Portugal Travel Guide - How to Plan a Trip to Portugal
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As a local, I may be biased, but for me, Portugal is a small piece of paradise in southern Europe. The sunny weather, stunning landscapes, great food, and incredible wines keep us Portuguese happy and attract travelers from all over the world. But there’s still so much to Portugal than just that!
As one of the oldest countries in Europe, there’s endless history and culture to explore. Before the foundation of the Portuguese Kingdom in 1143, the country was home to ancient Prehistoric tribes, followed by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, and Moorish. Today, this fascinating past is visible in hundreds of monuments and historical sites around the country.
And in terms of geography and natural wonders, little Portugal packs in a lot! From north to south, and in the islands of the Azores and Madeira, you’ll find an incredible eclectic landscape that has shaped our culture, language, and gastronomic traditions.
Throughout our 18 districts and the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira, you have stunning scenery, interesting historical sites, bustling cities, and charming old villages.
Our cuisine is also regarded as one of the best in the world. The focus is always on fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients. There’s so much variety and intense natural flavors that I recommend you buy larger jeans in preparation for your waistline swelling a bit while you’re here! From the traditional Bacalhau (cod) to the Pastel de Nata, or the Algarvian Seafood Cataplana, you’ll have no shortage of tasty dishes to try.
There’s much to explore, so let’s get into it. I hope you enjoy my home country as much as I do!
Table of Contents
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Let’s plan your itinerary!
If you could use some help planning your Portugal itinerary, schedule a Portugal travel consultation with Leonor, our Porto-based Local Expert!
These are one-hour Zoom calls where you’ll get to chat with Leonor about the trip you’re planning and she’ll share her tips and advice, answer your travel questions, and help you perfect your itinerary.
Why visit Portugal
Portugal has a lot of appeals: it’s small enough to be easily explorable with anything from 7 days to two weeks, it has a few large cosmopolitan cities and lots of pleasant smaller ones, the beaches are fantastic, it’s full of historical sites, it’s relatively inexpensive, and Portuguese people are friendly, welcoming, and generally speak good English.
For those coming on a summer or fall holiday, it’s easy to combine city visits and sightseeing with beach days and relaxing, and because roads are good and distances relatively short, you can easily move from one part of the country to the next (or combine a morning in town with an afternoon lounging by the sea).
Portugal’s tourist infrastructure is very well developed, so you’ll find good hotels and amenities pretty much anywhere in the country, train and bus routes get you to just about everywhere you’ll want to go, and there are always tour operators and guides available to help you explore the country in whatever way you want.
For those coming without a car, another major benefit is that Portugal’s two main cities (Lisbon and Porto) have lots of interesting places that can be visited as day trips via public transport, meaning that you can base yourself in just a few places and still see a good bit of the country.
How many days do you need for a trip here
Quinta da Regaleira palace in Sintra
10 days - for a good introduction to just the mainland (no islands)
Even though Portugal is a small country, you need a minimum of 10 days to see all of it. A 10-day trip to Portugal is enough to visit the mainland from North to South, tour the major cities, such as Lisbon and Porto, explore some countryside villages, and relax for a day or two on the beach.
Of course, ten days isn’t enough time to see everything, and you’ll quickly find that there are almost endless itineraries to choose from. So, your main challenge with a ten-day visit will be deciding which places to include, and which ones to cut out. Below are some ideas for how to structure a week and a half on the Portuguese mainland.
On a 10-day trip, you could focus first on Lisbon and Porto, our two major cities, and then take day trips to nearby points of interest like Sintra and Cascais (from Lisbon), and Braga and Guimarães (from Porto). After that, you’d still have time for a couple of days of blissful relaxation in the Algarve, where you can hit the beach and soak up the sun.
Alternatively, you could do a road trip and traverse the country from north to south, moving to a new destination every night and hopping between coastal towns, countryside villages, and lovely natural areas.
For inspiration on what to do with 10 days, check out our 10-day Portugal road trip.
2 weeks - if you want to slow down and savor the country
Now, if you have a full two weeks to dedicate to the Portuguese mainland, that’s really ideal, as it will allow you to combine everything that I’ve mentioned above.
You’ll be able to spend some time in Porto and Lisbon, make day trips to the surrounding cities, towns, and historical sites, and road trip through the country, hitting all the highlights along with lesser-known destinations that few international visitors ever make it to. If you’ve got 14 days to spare, this is the perfect amount of time to spend here.
A full month - if you want to explore the mainland AND the islands
If you want to explore all of Portugal in a single trip, including the island regions of the Azores and Madeira, I recommend that you set aside a full month. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to roam the country at a reasonable pace, without rushing from one place to the next so quickly that you don’t even remember where you went after your trip.
You’ll also have the luxury of being able to add extra days to somewhere if you find that you just love it there. In this case, I’d suggest two full weeks for the mainland, and then a week for each of the islands.
Madeira and the Azores are fairly sizable islands, and both have quite a lot to see and do on them. They’re also paradise for nature-lovers, and so if you want to hike, discover remote destinations, and relax on the beach, you’ll need some time!
Combine this with the travel time that it takes to get to and between the islands, and it just doesn’t really make sense to spend much less than a week on each (you’re inevitably going to lose some days to travel).
Best time to visit
For the vast majority of travelers, the best time to visit Portugal is without a doubt during the spring or fall. Here’s what to expect if you visit during these periods:
Visiting in Spring and Fall
Between April and May, and in September and October, the weather is nice, temperatures are warm but not too hot (ranging from about 14ºC to 25ºC), and you’ll have plenty of sunshine and daylight hours. These are the perfect times of year for hiking, cycling, golfing, or birdwatching, and if weather permits, you can even hit the beach some of the time (this is especially true for the early fall).
