From the historic cities of Lisbon and Porto to the tiny cobbled villages of the north, the vast wine region to the wild Atlantic coast, there is certainly no shortage of beautiful places in Portugal to capture your imagination. With cosmopolitan cities, quaint villages, wine country, pristine forests – and not to forget, 1,800 kilometres (1,100 miles) of picturesque coastline ranging from dramatic cliffs, coves and caves to placid, sandy beaches. Add to that more than 800 years of history, a fabulous food scene, music traditions and much more, and mainland Portugal plus the diverse islands of Madeira and the Azores have something to offer literally every type of traveller.
If you are planning a trip to Portugal, read our guide on Best Time To Visit in Portugal.
Walking & Hiking
Among the best-known hiking areas in Portugal are certainly its impressive islands and coastlines, often contoured by dramatic limestone cliffs and constantly battered by the Atlantic waves. Known for its dramatic cliffs, incredible beaches, and sun all year round, Portugal is perfect for all things outdoors. And hiking is no exception. The Portugal hiking trails are spread across the country from easy day trips to multi-day treks. Walks around Lisbon and Porto are great places to start. For a more off beaten adventure, The Azores is an archipelago of 9 islands scattered along the ocean hosting incredible waterfall hikes together with lush forest landscapes with Sao Miguel making a great start to your hiking adventure here. The Algarve makes for breathtaking trails along the coast and pristine beaches to trekking the dramatic peaks of Madeira Island. For a unique walking adventure, the ancient Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail traverses' beautiful towns, villages and scenic countryside and coastal views. Every region brings with it a unique twist to culture and tradition and showcases the diversity of Portugal’s landscapes and scenery. Read more on our guide to the Best Hikes in Portugal.
Biking & Cycling
This stunningly beautiful country is a cyclist’s dream, with diverse landscapes, endless hours of sunshine, and miles of bike-friendly trails. Whether you’re cruising along the Atlantic or trekking it up the mountains, going cycling in Portugal is guaranteed to be a worthwhile adventure. Portugal is an incredibly diverse country with lush valleys, rugged mountain ranges, and wild coastlines, which means your cycling experience will largely depend on where you go. This is a very bike-friendly country, which means there are plenty of well-connected and well-maintained trails and paths for all skill levels. Some of the best places to cycle in Portugal include the world-famous Douro Valley for its lush, hillside vineyards and Alentejo for its medieval towns and small-town villages where both make a perfect combination for a biking and wine tasting experiences. The Atlantic Coast boasts some of the most scenic views from small surf towns in the south or cruising on the seaside trails by salty dunes in the north, the coast is guaranteed to be an awe-inspiring adventure for your cycling trip in Portugal. Discover our Portugal Cycling Adventures.
Indulge in Portugese Food & Wine
The food in Portugal varies from high-end, fine dining with Michelin-starred chefs to casual tabernas serving up inexpensive, authentic dishes. The city of Porto is stunning and ripe for exploration by food and wine lovers. The Lisbon food scene is bustling, though, from family-owned eateries focusing on Portuguese traditions to bars and bakeries offering divine pastries and coffee. And a local Lisbon food market that showcases them all. To the east is the Douro, probably Portugal’s most famous wine destination and the home of port wine. The Douro River runs from Porto through the Douro, with terraced vineyards lining the shores. Explore with us on our Northern Portugal & Douro Valley Cycle as you journey from ancient Porto to picturesque valley vineyards and delight in the ever-lingering flavours of exquisite wines along the way. Travel even further north to find Minho, the home of one of Portugal’s most famous wines – Vinho Verde, producing unique wine from indigenous grape varietals, making it the most authentically Portuguese wine of all. One of the best wineries in the region to taste these fresh, fruity, and floral wines (red or white) is Quinta da Aveleda. But you can find wineries and vineyards practically all over the country, including on the Azores and Madeira archipelagos. Each of these regions is home to some of the best and most famous Portuguese cuisine.
