Though a relatively small country, Portugal has a culture, history and landscape that can rival anywhere in Europe.
The continent’s westernmost country has several enviable features, from a mild climate and a privileged location on the edge of the Atlantic to incredibly varied natural landscapes alongside characterful towns and cities.
Capital Lisbon is a perennially popular choice, while second city Porto is gaining ground as more people visit for a weekend by the waters of the Douro. The Algarve’s magnificent beaches remain a draw for many, but tourists are starting to explore pastures new further into the Atlantic as the wild beauty of the autonomous islands of Madeira and the Azores begins to attract more visitors.
With such a range of destinations, it can be difficult to choose exactly where to visit on your Portuguese getaway, so we’ve rounded up some of the best towns, cities and regions to get you inspired.
Lisbon
A view over Lisbon and the Sao Jorge Castle
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The country’s cosmopolitan capital is a great place to start a trip to Portugal. Its rising hills and cobbled alleys hide hundreds of years of history – from the Jeronimos Monastery to the imposing Sao Jorge castle that overlooks the city – while its vast port and waterfront areas mark a fusion of the city’s modern personality and maritime past. Landmarks such as the 16th-century Belem Tower are juxtaposed with rows of bars and restaurants lining the city’s historic squares.
The central areas are easy to explore on foot, though the city is a large one; use the iconic Tram 28 cross the city in quintessentially Lisbon style while seeing some of the sights; the route takes you through the characterful districts of Bairro Alto and Alfama.
Near the waterfront, the LX Factory provides the hipster dream blend of shops and eateries housed in industrial warehouses, while Time Out Market is Lisbon’s culinary heart, a large indoor market with stalls that showcase a variety of the city’s best restaurants, from steak-only stalls to the famous pastéis de nata (custard tarts).
When to travel to Lisbon
For great weather and fewer people, head to Lisbon in the shoulder seasons. June and September have the best weather (think highs around 25C); May and October are likely to be cheaper while still bringing average temperatures around 17C.
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