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Key takeaways, what to do in Portugal
- Lisbon: miradouros, fado, Belém and a Sintra day trip.
- Porto & Douro: Port wine cellars and a valley cruise.
- Algarve: golden cliffs, sea caves and beaches.
- Nature: the Azores’ whales and craters, Madeira’s levadas.
- Flavours: pastéis de nata, seafood, Douro and Alentejo wines.
From Atlantic beaches to vineyard valleys, walled towns and volcanic islands, Portugal packs astonishing variety into a small, welcoming country. As a local agency based in Lisbon, here are the fifteen experiences we recommend most, organised by region so you can build the right trip, whatever your style.
In and around Lisbon
1. Wander Alfama and catch a fado night in the capital’s oldest quarter. 2. Visit Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery, the tower and the original pastéis. 3. Take a day trip to Sintra, with its fairy-tale palaces and gardens. 4. Watch the sunset from a miradouro with a glass of wine. See our 3 days in Lisbon itinerary.
Porto and the Douro
5. Explore the Ribeira, Porto’s UNESCO riverfront. 6. Taste Port wine in a historic Gaia cellar. 7. Cruise the Douro Valley past terraced vineyards. 8. Ride the historic tram and visit Lello bookshop. Still hesitating between the two cities? Read Porto vs Lisbon.
The south: Algarve and Alentejo
9. Discover the golden cliffs and sea caves of the Algarve, from Lagos to Benagil. 10. Relax on turquoise beaches or kayak to hidden grottoes. 11. Slow down in the Alentejo, with Évora’s Roman temple, cork forests and unhurried wine estates.
The islands: Azores and Madeira
12. Watch whales and hike crater lakes in the Azores. 13. Soak in the Furnas hot springs. 14. Walk Madeira’s levadas through laurel forest and along cliffs above the ocean.
Flavours all over the country
15. Eat your way through Portugal: warm pastéis de nata, grilled sardines, bacalhau in a hundred forms, and the wines of the Douro, Alentejo and Vinho Verde regions.
How to fit it all together
You won’t do everything in one trip, and that’s fine. Most travellers pair Lisbon and Porto with one region (the Douro, the Algarve or an island). To build an itinerary around your tastes, pace and budget, see our tailor-made trips or get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
What is Portugal best known for?
Lisbon and Porto, the Douro wine valley, the Algarve beaches, port wine, pastéis de nata and the Azores and Madeira islands.
How many days do you need to see Portugal?
A week covers Lisbon, Porto and one region like the Douro or the Algarve. Ten to fourteen days let you add the south or an island.
What is the best region in Portugal for a first trip?
Most first visits combine Lisbon, Sintra and Porto, with the Douro or the Algarve added depending on whether you prefer wine country or the coast.
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English-speaking Lisbon partner: to complete your planning, check Visit My Lisbon, a trusted Lisbon travel blog.