This is also the shoulder season, so there are fewer crowds, which means prices are more affordable and you’ll find lots of availability in hotels, restaurants, and even car rentals.
Now, there’s a bit of a caveat to this though, as Portugal’s climate changes drastically from one region to another, so nice weather in one part of the country does not guarantee a similar experience elsewhere.
For green landscapes, head north: the North of Portugal is usually the rainiest region, and it can be fairly wet and overcast during the spring and fall. It certainly won’t rain every day, and if you’re looking for lush landscapes, green hills, and deep forests, that’s where you’ll find them. You do need some rain to maintain all that green after all!
If you want to hit the beach, go south: on the other hand, the Alentejo and the Algarve are the driest regions in mainland Portugal, and you will very likely find warm, sunny weather almost every day during the spring and fall.
You’ll see very different shades of green (perhaps more tan and brown even) when compared to the North, but it’s pretty likely that you’ll get a few perfect beach days along the Costa Vicentina in the Alentejo, or anywhere along the coast in the Algarve.
Experience local life in the big cities: Lisbon and Porto are mostly busy all throughout the year, but during the spring or fall you’ll find many more locals than tourists, which can be quite pleasant if you want to experience traditional Portuguese life.
Locals in the cities will be fully in the swing of their daily life during both seasons, so these periods are very much “business as usual” and the cities are note overwhelmed by or focused on tourism.
Porto is in the north, so you won’t be guaranteed great weather, whereas Lisbon, further to the south, should be quite pleasant most of the time.
Visiting in summer
July and August are the busiest months of the year no matter where you go in Portugal. Both Portuguese and foreign travelers get their time off from work in the summer, and children are on their summer recess, so people descend in hordes on the Portuguese coastline, all trying (in vain) to find an empty beach. This is basically mission impossible, especially in the Algarve, Madeira, and the West Coast.
As a result, in these regions, or really anywhere that you can find the sea or a beach, you’ll find the highest accommodation rates and big summertime crowds.
Most of Portugal is also quite hot in the summer, and temperatures can become rather scorching, especially in the south (Alentejo and Algarve). Exploring the cities and inland towns especially can be pretty uncomfortable given the heat. Temperatures are more moderate on the coast, but then you need to deal with the crowds and prices.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to explore Lisbon and Porto, you’ll find both cities nearly empty, because all the locals will be on vacation elsewhere. You’ll still have the occasional crowds of course, and lots of international tourists will be visiting, but both cities will be significantly less busy than at other times of year.
If you’re interested in the outdoors, summer is the perfect season to visit Serra da Estrela, Peneda Gerês, or Montesinho Natural Parks. In general, the entire north of the country is also lovely at this time of year, as it sees much more moderate temperatures than elsewhere.
Visiting in winter
As you can imagine, beaches and coastal towns will be almost deserted during the winter. In touristic areas, many hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants close down, as there are very few foreign visitors and tourism mostly shuts down entirely during this period. While everything will be quiet, you’ll find the lowest accommodation rates, so that is a definite plus.
You’ll find lots of rain and relatively cold temperatures in the north of the country, while the Algarve, in the south, and the island of Madeira, will both be quite sunny and warm, with temperatures reaching 20ºC on most days.
If you want to explore nature (in the south, for the most part) or generally have a quiet, unhurried, and less expensive vacation, winter can be a very nice time to visit. Just be prepared for suboptimal weather in much of the country.
Where to go on a first trip
Porto seen from across the Dom Luis 1 bridge
For a first trip to Portugal, you absolutely have to see Lisbon and Porto. These are the country’s two most important cities and both of them concentrate an incredible wealth of art, culture, and history. For natural beauty, the Algarve region should also be on the top of your list as well as the Douro valley.
Because these destinations span the entire country, whether you can fit them all into one trip depends on how much time you have. 10 days is enough time for a (fast) countrywide trip, but 7 is not. If you only have 7 days, you have to cut out part of Portugal.
With 7 days, you should plan on doing a trip that combines Lisbon and the North (Porto and Douro) or Lisbon and the South (the Algarve). So, you’d be looking at something similar to one of the following two itineraries:
Lisbon - Sintra - Obidos - Nazare - Porto and the Douro Valley
OR
Lisbon - Sintra - Évora - and the Algarve.
With a 10-day itinerary, you can fit in all of the places we’ve mentioned along with maybe 1 or 2 more, but you’ll need to rent a car and you’ll also have to accept that you’ll spend a lot of time moving around and packing and unpacking your bags.
For more ideas on where to visit, check out our guide to 40 beautiful places in Portugal.
An introduction to Portugal’s 7 regions
Photo: Peter Fitzgerald, (WT-shared) Shaund, Rei-artur, Joan M. Borràs, Voll, SelfieCity, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Officially, Portugal is divided into 18 districts and 2 autonomous regions. However, the districts are mostly administrative and exist for governmental purposes, and for visitors, the distinctions from one district to the next are pretty insignificant.
So, from a tourist perspective, it makes much more sense to consider Portugal according to its 7 “regions”. There are 5 mainland regions and 2 island ones. On the mainland, heading from north to south, you’ll find Northern Portugal, Central Portugal, the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, the Alentejo, and finally, the Algarve.
Offshore, there are our two island regions, the Azores and Madeira.
Each region is quite distinct, so below is a quick overview of each. You can read more in our guide to Portugal’s 7 regions.
