Portugal Travel Guide - Original Travel

Portugal at a glance

With its gaze firmly focused on the ocean, the leading light of the Old World has nearly 1,200 miles of coastline; the Atlantic coast route is ideal for exploring the country, along the small coastal roads. Read our Portugal travel guide for some inspiration on travelling there.. Stop off to visit Porto, Portugal's second largest city, and built on the wine trade named after it. Soak up the sound of fado music in an old stone setting in Coimbra, and arrive in Lisbon, the city of seven hills and a thousand wonders. Taste a 'pastel de nata' at the Belem bakery, taste the flavours of Belcanto's cuisine. Continuing south to the Algarve you'll find Portugal's beaches, as well as Lagos, Tavira, Faro and Vila Real de Santo Antonio, which will delight lovers of history and culture.

But for the explorer, the interior of the country also has its charms: in the Alentejo region and the centre, the towns and villages are simply delightful, nestled in a natural setting. In the north, the Douro region is one of stunning beauty - dotted with hotels of truly distinctive charm. To fully plan for the trip, don't forget there is also the option to venture out into the sea, and visit the Portuguese islands of Madeira and the Azores.