We’re assuming Portugal is on your bucket list (and it should be), so we’re here to help you plan your dream vacation. With these pointers, you’ll be able to check off all the Portuguese-tiled boxes on your journey through rolling vineyard-clad hills, magical architecture, and long pristine beaches. So there you have it, your Top Ten – vamos la!
1. Northern Portugal
The breathtakingly beautiful Douro Valley is located in northern Portugal, where vineyards line the hills and boats and ships travel up and down the river. Cruising the Douro River is becoming increasingly popular because it allows you to enjoy breathtaking views of land and water while sipping your finest port wine on the deck.
2. Sister cities of the North
Each of Braga and Guimaraes has one of Portugal’s 17 (!) cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The fantastical Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga offers a world unto itself as well as breathtaking views of the city. Try their local specialty, Pudim à Abade de Priscos.
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Guimaraes’ historical center, on the other hand, is a time warp in and of itself, with fairytale architecture dating from the Middle Ages to the late 19th century. These cities will enchant you because they are easily combined. Throughout the year, the city celebrates its heritage by keeping traditions and gastronomy from centuries ago alive!.
3. A hidden Celtic gem
Portugal has a rich history, including Celtic heritage, and 20 minutes from either Braga or Guimaraes are the ruins (and some reconstructions) of a walled village with Bronze Age roots. Citania de Briteiros is a rare sight with well-preserved house foundations; you can truly imagine what it once looked like and walk the alleyways from many centuries ago.
4. Porto – the unconquered city
Porto, the country’s second largest city, comes in at number ten on our list! Once a Roman outpost called Portus Cale, the city has given its name to both the country of Portugal and the aforementioned port wine. Porto has been at the top of the website European Best Destination’s yearly list in 2012, 2014, and 2017! This vibrant city is also known as ‘invicta,’ which means unconquered in Latin, because it never surrendered during the 19th century civil war, even after a year-long siege!
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Consider dining in buildings that are hundreds of years old; for example, parts of the Ribeira restaurants are remnants of the city’s medieval walls. In a nutshell, this vibrant and lively city is a shapeshifter of delights! Make it your’spa and wine’ getaway spot, your art and design adventure, and, most importantly, your starting point for exploring the wonderful northern region.
5.Coimbra – the historic capital
As we continue south on our Top Ten list, the captivating city of Coimbra, famous for its long and important history, reflects the various eras of Portugal as a nation. The city declined after the Roman era, despite having a well-preserved aqueduct to show for it, but rose to prominence again in the Middle Ages when it became the capital of Portugal from 1131 to 1255.
History has left many significant landmarks, and even after the capital was relocated to Lisbon, Coimbra remained an important cultural hub, with the University of Coimbra being the country’s oldest, still in operation after 700+ years, and another UNESCO heritage site due to its architecture and historical significance. You won’t want to miss its ornate and gilded library, fit for a chapel!
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You’re probably hungry and thirsty after a history lesson and some amazing photos. You can, of course, order the ubiquitous bacalhau, but if you want to add a local twist to your plate and are ready to indulge, order ‘leito’ – suckling pig roasted and basted until almost creamy soft. There are several local pastries to try, such as Pastel de Tentgal and Barrigas de Freira, for those with a sweet tooth.
6. The Portuguese Riviera
We mentioned Portugal’s fairytale architecture earlier in this article, and the Palácio Nacional da Pena is a prime example of that, perched on top of a hill in the Sintra mountains. It was once a monastery, but the devastating 1755 Great Earthquake shook the ground even at this 30 km distance from Lisbon, with only the chapel surviving unscathed.
The ruins and surrounding lands remained undeveloped until King consort Ferdinand II, married to Queen Maria II, decided to build a castle as a summer residence for the royal family to escape the heat of Lisbon. He had no idea that the site would be open to the public years later! A perfect location for music videos and wedding photos, as well as an idyllic getaway for Portuguese and foreign tourists, not just royals.
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The site is now a UNESCO-listed museum and a beloved landmark of Portugal, with its individually colored wings and towers and eclectic mix of historical influences from Gothic, Moorish, and Renaissance. It does have a cooler climate than Lisbon, with the occasional fog adding to the fairytale atmosphere, so bring a sweater.
Cascais
We don’t blame you for wanting to catch up with the sun after a visit to Sintra’s cooler air. If that’s the case, you’re in luck because nearby Cascais is a great place to go sailing and surfing, as well as sip a drink and eat some delicious seafood. Cascais bay, just 30 minutes by car or bus from Sintra, welcomes you to its waterfront old town with grilled octopus, locally produced’saloio’ sheep’s cheese, and local wines like white Arinto and red Ramisco.
