Planning a trip to Portugal and not sure where to go and how to plan your trip? On this page, you will find travel inspiration and insider tips for visiting a wide variety of destinations all over Portugal.
From cities to the most beautiful beaches, itinerary suggestions, and helpful tips, our stories and experience-based tips will give you a better idea of what to expect and help you plan a perfect trip to Portugal. Find out!
Portugal is a true gem of southern Europe. No matter which part we visit, it surprises us time and again and exceeds all our expectations.
Our first introduction to the country was an island-hopping trip in the Azores, many years before we even started this blog. These little islands in the middle of the Atlantic were still very much undiscovered to the big crowds at that time. It’s one of the most authentic locations we have visited in Europe.
Several years later, we did a 10-day road trip through Central Portugal. We were completely blown away! Every town, every village we visited was so lovely and each different from another. We never realized that Portugal had so much more to offer than a city break in Lisbon or Porto or a beach vacation in Algarve…
The moment we returned home from our road trip, we knew we wanted to go back and explore more of Portugal. So we immediately booked the flights for next year and went back again. This time we decided to visit the island of Madeira. At the same time, we made just a short stopover in Algarve and Alentejo coast. Just long enough to get us planning yet another trip to the region…
Yet a few years later, we traveled back to the Azores and loved it even more than the first time…
It’s safe to say that Portugal has truly captured our hearts. Nowadays, we go to Portugal several times a year, and we never want to leave. Having visited dozens of countries all over the world, I can tell you that there are very few places where we ever return, let alone more than once.
There is just something about Portugal that makes you want to come back before you even leave. It has all of the ingredients for an unforgettable vacation for any type of traveler. Whether you are looking for history, architecture, food, local traditions, or beach and outdoors – Portugal has it all.
Below, you can find an overview of articles about some of our most recent travel experiences all over Portugal. It will give you plenty of ideas about the best places to see and the best things to do in various regions of Portugal and help you plan a perfect trip of your own. Find out!
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Portugal Travel Tips & Destination Guides
- Best Things to Do in Portugal (Bucket List)
Central Portugal
- Best Towns and Cities in Portugal
- 10 days in Portugal: Trip Itinerary from Lisbon to Porto
- Nazaré Fishermen’s Village
- Portugal with Kids
- Lisbon:
- Sintra:
Algarve
- Best Things to Do in Algarve (Must-Sees)
- Where to Stay in Algarve
- Algarve Travel Tips
- Algarve Itinerary (Perfect for the first trip)
- Best Beaches in Algarve
- Benagil Cave (+ Is Benagil Cave Closed? Recent Updates).
- Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
- Best Places for Kayaking in Algarve
- Best towns:
- Albufeira:
- Lagos:
- For families:
Madeira
- Best Things to Do in Madeira
- Best Things To Do in Funchal
- Best Hikes in Madeira
- Hidden Gems of Madeira (That Most Tourists Never See)
- Whale and Dolphin Watching in Madeira
- Achadas da Cruz Cable Car – Madeira’s Best Kept Secret
The Azores
- Best Things to Do in São Miguel
- Best Things to Do in Ponta Delgada
- Best Things to Do in Sete Cidades
- Best Things to Do in Furnas
- Where to Stay in São Miguel Island
Plan Your Trip to Portugal
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Portugal depends on what you are planning to do.
For the best weather, sightseeing, as well as beaches, the best time to visit is between May and September. July and August are the peak months, especially at the beaches, and it gets really hot for sightseeing in the cities.
For milder weather for sightseeing, the best time to visit Portugal is in the shoulder season. April-May and September-November are great months for that.
- What it’s like to visit Portugal in April
- What it’s like to visit Algarve in April
- What it’s like to visit Algarve in November
- What it’s like to visit Algarve in December
Good to know: Both – Madeira and the Azores – are year-round destinations with milder weather than in mainland Portugal. In summer, it usually doesn’t get nearly as hot as in Portugal; and in winter, you can expect spring-like temperatures, but also more wind and some rain.
Flying to Portugal
Many airlines are flying directly to various destinations in Portugal and the islands. So the best way to get to Portugal depends on where you are coming from/traveling to. You can find the best flight deals by searching on the most popular flight comparison sites, just don’t forget to check alternative airports – both, in your home country as well as in Portugal.
TIP: If you are looking for flights to Madeira, the Azores, but also for flights to Portugal from abroad, it’s usually best to check the FlyTAP website. TAP Air Portugal is the main airline in the country offering the best selection of flights to all Portuguese destinations.
Also, TAP sometimes has good deals for flights that include a free stopover in Lisbon. We once took advantage of this offer and could visit two Portuguese destinations in one trip at no extra cost.
Accommodation in Portugal
In general, accommodation is quite affordable in Portugal, especially outside the biggest cities and the most popular tourist attractions. However, if you are looking for a hotel in central Lisbon or want to spend a few weeks at the most popular beaches of the Algarve in the peak season, you have to be prepared to pay the same prices as anywhere else in Europe.
That said, there are always accommodations for all budgets and it’s quite easy to find good quality for a reasonable price. We always use Booking.com for hotels as well as private rentals in Portugal.
Car Rental in Portugal
Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Europe for car hire. Still, it’s best to book in advance or you risk paying a couple of times more, especially if traveling in the high season and booking last minute.
Nowadays, we always use Booking.com’s car hire website and have always been able to find great deals all over Portugal. We always opt for their full insurance option as well – it costs a lot less than at the counter.
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