Northern Portugal
Northern Portugal is lush, green, and picturesque. It has an idyllic coastline with lovely beaches, a remote, gorgeous interior (Peneda Geres National Park and Montesinho Park are both here), the stunning Douro Valley, bustling Porto, charming mid-sized cities such as Braga and Guimarães, and tiny stone villages that appear as if stuck in time, hidden deep in the Tras-os-Montes area.
Combine all of that with the friendliest people in Portugal and some of the country’s best food, and you’ll understand why just one visit here could never be enough.
Central Portugal
Often ignored by tourists who just pass through when traveling between Lisbon and Porto, Central Portugal actually has a lot to offer. Here, you’ll find incredible surfing in places like Nazaré and Peniche on the West Coast, great hiking in the Serra de Estrela mountains, vibrant city life in Coimbra, and magnificent medieval architecture in places like Alcobaça, Batalha, and Tomar.
You could have a marvelous trip traveling only within Central Portugal, so be sure to dedicate at least a few days of your itinerary to this lovely part of the country.
Lisbon Metropolitan Area
The most densely populated part of the country, the Lisbon area is the engine of the Portuguese economy. Almost a third of the country’s population lives here, so it is a bustling, busy, and heavily developed region. Interestingly though, outside of Lisbon, its star attraction, there aren’t that many major tourist sites in the area.
The extraordinary castles and palaces of Sintra are an exception to this, as are coastal gems of Cascais and Estoril. Further to the south, the Parque Natural da Arrábida is a nature-lover’s paradise, filled with forests, mountains, and incredible beaches.
Alentejo
The Alentejo is Portugal as it used to be; small walled villages with medieval cores and Roman ruins watched over by ancient castles. Portugal’s largest region and its agricultural heartland, the rolling countryside is planted with cork forests, olive groves, vineyards, and all manner of crops.
Whitewashed villages pop up occasionally, like little oases, where people continue in their customs and daily rhythms much as they did hundreds of years ago. On the region’s coast, some of the country’s best beaches, which are almost entirely unknown to all but locals, are found on the vast and dramatic Costa Alentejana and Costa Vicentina stretches.
Algarve
The Algarve, my home, is Portugal’s southernmost region, famed for its golden, sandy beaches and perpetual sunny weather. While the region is truly a coastal paradise, the Algarve has much more to offer than just sun and sand. The countryside, bordered by the Monchique and Caldeirão mountains to the north and the Guadiana River to the east, holds authentic villages and towns that will transport you back in time.
Even though the Algarve seems small, as you make your way across its 300-kilometer coastline stretching out along the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll witness countless exceptionally beautiful landscapes and will experience dramatic changes in scenery. The one constant, however, will be the breathtaking views.
Madeira
Roughly 1,000 kilometers away from the Portuguese mainland, the archipelago of Madeira sits in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of northern Africa, with Morocco actually being the closest country to it. The landscapes and scenery here are totally unique, and are unlike anything on the mainland.
Between the four islands of Madeira (two inhabited and two uninhabited), you’ll find gorgeous sandy beaches, towering mountains and cliffs, dense forests, and more waterfalls than you can count. If you’re looking to get out into stunning nature, Madeira is for you.
And for a bit of city life, Funchal, the main city of the archipelago, is a lot of fun and well worth taking some time to explore.
Azores
In the middle of the Atlantic, between the United States' east coast and Portugal's mainland, lies an archipelago of nine volcanic islands known for its stunning green hills, dark land, and volcanic wines.
Ponta Delgada is the capital and the largest city in Azores, and is likely where your journey will begin. A medieval city that was an important merchant port in the 15th century, it has quite a lot of history.
Outside of the city, the Azores is all about truly breathtaking landscapes. Here, you’ll find incredible volcanic lagoons and caves, the highest mountains in Portugal, white sand beaches, and verdant, dense vegetation that seems as if from another world.
Connect with Leonor, our Porto-based local expert, for help perfecting your itinerary, answers to all your travel questions, and fabulous local tips!
What to do in Portugal
Now that you know where everything is in Portugal, it’s only logical to discuss what to do there, right? There are lots of options, so prepare for some fun ideas!
To help you explore my home country, here’s a list of some of my favorite things to do in Portugal.
See our guide to 40 places to visit in Portugal for more ideas on where to go and what to do.
1. Visit charming little cities and towns
The town of Talasnal, in Central Portugal. Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The largest Portuguese cities will help you understand our culture and history. However, in the smallest towns and cities, you’ll experience our authenticity. Throughout the country, you’ll find many small towns and charming villages to choose from.
Charming towns in northern Portugal
In the North of Portugal, you’ll find some of the most beautiful tiny villages, filled with stone houses and cobbled streets. In the Trás-os-Montes region (northeast Portugal), there are many locations to visit within the Montesinho Natural Park.
Explore Montesinho, Guadramil or Rio-de-Onor. You’ll see how the old traditional houses blend in with the landscape, transforming these tiny villages into truly magical locations.
In the Douro Valley, Pinhão is a must-see. Overlooking the Douro River, this tiny village lies in the oldest demarcated wine region in Portugal, surrounded by terraced hills covered in vines. Here, you can hear the silence as you smell the sweet nectar of freshly picked wine grapes in the air.
Lovely villages in Central Portugal
In Central Portugal, 27 countryside villages form the Aldeias de Xisto (Schist Villages). I recommend visiting the Taslanal, Casal Novo, and Cerdeira villages, where you’ll find traditional schist houses, beautiful fluvial beaches, and plenty of hiking trails to explore this captivating landscape.
