Portugal

Portugal packs an outsize punch thanks in part to its stunning azulejo tiles, limestone cliffs surrounding sandy bays, and of course, its wine and cuisine. A week here really allows you to dig in—surfing in the Atlantic, swirling a glass of port, climbing medieval castles and hiking trails, and taking in a range of architecture, including impressive Portuguese modernist buildings.

Best European River Cruises

The Douro River

Photo by Mikhail Gnatkovskiy/Shutterstock

Overview

Planning Your Trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip to Portugal.

Related Guides
Read Before You Go
Hotels
Beauty, charm, and history infuse scores of hotels in Portugal’s capital city. To help you choose where to stay, here are 10 of the best hotels in Lisbon.
A million-dollar view—for less than $500 a night.
Don’t expect any humdrum, large hotel chains here: instead, ecofriendly surf lodges, historic forts-turned-inns, and stone-walled vacation homes await.
At Casa Fortunato, the owners invite you to come as a guest, stay as a friend, leave as family.
Sometimes less is more when it comes to sparking joy in travelers.
The next trend in lodging? The B&B&B (bed and breakfast and bicycle). Here are our picks for where to try it first.
These top-level properties are the places to stay.
These off-the-beaten path destinations have us wishing for 007’s travel schedule.
These well-curated hotel shops will give you a sense of place and a lasting memory.
Resources to help plan your trip
One writer’s journey through coastal towns and bustling cities—with music and food as the perfect pairing.
This island destination mixes Portuguese and local traditions for a vibrant history, incredible culture and cuisine, and fantastic events (including one of the world’s greatest fireworks shows)—and all closer than you might think.
This remote archipelago is the closest part of Europe to the U.S.—and an ideal destination for food, nature, and adventure lovers.
Author Lauren Shockey’s colorful book presents hangover cures and remedies found across the globe, in the form of traditional and delicious dishes.
The Arouca Bridge’s half-kilometer span will likely earn it a new Guinness World Record title. But its height is nothing to be scoffed at either.
Lisbon is an old city, so you will find many old neighborhoods in which you can meet true Lisboans and glimpse their daily lives. From Martim Moniz, a diverse community that has recently gentrified, to the once-industrial Parque das Nações, the city’s picturesque and lively neighborhoods await exploration.
Take something back home to remind you of this beautiful city. Buy cheeses, sausages, tins of fish, and, of course, wine. Find souvenirs among the tiles, T-shirts, cork products, and those lovely Portuguese soaps.
Nazaré is a colorful fishing village with an awesome view from the Sitio of Nazaré, up on the cliff and reached via an 1889 funicular. Admire the traditional costume of fishermen and women, with their colorful shirts and petticoats. Another bright element is the small beach cabanas, striped and colorful. And enjoy the fresh fish!
If you only have one day in Lisbon, it has to be a perfect one. Enjoy the unique light of Lisbon and stroll around the neighborhoods and along the river. Listen to fados in a local tavern. And at the end of the perfect day, enjoy the sunset over the red rooftops of Lisbon while dining on fresh seafood.
It’s impossible to miss the cafés and pastry shops in Lisbon. Many of them boast years of history, with past habitués such as the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa. Ask for a “bica” (small cup of strong coffee) and you will sound like a true Lisboan.
Lisbon is rich in art and culture. Visit palaces and the cathedral, and hear concerts in gardens and live music in bars. Enjoy art galleries and the colorful tiles at Museu Nacional do Azulejo. (Note that many Lisbon museums are free on Sundays till 2 p.m.) Art can also be found in the streets or parking lots, where the walls are covered with street art. Lisbon’s cultural offerings are many.
An easy day trip from Lisbon (just 45 minutes by train), the town of Sintra is like something out of a fairy tale. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts various castles, tunnels, gardens, and estates to explore, and even a mystical Initiation Well! Remember to stop at Sintra’s famous Piriquita cafe and try traditional cakes such as travesseiros and queijadas. Make sure to go prepared—even if it’s warm in Lisbon, it can be cold in Sintra.
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