Portugal Travel Guide
Lively Lisbon, stunning Algarve beaches, spectacular Costa Vicenta. A Rough guide survey named Portugal as one of the most beautiful countries in the world in 2022 and it’s easy to see why.
Best Places to Visit in Portugal
Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal’s heartwarming capital, is like a hospitable host that never ceases to surprise and delight. As you wander through its inviting, cobbled streets, you can’t help but fall in love with the melodies of Fado music that serenade you at every corner.
From riding the nostalgic yellow trams to discovering hidden gems in lively neighborhoods like Bairro Alto and Chiado, Lisbon has a charm that’s contagious. Its mix of rich history, vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and the warm-hearted locals, all wrapped up with an affordable price tag, has made Lisbon one of Europe’s most beloved cities to visit.
Sintra
Picturesque resort town in mountainous pine forests near Lisbon. The attractions of Sintra – a medieval and fairytale palaces, a stunning garden with grottoes and wells – is an easy day trip from Lisbon.
But if you can, try to stay a night or two, giving yourself time to drive to the thousand-year-old Moorish castle, the astonishing cork cells of the Convento dos Capuchins, and the amazing coastal scenery at nearby Cabo da Roca.
Belem
An easy 25-minute tram ride from Lisbon, and two of its historic landmarks, the Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower make up Lisbon’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a stroll along the riverside parks and gardens, and stop by at Pasteis de Belem, the traditional home of the famous Portuguese custard tart.
Porto
Portugal’s second largest city, a fascinating seafaring city that brings port wine to the world. It’s a lively city with great restaurants and nightlife, and amazing architecture from the bright rainbow-coloured houses overlooking the riverfront to the distinctive tiled churches, decorated with traditional blue and white Portuguese azulejos.
Don’t miss the view of the city from the Dom Luis I Bridge over the Douro river. Porto is also a great base for some fantastic daytrips in Northern Portugal including Guimarães, Braga and the Douro Valley
Ilhas Berlengas
The Berlenga Islands are a small nature reserve off the coast of central Portugal with unique flora and fauna, in a rare microclimate at the meeting point of Atlantic and Mediterranean climates.
The wildlife was protected as long ago as 1465, and the area is a haven for seabirds and also very popular with divers. There are also great walks on the largest island, the rocky Berlenga Grande, and the dramatic fort of Sao Joao Baptista, one of the finest castles in Portugal.
Algarve
The Algarve region of southern Portugal has some of the most beautiful coastline in Europe. It’s home to many stunning golden sand beaches, some with soaring ochre cliffs and amazing rock formations including arches and sea stacks. Praia da Marinha beach and the Benagil sea cave are among the highlights, as are the boat trips around the fairytale grottoes of the Ponta da Piedade near Lagos. The villages and resort towns are vibrant with seafood restaurants and bars open late into the balmy nights.
Tavira
Authentic traditional fishing Portuguese riverside town in the eastern Algarve, dating back to the Bronze Age. Traditional architecture, relaxed squares, and over 30 churches to explore. Cafes and seafood restaurants line the riverside. The nearby beach islands are reached by ferry.
Ferragudo
Charming Algarve fishermen’s village, with bougainvillea-clad streets, a great beach, and seafood restaurants along the harbour.
Coimbra
An easy day trip from Lisbon or Porto, this former capital of Portugal is wonderfully atmospheric, with the steeply stacked streets of its medieval centre. It’s also home to Portugal’s oldest university and its breathtaking Baroque Joanina library. The students keep the city young, and it’s also famous for its nightlife and fado.
Obidos
Enchanting atmospheric medieval walled townand Castle, with whitewashed houses adorned with flowers. It’s a hugely popular day trip from Lisbon, and to best appreciate its charm it’s worth staying late into the day or overnight. It’s also a UNESCO city of literature, with 15 bookshops to explore.
Aljezur and the Costa Vicentina
Stunning Atlantic beaches and coastal walks in the far west of the Algarve, and so different from the rest of the region. Welcome to the wild west of Portugal with some of its most dramatic beaches, coastal scenery and some of the best places to surf in Portugal. It is one of the least developed stretches of coastline in Europe – and one of the most beautiful.
Douro Valley
One of the world’s oldest wine regions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with steep cascading vineyards, this gorgeous landscape can be explored by car but the best way to see it is by river cruise or train. Take the vintage train Linha do Douro from Porto. Explore the many vineyards and pretty riverside towns like Nossa Senhora dos Remedios. It’s best-known for fortified Port wine which has been produced there for over 2000 years.
Évora
Possibly the most intact historical city in Portugal, and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s wonderful to wander the warren of cobbled streets & alleyways that look much the same as they did 400 years ago. Also don’t miss the 2nd century AD Roman Temple of Diana. A great place to spend a couple of days with the centre a UNESCO site and explore the Alentejo region with lots of great day trips close by. The countryside surrounding Évora is dotted with wineries, picturesque villages and some of the best prehistoric sites in Portugal.
Alentejo
This historic area is off the beaten path Portugal at its best and is rich in Portuguese history and culture. Time seems to have stood still in the picturesque whitewashed mountain towns of Vila Viçosa, Estremoz, Elvas and Portalegre and the delightful sleepy villages of Monsaraz and Marvao. It’s a fantastic area to do a road trip, possibly with a detour across the Spanish border. This area is the second largest wine producing area in Portugal and great food.
Tomar
One of Portugal’s loveliest small towns, pedestrian friendly historic centre and home to the extraordinary Unesco World Heritage–listed Convento de Cristo
Vila Nova de Milfontes
Some of the best beaches in Portugal and a picturesque fishing town on the Alentejo Coast. For a demanding hike, walk the Fishermen’s Trail along the centuries-old clifftop paths.
Schist Villages
One of Portugal’s hidden gems, the 27 schist villages make up a unique cultural landscape in Central Portugal. Delve into traditional Portuguese rural life, heritage and traditions, or enjoy the excellent hiking in glorious mountain scenery. gastronomy, stay overnight in a remote village to really appreciate this beautiful place. focus on preserving traditional crafts, farming, and schist construction methods.
Madeira
Repeatedly voted Europe’s top island destination, sunny Madeira is an archipelago of 4 islands off the northwest coast of Africa. Offbeat destination, popular as a warm winter escape for northern Europeans. You’ll find lush botanic gardens, breathtaking volcanic mountain landscapes, high cliffs overlooking the ocean, and natural pools carved out of lava rocks. It’s also famous for its palheiros, unique triangular thatched houses.
Azores
One of Europe’s furthest-flung and best kept secrets. autonomous region of Portugal, are an archipelago in the mid-Atlantic. The islands are characterized by dramatic volcanic landscapes, fishing villages, green pastures and hedgerows of blue hydrangeas.
The Azores are also one of the best places in the world for whale and dolphin watching, with sperm whales, common and bottlenose dolphins in residence year-round.
Explore Portugal
Below you will find links to all our Portugal guides. These will help you plan your trip and give you lots of inspiration.