Monsanto is one of Portugal’s historical villages and the set for the Game of Thrones prequel “House of the Dragon”. Besides its unique geography, Monsanto is known for protecting Portugal from the Léon kingdom in the 12th century. As a result, this was home to kings and templars.
Small towns in the Alentejo
In the Alentejo, the landscape of smooth hills hides small medieval villages where little seems to have changed. Although you might believe there isn’t much to see, these villages hold a remarkable history.
Explore Marvão or Monsaraz to find some of the most authentic villages in this region. In Estremoz, you’ll find the unique Estremoz Pink Marble originally mined by the Romans. Today, there are several quarries around the village exporting marble worldwide.
Beautiful villages and towns in the Algarve
Further south, in the Algarve, there is Cacela Velha, one of the tiniest and most well-preserved villages in the region. Built over a sandstone cliff, this village holds a 15th-century fortress, a church, and a staggering panoramic view of Ria Formosa Natural Park. In the distance, the barrier island is home to the Fábrica beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
In the Western Algarve, you’ll find Ferragudo, my hometown! This 500-year-old fishing village used to help secure the Arade River entrance, by controlling the boats in and out of the capital Silves. Today, you can admire the São João do Arade Fortress, roam the narrow-cobbled streets, and enjoy the day at the beach. Join a boat tour and admire the Benagil Cave, the largest dome-shaped cave in Portugal.
2. Go to the beach
A cliff-enclosed beach in the Parque Natural da Arrábida
With more than 1,500 kilometers of coastline and more than 600 beaches, Portugal is the best place if you’re looking for a beach destination.
While roaming the country, you’ll find beaches of all kinds: sandy, volcanic, and pebbly, as well as beaches surrounded by rugged cliffs, secret beaches only accessible by boat, or wild beaches secluded in nature reserves.
The main beach areas are the Costa Verde, located north of Porto, the West Coast in the Central Portugal, Tróia and Arrábida in the Lisbon area, Costa Vicentina Natural Park in the Alentejo region, and everywhere you go in the Algarve and Madeira.
Beaches in Northern Portugal
In the north of the country, along the Costa Verde, you’ll find the coldest water in the country and stunning seascapes of sandy beaches by small fishing villages. The most famous is Praia de Miramar, where you’ll find the Senhor da Pedra Chapel built on the only cliffs at the beach.
Beaches in Central Portugal
The West Coast, in the Central Portugal, is where you’ll find the best big wave surfing spot in the country. If you’re a professional and experienced surfer, at Praia do Norte in Nazaré, you can ride waves up to 25 meters high.
If surfing isn’t your thing and you’d like to enjoy a relaxing day by the ocean, try São Martinho do Porto. This beach lies in a bay, protected from the colder winds from the north.
Nearby, you can also visit Berlenga Grande Beach, near Peniche. Located in the uninhabited Berlengas Islands, you’ll need a boat to get here. The shallow waters and underwater rocks are a snorkeler’s paradise since they offer the best opportunity to admire the local marine wildlife.
Beaches in the Lisbon Area
In Arrábida Natural Park, you’ll find the perfect match between the mountains and the ocean. Here, green forests extend to the sea, hiding pristine beaches of crystal-clear waters. One of them is Praia da Ribeira do Cavalo, a small beach backed by impressive cliffs.
However, the most well-known is Portinho da Arrábida beach. This small port surrounded by mountains holds a tiny beach of crystalline shallow waters. Alternatively, visit Galapinhos Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe.
Not to far south of Lisbon, along the Tróia Peninsula, you’ll find undisturbed beaches of sandy dunes stretching beyond the horizon. The most famous is Comporta, the first beach in this region to receive the Bandeira Azul, an award to recognize the beach's water quality and environmental preservation.
Beaches in the Alentejo
On the Alentejo coastline, especially in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, there are hundreds of beaches worth exploring. Some of my favorites are Samoqueira and Cavaleiro. These are wild beaches, hardly accessible by land. Even though they’re hard to find, you be rewarded with mind-blowing scenery.
As an alternative, head south, and you’ll find Zambujeira do Mar and Carvalhal beaches. These are well-known locations among the Portuguese, who want to avoid the Algarve’s beach crowds.
Beaches in the Algarve
In the Algarve, you’ll find stunning golden sand beaches. If this is your first trip to this region, you must visit Dona Ana, Camilo, Marinha, and Falésia beaches. These are considered some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and offer incredible landscape photography opportunities.
However, if you’re looking to avoid the summer crowds, head west towards the Costa Vicentina Natural Park and find Amado, Bordeira, or Odeceixe Beach. Its quietness, even during the summer, is perfect for a relaxing day at the beach.
Beaches in Madeira
Finally, in Madeira, you’ll find dark sand beaches, pebbly beaches, and natural pools. Try Ponta do Sol, Calheta or Porto Moniz. It’s amazing how the landscape changes in such a short distance. Alternatively, head off the main island and spend a couple of days enjoying the wide sandy beaches of Porto Santo.
3. Try local dishes and enjoy agricultural tours and tastings
Portugal’s cuisine is a big draw for most visitors, and when it comes to gastronomy, food here is about more than just eating: our cuisine is a way of expression, celebration, and building memories. Pair your food with a Portuguese wine, sit down for a lazy meal, and prepare for an unforgettable experience.
Agricultural tours and tastings should be part of any trip to Portugal! Even though this is a small country, it holds diverse gastronomy and culinary traditions. So, where should you start?
Go picking and tasting oysters at Ria Formosa Natural Park, book a Cataplana workshop, and see how the traditional Medronho firewater is made. In Alentejo, join a cork jeep tour to learn more about the region’s leading agricultural activity and finish with a local wine tasting.