7. Lisbon – city of lights
So we’ve arrived in the country’s capital and largest city, as well as the most visited – and for good reason! Lisbon, known as the ‘City of Lights’ due to the way the city is reflected in the water, has a long and amazing history dating back to the Iron Age, with trade with the Phoenicians documented through coins and pottery.
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There are numerous historical gems that take you through the city’s eras, with Saint George’s Castle being a prime example from the Middle Ages. The walls, built by the moors in the 10th century, form an impressive silhouette and serve as a reminder of the city’s history prior to the 1755 earthquake. The disaster not only sparked new developments in the city’s homogeneous Baroque architecture, but it also sent ripples through intellectual spheres. Because the church did not have adequate explanations for why and how the earthquake occurred, many people began to ask scientific questions to explain the event, which has been cited as a starting point for the Enlightenment movement.
Treasures and trams
To experience today’s Lisbon, take the iconic yellow tram and watch this dynamic city unfold in front of your eyes. It is one of the few European capitals that faces the sea, and it served as a gateway to the Atlantic and the rest of the world for Portuguese explorers and traders who traveled as far as Brazil, India, Mozambique in East Africa, and Macau on the South China Sea. After centuries as a global city, Lisbon today maintains its dynamic, multicultural identity, with a reputation for being a safe, liberal, and very welcoming place to visit and settle down.
No matter how long you stay, you must try one of Portugal’s seven culinary wonders, the ‘pastel de nata’! It’s a custardy, golden-brown treasure you won’t soon forget. Originally invented in the 19th century at the Jerónimos Monastery as they used egg whites to starch their robes and habits and thus always had a steady supply of egg yolks which they put to the most delectable use imaginable. Since 1837, the original recipe has been kept secret, and the original shop sells approximately 20,000 of them per day! The ‘pasteis de nata’ (in plural) have become synonymous with Lisbon and are probably the best item to bring home if you can resist eating another one long enough!
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8. The Algarve
Don’t miss out on the Algarve region, which is known for its dramatic yet welcoming beaches. The coast invites you to spend entire days in the sun and in the water during the summer! Instead of the colorful facades of Porto and Lisbon, white-washed houses with beautifully contrasting cobalt and teal frames around doors and windows greet you in the south. As beautiful as it is, white reflects the heat of the summer sun and keeps the houses cool, combining functionality with purposeful beauty.
With a coastline of 127 miles / 205 kilometers, there is plenty to discover both along the beaches and in the rolling hills of the hinterland. Most visitors concentrate on the southern coast, where the three pearls of Lagos, Albufeira, and Faro are both fantastic towns to visit in their own right and your ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding area. The lighthouse of Cabo de So Vicente, which overlooks the crucial southwestern tip of not only Portugal, but all of continental Europe, is a must-see! While the current lighthouse, in crisp white with red roofs, has been standing since 1846, lighthouses have existed here since the 1500s, making it a place rich in history as well as breathtaking views.
9. Madeira
Madeira, located 668,59 miles or 1,076 kilometers from the Portuguese mainland, is an Atlantic jewel that is both a vital part of the nation’s history and has its own identity and treasures to enchant you. Portugal was the country that sparked the Age of Discovery in the 1500s, and the discovery of Madeira was the beginning of it all, eventually leading to the discovery of the Americas and the world as we know it today.
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While the island shares many of its treasures with the mainland, such as wine and breathtaking views, Madeira is a volcanic island with its own dramatic character and atmosphere. Madeira Natural Park is a kaleidoscope of natural wonders and breathtaking views, with hike trails like no other place on the planet! The park has several smaller designated areas that are dedicated to smaller bioclimates within the park, each with its own personality and protected species.
10. The Azores
Last but not least, we’ve reached the farthest reaches of this wonderful country on our Top Ten list! With its dramatic, volcanic landscape shaped by the Atlantic and intriguing history, this could be one of your favorites!
Lagoa do Fogo, a lake picturesquely located within a volcanic crater on the island of So Miguel, is a must-see. Don’t be concerned; the volcano hasn’t erupted since 1563, so it’s perfectly safe! The area is protected, and no construction is permitted, making it a true escape into the volcanic wilderness. Allow yourself to wander the world of discoveries and discover a 5000-year-old landscape!
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Because of its location, this remarkable archipelago may be cooler than the mainland, but the weather can change quickly, so checking the forecast and dressing appropriately is essential for enjoying this island paradise. To warm up, try a local ‘cozido,’ a meat and vegetable stew cooked on the volcanic geysers, which blow steam into the air and serve as a long-cook kitchen right out of the ground!
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