Holidays in Portugal: your complete guide!

Here are the best things to see and do on your next holidays in Portugal.

Gastronomy and Wines

Visit an authentic fado restaurant in Lisbon and appreciate your meal while enjoying fantastic fado performances. You’ll find many of them in Alfama and Bairro Alto, two of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods.

Pastéis de Nata are a tradicional portuguese pastry that can best be described as a cross between a custard tart and a cake, perhaps the most popular Portuguese pastry. Bakeries and cafes selling them are everywhere in Portugal, but if you’re travelling to Lisbon you’ll want to try the famous “Pastel de Belém”. You can also take the opportunity to visit Belém’s other attractions like Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery), Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Discoveries Monument), and Torre de Belém (Belém Tower).

For those travelling to Porto, a stop for a “Francesinha” is a must. Served on a plate, Francesinha is a white loaf bread sandwich made with ham, sausage, cheese, and steak. The sandwich is then topped with more cheese, a fried egg and drizzled with a slightly spicy secret sauce. Get ready to dive into the rich flavors of Portugal’s ‘second city’!

The Douro Valley is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. The beauty and magic that its landscapes offer, but also the amount of history and culture found behind every single Douro Valley detail, make this region a World heritage site. Take a day to have lunch in a breathtaking scenery while tasting the finest Portugal wines.

Located in what used to be a royal palace, with a history dating back to 13th century, the Coimbra University is the Portugal’s oldest and most prestigious university, and one of the oldest in Europe. Explore it for yourself or book a tour to learn about the history and secrets that hide in the various chambers.

Founded in 1906 by the Lello brothers, the Livraria Lello, is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Located in the heart of Porto, it’s known for its iconic red spiral staircase. And fun fact, did you know J.K. Rowling, author of the famous Harry Potter series, was famously inspired by it when writing her novels?

Take a day to visit the Alcobaça Monastery, the Monastery of Batalha and the Convent of Christ in Tomar. They are all located within an hour of one another and they’re three of the most important World Heritage classified sites in Portugal. When you visit them, you’ll walk to incredible architecture, find historical churches, royal heritage and a lot more about the rich history of Portugal’s during its most ambitious days.

Surrounded by fortified walls, the fairytale village of Óbidos is a must-see in Portugal. Being one of Europe’s most well-preserved medieval towns, a visit to Óbidos feels like stepping back in time. Walk along the Castle walls, get lost in the cobbled alleys and try Óbido’s famous Ginja Liqueur (the Ginjinha). Tip: Between the third week of July and first of August, a medieval fair recreates the Middle Ages in Óbidos. Dress up in some medieval costumes and enter into the festive spirit!

Nature and Adventure

Regularly voted as the best beach destination in Europe, the Algarve is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From discreet coves hidden amid golden cliffs to white-sand islands, the real challenge will be deciding where to begin!

From craggy mountain landscapes to wildlife-filled wetland reserves, Portugal is bathed in natural beauty. There are a lot of Nature Parks and Reserves in Portugal but the most well-known are Peneda-Gerês National Park, Serra da Estrela Natural Park and Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park.
Pack your bags and step into the vibrant wilderness of Portugal!

Dubbed as the “Portuguese Venice”, Aveiro is a charming town known for the gondola-style boats that roam the canals, like the Italian city. The colorful boats are called Moliceiros and riding one is a must for those who visit the city. 
Tip: On your trip to Aveiro, don’t forget to try the delicious “Ovos Moles” - it was the first Portuguese product to receive a distinction from the European Union!

On the edges of the beautiful Alqueva Dam, is an internationally certified Dark Sky Reserve - the first in the world to be recognised as a UNESCO ‘Starlight Tourism Destination. Here, you can see the Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, and a wide variety of other constellations. Come to Alqueva, look up at the night sky, and lose yourself for a while!

Nightlife

Bairro Alto is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Lisbon to spend a good night out. The whole quarter is full of restaurants, jazz bars, and pubs with live music. And, although in the morning and early afternoon most of the establishments are closed, by the night the place come to life. 
Tip: If you’re travelling to Lisbon on June, you will find the Popular Saints Celebrations across the whole neighborhood, that’s the perfect time to drink a beer while listening to popular music and try the amazing Portuguese grilled sardines.
 

Located in Faro, the “Teatro das Figuras” it’s a cultural space of national reference where you can be amused by music shows, stand-ups, plays and much more! Find out about upcoming events on their website (https://www.teatrodasfiguras.pt)!

With more than 30 days of festivities, between August and September, the “Feira de São Mateus”, in Viseu, is the oldest popular fair of the Iberian Peninsula. Here you can find traditional Portuguese products, food rolls, all type of attractions and even music shows. 
Tip: If you’re not travelling to Portugal in the summer, you would like to know that are a lot of other popular fairs along the year, one of the most known is “Feira de Santa Iria”, in Faro, which takes place in October.
 

The beautiful bridge that connects the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia offers an absolutely breathtaking view to the Douro’s River. The panorama is particularly enchanting at sunset; however, you can equally be amazed when the night falls and the bridge light up!

Get around in Portugal…

Practical travel tips!

-Portugal’s currency is the euro (€) and the easiest way to get money is to use an ATM (look for Multibanco signs);

-If you’re staying a few days in the same city, check out the travel card options;

-In some cities there is a tourist tax applied to all guests staying in tourist or local accommodation;

- Tap water is normally safe to drink;

- Restaurants tend to close one day a week, normally on Sunday or Monday;

- You can generally use the toilets in cafés, but normally you’ll have to order something first;

- Tipping is not a Portuguese custom, however, in cafés, restaurants or taxis you can round up the bill if you want (e.g. leave 25€ for a bill of 23.50€);

-Most museums and attractions don’t usually charge for small children;

-Smoking is prohibited in all public spaces in Portugal;

-In case of an emergency, dial 112 for the police or an ambulance;

-And… if you’re travelling to Portugal in the summer, don’t forget your high-factor sun block!

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