I used to live in Portugal and know from experience that a first trip will inevitably lead to a second, third, tenth—such is the power of its sun-kissed coasts and cobblestoned cities, its medieval castles and rugged Azores. Or perhaps it’s the food and wine of the Douro Valley, named for the arterial Douro River that travels from north-central Spain across the Iberian Peninsula to Porto. Here are 12 not-to-be-missed places to visit on your next trip to Portugal.
Lisbon for a walk through history
Lisbon was built across a series a steep hills leading to the Tagus River—navigating “the City of Seven Hills” on foot is a workout, but worth it for the views.
Photo by Andre Lergier/Unsplash (L); photo by Hugo Sousa/Unsplash (R)
Portugal’s historic capital city has evolved dramatically in the last quarter-century, from a state of disrepair to a shining example of one of Europe’s most charismatic and vibrant cities. Some may say Lisbon lost a little of its local color as expats bought up the real estate, but people will always find something to complain about. Look to the colorful azulejos (ceramic tiles) that glisten in its sun-drenched streets as vintage trams rattle up hills. Spectacular sunsets over the city’s red-tiled roofs are cause for saudade—the Portuguese word for a feeling of yearning and nostalgia—which travelers will likely feel on their return home.
Lisbon is a walker’s delight (although, warning: it’s hilly), so wander the cobblestone streets to its miradouros—lookout points to take in the city’s views—spread across its seven hills facing the Tagus River. Take the tram to Belém to marvel at Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, and reward your efforts with a delicious Pastéis de Belém, the original pastel de nata (egg custard tart).
Down the tangled alleyways of Alfama, traditional Portuguese fado music was born. Stop into the Museu do Fado and linger in the area for sardines and a fado show at one of the many restaurants in this district.
Where to stay: Santiago de Alfama
Housed in a beautifully restored 15th-century palace, the family-run boutique hotel Santiago de Alfama is a treat for the eyes, from its original stone arches and tiled walls to its views of the Tagus River. Ideally located, the hotel is just a 10-minute walk from Castelo de São Jorge and less than a 15-minute stroll from the riverside Praça do Comércio.
The Algarve for beaches
The beauty of the Algarve lies in its heart-stopping seascapes.
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At the southern end of Portugal, the Algarve region practically sparkles with broad, sandy beaches, clifftop views, and sea caves. The coastline of Ponta da Piedade in Lagos features sea pillars, rock arches, and grottoes in turquoise waters. It’s breathtaking and surreal. So is the Benagil cave—one of Portugal’s most famous attractions. Sunlight streams through its pierced ceiling, illuminating a gold-sand beach.
Where to stay: Vila Vita Parc
Set on 54 acres of terraced subtropical gardens facing the ocean, Vila Vita Parc has showstopping views from many of its guest rooms and suites. A robust events calendar includes DJ sessions, new moon yoga, summer barbecues, and more.
Porto for wine bars and bridge views
Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city and a central hub for—you guessed it—port wine.
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Overlooking the Douro River, Porto is known for its stately bridges, port wine production, and dizzying viewpoints above terra-cotta rooftops. Once a trade village, Porto is now enjoying the fruits of ongoing development with cool cafés, wine bars, and new cultural offerings that reflect the city’s vibrant energy.
Popular sights include the medieval Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage site with colorful buildings and narrow cobblestone streets. Walk across the city’s iconic Ponte de Dom Luis I bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia to sip a glass (or two) of port, then catch a spectacular sunset at Jardim do Morro. Walk along the promenade in Foz de Douro, admire the gilded interiors of the 15th-century São Francisco Church, and stop in WOW (World of Wine), a sprawling complex of museums, restaurants, and bars near the river that opened in 2020.
Where to stay: Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel
The elegant Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel, in Vila Nova de Gaia across the river from Porto, is built around the historic Kopke wine cellars, the world’s oldest port wine house. Curated experiences connect guests to Portugal’s rich winemaking heritage. Enjoy views of Porto proper, cuisine by three-Michelin-starred chef Nacho Manzano, and a luxurious spa as well.
Where to stay: Torel Avantgarde
Set in Porto’s picturesque riverside district, Torel Avantgarde draws its inspiration from global risk-taking artists as well as the city’s avant-garde architecture and design movement of the 1930s and ‘40s. Each room and suite is named after a creative icon—Simone de Beauvoir, Pablo Picasso, Alfred Hitchcock, Coco Chanel, and Frida Kahlo among them—with interiors that reflect each distinctive spirit.
