A Guide to Portugal: What to Do and Where to Stay

From the historic waterfront cities of Lisbon and Porto to the Alentejo’s vast plains of olive, orange and cork groves, Portugal blends a vibrant bar and restaurant scene with rural away-from-it-all landscapes. The ancient, walled hill-top towns, cutting-edge clubs and historic tiled churches appeal year-round, while in summer, the many sandy beaches are the main draw.

The best places to visit in Portugal

Praça do Comércio, Lisbon

Lisbon

Sprawling across a series of hills that tumble down towards the wide Tagus river, Portugal’s capital Lisbon is an immensely appealing city that captivates all who set foot in it. The winding cobbled alleyways, hidden squares and steep staircases of the ancient Alfama district contrast with the grand neo-classical buildings and imposing public squares of the Baixa. Lisbon is a historic city that’s perfect for walking – around every corner you’ll stumble across a flower-strewn courtyard filled with café tables or a miradouro that opens up to give expansive vistas over the river or castle. One of the best places to stay in Lisbon for views is the Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa, whose top-floor Panorama bar and restaurant look out over the entire city.

Porto

Port wine lodge, Porto

Preserved by UNESCO World Heritage status, the colourful buildings of Porto’s old town tumble down the hillside to a lively waterfront, where tables spill out into the streets from the many local bars and restaurants. Like Lisbon, Porto has an enchanting mix of grand buildings, wide boulevards and steep winding cobbled streets, so where to go once you’re in town? You shouldn’t miss a tour of the port wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, followed by a tasting of the city’s iconic drink on a waterfront terrace. The stylish, spacious Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa makes a perfect base for visiting some of Porto’s cultural attractions, including the cool Casa de Musica designed by Rem Koolhaas and the leafy Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art.

The Algarve

The Algarve

From small sheltered coves to long sandy stretches backed by dunes, the Algarve has some of Portugal's best beaches, with more than a hundred to choose from. For a cultural change from the sun and sand, one of the best places to visit in the Algarve is the historic town of Tavira with its ruined castle, cobbled streets and riverfront fish restaurants. For unbridled luxury, the Pine Cliffs Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort sits on the cliff-top above the pretty Praia de Falesia, surrounded by landscaped gardens and pine woods.

What to eat and drink in Portugal

Arroz de marisco

Fish and seafood are must-try dishes in Portugal, and this tasty seafood stew packed with prawns, crab, shellfish and rice in a tomato sauce is a favourite. On sunny Sunday lunchtimes, Lisboetas flock to the seaside resort of Costa de Caparica to eat huge dishes of arroz de marisco at O Barbas restaurant overlooking the beach.

Pastel de nata

Pastel de nata are best eaten warm from the oven

This delicious flaky pastry tart filled with custard and dusted with cinnamon is best eaten warm from the oven at the bakery-café in Belem, where they have been made since 1837.

Port

The home of port, Vila Nova de Gaia is the place to sample this rich fortified wine. Graham’s Wine Lodge has a tasting room with views over the river, where you can sample various ports, paired with cheese or even chocolate.

New Portuguese cuisine

Portugal has a vibrant gastronomic scene using local ingredients in innovative ways. José Avillez has spearheaded this movement and his atmospheric Mini Bar in Lisbon is one of the great places to eat interesting and unusual Portuguese cuisine. Delicious dishes to try include ice cream cones made from seaweed and filled with tuna tartare, apple margaritas that look like rose petals and, surprisingly enough, exploding olives.

Top things to do in Portugal

The fairytale Pena Palace

One of the most fun things to do in Lisbon is to hop onto one of the atmospheric old wooden trams that trundle up and down the steep narrow streets. Tram 28 is the best route to take as it passes through the city’s most picturesque districts giving great glimpses of the river, the streets and city.

The medieval city of Óbidos is one of Portugal’s best-preserved walled hilltop villages. One of the most interesting things to do here is to walk around the village walls, peering into flower-filled gardens and looking out over the olive groves and fields towards the sea. The Praia D'El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort makes an excellent base to explore Óbidos, with the added bonus of being right on the beach.

Spread over several hills along a wooded ridge, the unmissable town of Sintra was once the summer retreat of Portuguese royalty. The best things to do here include visiting the fairytale Pena Palace and admiring the views from the walls of the ruined Moorish castle. Sintra can be easily visited from the luxurious Penha Longa Resort, with two world-class golf courses, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a state-of-the-art spa.

Hidden gems in Portugal

If you’re looking for unique things to do in Portugal, head out into the vast unspoilt plains of the Alentejo region, home to olive, orange and cork groves, vineyards, remote frontier hill-top villages, prehistoric stone circles, traditional markets and Roman remains. The Torre de Palma Wine Hotel, Monforte has its own vineyard with vines dating from the 14th century, and can organise a whole range of alternative things to do, from wine tasting to riding on Lusitano horses and hot-air balloon trips over the stunning landscapes.

Go deeper

Portuguese is a Latin language that looks similar to Spanish when written, but sounds very different when spoken! Useful phrases to learn include Bom dia (Good day), Como esta? (How are you?) and Obrigado (for men) and Obrigada (for women), which mean ‘Thank you’.

Published: October 07, 2024