The Ultimate Guide: Best Places to Travel in Portugal

Portugal is a small country in Europe, but it’s packed with cool stuff like history, culture, and beautiful scenery.

It’s way over on the western edge of Europe, so it’s a nice, mild weather and sits by the Atlantic Ocean. You can find all sorts of different landscapes there, from mountains to beaches, and the towns and cities are full of interesting things to see.

The main city, Lisbon, is super popular, and Porto, the second-biggest city, is getting more popular too. Lots of people love visiting the beaches in the Algarve region. But now, more tourists are checking out places like Madeira and the Azores, which are islands out in the Atlantic Ocean. They’re really pretty and wild.

Lisbon:

Lisbon is a very sunny city in Portugal that many people like to visit. It’s known for being one of the best places to visit in Europe. But even though many people know about it, there are still some hidden gems to discover.

For example, in the old part of the city called Alfama, you can spend a day looking at cool paintings on the walls. In another neighborhood called Martim Moniz, there are secret Chinese restaurants hidden in people’s homes where you can eat delicious food. And there are small restaurants called tascas where you can get big plates of food for a good price.

If you get tired of the city, you can easily go to the beach or explore nature. There are beaches like Cascais and Estoril nearby, and a park called Sintra-Cascais Natural Park which is great for adventure. You can also go across the river to Serra da Arrabida for beautiful beaches and mountains covered in trees. Another option is to take a bus to Ericeira, which is a special place for surfing and relaxing by the sea.

Porto:

Porto is voted the best city break in Europe for 2024, and it’s easy to see why! This city is full of amazing things to do, like eating delicious food, visiting galleries and museums, and much more. Plus, it’s really affordable!

You can try tasty white port, especially in a Porto tonic with tonic water and lemon. Stock up on tinned fish for cozy date nights, and enjoy people-watching by the Douro river.

Exciting news: a new Time Out Market is opening in Porto this year! You can try all the best restaurants in one place. Porto is a timeless favorite for a reason!

25 Best Places to Travel in Portugal

Northern Portugal

Location	Things to Do
Porto	1. Explore the historic Ribeira district by the Douro River.
	2. Visit the Livraria Lello, a stunning bookstore with a magical atmosphere.
	3. Take a port wine tasting tour in the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Braga	1. Visit the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary and climb the monumental stairway.
	2. Explore the historic center and its many churches and squares.
	3. Enjoy a traditional meal in one of Braga’s charming restaurants.
Barcelos	1. See the famous Barcelos Rooster statue in the city center.
	2. Visit the Medieval Bridge and Archaeological Museum.
	3. Explore the local crafts at the weekly Barcelos Market.
Guimarães	1. Visit the historic Guimarães Castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza.
	2. Wander through the charming streets of the UNESCO-listed Old Town.
	3. Explore the Penha Mountain and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
Leiria	1. Explore the medieval Leiria Castle overlooking the city.
	2. Visit the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Encarnação.
	3. Enjoy a stroll in the beautiful Dr. Correia Mateus Urban Park.
Viana do Castelo	1. Visit the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia for panoramic views of the city and coast.
	2. Explore the historic center with its colorful buildings and Gothic churches.
	3. Relax on the beautiful beaches of Viana do Castelo.

Central Portugal

Location	Things to Do
Lisbon	1. Wander through the narrow streets of Alfama, the oldest district.
	2. Discover the Belém Tower and taste the famous Pastéis de Belém.
	3. Take a tram ride through the colorful neighborhoods of the city.
Sintra	1. Visit the fairytale-like Pena Palace and its surrounding park.
	2. Explore the mystical Quinta da Regaleira estate with its underground tunnels.
	3. Hike in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and visit the Castle of the Moors.
Óbidos	1. Wander through the narrow streets of the medieval walled town.
	2. Visit the Óbidos Castle and walk along the town’s fortified walls.
	3. Taste the famous Ginja liqueur served in chocolate cups.
Coimbra	1. Visit the historic University of Coimbra and its beautiful library.
	2. Explore the Old Town and its narrow streets lined with traditional shops.
	3. Relax by the Mondego River and enjoy a boat ride.
Tomar	1. Visit the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
	2. Explore the historic center and its charming streets and squares.
	3. Take a boat trip on the Nabão River to see the city from a different perspective.
Monsanto	1. Explore the unique village built among giant granite boulders.
	2. Visit the medieval castle ruins for panoramic views.
	3. Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and rock climbing.
Peneda	1. Explore the rugged landscapes of Peneda-Gerês National Park.
	2. Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peneda and its impressive staircase.
	3. Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, birdwatching, and swimming in mountain streams.

Southern Portugal

Location	Things to Do
Faro	1. Explore the historic Old Town with its cobbled streets and medieval walls.
	2. Visit the Faro Cathedral and the Arco da Vila gate.
	3. Take a boat trip to the Ria Formosa Natural Park and its islands.
Lagos	1. Relax on the stunning beaches and cliffs of Lagos.
	2. Explore the Ponta da Piedade rock formations by boat.
	3. Visit the Mercado de Escravos, the site of Europe’s first slave market.
Albufeira	1. Relax on the beautiful beaches of Albufeira.
	2. Explore the colorful marina and its shops and restaurants.
	3. Visit nearby attractions like Zoomarine or the Algarve Shopping Center.
Sagres	1. Visit the imposing Sagres Fortress overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
	2. Explore the dramatic cliffs of Cape St. Vincent, the southwesternmost point of Europe.
	3. Enjoy surfing or other water sports on the nearby beaches.
Alentejo	1. Explore the medieval town of Monsaraz and its castle.
	2. Visit the UNESCO-listed city of Évora and its historic sites.
	3. Enjoy wine tasting in the vineyards of the Alentejo region.
Évora	1. Explore the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Évora.
	2. Visit the impressive Roman Temple and the Cathedral of Évora.
	3. Wander through the charming streets and enjoy local cuisine.

Islands and Special Places

Location	Things to Do
Madeira	1. Explore the stunning landscapes of Madeira on foot or by car.
	2. Visit the colorful Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers’ Market) in Funchal.
	3. Take a cable car ride to Monte and enjoy panoramic views.
São Miguel	1. Explore the breathtaking landscapes of Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo.
	2. Visit the Furnas Valley and enjoy a traditional Cozido meal cooked underground.
	3. Relax in the natural hot springs of Caldeira Velha.
Pico	1. Climb Pico Mountain, the highest peak in Portugal.
	2. Visit the UNESCO-listed vineyard landscapes of Pico Island.
	3. Explore the lava caves and natural pools of Gruta das Torres.
Flores Island	1. Explore the stunning natural landscapes, including waterfalls and volcanic craters.
	2. Visit the picturesque village of Lajes das Flores.
	3. Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and whale watching.
Douro Valley	1. Take a scenic river cruise along the Douro River.
	2. Visit the vineyards and enjoy wine tasting in the world-famous Port wine region.
	3. Explore charming towns like Peso da Régua and Pinhão.

Conclusion: