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The Portugal travel guide
Everything we tell friends who visit us in Portugal: which region suits you, when to come, how to get around and how to plan a trip that doesn't feel rushed.
Choose your region
Lisbon and Sintra
Tiled streets, viewpoints, tram hills and palace day trips. Best for a first visit and short breaks.
Places and tips
Porto and the North
Riverside Porto, the Douro wine valley and green hills. Cooler, greener and great in spring and autumn.
Places and tips
Central Portugal
Coimbra, Nazaré, schist villages and mountain rivers — the quiet heart most visitors skip.
Places and tips
The Alentejo
Cork oaks, olive groves, whitewashed towns and wild beaches. Slow travel, big skies, long lunches.
Places and tips
The Algarve
Golden cliffs, sea caves and family beaches. Busy in summer, lovely and calm in spring and autumn.
Places and tipsPortugal travel basics
When to go
Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) give warm days with fewer crowds. July and August are hot inland and busy on the coast. Winter is mild, quiet and good for cities.
Getting around
Trains and buses link Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and the Algarve well. For the Alentejo, Central Portugal and small villages, a hire car gives you much more freedom.
How long to stay
One week covers Lisbon plus one region. Ten days lets you add a second region; two weeks allows a relaxed north-to-south road trip.
Food to try
Grilled sardines, bacalhau, pastéis de nata, Alentejo pork, fresh seafood rice and — of course — a good local extra virgin olive oil with bread.
Money and costs
Portugal uses the euro. Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for small cafés, markets and village shops.
Safety and the sea
Portugal is generally very safe. The Atlantic can be strong: swim at beaches with lifeguards and respect the flag colours.
Plan your trip
Festivals & seasons calendar
What's happening in Portugal month by month.
Free 7-day itinerary
A relaxed first week, day by day.
Trip planner
Shape a route around your dates and interests.
Regional guides
Detailed downloadable guides for each region.
Best beaches
Our favourite stretches of coast.
Portugal with kids
Family-friendly ideas and tips.