Why Your Next Trip Should be to Portugal
You could say I’m biased…
I’m half Portuguese, and have visited 7 times. But there are many reasons why Portugal is my favorite European destination.
If there is one destination in Europe that I love most, it’s Portugal. In fact it’s my favorite place in the world. There are few places that rival the pride that Portuguese people have for their country and its one of the many things I love about it.
That’s why it makes sense for me to start here when sharing my travels.
It’s special to me because it’s where my family is from, and where I made so many childhood memories with my grandparents and cousins. My Dad grew up in Portugal, in a little town about 45 minutes north of Lisbon called Tornada. He lived there until he was 7 and then moved to New York when my Vózinho (Grandpa) got a job here. My avós (grandparents) raised my Dad and Uncle in Mount Vernon until they were married and then they returned to their home in Portugal. My grandparents lived there throughout my childhood, and though I missed them when we were apart, it became a very special relationship. We spent many summers visiting them, and then would look forward to their visits in the winters to spend the holidays with us.
The first time I traveled there I was four years old, and I made several trips there growing up until my grandparents passed away while I was in high school. Though I’ve since made trips less frequently than I did when they were there, it will always be home for us. Our beach house in Foz do Arelho is still paradise for my family. A place we spent so many of our favorite days playing in the sand and swimming in the lagoá, eating an ice cream at the cafe, and watching the sun go down over the horizon from our patio. Sometimes we would squeeze the whole Severiano gang around our tiny tv in the living room to watch the Portuguese Soccer finals. My favorite memories were when my cousins from New York went with us, and when I brought my best friend in high school. The hardest ones were spending the last summer with my Vozinhá as she received her cancer treatment, and bringing my Vozinhó home one January to be buried next to his wife behind the same church they were married in.
Traveling there evokes so many emotions for me. Little memories of the summers we spent there will surface in my daily life and never fail to make me smile. To this day I can’t smell fresh eucalyptus without being pulled like a dream to the drive from Tornada to the beach, the trees lining both sides of the road before opening up to the blue skies and endless ocean. The scent of mothballs like a trigger to the memory of hugging my grandma tight in her kitchen dress. Or the salty taste of homemade batatas fritas (french fries) and piri piri chicken hot off the stove.
So I’m clearly a little biased in my love for this place. But there are many reasons why I think it should be on your travel list as well!
View from our home in Foz do Arelho
Here is what makes Portugal an easy place to travel to!
Logistics:
It’s a short flight across the pond, less than 7 hours from NYC. Fly there overnight and you wake up in Portugal, and able to seize the full day! It’s also an easy connection to many other European countries. Today, most businesses take credit cards you don’t even have to exchange for too many Euros like in the past. As far as transportation, Ubers are now available, and you can quickly find one when you need to. Driving is also simple with clear road signs and an expansive network of highways but if you want help navigating, there are plenty of tours.
The Language:
I speak very little Portuguese, simple words I can pick up but I always found the language difficult to speak. It’s been an advantage to have had my Portuguese speaking family with me on all my previous trips there. My Dad would always translate for us, making it more comfortable to navigate conversations with family, a quick exchange with cashier at the grocery store, or even just placing orders at a restaurant. Most people speak English as well as Portuguese, but first will ask if you understand. If you are brave enough to try, they will love it! Some words are similar to Spanish. If not, it is understood with one simple line, “não fala Portuguese.”
The People:
Last year my sister and I went to Lisbon for a few days without my Dad for the first time. I was surprised by how easy it was to navigate on our own! Not only does it feel safe, but the Portuguese people are friendly and helpful. They are genuinely happy to see tourists enjoying their country. The boom of tourism that took place in Portugal a few years ago has revolutionized this little country, and for the better. It has grown the economy and created jobs, and reduced the level of poverty. They’ve built better highways connecting the cities in the north and south and updated the airports.
The Price:
It’s relatively cheaper than other European countries. Though flights in July and August are peak vacation time and can be expensive, it’s a more reasonable travel destination compared to some other European countries. Food and wine are cheap so you can have a delicious meal on a budget. You can also find a great deal on a beautiful Airbnb, and the country is easy to get around in with an affordable rental car.
It has a little bit of everything for everyone:
Lively and beautiful cities? Check.
Gorgeous beaches? Check.
Sports? Check.
Good weather? Check.
Music, dancing and fun? Check.
Hiking and nature? Check.
Ancient castle towns and churches? Check.
Rich culture and history? Check.
Vineyards and wine country? Check.
Good food and drinks? Check check check.
Should I keep going?
