Portugal is a country famed for its golden coastline, vibrant cities and lush landscapes. Whether you dream of exploring historic streets, lounging on beautiful beaches, or wine-ing and dining like royalty, Portugal has the answer. Wondering where to begin? We’ve compiled a list of where to visit in Portugal to best get a taste of this diverse nation…
1. Porto
2. Douro Valley
3. Lisbon
4. Alentejo
5. Algarve
6. Azores Islands
Porto
Porto is the perfect place to kick off your tour of picturesque Portugal. This bustling UNESCO World Heritage site city is the second largest in the country and holds its own against the capital, Lisbon, in terms of culture, history and cuisine. Wander ancient cobbled streets, marvel at ornate royal blue azulejos (painted tiles), and find a shady hilltop spot to watch the sunset over the city’s terracotta rooftops, a glass of vinho verde in hand. Don’t leave without enjoying a port tasting and learning about the fortified wine’s production on a tour of a port cave. Munch on flaky pastel de natas in between exploring the gold-encrusted interiors of gothic churches and sips of plum-red port.
Image by Andrei Bortnikau/stock.adobe.com
Douro Valley
Next up on our list of where to visit in Portugal is the delightful Douro Valley. Combine a city break with a country caper and drive inland from Porto to the Douro Valley. A designated UNESCO World Heritage site, the Douro is a region renowned for its manicured terraced vineyards and wonderful wine. Stay in one of the valley’s luxurious hotels and enjoy peaceful walks through the vineyards, gentle horse rides and boat trips along the Douro River. Visit quintas (country estates) and wineries dotted along the river, as well as traditional villages such as Provesende, Favaois and Barcos.
Image by Visual Cortex/Fotolia
Lisbon
If you only have time to visit one place in Portugal, make it the vibrant capital, Lisbon. Containing all the ingredients for the perfect city break, Lisbon’s cobbled streets, historic districts and laidback atmosphere were made to win hearts. And with miles of gorgeous coastline just a 20-minute drive away, a refreshing dip in the deep blue is never far away. Head to bustling Bairro Alto to dance until the early hours, chic Chiado for shopping and Alfama for winding medieval alleyways. Admire views across the sea of terracotta tiles from the viewpoint at Castelo Sao Jorge, and take a hillside ride on the yellow tram number 28. Oh, and make sure to have your fill of fish, from fresh sardines to grilled mackerel.
Image by Olivier Romano
Alentejo
Another region making the list of where to visit in Portugal is the Alentejo. One of our favourite regions for its beautiful landscape of undulating plains, whitewashed villages and gentle hills, the Alentejo is an enchanting setting for a holiday any time of the year. In summer, lounge away the hours on some of the country’s most gorgeous, rugged beaches; tour medieval hilltop villages and learn all about local culture (and taste some local wine). On the topic of wine, autumn is the time to visit if you want to participate in the midnight harvest of the grapes and produce your own bottle of wine from start to finish.
Image by Olivier Romano
Algarve
Forget images of tourist-laden resorts and soulless villa complexes. If you know where to go, the Algarve isn’t a Portuguese destination you want to miss. Take Faro, its buzzing city, a maze of cobbled streets with delicious cuisine on every corner, sleepy traditional towns like Tavira, or world-class surfing centres such as Sagres. If you’re still unsure where to visit in Portugal, the Algarve might just tick all the right boxes for history, culture and coastline. There’s also an abundance of great hotels and restaurants, perfect for families and couples looking for some guaranteed sunshine.
Image by Irantzu Arbaizagoitia/Fotolia
Azores Islands
Last up on our roundup of where to visit in Portugal are the Azores Islands. Known as the ‘Hawaii of Europe’ for the lushly vegetated volcanic landscape, the Azores are a remote archipelago worth making the journey to. Made up of nine distinct islands, they’re a haven for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Spend your days hiking, sailing, whale-watching and surfing as you island-hop your way around. The Azores are also home to some of the best diving in Europe, so get ready to discover the underwater world on a scuba excursion.
Image by Publicor / Turismo de Acores
Header image by Olivier Romano