In Lisbon, join a Pastel de Nata workshop so you can impress your friends and family back home. In Serra da Estrela, you can learn how to make traditional sheep cheese and learn about beekeeping.
In Madeira, you can learn how to make the local sugar cane rum and the traditional Poncha drink. In the Azores, you can book a dairy farm experience to witness the daily lives of the happiest cows in Portugal.
In the North of Portugal, join a Port Wine tasting in the oldest cellars in Porto, or try the unique Vinho Verde in the Minho region. At Douro Valley, you can taste the best Portuguese wines from the oldest demarcated wine region in Portugal.
4. Get out into nature
Covão d’Ametade in the Serra de Estrela mountains. Photo: Hurtuv, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Portugal’s diverse landscape is a nature lover’s paradise! Here, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for wildlife observation, adventure, or simply to admire nature’s beauty.
Hiking is one of my favorite outdoor activities, and it’ll be your best chance to explore incredible locations. While visiting Portugal, hike along the famous Paiva Walkways (located 65 kilometers from Porto), the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in the Algarve, or the Cascata do Arado Trail at Gerês National Park, in the North of Portugal.
If you’re a fan of longer hikes, try the Via Algarviana, with a length of over 300 kilometers crossing the Algarve from one end to the other, or the Rota Vicentina, a 200-kilometer trail along the Costa Vicentina Natural Park coastline.
For cyclists, you’ll find the Eurovelo 1, also known as the Atlantic Coast Route, where you can explore the mainland coastline by bike from Viana do Castelo, in the North of Portugal, to Vila Real de Santo António, in the Algarve.
As an alternative, you can cycle the Portuguese portion of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage path, starting in Lisbon and passing through the Center of Portugal until reaching Valença do Minho in the North. Exploring the Douro Valley and the Algarve coastline on a bike is one of visitors' preferred ways of traveling.
For birdwatching, your best chances are nature reserves. Explore the Gerês, Montesinho, Costa Vicentina, and Ria Formosa Natural Paks to find the best birdwatching spots. Other locations include the Guadiana Valley and Parque Internacional do Tejo.
You can also find wild horses in Peneda Gerês, Iberian wolves and red deer in Montesinho, rock lizards at Serra da Estrela, flamingos in Ria Formosa, eagles in the Douro Valley, and whales and dolphins in the Algarve and the Azores Islands.
If you’re a golfer, know that Portugal holds some of the best golf courses in Europe.
5. Visit archaeological and historical sites
Castelo dos Mouros in Sintra
Portugal’s borders, as we know them today, were sealed in 1297, more than a century after becoming a sovereign nation. As a result, Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe.
Portugal is home to more than 20 World Heritage designations, ranging from historic buildings and landscapes to cultural symbols such as the Fado or the Cante Alentejano singing.
To learn more about our history, start in the North of Portugal and explore the Guimarães Castle. This monument lies in Guimarães, a place the Portuguese nicknamed "the cradle city" since this was where Portugal was born.
I also recommend visiting Bragança Castle, in the far northeast. Built in the 15th century, this is one of the oldest and most well-preserved castles in the country.
Other castles to check out include São Jorge Castle in Lisbon, Evoramonte Castle in the Alentejo, and Óbidos Castle in the heart of Central Portugal. All these incredible landmarks played a significant role in securing Portugal’s independence.
While in Lisbon, take the chance to tour Torre de Belém, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, and Mafra National Palace in Lisbon, the Batalha and Alcobaça Monasteries in the Central Portugal, and the Pena Palace in Sintra.
Regarding archeological sites, in the North of Portugal, you can admire the Prehistoric Foz Coa rock art, or explore the Iron Age settlement of Citânia de Briteiros.
In Central Portugal, you must visit Conimbriga, an important city in the Roman province of Lusitania (part of it is what we know as Portugal). The incredibly well-preserved archeological site is the most extensive evidence of the Roman occupation in our country.
In the Alentejo, you’ll find the impressive Cromeleques dos Almendres, in Évora’s surroundings. Due to its features, it’s often nicknamed the Portuguese Stonehenge. In Évora’s city center you can explore the Roman Baths and tour the Roman aqueduct in the city’s outskirts.
North of Évora, near the small town of Marvão, you can also explore the Roman villa of Ammaia.
In the Algarve, you’ll find plenty of archeological sites to choose from. In Portimão, you can visit the Prehistoric settlement of Alcalar. Further east, in Faro, you can explore the Milreu Roman ruins, a Roman villa occupied between the 1st and 11th centuries.
Transportation and how to get around
Getting around in Portugal is quite easy, no matter how you choose to do it.
Public transportation is comfortable and on time (most of the time), roads are in good condition and highways provide all you need for longer journeys. So, how you decide to travel throughout the country should just depend on your preferred method of transportation.
The train is the most eco-friendly option and probably the most comfortable, especially if you’re traveling longer distances. However, trains in Portugal mostly just link the country’s major destinations, and they won’t get you to loads of other worthwhile places, including many that we discuss in this guide.
The bus is your other option for public transportation, and while it’s less comfortable than the train, the bus network in Portugal is much more extensive. Even if relying solely on bus, you will be able to reach many out of the way and far-flung places. It won’t get you everywhere, but it’s certainly a good start.
Now, if you want the freedom to go where you want when you want, the car is of course your best bet. Driving in Portugal is easy (more on this below), and it’s fairly inexpensive to rent a car.
Additionally, if you’ll be exploring the Azores or Madeira, the car is essentially a must-have.