Douro Valley for vineyards along the river
The Alto Douro region became a World Heritage site in 2001.
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For greener pastures, look to the rolling hills of the Douro Valley, one of the world’s oldest and best-known demarcated wine regions, dating back to 1756. Famed for its terraced vineyards, with vines ribbing the contours of steep granite slopes, this valley is the birthplace of port.
You can take a languid boat ride (six–seven hours) from Porto to get here, but the best way to experience the region is to rent a car and visit Quinta do Noval and other wine-growing estates, known as quintas. Most offer public tours with wine tastings.
Where to stay: Six Senses Douro Valley
A lavish 19th-century family home turned luxury resort, the Six Senses is a picturesque, memorable wellness retreat, framed by vineyards and the winding Douro River, near the baroque town of Lamego.
The Minho for a rainforest
Head to the bridge at São Gonçalo, a 16th-century monastery in Amarante, Minho, for picturesque views of the Tâmega River.
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Portugal’s vinho verde hails from the Minho, a region of vineyard-covered valleys and towns frozen in time. Braga, one of Portugal’s oldest cities, has many baroque churches, and its old center is brimming with cafés and traditional Portuguese restaurants.
A highlight of this region is Peneda-Gerês, one of the world’s few temperate rainforests, which borders Spain. You’ll need a car to head here, and while the curvy roads might make your stomach drop at times, the vistas are well worth it. The mountainous terrain with thick woods is punctuated by swift rivers, streams, and waterfalls. Canoe or hike, and meander through the region’s medieval castles or monasteries, which are well integrated into the landscape.
Where to stay: Pousada Caniçada Gerês
In the heart of Peneda-Gerês National Park, this beautiful hotel overlooks the Cávado River. Order the bacalhau (cod) in its restaurant and enjoy the view.
Évora for Roman baths
The Moors ruled over Évora for more than 300 years.
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A striking cathedral, cloisters, and the columns of the Templo Romano (near Roman baths) sit inside Évora’s 14th-century walls. Romans began inhabiting the city in the 2nd century B.C.E., and many ruins—including the Temple of Diana—remain, along with palaces and convents built by later occupants the Moors and by Portuguese royalty. Évora was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986, and the European Commission has designated it 2027’s European capital of culture. Tip: Don’t miss a chance to soak in the serene Roman bath in Acqua Veritas.
Where to stay: Octant Évora
Find sanctuary at this countryside getaway with four pools, set on 30 acres.
Sintra for a colorful palace
Sintra’s Pena Palace is known for its whimsical color palette.
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Portuguese royals used to spend their summers in Sintra, and it’s easy to see why. This UNESCO World Heritage site has storybook castles in primary colors and fanciful gardens set in the hills; imposing mansions and centuries-old monasteries rise from the dense forests. The iconic former royal residence, Pena Palace, particularly stands out with its vivid red-and-yellow facade. Monserrate Palace is likewise grand and, like its gardens, steeped in romanticism.
Where to stay: Tivoli Palácio de Seteais
Originally the 18th-century residence of the Dutch consul, the neoclassical Tivoli Palácio de Seteais with frescoed rooms opened as a hotel in 1955.
Coimbra for a university town vibe
Established in 1290, the University of Coimbra is one of the oldest universities in the world.
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Coimbra, on the banks of the Mondego River, was once Portugal’s capital and has an Old Town that dates back to Moorish times. It’s also a lively university town, with one of Europe’s oldest schools, the University of Coimbra, also classified a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built on the grounds of a former palace, the university is famed for its baroque library, the Biblioteca Joanina, and 18th-century bell tower. Take time to enjoy the lavish Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra or the gardens of Quinta das Lágrimas.
Where to stay: Sapientia Boutique Hotel
Sapientia Boutique Hotel in central Coimbra has a lovely rooftop terrace for watching sunsets over the city.
Óbidos for a chocolate festival and Christmas Town
Medieval Obidos is a beautiful walled city offering many opportunities to “walk the wall.”
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As a gift to mark their wedding day in 1282, King Dinis gave this town to his queen, hence its nickname “The Town of Queens.” Stroll through the narrow streets (woe be anyone who tries to drive down them), which is encircled by medieval walls and crowned by a Moorish castle. Travelers can find old whitewashed houses bordered with blue or yellow and historic churches worth visiting.
