Portugal is perhaps one of the most well-known but hidden gems of Europe. Those that know how good it is really love it, but it’s often overshadowed by neighbouring Spain. The vibe is much more relaxed in Portugal, the locals are even more friendly, the food is still fantastic and the beaches just as impressive.
With Portugal welcoming tourists once more, here’s 12 places you need to visit. See them all in one epic Portugal road trip, or break it down into smaller chunks. You’ll no doubt want to go back again and again. Let’s start off with some great beaches…
Beaches in Portugal
Ilha de Faro
5km of sandy beach line the Ilha de Faro (Faro Island) and what a fantastic beach it is. It’s not built-up like many other areas in the Algarve, you’ll find smaller hotels, restaurants and shops. It’s popular with the locals, so expect plenty of people, especially within the close vicinity to the bridge that connects the mainland. For a quieter time, head further from the bridge and you’ll find tranquil spots for walks and sunbathing. If water sports are your thing, you can rent kayaks and stand up paddle boards, surfing is also popular here.
Lagos beaches
If you love to spend your trips chilling on the sand and taking a dip in the sea, Lagos is the place to go in Portugal. 9 fantastic beaches are dotted around this Algarve city, why not visit one every day? A mix of sandy stretches and rocky coves mean you’ll never be bored of the same sights.
Nazare beach
Praia da Nazaré is most-known for it’s huge waves and is a ‘big-swell’ surf hotspot. The world record ‘beach-breaking’ wave was ridden at Nazaré in 2011 by Garrett McNamara. The Nazaré Canyon is an underwater canyon that stretches for 170km and is over 5000m deep, the largest in Europe. It’s shape helps to build uninterrupted vast swells right up to the shore, ideal for surfers.
Ilha Deserta
If you want to truly get away from everything, Ilha Deserta (or Ilha Barreta) literally translates to ‘Deserted Island’. This beautiful and tranquil island has no inhabitants, just one restaurant and no roads. The 7km beach has some of the softest sand and clearest waters in the Algarve, with no roads, there’s no air pollution either, perfect! Take a boat from Faro marina and experience it yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
Portugal History
Evora
Home to one of the oldest universities in the world, Evora is a must for anyone interested in historical architecture. The gothic cathedral (Sé cathedral), Roman temple (Templo de Diana) and the 16th century aqueduct (Aqueduto de Agua de Prata) are the three unmissable sights in Evora. Why not visit the Bone Chapel while you’re there? Evora isn’t just a sleepy old city however, the university brings a vibrant and young student atmosphere with plenty to do during the evening.
The Castles of Sintra
Close to Lisbon lies the UNESCO site of Sintra. The landscape is hilly and dotted with castles and palaces, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in a fairy-tale. Visit Palacio da Pena, built on the tallest hill of the region for a truly breath-taking view. Quinta da Regaleira is a small palace in comparison to others in the region but it’s the gardens that really stand out here. Designed to hide secret passageways and tunnels, you can spend hours wandering the grounds, don’t forget to visit the Initiation Well – it looks like a well but is in fact a way to access the underground tunnels via the spiral staircase.
Coa Valley Archaeological Park
In the north of Portugal, not so far from Porto, you’ll find the Coa Valley Archaeological Park. It was first discovered in 1991 during a survey to build a hydro-electric dam. What the surveyors found was extraordinary; thousands of rock carvings and rock art dating back to Upper Palaeolithic times – or 50,000 years ago. Today you’ll find visitors centres and can book guided tours of the UNESCO site.
Golf in Portugal
Algarve golf courses
If you like golf, you will no doubt have heard of the fantastic golfing facilities on the Algarve. It’s easy to see why the region is so loved by those that play golf, great weather for most of the year, an abundance of courses and what better way to relax in the evening than watching the sun set into the azure sea?
We’re no experts on golf, so try one of our trade partners who certainly are:
Lisbon
Home to a bridge that very closely resembles the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the American’s have even called it the ‘coolest’ city in Europe. Portugal’s capital is a thriving coastal city with plenty to see and do.
Miradouros
If you want to capture some truly great views of Lisbon, you need to find the Miradouros. These viewpoints are dotted around the city’s historical centre, giving the perfect view for panoramic photos of Lisbon and the Targus River to the south.
Torre de belem
You might not know what it’s called, but when most think of Lisbon they imagine this tower. Built in the early 1500s to defend the Portuguese capital, Torre de Belem is instantly recognisable. In 1983 it became a UNESCO World Heritage site and now provides tours for holidaymakers. Check out the ground floor where 16 canons once sat, primed and ready to protect Lisbon! Being built over 500 years ago, the staircases are a little narrow so be careful during busy times!
Praça do Rossio
Rossio Square is the please to be in Lisbon of an evening. The central square is one of the liveliest areas in Lisbon and is dotted with some of the best restaurants and bars in the city. Both locals and tourists flock here in the evenings so if you like a buzzing atmosphere, head here for dinner or a drink.
25 de Abril Bridge
We can’t talk about Lisbon and not talk about the 25th April Bridge. You’d be forgiven for thinking Lisbon stole the Golden Gate Bridge when you see it; the red hue and design almost mimics that of the famous bridge in San Francisco. There’s good reason for that, it was designed by the American Bridge Company, who also designed the Golden Gate! There’s plenty of history here too, it was built in 1966 and was called the Salazar Bridge but renamed 25th April Bridge after the Carnation Revolution overthrew the Salazar dictatorship on 25th April 1974.
Why travel to Portugal?
Portugal is such a diverse country, not only for the differences between the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, but also the type to trip to take. If you love beach holidays, city breaks, golf, history, food or party holidays, you can do it all in Portugal. The best way to get around of course is it hire a car in Portugal, you can keep to your own timetables and have the freedom to go wherever you want.
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