Quarteira and Vilamoura, with incredible views of the ocean.
3. What to bring on the day of the segway experience?
The companies in charge of the Segway tours in Portugal will provide you with a helmet to do the activity safely. Regarding footwear, it is recommended to wear shoes that hold onto your feet (no sandals or uncomfortable flip-flops), preferably boots or sneakers. The clothes you wear should be appropriate for the season you are in. If it’s summer, light clothing and a hat or sunglasses to avoid the hot Portuguese sun. It is important that your clothes allow you to perspire in order to stay dry and comfortable. If it’s winter, we recommend you to bring gloves, hat, scarf and everything you need to protect yourself from the cold at the time. As a suggestion, you can bring a backpack with you to carry water or snacks. We encourage you to bring your camera to take the best pictures when the tours make the necessary stops. The landscapes of the country are as photogenic as you, take pictures with them in the background!
4. Who can rent a segway in Portugal?
Almost everyone! Segway tours are an activity for the whole family, from the youngest to the oldest. Children can ride a segway from the age of seven. For safety reasons, the height of the participants must be over 150 cm. In order for the segway to remain completely balanced, it is also important to exceed 7 stone (48 kg) and not exceed a maximum of 18 stone (118 kilograms). Once these conditions have been established, all you have to do is put on your helmet, get on, practice a little and off you go!
5. How long are the segway tours in Portugal?
Segway tour durations can be quite variable. Normally, Portugal tours usually last more than 1 hour. You will not find segway tours lasting more than 3 hours, as the vehicles do not have much more range and the battery must be recharged. Tour durations depend on the itinerary to be followed: the more sites to be visited and the more far away they are from each other, the longer it will take to complete the activity. Normally, you will find tours of 2 hours (the most recommended), since this is the ideal time to make a very complete tour without feeling tired.
When is the best time to do Segway in Portugal?
Any time of the year is good to do a segway tour. Portugal's Mediterranean climate is characterized by mild temperatures throughout the year, so it will not be too cold in winter or too hot in summer. If you prefer summer, we recommend the months of June or September, where it’s warm but the streets are not so crowded. Spring and autumn are also a good option, but really Segway tours are a great activity to do all year round.