For this reason Portugal is one of the most dynamic vacation destinations I’ve every traveled. In the morning you can be overlooking a coastal city from your balcony, and that afternoon drinking wine in a vineyard and the next day you are at the beach. There is so much variety, and so many things to do. I cannot stress this enough, because when you think back on your vacation you’ll be amazed at how much you did.
There are so many different regions in Portugal that you can enjoy, and it may be hard to see everything on one trip. Especially since it’s common that people spend only a few days in Portugal before piggybacking somewhere else in Europe. And that’s brilliant! Spain is just over the border, and Morocco is only a boat ride away, so why not?
But I fully encourage spending some more time in Portugal so you aren’t simply hopping from one attraction to the next. Take it from me, the jet lag is a killer on the first day and you will be thoroughly exhausted from walking Lisbon’s many hills, drinking that carafe of wine at dinner and waking up with the sun rise to tour some castles.
Take 7 days. My Dad would say take no less than 3 weeks, but I’m a reasonable human being, and know that unfortunately most people can’t squeeze all of that vacation time. But I’d think about it!!
There are three regions I’d recommend spending time in:
Lisbon: The capital, Sintra, and Cascais
The Douro Valley: Douro, Porto & Costa Nova
The Algarve: Lagos and Albufeira
I’ll go further into specific travel plans and how best to organize a trip under itineraries. But first here is an in depth look at the key spots - a one stop shop!
Lisbon
Lisbon is one of my favorite cities in the world. There is such a rich culture and history, and there is so much to see and do. Amazing food, fun and friendly atmosphere, and endless activities! There are many different neighborhoods in Lisbon and they each have their own unique charm and sites to see. You have the tiled homes of Alfama, the monuments in Belem, the bars of Bairro Alto, the shopping in Chiado, the restaurants of Baixa and much much more.
I’ve been to Lisbon so many times, and I still haven’t done it all! Due to globalization and the internet this capital has been modernized in recent years. When we used to go it really felt like the “old world Portugal” with very typical Portuguese cafes and tavernas nestled next to grocery stores, and shops selling pottery and souvenirs. It was almost like it was stuck in the past compared to America. Now there are tons of new restaurants, clothing boutiques, and coffee shops that have their own personalities and culture.
What to Explore outside of Lisbon:
Sintra: This is about an hour drive outside of Lisbon, and one of the highlights any trip to Portugal. I’d recommend taking a day tour with a personal driver so that you can maximize your time here. Trust me, there is so much to see! You want to be with someone who knows how to get to each site, where to park, how to purchase tickets, and most importantly what is worth your time and what is not. Below are just a few of the main attractions in Sintra worth visiting. Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Castles:
Pena Palace
Quinta da Regaleira
Moorish Castle
Sintra National Palace
Nearby Towns + Beaches
The historic vacation town of Sintra
Azenhas do Mar
Praia do Guincho
Boca do Inferno
Cascais: This beautiful fishing village is known as the primary summer retreat spot for those who live in Lisbon. Enjoy a day relaxing at the beach (Praia da Rainha), walk through the town and outdoor markets of Cascais, and grab a drink along the beachfront promenade of Estoril. Don’t miss a chance to explore the mega mansions and villas along the shore before you head home!
Ask for João to be your guide! He let us customize our tour to add or change stops at our request, shared so much knowledge of each site, and the drive was so smooth and comfortable. He also doubled as a photographer for us all day - what a bonus!!
Where to Stay:
Airbnb!! There are gorgeous hotels in Lisbon, but I think you get more for your money when renting.
Airbnb on Rua das Flores - Amazing 1BR in Chiado
This was such a winner! The tiled building is commonly photographed in Lisbon! Centrally located in a cool neighborhood, Chiado, with a balcony overlooking the street. Beautifully furnished, easy to book + great host!
Don’t Miss Out on These Unique Activities:
Explore the LX Factory in Alcantara - a textile factory turned creative hub. It has tons of unique and artsy shops and restaurants, and a famous bookstore.
Pig out @ Time Out Market - It’s the best way to sample many different kinds of food!
Visit Parque das Nações, created for the Expo 98’ when Portugal hosted the World Fair. It has lots of land to explore with gardens, rock walls, urban art, science museum and large aquarium. See the entire park from above on a cable car! This is a great daytime activity with kids, we would spend hours here when we were little.
Take a boat across the river, and see the sun set over Lisbon!
Shop Cerâmica: This is the home of the gorgeous Portuguese pottery, get deals by shopping local!
Take in the ornate beauty of Jeronimos Monastery
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Before leaving Lisbon… head oeste for some history.