Getting around by bus
This is probably the most popular public transport in Portugal and its certainly the most extensive. Several different types of buses connect all of our cities, most of our small towns, and even many villages, all throughout the country.
Buses traveling longer distances are usually more comfortable and provide onboard wifi, air conditioning, and toilets. Rede Expressos and Flixbus are the two main bus companies. You can buy tickets in advance directly on their websites.
Local buses are much more modest. In each region, you’ll find a different bus company. For instance, in the Alentejo, there's Rodoviária do Alentejo, while in the Algarve, there’s Vamus. Although most local bus stops don’t show the timetables, you can always check the schedule online or at the ticket office.
For local buses, you can buy tickets beforehand at the ticket office or directly with the bus driver as you board the bus. Just know that buying tickets on the bus is usually more expensive and the fare must be paid in cash.
Taking the train
In Portugal, you have good train connections between major cities on the mainland. Smaller towns are almost never reachable with the train and you’ll find that most routes run along the coastline from north to south, and only a few head into the countryside.
Train service is provided by the national rail carrier, Comboios de Portugal.
The Alfa Pendular is our high-speed train, and it has routes traveling the length of the country, from Braga in the north, to Faro in the far south, connecting the largest coastal cities all along the way. This is the most convenient and fastest way of traveling in the country.
Alternatively, for a cheaper option, or in cases where the Alfa Pendular doesn’t cover your destination, you can take the Intercidades train. It makes more or less the same route as the Alfa Pendular, but it’s not as fast or as modern (it is a bit cheaper though).
For shorter train rides, use the Interregional or the Regional train. These trains connect small towns and villages along the coastline and into the countryside. The most well-known of these train line is the one in the Douro Valley, since the train rides along the riverside (it’s very picturesque).
Where to buy train tickets
You can buy your tickets online, in advance, on the Comboios de Portugal website. You can check routes, timetables, and compares prices for different service classes fairly easily. The website is available in English.
Payment is made by credit card, and they’ll email your ticket, in a PDF file, once the purchase is complete. I recommend printing the ticket just in case your smartphone runs out of battery.
Domestic flights
Even though Portugal is a small country, sometimes it’s easiest (and cheapest) to fly domestically.
On the mainland, it’s common for people take a flight between Faro (in the south) and Porto (pretty far north), for instance. Instead of driving for 7 hours or riding the bus for almost 12 hours, the flight between these destinations takes only 45 minutes. This service is generally provided by low-cost companies, so tickets are quite inexpensive. Book well in advance to find the best rates.
Some intercontinental flights arriving to Lisbon airport will offer a connecting flight to Faro or Porto, so depending on where you want to start your trip, it could be worth booking an arrival to Lisbon and then adding on a transfer to Faro or Porto.
Whether this is worthwhile will really depend on the waiting time between flights and the price though.
If you want to get to the Azores or Madeira, a flight from Lisbon or Porto is by far the most common and convenient option. There are regular flights between both sets of islands and Portugal’s two biggest cities, and they are often relatively inexpensive.
Note that you’ll also find flights that connect the various Azores islands with one another.
Taxis and ride-share apps
Taxis are available anywhere in Portugal, from the main city centers to even the majority of the smallest villages in the countryside.
You can hail a taxi from anywhere, but there’s an exception. In Portugal, the Road Traffic Act doesn’t allow taxi drivers to collect passengers from bus stops. Alternatively, you can call the local taxi company or use their app (if they have one).
Ride-sharing apps are also available in Portugal, especially in the largest coastal cities. Their vehicles use the TVDE name tag on their front and rear windows so they’re easier to identify. In Lisbon, you’ll find Rideshares, Bolt, Uber, Lyft, Ola and Didi. Throughout the country, Bolt and Uber are the most common, but Lyft is also pretty popular.
Similar to taxis, ride-sharing vehicles can pick you up from most places, except bus stops and taxi ranks. Also, you can’t hail a TVDE as you would do with a taxi.
Driving & renting a car
If you like to drive and get anywhere, anytime, then I recommend renting a car. In Portugal, buses and trains cover the main coastal cities and most of the larger countryside towns. However, if you want to visit archeological sites or natural landmarks outside the big urban centers, you should hire a car.
In Portugal, you'll find all of the big international car rental companies. The most popular are Europcar, Avis, Sixt and Hertz. However, you’ll also find plenty of local providers. In some cases, they offer special discounts during the low season.
You’ll find rental agencies in all decent-sized cities, airports, and busy train and bus stations. You’ll also sometimes find them in smaller towns that are popular with tourists.
Road conditions
Most roads in Portugal are in fairly good shape. Highways are the best roads in the country connecting the mainland’s coastal cities. If you’re traveling shorter distances, take a national road. You’ll find road conditions aren’t that good, and some of the countryside roads will require you to drive slowly.
Toll roads
All roads in Portugal are free of charge, except for the highways. Every few kilometers you’ll find a tollbooth. You can pay in cash, but paying by card is always the easiest and fastest way. You should also know that the toll system isn’t the same on every highway.
For instance, in the Algarve, you’ll drive through a traffic camera that’ll take a picture of your license plate and send the bill home so you can pay a few days later. Considering you’ll be driving a rental car, ask your provider for a transponder. This way, you’ll prepay a fee and don’t have to worry about paying tolls.
Parking
Parking availability will highly depend on the location you are in. In Lisboa and Porto, the most convenient option is the underground parking. You’ll pay per day or per hour, and there’s always a place available.
You can also park on the street, in designated places where you pay the parking meter per hour. However, I don’t recommend this option, especially in Lisboa and Porto, since there is a higher chance of break-ins. Yet, if you park on the street, remember to store your belongings in the trunk to avoid having anything in sight.