As a UNESCO Creative City, Óbidos hosts many annual festivals, including the International Chocolate Festival, Óbidos International Literary Festival, and Christmas Town over the holidays.
Where to stay: Hotel Casa das Senhoras Rainhas
Hotel Casa das Senhoras Rainhas is a special stay within the walls of Óbidos Castle, with rooms preserving their structural heritage—while also offering air-conditioning and balcony views. The on-site restaurant Letraria Óbidos serves its own craft beer.
Aveiro for Venice-like canals
Aveiro’s equivalent of a gondola, moliceiros, were historically used to collect algae and seaweed.
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Hailed as the Portuguese equivalent to Venice because of its canals, maritime Aveiro is set along a lagoon called Ria de Aveiro. Brightly colored moliceiros (traditional boats) float on its waters, passing the city’s art nouveau buildings like the Cathedral of Aveiro and the Museu de Aveiro. Aveiro is also known for its sweet ovos moles (soft eggs) sold in wooden barrels or wrapped in a crisp wafer in different shapes.
Where to stay: Hotel das Salinas
In the historic center of Aveiro, Hotel das Salinas is ideal for exploring the city. The works of Portuguese artists and poets are woven into its decor.
Arouca for its breathtaking suspension bridge
No, it’s not possible to hold your breath for 10 minutes, which is how long it usually takes to cross 516 Arouca, one of the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridges.
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Just over an hour inland from Porto, Arouca is a picturesque town and municipality in northern Portugal where dramatic landscapes, rich history, and outdoor adventure converge. Arouca UNESCO Global Geopark is home to geological treasures like giant fossilized trilobites and rare “birthing stones"—an unusual natural phenomenon in which larger granite rocks appear to produce smaller stones over time.
Arouca has recently gained international acclaim for the striking 516 Arouca Bridge, one of the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridges. Stretching 1,693 feet across the Paiva River and suspended 574 feet above the canyon below, the steel-cable bridge takes about 10 minutes to cross, rewarding visitors with spectacular panoramic views. The adventure continues along the Paiva Walkways, a scenic five-mile boardwalk that winds through forests and along the river, passing waterfalls and dramatic rock formations. Visitors can also discover Roman and medieval archaeological sites before exploring the impressive Monastery of Arouca, one of Portugal’s largest granite monuments and home to a collection of sacred art that spans 800 years.
Where to stay: Hotel Rural da Freia
On the plateau of the Serra da Freita range overlooking a nearly 200-foot waterfall, this charming mountain hotel offers a peaceful place to unwind after a day of adventuring around Arouca. Thoughtfully designed guest rooms come with private balconies—the perfect spot to soak in those views.
The Azores for waterfalls and dramatic coastlines
In the Azores, you can hike into a volcanic caldera, swim in natural pools, feast on fresh seafood, and stay in attractive eco-lodges.
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Rising from the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, around 930 miles west of mainland Portugal, the Azores are a volcanic archipelago of nine islands celebrated for their extraordinary natural beauty. Often referred to as the “Hawai‘i of Europe,” the islands are a collection of emerald crater lakes, verdant mountains, dramatic coastlines, steaming geothermal springs, and some of the world’s best whale- and dolphin-watching.
São Miguel, the largest island, is home to Furnas Valley, where visitors can unwind in the mineral-rich thermal waters of Terra Nostra Garden and sample the island’s traditional dish, Cozido das Furnas—a stew slow-cooked underground using the volcanic heat.
Caldeira Velha invites visitors to soak in naturally heated pools beneath cascading waterfalls, surrounded by subtropical forest. Nearby, Ponta da Ferraria offers the rare opportunity to bathe in the Atlantic Ocean, where volcanic vents warm the seawater at low tide. On the neighboring islands of Faial and Pico, dramatic volcanic scenery sets the stage for memorable adventures, from exploring the otherworldly ash fields of the Capelinhos Volcano to climbing Mount Pico, Portugal’s highest peak at 7,713 feet.
Where to stay: Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort
Located on São Miguel, the Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort was one of the first to open in 2015 as a new tide of international travelers started coming to the island. Guests can choose from an assortment of studios, one- and two-bedroom villas; relax in the saltwater pool; and enjoy locally sourced meals showcasing vegetables and herbs grown on Santa Barbara’s farm.
