If you’re looking for a place to go on vacation, I’ve got the best spots for you! Portugal is a beautiful country that has so much to offer. From breathtaking beaches and ancient castles, to delicious food and friendly people, there is no shortage of things to do in this wonderful destination.
The best places to go in Portugal include Lisbon, Sintra and Porto.
Lisbon
Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal is not to be missed. The best way to see the city is by taking a walk along the cobblestone streets of Alfama. The narrow roads are lined with colourful homes and it’s easy to feel like you’re in an old-fashioned fairytale town. Stroll past local markets, artisan shops and restaurants for great dining options as well! You will eat a great deal of fish and local traditional cuisine.
I’d recommend that you spend at least 3-4 days in Lisbon, longer if you want to explore the surrounding areas. Check out one of its long list of museums or head over to Belém for Portuguese traditions like sardines grilled on an open fire with bread from a street vendor nearby or ‘pão de queijo’ (cheese buns). The main sites that you should see in Lisbon are:
Porto
Porto is best known for its famous Port wine, as well as the iconic bridge that connects it to Vila Nova da Gaia. Make sure that while you are there you make time for Port Tasting in Porto.
This city has a rich architectural history and offers some of the best views in Portugal. Spend your day exploring old churches or modern museums; taking a short drive up Cape Espichel will offer you an even better view. Don’t miss the Bolsa Palace, Porto Cathedral and Sao Bento station.
If you’re interested in outdoor activities, I recommend renting bikes or signing up for a kayaking tour. Be sure to take the time and make your way through all of Porto’s best vistas.
We recommend checking out Carioca Cafe if you like jazz music (and coffee). The Jazz Station has live performances every night at midnight. You’ll find everything from Brazilian funk bands, Cuban salsa musicians, Afrobeat and more. One warning though: this place gets rowdy late at night!
Nazare
Famous as a surf spot, Nazare has one of Portugal’s best beaches. It’s best to visit during the summer months, but it is still worth a visit in other seasons.
After you’ve had your fill of outdoor activities and sunbathing, take some time to check out Nazare’s historic center with its narrow streets and old churches.
Evora
If you’re interested in exploring the best places to go in Portugal, it might be best to start with Evora. The city has a host of attractions for everyone from history buffs and architecture fans to outdoor adventurers. Don’t miss:
- Chapel of Bones
- Evora Cathedral
- Roman Ruins
The best way to see Evora is by getting out of the city and exploring the surrounding countryside. There are many great spots for hiking, cycling, or taking scenic walks, so pack your camera!
If you’re coming during a festival time like Semana Santa (Holy Week) or in August when there’s an exciting bullfighting competition going on – tickets are available at the tourist office.
Cascais & Estoril
Along the coast, you can’t miss a trip to Cascais and Estoril – these are some best places to go in Portugal. Both offer plenty of room for parks, shopping malls, cafés and restaurants.
Sintra
Famously a major tourist spot thanks to its connection with the Romantic poets, Sintra’s best attractions are best seen by hiking up Pena Hill. If you’re not confident on your feet or don’t have time for that then there is a cable car too. For those who want something more atmospheric visit Quinta da Regaleira and explore dark caves at night as well as brightly-lit gardens during the day.
Cabo da Roca
The furthest western point of Europe, Cabo da Roca offers beautiful views over cliffs into France which extend towards Lisbon in one direction and all the way down to Spain in another – best places to go in Portugal indeed!
Monte Gordo
The best beaches in Portugal are found around the Algarve, but Monte Gordo offers a splendid introduction to Portuguese water sports. It’s a more more ‘Portuguese’ resort than the usual Algarve destinations that are popular with the Brits such as Albufeira.
Faro
Faro Portugal is a coastal city in far northwest and is one of the best places to go in Portugal. It’s part of the Algarve region, and it’s considered to be one of Europe’s sunniest cities, with around 300 days of sunshine per year on average! The climate lends itself well as a perfect location for beach holidays or golfing vacations.
Faro was once an important port that served merchants who sought shelter from Atlantic storms near Cape St Vincent at its southwestern tip; this area has been designated by UNESCO as the “Cape St. Vincent natural park.”
Portimao
The markets in Portimao are some of the nicest ones I have ever seen with fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meats for sale on every street corner. They also sell dairy products like cheese and eggs from local farmers which taste so much spots better than what we get back home! You will find many other stalls selling all sorts of gifts and souvenirs too like tablecloths, pottery, ornaments etc…just about anything your heart desires really!
There are lots of great restaurants to choose in Portimao. It is possible to find something for every taste.
The beaches in Portimao are stunning and you can do a lot of water sports like surfing, windsurfing or even kite-surfing! I loved the nightlife there too which was really happening on Friday nights when all the bars were open until late with live music playing everywhere.
Lagos
One of the most popular Algarve destinations is Lagos. It offers fantastic beaches and dramatic coastlines. Lagos is also famous for its walled Old Town, making it a fantastic holiday destination.