Parking in other locations in Portugal is usually simpler. Although most historical city centers have few parking spaces, you can always check for free parking spaces on the street.
Gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
Whether you’re renting a gas, a diesel, or an electric, Portugal has a wide availability of gas stations. In fact, you’ll find more gas stations in the largest cities than in the countryside. That’s why I recommend filling your tank before heading to the countryside.
Due to the rising popularity of electric and hybrid cars, you’ll also find recharging stations at gas stations, supermarket parking lots, and around the main cities. Again, if you’re traveling through the countryside, you should go in a fully recharged vehicle.
Cost
The cost of renting a car will depend on the type of car you rent, the extras, the type of insurance, and the time of the year. Usually, in the summer, car rental rates skyrocket due to the high demand. On the other hand, during winter that’s when you’ll find the lowest rates.
So, I advise you to always book in advance regardless of the time of the year. This way, you’ll save money and guarantee availability.
While traveling in Portugal, you’ll notice most cars are manual. Rest assured, car rental companies always have a few automatic available. Yet, you should know due to their low stock, renting an automatic will be more expensive than hiring a manual.
Where to book a car rental
To check prices and book, I recommend having a look on DiscoverCars. It’s a car rental website that includes offerings from all the major international rental companies as well as lots of smaller local agencies, which often have much better pricing. You can often find great deals.
Booking hotels & accommodation
Photo: Joaomartinho63, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Portugal is a huge tourist destination, especially in recent years, so you’ll find all types of hotels and accommodation options here that cater to all tastes and budgets.
From large international chains to family-owned hotels or Air B&B, there are options for all preferences.
In the most popular tourist destinations of Madeira, Algarve, Lisbon, and Porto, you’ll find some of the biggest names in the hospitality business, along with lots of local hotel chains.
On the other hand, in the Azores, Alentejo, Serra da Estrela, and North of Portugal, you’ll find more family-owned hotels, small pensions, and Air B&Bs.
In the countryside, you can also find charming boutique hotels and farming estates that have been converted into new and modern accommodation facilities.
Average costs and typical expenses
Portugal is often considered one of the least expensive destinations in Western/Central Europe. However, there are significant price differences as you travel from North to South or to the islands, so it’s important to know what to expect.
In general, the North of Portugal is the least expensive region. Here, the cost of living is significantly lower, and it’s not a preferred tourist destination.
On the other hand, there’s Lisbon, Madeira and the Algarve: these are the wealthiest regions and all are tourist hotspots, meaning the cost of living is higher and and prices for just about everything are higher than you’ll find elsewhere.
So, while it’s hard to give a representative average cost for the whole country, the following list should give you a good sense for general prices for common costs that tourists are likely to incur.
Keep in mind, that in most places, accommodation and car rental rates will skyrocket during the summer months.
Hotels: In Portugal, you can typically book a standard room in a three-star hotel or pension for 80€ per night, including breakfast.
Meals: Expect to spend an average of 40€ per person per day on food. Of course, this will always depend on where (and what!) you eat. The dish/meal of the day at local restaurants is always good and inexpensive option if you’re on a budget.
Drinks: An espresso costs around 1€ and prices go up from there if you choose a cappuccino or an americano. A Portuguese beer costs, on average 2€, and imported beer goes up to about 4€. Wine prices vary significantly, but you can expect to find a decent Portuguese wine for 5€ a bottle at a supermarket.
Keep in mind that prices are usually more expensive in the tourist areas.
Car rental: Renting a car will cost you around 15€ to 70€ per day, depending on the season and how far in advance you book. Generally, local car rental companies offer better deals and discounts than international companies. You may also have to pay more if you require an automatic transmission car.
Taxi ride: Taxi fares also vary significantly whether you’re in Lisbon or in a small town like. Usually, taking a taxi from the airport to the nearest city center will cost between 15€ to 30€. Within cities, rides between neighborhoods often cost as little as a few euros.
Public transport (long-distance and local): In Lisbon, you can buy a single bus ticket, tram, or metro for just 1,50€. This is more or less the same price for local rides on public transit in cities and towns all throughout the country. Long distance buses typically cost between 4€ and 40€ (with most costing closer to 15 euros).
As for the train, tickets for the high-speed train (Alfa Pendular) between Braga and Faro, which is the longest train ride, cost between 50€ to 70€. If you take the high-speed train from Lisbon to Porto, the tickets range between 30€ to 45€.
The Regional train is the least expensive option when traveling shorter distances. Tickets range between 5€ to 15€.
Entrance tickets to museums, sites, monuments: Tickets to most museums, archeological sites and monuments for about 5€ per person.
Guided tours (private and group): A four-hour guided group tour, will cost around 40€ per person. A full-day private tour could be about 400-500€ a day, and potentially more if your tour requires private transportation.
Useful things to know
Here are a few basic details that’ll make your time in Portugal much easier.
Using credit cards
While traveling in Portugal, you can pay for most things with a credit or debit card. However, you should always carry some cash, especially to pay for public transport, for small purchases in cafés and shops, or if you want to leave a tip.
Withdrawing cash
When you need cash, the easiest option is to withdraw it from the many ATM machines available in every town. As much as possible, I advise you to withdraw money only from the Multibanco ATM though; these machines are regulated by the Bank of Portugal and will not charge a withdrawal fee.
Tipping
Speaking of tipping, it isn’t mandatory in Portugal, and you’re welcome to pay whatever you feel is fair for the quality of service provided. Basically, anything will be appreciated, so there isn’t a “wrong” or “right” amount to tip.
