Feb 1

7 awesome activity ideas for a team offsite in Portugal

In: Adventure Travel / Company Offsites / Travel Blog

Planning a company offsite in Europe with team bonding and adventure at its core? Portugal should be at the top of that list! In terms of health benefits from being in nature, and by the ocean, it is a hard offsite destination to beat. Plus, adventuring together in the great outdoors provides us with unique ways to connect, giving teams a wellness boost in the process.

We’ve made a list of some of our favourite team activities. They’re Big Blue approved, guaranteed to bond a team, and they’re all beginner-friendly, so everyone can get involved. Check out the gnarly rating, use this guide to help you choose activities for teams who live on the wild side, compared to those who’re seeking a more relaxing adventure.

1. Surf

Ericeira / Algarve / Lisbon

Portugal offers some of Europe’s most notorious surfing spots. It oozes surf culture and beachy vibes here! Ericeira and Algarve boast some of the best surfing conditions for beginners, all the way up to professionals. The best place to catch some epic waves and soak up the sun with your colleagues on a company offsite, nothing beats that feeling!

Gnarly adventure level rating = 3 out of 5

2. SUP – Stand Up Paddleboarding

Cascais / Algarve / Ericeira / Madeira

Cruise around the Portuguese coastline and scenic rivers on paddleboards, this slower-paced watersport gives you a chance to take in the stunning views. Set sail on your board and have a chat with your colleagues, check out the local nature, all whilst listening to the waves crash up against the rocks.

Gnarly adventure level rating = 2 out of 5

3. Coasteering

Sesimbra / Algarve / Madeira

An adrenaline-fuelled adventure and our best-selling activity in Portugal! Perfect for some team-bonding fun on a team offsite. Abseil across cliff faces, scramble across rocks and jump into the turquoise waters surrounding Portugal. It’s a great activity for encouraging colleagues to support each other through pushing personal boundaries.

Gnarly adventure level rating = 4 out of 5 (all jumps and sections are optional)

4. Canyoning

Madeira

The iconic landscape and magical mountains of Madeira make it the ideal destination for canyoning – an unforgettable experience walking through canyons, abseiling down waterfalls and jumping into rock pools. A great activity for a team offsite as it encourages people to step out of their comfort zone, whilst being supported by the rest of their team.

Gnarly adventure level rating = 4 out of 5

5. Sea kayaking

Sesimbra

A great way to connect with the ocean, and experience the coastline from a different perspective. It’s an awesome team building activity and wellness boost. The two-seated kayaks require coordination from both kayakers to make sure you’re cruising in the right direction, whilst also bonding over a shared experience on the big blue.

Gnarly adventure level rating = 2 out of 5

6. Hiking

Madeira / Algarve

Whether you’re walking the epic coastline of Algarve on your offsite, admiring the orange sandstone cliffs. Or, scaling the infamous ‘Stairway to Heaven’ to watch the sunrise over the Madeiran mountains, hiking is a great way to explore and experience nature. It’s also an opportunity to strike up conversation with your teammates, getting to know one another on a more personal level, whilst admiring the stunning views that Portugal has to offer.

Gnarly adventure level rating = 1 out of 5 (or 4 out of 5 if you’re heading to Madeira’s Pico do Areeiro)

7. Mountain biking / e-cycling

Cascais / Sintra / Ericeira / Algarve / Madeira

Peddle-power your way through stunning Portuguese landscapes with your team. From e-cycling the Portuguese Riviera of Cascais, to the levadas of subtropical Madeira – Portugal has a range of beginner-friendly biking trails perfect for all levels of adventurers. It’s a great way to soak up the landscapes, inject some adrenaline into your agenda and share some laughs along the way. A well-earned sangria, poncha or cold beer is a must at the end!

Gnarly adventure level rating = 3 out of 5

Wild Card – Tuk Tuk

Lisbon

Yeah, it’s not adventurous, but a good offsite needs to embrace the local culture, and our fun Lisbon Tuk Tuk tours tick that box! The infamous mode of transport, perfect for seeing all the best viewpoints in Lisbon whilst taking in the buzz of the city. As the team coast around the historic cobbled streets in a Tuk Tuk, immersing themselves in Portuguese culture (wine and tapas stop anyone?) they will create lasting memories and connections with colleagues, which will continue long after the company offsite.

Gnarly adventure level rating = 1 out of 5

There you have it, some of our favourite activities in Portugal, the perfect destination for adventure! Want to find out more about planning your offsite, and where to start? You can find Big Blue’s Top Tips here.