Dom Luís I Bridge Ticking off Porto's six bridges is a top activity in Portugal.
With five regions packed with activities of every flavour and fancy, one thing is for sure: your Portugal holiday itinerary will never be lacking.
From having your fill of custard tarts in the capital and sipping your way through port samples to exploring sea caves on the coast and volcanic craters, you’ll find enough here to entertain a whole brood – multiple times over.
For a snapshot of its highlights, here’s 13 of the best things to do in Portugal.
Looking to experience Lisbon like a local? Get a taste of traditional Portugal in Alfama.
It's one of the capital city’s oldest neighborhoods and a prime place to listen to fado – Portuguese folk music that originated in the early 19th century. The melancholic melodies are best appreciated in one of Alfama’s casa de fados (a traditional restaurant with live performances).
You can also catch Lisbon’s iconic Tram 28 here, which winds through the maze of cobbled streets. You’ll quickly share the local commuters’s gratitude for the ride – Alfama is one of the steepest neighborhoods in the city. Look out for ornate Azulejo-tiled buildings as you go.
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Portugal isn’t shy when it comes to making good wine – it’s the home of port after all. You can sample the best of its namesake and other regional varieties in the Douro Valley.
The best way to get there? Take a boat trip. Set off from Porto and cruise down the River Douro until the river banks turn into lush rolling vineyards, layered in pristine terraces all over the hillside. Along the way, stop at world-famous port houses including Taylor’s and Graham’s for a taste of the rich, ruby liquor, and stretch your legs in charming towns such as Pinhão, home to the acclaimed Quinta de La Rosa winery.
You could easily fill a calendar with stunning pictures of the Algarve’s coast, and the Benagil Sea Caves would be the front cover.
Tucked around the coast from Benagil, a small fishing village about 12 minutes from Carvoeiro, rugged caves and grottos have been carved out of the sea cliffs by the unwavering Atlantic. The largest, and most spectacular, is a giant arching dome, formed with a natural skylight that reveals a hidden beach within.
You can book onto a boat, kayaking or SUP tour to visit the caves. Go earlier in the day to avoid the tourist rush.
Portugal’s second largest city is full of sights to add to your itinerary. Tick off six of them with a river cruise.
Six majestic bridges cross the River Douro in Porto, each differing in style and architectural feat. The Dom Luís I Bridge is the most famous – a double-deck wrought iron arch that spans an impressive 385m (1,263 feet) at its longest.
Several cruises depart from Ribeira Quay and Gaia Pier, sailing in a traditional Rabelo boat. Book an evening tour to see the bridges twinkle against the night sky.
You’ll quickly see why a day trip to the Ria Formosa Natural Park is one of the best things to do in Portugal to get back to nature.
Covering some 60km (37 miles) of the Algarve’s coast, its diverse landscape of lagoons, marshes and sandbars is a natural haven for wildlife, renowned in particular for its bird population. Some of the 200 species that call the park home include Greater Flamingo, Purple Swamphen and White Stork.
There are plenty of other animals to spot too beyond the nesting grounds. Mongoose and chameleons hide among the sand dunes, while the water teams with seahorses and even dolphins in the summer months.
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Portugal’s food scene is enough to tempt any foodie, but Lisbon calls out to any sweet tooth like a foghorn.
The pastel de nata is the most legendary sweet treat by far. You’ll find the traditional custard tart in any bakery (padarias) or pastry shop (pastelarias) around town, each just as delectably flaky and creamy as the next. Ordering in pairs is common practice.
Arroz doce (rice pudding) is a staple on dessert menus. It’s typically made with cinnamon, but you’ll also find twists on the classic that add vanilla or lemon. Pudim de ovos is another Portuguese favourite – a rich flan made with eggs and milk similar to a cremè caramel. Arrive hungry.
Golf fan? It would be rude not to play a few rounds while on holiday, given that Portugal is considered among the top golfing destinations in the world.
Frequently rated as the best golf course in Portugal, the Monte Rei Golf & Country Club is hard to beat for a game on the green. Covering 404 hectares (1,000 acres) in the eastern Algarve, it’s home to the award-winning Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, complete with 18 holes, wide valleys and mountain views.
Even if you’re not an avid golfer, you can book a golf lesson, practice your technique at the Swing Studio or simply admire the scenery from the Country Club.
Portugal has some of the dreamiest beaches in Europe, so carving out some time in your itinerary to laze on their golden sands is a must. If you have to choose just one, make it Praia do Camilo.
This pocket of paradise, sandwiched between staggering sea cliffs and reached by a 200-step wooden stairway, is a postcard-icon of the Algarve. Wonderfully sheltered, it's a great spot for sunbathing or snorkelling, or visit it via a sea kayaking tour to see the surrounding Ponta da Piedade cliffs at their best.
You’ll find it in Lagos, around a 30-minute walk from the town centre.
Widen your holiday search beyond mainland Portugal to its islands and archipelagos and the list of things to do only widens too. Madeira, off the north coast of Africa, beckons to be explored, and you won’t find a more fun – or bizarre – way to see its capital city than by racing down its streets on a wicker toboggan.
It’s a tradition dating back to the 19th century, where locals would use the sleds as a quick mode of transport to get from the village of Monte down to the centre of Funchal. Nowadays, it’s one of the most popular attractions on the island, with each taboggan steered by two carreiros chauffeurs, dressed in white and straw hats.
Prices are rather high (starting from €27.50 for one), but your endorphin levels will be higher by the end.
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Base your holiday in Portugal’s northern region and a day trip to Braga should be top of your to-do list.
Built over 2,000 years ago, it’s one of the oldest cities in the country, evident by its historical churches, grand plazas and baroque gardens. You could spend a whole day admiring the architecture alone – the sacred pilgrimage church of Bom Jesus do Monte, sat on a hilltop and reached by a remarkable stairway, is one of many highlights.
There’s more to discover here than old buildings though. Braga’s lively student population and bustling shops and restaurants have kept the ancient city up-to-date with present-day trends.
Any watersport enthusiasts will want to add surfing to their Portugal activity list. The west coast is home to some of the best surfing locations in Europe, let alone Portugal, drawing in an international crowd.
Ericeira, Peniche and Cascais are some of the top surf cities on the coast with reliable conditions, varying wave sizes for different experience levels, and high-spirited surfing communities that will help hype you up – whether you’re a beginner or seasoned surfer.
Looking to really level up? Nazaré has the biggest waves, reaching record-breaking heights of 24m (72 feet) at their largest. Watching pro surfers tackle the giant swells is a thrill in itself.
Belém, a district on the Tagus River in Lisbon, is a must-visit for any history buff. Among its treasure-trove of historical sights is one of the city’s most famous landmarks: the Jerónimos Monastery.
The building is a beautiful example of Portuguese late gothic architecture, complete with a 300m-long (984 foot) façade, two-story cloister and columned church – home to the tomb of Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama. It was commissioned by King Manuel I in the 16th century, later becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
This is one of Lisbon’s most popular tourist attractions, so visit first thing to avoid the crowds.
Booked a holiday to the Azores? A trip to Sete Cidades on the island of São Miguel is one of the best things to do in Portugal if you’re seeking sublime natural scenery.
One look at the region’s unique landscape and you’ll quickly discover why it’s named one of Portugal’s seven wonders. Two huge teal-coloured lakes sit within a volcano crater, surrounded by verdant green hills.
The Vista do Rei viewpoint is your best vantage for photos with unparalleled panoramas over the twin lakes. For an even closer look, lace up your walking boots and hit up one of the hiking trails.
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