A small country that punches well above its weight for all kinds of tourism. The Algarve region is the most popular followed by Lisbon where there are a plethora of options for all types of travellers. But go slightly off the beaten track to the Porto region, Coimbra or the hinterland and there is another side of Portugal to catch. Distances are small, prices are competitive and many areas aren’t overly packed. Explore a bit further to catch the real Portugal.
Community Tips For Portugal
The two major airports in Lisbon and Porto are located very close to the city centre which means a very short trip into the city.
Hiring a car in Portugal is easy but companies will charge you a lot for insurance, especially if it is fully comprehensive. That is often not in the headline cost.
Shopping centres are a good place to eat, especially for families who all want different items. In most towns, you can head to the top floor where the praça de alimentação will be located.
Try some of the local cuisine, such as the bacalhau – salted codfish and pastéis de nata – custard tarts.
Explore Portugal
Lisbon Region
Lisbon is very much a walking city but be ware of the many hills!
Some of the most well known sites are actually slightly outside the city centre. The Jerónimos Monastery in the Belém district is normally easier to visit by bus. It also gets very busy!
Look out for Portugal’s version of the Christ the Redeemer statue. Located on the other side of the river Tagus to the main tourist sites.
Nearby areas of Cascais and Estoril are great destinations in their own right. You can stay there instead of Lisbon or if not certainly visit it on a day trip.
In addition, the old historic town of Sintra is very close too and should be visited in conjunction with Cascais or on its own.
Porto Region
Smaller and more manageable than Lisbon, it is often overlooked but should not be.
Even if you are not a fan of Port, you should visit some of the old port houses. One of the most famous is Taylors, which is originally British like many of them.
A cruise down the Douro river is a must if you have the time. You can do it for the day or longer as you wish. Wonderful posadas are located on the banks for a great authentic overnight stay. If you drive there one way, strap in as the roads are very narrow!
Espinho is a small town located about 20k south of Porto and has excellent sweeping beaches. Much better value than some other areas (Vera.)
Algarve
Pick your time to go. The summer can be overwhelming and also very hot. Shoulder seasons are more reccomended for sure.
The Algarve has some amazing villages that are wirth visiting. Try the colourful Ferragudo village as a great example of this. It has a lovely beach too.
Don’t neglect the towns of Faro and Albufeira. Interesting with old world charm and a good break from the beach.
The area is full of stunning rock formations and inlets. Choose your boat trips or diving carefully to include some of these gems.
Interior
There is much to see and renting a car is by far the easiest way to get around.
Some of the smaller cities and towns are very picturesque. Coimbra is a great place to visit and a main university town. Braga in the north is the religious home of Portugal with an abundance of churches (Rich.)
If you like wines, try the Dão Wine Region or towns like Viseu and Lamego which offer wine experiences.
The real interior is located close to the border with Spain. Visit Evora or the beautiful town of Monsanto for a tuly authentic experience.
