Portugal Travel Guide

Hilly, sun-drenched and full of character, Lisbon is one of Europe’s most beguiling capital cities. Ride the iconic Tram 28 through the narrow streets of Alfama, the city’s oldest neighbourhood, where Moorish walls, ancient churches and fado music spill out from open doorways. Take the Elevador de Santa Justa for sweeping views over the terracotta rooftops and discover the grand Praca do Comércio, where the city meets the Tagus. Belém, a short ride from the centre, is home to the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery and the iconic Torre de Belém, two of Portugal’s most celebrated UNESCO World Heritage-listed monuments.

Porto is one of Europe’s most atmospheric and photogenic cities, and its historic Ribeira district has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Stroll along the riverfront, passing colourful merchants’ houses, cross the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge for panoramic views over the Douro and admire the extraordinary azulejo tile panels that decorate the facade of São Bento railway station, widely considered one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. From history lovers and architecture enthusiasts to food and wine seekers, Porto rewards every kind of traveller.

Portugal’s most famous export was born in the steep, terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley and aged in the lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia, directly across the river from Porto. A visit to one of the historic port wine lodges, many of which have been producing wine for centuries, is a memorable experience. Sample tawny, ruby and vintage ports, learn about the remarkable process of fortification and ageing, and raise a glass of one of the world’s great wine styles in the city where it all began.

Just 30 kilometres from Lisbon, the UNESCO-listed cultural landscape of Sintra is one of Portugal’s most extraordinary day trip destinations. The Pena Palace, perched dramatically on a hilltop and painted in vivid yellows and reds, is one of the finest examples of 19th-century Romantic architecture in Europe. The Moorish Castle, the enchanting Quinta da Regaleira with its mysterious initiation wells, and the elegant National Palace of Sintra all add to a landscape that feels like something from a storybook. The surrounding forests and sea views make Sintra one of the most memorable stops on any Portugal itinerary.

Perched on the Atlantic coast north of Lisbon, Nazaré is a small fishing village that has become world famous for one extraordinary reason: it is home to the largest waves on earth. Each winter, swells generated thousands of kilometres away in the North Atlantic funnel through an underwater canyon and rise to heights exceeding 30 metres, drawing the world’s most daring big wave surfers to its shores. The clifftop suburb of Sítio offers breathtaking views over the beach and town below, while the village itself retains a genuine Portuguese character, featuring colourful fishing boats, seafood restaurants and locals who have called this stretch of coast home for generations.