If you do tip, it’s always best to do so in cash - don’t expect to be be able to add a tip onto a credit card charge.
Bargaining
Bargaining in Portugal isn’t that common, except if you’re at the outdoor markets trying to buy something from a local vendor. However, bargaining in hotels and restaurants is something you should avoid, as it’ll make you look cheap and tiresome.
Learn to say thank you!
You’ll hear the Portuguese saying thank you in many ways, which might be confusing (even for some Portuguese). The ladies say “Obrigada” and the gentlemen say “Obrigado”. It's that simple.
Greeting other people
When you arrive somewhere, enter a shop, restaurant, etc., it is customary to “hello” in Portugal. So, in the morning, which goes until noon, you say “Bom dia”. After lunch, you say “Boa tarde”. And in the evening and night, you say “Boa noite”.
If you prefer something simpler, just say “Olá” (hello). It’s friendly, and you don’t have to think about the time of the day.
How widely is English spoken?
You’ll find that most Portuguese speak some level of English, especially in the largest cities and tourist hotspots. And if they don’t, they'll try their best to help you understand them. In the main tourist destinations of Madeira and Algarve, you’ll find many people speaking more than one language. Besides English, the most common second languages are French, Spanish, and German.
Tips on clothing
The Portuguese are very casual people, so you’ll find all sorts of attire day and night. However, we are also on the conservative side.
While on vacation, especially if you’re in a beach town, avoid going to restaurants, supermarkets, or any other public service in a bikini, see-through beachwear, or bare-chested. It looks tasteless, and some might even consider it offensive.
If you’re going for dinner, always confirm if there’s a dress code. Although most restaurants are casual about what you wear, others are rigorous and might refuse your reservation if you don’t meet their standards.
When visiting churches and religious locations such as Fátima, women should avoid wearing deep cleavage or showing their shoulders. As for men, consider wearing long pants and closed shoes.
Portugal Itineraries - from 1 to 4 weeks
Below you’ll find a host of potential itineraries for Portugal, ranging from 1 to 4 weeks and with all different focuses, both in terms of where you go and the the type of interest.
For some detailed itineraries, check out out 10-day Portugal road trip, our 7-day North Portugal itinerary, and our 7-day Algarve itinerary.
7-day itinerary for first-time visitors (north and south)
Days 1-3: Lisbon
Days 4-5: Faro (and Algarve beaches)
Days 6-7: Porto
7-day itinerary around Lisbon
Days 1-3: Lisbon
Day 4: Cascais, Cabo da Roca, Azenhas do Mar, and Sintra
Day 5: Óbidos, Nazaré, and Batalha
Days 6: Fátima and Tomar
Day 7: Évora
7-day Lisbon to Porto road trip (Lisbon and North)
Days 1-3: Lisbon with Sintra day trip
Day 4: Tomar and Coimbra
Day 5: Douro Valley
Days 6-7: Porto
7 day Lisbon to Faro road trip (Lisbon and Algarve)
Days 1-3: Lisbon with Sintra day trip
Day 4: Lisbon to Sagres, with town/beach stops in Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina
Day 5: Cabo de São Vicente, beaches, and Lagos
Day 6: Portimão, Ferragudo, and Benagil cave
Day 7: Praia de Vilamoura, Rio Formosa Park, beaches, and Faro
10-day itinerary for first-time visitors
Days 1-3: Lisbon and day trip to Sintra
Day 4: Coimbra
Days 5-6: Porto
Day 7: Douro Valley
Day 8: Évora
Day 9: Faro
Day 10: Lagos
10-day itinerary for history and culture
Days 1-2: Porto
Day 3: Braga & Guimarães
Day 4: Coimbra
Days 5-7: Lisbon (with a day trip to Sintra)
Day 8: Évora
Day 9: Faro
Day 10: Lagos (take a day trip to Sagres and Cape St. Vincent)
10-day itinerary for nature-lovers
Day 1: Faro and Ria Formosa Natural Park
Day 2: Monchique & Aljezur
Day 3: Arrábida Natural Park
Day 4: Nazaré
Day 5: Buçaco National Forest
Day 6: Serra da Estrela Natural Park
Day 7: Montesinho Natural Park
Day 8-9: Douro Valley
Day 10: Gerês National Park
14-day Countrywide road-trip itinerary
Day 1: Faro
Day 2: Lagos & Sagres
Days 3-4: Lisbon & Sintra
Days 5-6: Évora & Monsaraz
Days 7-8: Coimbra
Day 9: Serra da Estrela
Day 10: Douro Valley
Days 11-12: Porto
Day 13: Braga & Guimarães
Day 14: Gerês National Park
30-day Comprehensive Portugal itinerary - mainland and the islands
Days 1-2: Porto
Day 3: Gerês National Park
Days 4-5: Braga & Guimarães
Day 6: Douro Valley
Day 7: Bragança
Day 8: Monsanto & Serra da Estrela
Day 9: Coimbra
Days 10-12: Lisbon (plus a day trip to Sintra)
Day 13: Évora
Day 14: Borba, Monsaraz & Mértola
Day 15: Faro
Day 16: Portimão
Days 17-20: Ponta Delgada (Azores)
Days 21-24: Pico and Terceira Islands (Azores)
Days 25-28: Funchal (Madeira)
Days 29-30: Porto Santo and Desertas Islands (Madeira)
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Leonor Tito
Portugal Expert based in Porto
Óla e bom dia! 👋
Hi, I'm Leonor, and I've been a tour guide and travel consultant here in Portugal for the last 20 years. If you're looking for some local advice on your trip, I'd love to help!
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