You won’t be disappointed by going West! There are a few areas nearby the capital that are great day trips. Just northwest of Lisbon is this west region, also called the Silver Coast! This is where my family is from, and these are the sites we frequent most. There are stories to be told in each of these
Obidós: This Moorish castle town was built in the 700’s on top of the ruins of a Roman settlement. You can still see the 2,000 year old Roman aqueduct today. The town is feels enchanting and magical. For this reason it was given as a gift from the King to his Queen in the 13th Century and even today the village has maintained this romantic aura. Though very old, it still has about 300 residents who live inside the walled town today! We’ve loved coming here with my family on every visit to Portugal. Climb the castle wall, tour the shops on each cobbled street, and depending on the year you might be able to catch a medieval times festa. UNESCO World Heritage Site
Alcobaça: Continuing with another love story, here lie the tombs of Inês de Castro and King Pedro I. Ines, Portugal’s only posthumous queen, is buried in the church in the center of town, Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça. It is the largest in Portugal, and one of the oldest in tact from the Middle Ages! Construction began in 1173 AD. Just go if you want to bask in the feelings of lost love. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nazaré: Today it is known around the world as a surfing community, and home to some of the worlds tallest (and terrifying) waves! But the story of this town is another great Portuguese tale. Legend has it that a hunter was chasing a deer through a fog, and when he realized he was approaching the steep cliff he prayed for his horse to stop. The deer (some say the devil in disguise) ran off the cliff and just before plunging to his death an apparition (Nossa senhora -The Virgin Mary) appeared and stopped the horse. The nearby chapel is a place many still travel to pray today.
Fátima: Our Lady of Fátima is another well known story about a Miracle. In 1917, an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared in a field to three shepherd children. She appeared six different times to the children. She also foretold three prophecies that many believe came to fruition in the form of the First and Second World Wars and the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II. The Catholic church has since honored it as “worthy of belief” and Catholics from all over the world make a pilgrimage here each year to pray for healing. It is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“Long before there were Romeo and Juliet, there were Inês de Castro and King Peter of Portugal. Some even believe that their love could have been Shakespeare’s inspiration for writing the most famous love story of all time. .”
Porto & the Douro Valley
The Douro valley was truly one of my favorite places I’ve ever been. I’d like to think of it as a hidden gem, but it’s too good not to share! It’s not very well known as a wine region when compared to Tuscany or Napa, but it’s been around forever! Imagine the same gorgeous rolling hills as those locations, but add a river through it - that’s the Douro. It also helps that the port wine made at these vineyards is delicious.
I highly recommend a stop in Porto when touring Portugal. This northern city is nestled on the Douro river, and full of life and culture. The best is the outdoor dining on the riverfront and watching boats pass by and listening to musicians perform live music. Porto has countless port wine cellars, so grab a tour and a glass of port & sip in this vibrant city.
Where to stay in Douro Valley:
If you plan on visiting the Douro valley I could not recommend The Vintage House in Pinhão more.
#1 overall is Vintage House
This was such a perfect spot on the river. It was so peaceful and relaxing - just check out that pool!! Centrally located amongst some of the most popular vineyards, there is tons to do!
For a luxury alternative, check out Six Senses Douro
This is one of those photos pinned to my wall “hope I go there someday” hotels for me. Stunning!
What to do in Douro:
Vineyard tours: We did a great tour at Quinta das Carvalhas that included a drive around the entire property, walked us through the wine making process and gave a tasting all for 10 euro.
Also be sure to check out the vineyard across the street from Vintage House, Quinta do Bomfim it has a great tasting room but you can also set up a private picnic in the vineyards.
Boat rides: We booked a boat tour for the morning before leaving Pinhão and I’m so happy we did! It was the best way to say goodbye. I recommend a rabello boat tour, we did one like this 1 hour Pinhão boat tour
Explore the town of Pinhão: the historic tiled train station is one of the highlights!
Room with a view at Vintage House
Where to stay in Porto:
Highly recommend staying at the Porto River Apartments
Amazing river views and location! Right in Ribiera, the best neighborhood in Porto. The individual apartments are spacious and updated - they have multiple bedrooms, are bright, and recently renovated! The staff is welcoming and helpful, and your stay comes with complimentary breakfast and port wine.
What to do in Porto:
Boat ride on the Douro River We did a quick 6 bridges tour that lasted about an hour and took a larger vessel but there are many types of boats that you can take. One nice idea is to hop on a traditional rabello boat, the kind that is often seen in Porto and used to carry the wine barrels. We arranged for another boat tour in Pinhão but there are much longer boat tour in Porto too if you want to be out on the water for a while.
