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Hiking trails, classic cities, epic beaches and world-famous waves. Holidays to Portugal tick off every wish-list going.
Portugal may be small compared to its Spanish neighbour, but it packs in plenty of charming cobbled cities, sandy beaches and delicious food and drink. You might think you’ve completed it with a city break to Lisbon but that’s where this guide comes in… Get to know Portugal’s different coasts, from party destinations to old fishing villages and stunning national parks.
Portugal’s top places to visit are split across its mainland and island destinations. Summer is all about sunning yourself on the best beaches, but if you want to sidestep the peak tourist season, Easter time and September and October are still perfect for this.
Colourful cities
Lisbon and Porto are big names on the city break scene for good reason. Their style feels completely unique, so no two buildings ever look the same. Tiled walls in pastel pinks, yellows, blues and greens paint the streets with different patterns, and even the pavements are lovely to look at. It’s not often you get buzzing cities like these, on the water and with easy access to some of the best beaches – win-win-win.
Capturing castles
Portugal is home to a handful of ancient castles that look like something out of a fairytale. The Pena Palace in Sintra is possibly the most well-known and while it’s a popular tourist spot, it’s so worth it. Its iconic yellow and red painted walls and white and blue tiles make it stand out from the Serra da Sintra hills that surround it. Sat on a rocky outcrop as well, the views from its terraces are amazing. In the same area, you also have the Castelo dos Mouros and National Palace of Sintra. All three make for a great daytrip from Lisbon and can be sorted with a combined entry ticket.
All au naturel
Portugal is overflowing with beaut scenes and Peneda-Gerês National Park is a hiker’s paradise. It’s up in the northwest and sits between mountains and reservoirs, with gorg waterfalls and river beaches for a refreshing dip. Routes range from full-day hikes to small circular loops with swimming spots, so you can make the most of a picnic halfway round.
The panoramic viewpoint of Pedra Bela is a great pick and the paths around here also take you to Arado waterfalls, as part of the two-mile Miradouro Velho da Pedra Bela route. Running north from Portugal’s peninsula, the Vicentine Coast Natural Park is one of Europe’s best-preserved coastlines, with no major city in sight. Then, Cape Saint Vincent outside of Sagres is thought to be the end of the European world – you can’t beat the sunset from its lighthouse.
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Portugal FAQs
Portugal is on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, bordering Spain to the east and north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. As well as its mainland, Portugal includes the Azores – an archipelago about 1,500 kilometres west of Lisbon, and Madeira, which is further south in the Atlantic and includes the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo.
If you’re a UK, EU, US or Canadian citizen, or a citizen of another non-Schengen country, you can enter Portugal for up to 90 days without a visa. But, starting in 2024, non-EU travellers will need an ETIAS authorisation, which is a quick online application required for Schengen Area travel. For citizens of countries outside the Schengen exemption list, a Schengen visa is needed and can be obtained at your nearest Portuguese consulate. Always check current regulations before traveling though, as policies can change.
Please make sure you check the FCDO website for the most up-to-date information.
Tipping in Portugal is not obligatory but is appreciated for good service. In restaurants, a tip of 5-10% of the bill is common, then in cafés and for smaller services, it’s typical to round up the bill or leave a small amount. For taxis, rounding up the fare or leaving an additional euro or two is usually appreciated. Tick travel money off your packing list with our foreign exchange service.
Portugal is making a lot of improvements to its accessibility, but some areas, especially older parts of cities like Lisbon and Porto, may be challenging because of their style of narrow, cobbled streets and hilly districts. Most modern hotels, restaurants and public transport are equipped for accessibility, especially in Lisbon and Porto. Many major attractions now also offer accessible entrances and facilities, and beaches in the Algarve often have accessible boardwalks and adapted services for people with mobility needs.
Visit smaller towns like Évora, Guimarães and Tavira, where local traditions are still thriving. You can dine at local ‘tascas’ – AKA small taverns – instead of touristy restaurants to try authentic food, and explore Portugal’s national park, Peneda-Gerês, to see a different side of the country. And, follow our Insiders for more local recs… @gracegrangetravel has been and done Porto and brought all the details back to you on our Insiders Hub.
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Portugal travel advice
Passports and Visas
British citizens don’t need a visa to enter Portugal but must have a valid passport. You can check your passport’s valid for Portugal using our handy tool. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements.
Health and safety
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover you while you’re away. If you’re travelling to the EU and you apply for a card now, you’ll get a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead of an EHIC. This entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Portuguese nationals. It won’t, however, cover you for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment. Visit www.nhs.uk/ehic for full details on what it covers. You do not need to apply for a GHIC if you already have an EHIC. Your EHIC remains valid in the EU until it expires. An EHIC or GHIC is free of charge. For the latest health and safety information, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/health
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