Travel advice for Portugal
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Portugal
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Olivia Rawes
updated 23.11.2018
Central Portugal is the authentic heart of the country. Olivia Rawes escapes the Algarve and discovers Centro. The information in this article is taken from The Rough Guide to Portugal, your travel guide for Portugal.
For myself and millions of others, the Algarve is Portugal. Summer sun, packed beaches, busy restaurants and groomed golf courses.
It's fun. It's easy. The weather's guaranteed. But it can also be expensive. It's often crowded. And it seldom feels authentic.
In search of authenticity I went to Centro Portugal.
7 days / from3062 USD
Iberian Blend - Porto and Galicia
Neighbour countries - Portugal and Spain, different and similar at the same time, will surprise you with hospitality and loveliness. This itinerary includes the route of the Northwest part of Iberian Peninsula and offers you to meet beautiful Porto and stunning Vigo in Galicia/Spain.
view tour ⤍7 days / from3019 USD
The Real Algarvian Experience
Experience and discover the real Algarve – taste local produce, drinks and traditional dishes, visit heritage sites and participate in culinary activities. If you are passionate about the people’s culture and gastronomy and want to learn more, this itinerary is for you.
view tour ⤍11 days / from1728 USD
A self drive to Portugal's North and Center
Starting in fascinating Lisbon, this trip allows you to discover Portugal both on your own as well as with guided tours. Driving further up north you'll explore Coimbra and Porto before heading to the Douro Valley and Alentejo.
view tour ⤍8 days / from1139 USD
Porto and the North of Portugal: off the beaten track
From Porto, you'll discover the most fascinating parts of Northern Portugal: go on a hike through unique biodiversity around the Paiva river, take a jeep tour through the slopes of the Serra da Arada and taste the wonderful wines of the Douro valley.
view tour ⤍12 days / from1690 USD
The best of Portugal: Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve
Portugal offers many highlights but when you're short on time, this trip is ideal to cover all the highlights: the capital city of Lisbon, historic Porto, lush Douro Valley and the stunning beaches of the Algarve are all part of this trip.
view tour ⤍7 days / from2662 USD
Azores Wild Nature
Get ready to discover what the largest island of the Azores, São Miguel, has to offer in this short adventure-packed 6-day trip. You will get to swim with wild dolphins, abseil or jump down waterfalls, ride a mountain bike through the Sete Cidades and relax in a natural spa. Adventure awaits!
view tour ⤍9 days / from2916 USD
Madeira and São Miguel - guided island adventures
Visit two of Portugal's autonomous regions: Madeira, the island of eternal spring as they call it, as well as São Miguel, nicknamed the green island. Guided excursions will take you to the highlights of both islands and there's plenty of time to discover on your own or simply relax.
view tour ⤍11 days / from1771 USD
Lisbon and the South of Portugal: exploration and relaxation
Take your rental car and discover Lisbon, Sintra & Cascais before heading to Alentejo. This fascinating region features many historic gems to discover, as well as a unique cuisine to taste. Finish your trip with some beach days in Tavira on Portugal's Algarve coast.
view tour ⤍9 days / from4282 USD
The Wines of Portugal
This unforgettable trip will take you to Portugal's finest wine-producing regions, including the Douro Valley. Sample the finest local labels, and explore the exciting and stunningly beautiful cities of Lisbon and Porto, complemented by guided tours of their historical old towns.
view tour ⤍11 days / from3559 USD
Discovering the coast of Portugal
Explore the beautiful cities along the coast of Portugal. Start your journey discovering historic sites and wineries in Porto, from there you will head South to Lisbon. Along the way, you will get a chance to visit charming coastal towns, dramatic cliffs and national parks.
view tour ⤍7 days / from5989 USD
Porto's Hidden Gems
An exciting itinerary that is filled with amazing landscapes, culture, heritage and gastronomy. Stay in the most exclusive hotels and enjoy the best Portugal has to offer - unique wine tours, a private cooking class, a luxurious river cruise to Douro Valley, and much more.
view tour ⤍15 days / from5913 USD
Camino de Santiago & Portugal Deluxe
Hike the 'Way of Saint James', more precisely - the Portuguese Route, a World Heritage Site. After 5 days of beautiful hikes, it's time to say goodbye to Spain and hop on a plane to Portugal. Lisbon and Porto await before exploring the wineries of Douro Valley. A truly exceptional trip.
