Portugal has so much to offer: beautiful landscapes, lively cities, interesting culture, delicious food and wine and friendly people. And best of all, it’s affordable compared to other popular European destinations!
Planning a trip to Portugal isn’t complicated, but it’s important to follow a few tips to help you prepare for your stay. Whether you want to go to Albufeira, Lagos, or simply enjoy a sandy beach in the heart of a natural park on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean!
So if you don’t fancy an all-inclusive or all-inclusive holiday, but want to chart your own course, follow the guide.
How to get to Portugal
The vast majority of visitors to Portugal arrive by air, with the international airports of Lisbon, Porto and Faro all well served by European airlines.
There are no direct international trains to Portugal, but it’s very easy to cross by car from Spain, thanks to the European Union’s principle of free movement.
How do you get around Portugal and discover this fabulous country?
Portugal is a small country and the distances involved are never great.
That said, the car is still the best way to get around in a limited amount of time.
If you don’t drive, trains connect all Portugal’s major cities.
There are also buses to almost every town in between.
Our advice: check the timetables carefully to minimize your waiting time.
The best time of year to plan your vacation in Portugal
The best times to visit Portugal really depend on the region(s) you plan to visit.
- In general, the shoulder seasons of May-June and September-October are ideal.
- April and November are known to be rainy throughout the country, and although winter temperatures in Portugal are not freezing, the best time to make the most of your trip is the shoulder season.
The cities of Lisbon and Porto are always very popular, especially in summer and during the vacations. But let’s talk about the other regions:
The Douro Valley and Northern Portugal
The period from late August to October is ideal for traveling in the north. Harvesting generally takes place from late August to late September. If you go in early October, some vineyards may still be harvesting. It’s an ideal time to visit the region and see the grape-pickers at work.
Interior of Alentejo
This dry region is extremely hot in summer, with temperatures exceeding 40-45 degrees. The ideal time to visit is September or early October, also during the grape harvest, when temperatures are perfect for enjoying nature or relaxing by the pool.
May and June are also pleasant. July and August are too hot to spend much time outside, except at the pool.
Coastal Alentejo
If you want to enjoy the beach, you should visit between May and October. Although the beaches are more popular with Lisbon locals, you only need to walk a few minutes along the seafront to discover the region’s magnificent stretches of sand.
The Algarve and Lagos
The Algarve is very lively in summer, when tourists flock to the coast, but it’s possible to enjoy it all year round. The town of Lagos is a great place to sample local life in a typically Portuguese atmosphere.
You may not be able to swim in winter. However, you can hike along the cliffs, explore the caves and the coastline, which is absolutely sublime. What’s more, the Algarve’s towns are a little quieter in the off-season, which is great if you want to do some cultural sightseeing. The Algarve’s beaches are stunning, so take your time exploring the coast.
The Azores
The ideal time to visit the Azores is from May to July, when the hydrangeas are in full bloom and the islands are bursting with color and greenery. It’s also the busiest time of the year. Portugal’s waters are generally quite cold, even in summer, but the Gulf Stream keeps temperatures around the islands fairly warm all year round.
Whatever time of year you visit, the weather on the islands is very fickle and can change at any moment. So it’s best to be prepared for sun, rain, wind and fog – all in a single day!
Enjoy the local gastronomy during your stay in Portugal
Portuguese cuisine ranges from high-end, with Michelin-starred chefs, to casual taverns serving authentic, inexpensive dishes.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself now with the dishes you will frequently see served in Portuguese restaurants:
- Pastéis de bacalhau – salt cod fritters or croquettes
- Pastel de nata (or Belem) – classic egg cream tarts
- Caldo verde – kale or cabbage soup (often served as a starter)
- Sardines – usually grilled
- Fresh seafood – from shrimp with garlic butter to seafood rice, sea bass, monk fish and octopus.
- Bifana – typical beef or pork sandwich
- Francesinha – a sausage sandwich topped with cheese and sauce, found in Porto.
- Chicken piri piri – roasted or grilled with Mozambique spices
- Iberian black pork – acorn-fed and similar to Spanish jamon iberico, but served cured or as a grilled tenderloin.
- Orange juice – Don’t miss a taste of Portugal’s excellent oranges and other fruits.
- Local honey – if you see local honey on the breakfast buffet, be sure to try some!
- Eating out in Portugal is very affordable compared to other European countries. If you eat in a casual taberna, you’ll get a full meal for less than 10 euros (15 with a glass of wine).
Beware of the “couvert” charge, which consists of a small basket of bread and a plate of olives brought to the table at the start of the meal. This is sometimes indicated on the menu. Either you order it, or it’s brought in automatically (which doesn’t mean it’s free.) If you don’t want it, or don’t want to pay for it, simply refuse it.
10-day itinerary in Portugal
Our recommended itinerary for Portugal has been carefully crafted to include the best of the country, combining coastal life, the most iconic cities and nature walks. You can do it both ways. It starts in the Algarve, then moves on to Lisbon and Porto, with day trips from both cities ensuring an unforgettable stay.
Days 1 to 4 – The Algarve
Portugal’s far south abounds in excellent sandy coves backed by majestic sheer cliffs, and quality golf courses. The inland regions are less touristy and ideal for those seeking adventure off the beaten track. Here you’ll discover the scrubland of the southern Mediterranean and authentic, traditional villages where time stands still.
In the Algarve, take your time beach hopping to the quieter beaches of Cape St Vincent. Discover the Costa Vicentina and enjoy the nightlife with a wide choice of restaurants and nightclubs in the pretty town of Faro. Portugal is a very safe destination where you can travel with the whole family.
Days 5 to 7 – Lisbon, Sintra and Cascais
After a three-hour drive north along the coast, you’ll reach Lisbon, the Portuguese capital. The city’s atmosphere of old-world charm and the melancholy sounds of Fado music reveal a vibrant city full of life. Above all, don’t miss out on the capital’s extraordinarily authentic gastronomic scene, a hidden gem just waiting to be explored, by discovering the flavors of Lisbon’s spice route.
Any itinerary in Portugal should include Lisbon and Sintra. Sintra is a fairytale town, with the colorful castle walls of the Palacio da Pena. Not to mention Michelin-starred restaurants and a beautiful, peaceful park, once a favorite getaway for the Portuguese royal family.
A little further south, your Portugal vacation continues the next day in Cascais, a once-quiet fishing village of charming little streets. Then head to the coast near the westernmost point of continental Europe, to Cabo da Roca. Don’t miss the chance to walk or cycle along the seafront promenade before heading into the wonderful old town.
Days 8 to 10 – Porto, Aveiro, Nazaré, Peniche, Baleal and the Douro Valley
Portugal’s attractive second city, Porto, completes your journey north. Porto’s historic center is made up of centuries-old walls. It’s a city you can stroll around for hours, and one that only slowly reveals itself. It hides a vast array of impressive attractions. From Porto Cathedral to a family-run winery where you can taste the country’s finest wines.
It would be easy to spend three whole days discovering the delights of Porto and its people. However, if you want to get out of town, there are plenty of other places to visit in the surrounding area.
Sometimes dubbed the “Venice of Portugal”, Aveiro has its own unique form of gondola, the barcos moliceiros. Treat yourself to a ride on one of these boats to explore its network of canals.
Nazaré is world-famous for its impressively high surf, especially on the Peniche and Baleal sides.
Finally, you should know that Porto is famous for its wines (as mentioned above). And, if you want to experience a real wine tasting in an exceptional setting, the Douro Valley just outside Porto is the place to go. It’s something you really must do on a trip to Portugal.
