Portugal Destination Guide
Located in Southwestern Europe and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is a beautiful country filled with charming port towns and quaint inland villages. From the Algarve's coastal resorts to boutique hotels along the Douro River, Portugal holidays have much to offer tourists of all ages and interests.
Portugal tours are available in plenty of combinations, almost always including stops in Lisbon – the busy Portuguese capital – and nearby Sintra, a romantic castle filled town perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Other tours explore the north of Portugal, starting in the old city of Porto before heading up the Douro River to explore the heart of Port wine country. Any Portugal travel guide will likely include routes through the Algarve as well, the southernmost region of Portugal famous for its fresh seafood and gorgeous cove beaches.
Flights to Portugal usually fly into Lisbon or Porto and either city is a wonderful place to start a trip through the country. One of the best ways to experience Portugal's vast beauty is to rent a car and drive through places like the Douro Valley's vineyards, Sintra's many castles and the Algarve's breathtaking coastline. Travel by train and bus is also possible and public transportation in Portuguese cities is generally reliable.
Must-see cities in Portugal are without a doubt Lagos, Porto and Lisbon, all of which offer a unique view of this spectacular country. Lagos is a small city located in the Algarve, extremely popular as a tourist destination. This has given the small fishing village its own mixed culture and it offers a great variety of restaurants, shopping and nightlife – in addition to its incredible beaches and stunning coves.
Porto is one of Portugal's oldest cities and its centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with beautiful tile-covered churches and small alleys leading down to the Douro River, where you can find Port wineries and restaurants. Lisbon is the country's capital, a metropolitan mecca for culture and the arts. Must-visit sites in Lisbon include the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Museum aficionados will enjoy the National Museum of Ancient Art and the National Azulejo Museum, an entire museum dedicated to the county's gorgeous blue and white ceramic tiles.
Whether you come to Portugal for the warm Mediterranean climate and beautiful beaches of the Atlantic coast, or for the history and culture you can experience in its largest cities, you can rest assured you will enjoy your visit to this exotic destination.