Tiled cities, Atlantic light and some of Europe's best value.
Portugal is small enough to see a lot of it in a week and varied enough to keep you coming back. Lisbon's hills and trams, Porto's riverside wine lodges and the fairy-tale palaces of Sintra sit within a few hours of the Algarve's golden cliffs.
It's easy-going and good value by Western European standards. Seafood, pastries and port wine are reasons on their own, and the islands of Madeira and the Azores add volcanic, green hiking country.
Best time to visit Portugal
April, May, June, September, October.
Places to visit in Portugal
Lisbon: Hilltop viewpoints, vintage trams and a riverside that glows at sunset.
Porto: Tiled facades, the Douro river and cellar tastings of port across the bridge in Gaia.
Sintra: Palaces and gardens tucked into misty hills, an easy day trip from Lisbon.
Algarve: Sea caves, cliff-backed beaches and seafood restaurants on the south coast.
Madeira: A subtropical island of levada trails, sea cliffs and year-round spring weather.
Douro Valley: The steep, terraced wine valley where port is made, best seen by river cruise, train or road from Porto.
Azores: A green volcanic archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic, with crater lakes, hot springs and whale-watching.
Évora: A walled Alentejo city with a Roman temple, a chapel lined with bones and a calm, whitewashed centre.
Coimbra: Portugal's historic university city, with a baroque library, steep lanes and its own tradition of fado.
Óbidos: A tiny medieval town enclosed by walls, traditionally given as a wedding gift to Portugal's queens.
Essentials
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Language: Portuguese
Plugs: Type C / F, 230 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC+0 (UTC+1 in summer); Azores one hour behind
Tipping: Around 5–10% appreciated in restaurants
Getting around: Trains link Lisbon and Porto; a car is easiest in the Algarve
Entry: Schengen rules apply; check the official requirements for your passport