- Duoro River cruise: https://www.getyourguide.com/porto-l151/douro-river-six-bridges-cruise-t64873/?utm_force=0
Classic 50 minutes Six Bridges cruise of Porto, following an old Rabello Boat. Board at Ribeira Quay, operates hourly.
Tour to Douro Valley: If you don’t have the time to stay overnight in Douro, then take a day trip! You can still do tours to Douro valley by boat that explore the vineyards. It also takes some of the stress away as you don’t have to worry about getting back behind the wheel in the Douro mountains. Here are some options I found when researching:
- $94 for 9 hours: Get Your Guide Tours. Wine Tasting (2 vineyards), olive oil tasting, cruise and lunch: Douro Valley Tour: Wine Tasting, River Cruise and Lunch
- $142 for 10 hours: BL Heritage Tours. Wine Tasting (2 vineyards) lunch and boat cruise Wine Venture & Boat Trip in Duoro Valley
- $76 for 3-4 hours (half day): TripAdvisor. Tour within Duoro, private driver Douro Essential (half Day Private Tour, All Included)
Cellar Tours! I went to Calem in Vila Nova de Gaia (across the river) and loved it.
See the sites from a cable car: There are lots of hills and walking bridges which can be exhausting. Enjoy a ride from one side of Vila Nova de Gaia or the other to get panoramic views of Porto. Take the Finicular to get easy access to the top of the Luís bridge!
Enjoy a typical restaurant with Fado music: We went to O Fado which was really great. The food was traditional and delicious, wines were sourced locally and the entertainment is included with your meal.
Livraria Lello Bookstore: Harry Potter fans will think this is so cool! A bit of a tourist trap now, but very cool to see this magical little shop that inspired JK Rowling!
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Before leaving the North…
There are some other sites in the surrounding area that I also recommend a visit!
Costa Nova: This beach is famous for little striped beach houses. The beach is gorgeous and helps to breaks up the trip south.
Aveiro: The Venice of Portugal! Love seeing these canals that cut through this little town, where people travel by boat to the store like they do in Amsterdam.
Coimbra: The University is the center of this town, which opened in 1290…. yes you read that right. It’s historic, and features one of the most important libraries in the world.
The colorful beach houses of Costa Nova
The Algarve
The Algarve is one of the most popular areas in Portugal for travelers, and a summer vacation spot for many Europeans! I hope one day to go back again and have much more to write about. The few days we spent there were wonderful, but we didn’t have enough time as we were coming back from a trip in Spain.
But it’s a MUST when you go to Portugal. The crystal blue waters, rocky coastlines, and soft sand make for some of the most stunning beaches in Europe. Join a boat tour in Lagos and experience the views from the water! The area is full of restaurants and beach bars to have fun, but its also a great vacation spot for families.
Where to stay:
Eurotel in Altura was great for us because it was a large resort with a pool and private beach. We had spent a few days inland in the extreme heat of Seville and could not wait to get out of the car and on a breezy beach! Because of the car we had the flexibility to hop to different beaches and areas. But I would definitely recommend staying in Lagos or Albufeira (closer to the action).
Recommendations: I’d always look for an airbnb first, because I believe there are much better deals there than on hotels in Portugal. But here are some great resorts in the area!
1. Casa Mae
My first pick would be the adorable Casa Mae in Lagos.
Right in town but also on the sea - every room has its own individual style! I’ll definitely be staying here on my next trip!
My second pick is Villa Valverde
It’s a bit off the beaten path. A hidden hideaway and pretty luxe. But still easy to make a trip to the beach!
Last but not least, the Anantara Resort in Villamoura
This is the most luxurious of the 3, and it has a reputation amongst foodies for its insane local Algarve cuisine at Ria!
Places to explore:
Praia de Dona in Lagos
Praia de Marinha (where the Benagil caves are located)
Old town Albufeira
Boating in Lagos
Cabo da Roca
VERY Important: Food & Wine!
I have such nostalgia for Portuguese food, but I consistently hear people coming back from Portugal and saying they enjoyed the abundance of fresh seafood, flavorful wines, marinated meats and sweet desserts. Here are some of the typical meals in Portugal I enjoy when I’m there!
If you’ve been to Portugal, what was your favorite part?
Leave a comment below!
I hope this inspires you to visit this beautiful country and see for yourself why I’m so obsessed! Portugal is now a top travel destination, and though I’m not surprised it’s crazy to imagine it! My family has always considered it our little slice of heaven, we’re proud of where we came from but want to share it with everyone else too.