view tour ⤍6 days / from1577 USD
Essential Portugal: Lisbon to Porto
This exciting short break will take you to the exciting and stunningly beautiful Portuguese cities of Lisbon and Porto, with guided tours of their historical old towns, and on to the pearls of north Braga and Gamares. You will also have the opportunity to soak up the romantic atmosphere at Amarante.
view tour ⤍9 days / from2148 USD
Cultural Portugal
Beginning in Lisbon and ending in Porto, this trip will take you to the delightful wine region of Douro, the mountain range of Serra do Bussaco and the romantic town of Sintra. Relish the prospect of driving around Portugal's stunning coastline and unique cultural sites.
view tour ⤍9 days / from3154 USD
The cities of Portugal
Explore the two big Portuguese cities, Porto and Lisbon. Though you won't only be exploring the cities, this trip will take you to see the beautiful Duoro valley by bike, the Minho region (the birthplace of Portugal), learn more about winemaking, relax on the beach of Nazaré and much more!
view tour ⤍6 days / from2678 USD
Azores Adventure
Discover the traditions and natural beauty that the island of São Miguel can offer you – exciting activities such as swimming with dolphins in their natural habitat in the Atlantic Ocean, hiking in the picturesque hills and valleys, the thrills of Canyoning and much more.
view tour ⤍12 days / from5389 USD
Portugal – Cuisine and Culture from Porto to Lisbon
From Porto to Lisbon, this culinary trip offers exceptional Portuguese cultural experiences. Taste port in a prestigious winery, savour exquisite codfish and picnic in the world's oldest wine region. Hilltop palaces, medieval old towns and glamorous beach resorts complete an unforgettable trip.
view tour ⤍14 days / from7030 USD
Highlights of Portugal - Cities & Beaches
You will start this journey in Porto, the Invicta City, to then discover the landscapes of Douro Valley. Next, there is Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, a city filled with history and stories. Lastly, you will arrive to the Algarve, a place where you will connect with the sea, traditions and nature.
view tour ⤍10 days / from1836 USD
Fascinating Azores - Terceira and São Miguel
Two of the magic Azores islands await in this itinerary: drive your own rental cars across Terceira and São Miguel and join one of the many adventurous outdoor activities the islands have to offer: go whale watching or canyoning or simply enjoy the landscapes on leisurely strolls.
view tour ⤍9 days / from3159 USD
Coastal Portugal
Travel south from the beautiful cities of Porto and Lisbon, down Portugal's stunning coast, as far as the charming resort town of Albufeira. On this trip, you will also visit the historic coastal towns of Estoril, Sintra, Lagos and Sagres.
view tour ⤍7 days / from2524 USD
Discovering Portugal's Douro Valley
This unforgettable trip will take you to the beautiful city of Porto and the verdant Douro Valley. Relish the prospect of travelling to the Douro wine-making region to sample some local labels, trekking through old villages and enjoying indulgent moments in charming cafés.
view tour ⤍Centro's in the centre of the country. It's roughly between Porto and Lisbon. And it stretches from wild Atlantic coast to lush interior. It's also underestimated and little known.
Centro combines rugged beauty with rich history. The local cuisine is traditional, yet inventive. The region's mountains invite exploration. And you can hike, bike, water walk, canoe or just relax. The region has 24 river beaches.
Central Portugal is untouched. But it's still very accessible. Viseu and Coimbra make great bases for countryside exploring. And historic hotels like Palace Hotel do Bussaco dot forests, mountains and valleys.
Only 30 minutes from Coimbra we canoed down River Mondego. It twisted between steep mountain slopes. Flat stretches mixed with gentle rapids. Eagles and hawks flew overhead. And the silence was astonishing.
Centro is key to Portuguese culture. Coimbra was Portugal's capital from 1129 to 1255. Today it lures visitors with a charming old town. Steep cobbled streets are framed by medieval arches. Buildings come in pastel shades. And waterfront bars line the riverbank.
Coimbra is also the setting for the tale of Pedro and Inês. It's Portugal's greatest love story.
Prefer to leave planning and booking to experts? Have a look at some sample itineraries. Both Complete Portugal or Portugal Itineraries offer inspiration. All Tailor Made Trips can be modified together with your local expert, then booked for a stress-free holiday. Click 'Modify this itinerary' to contact a local Portugal expert.
Coimbra is home to Portugal's oldest university. It dates back to 1290. And it's now a World Heritage Site.
The Baroque library is the university's most famous building. Completed in 1717, it's unimaginably grand. Carved bookshelves are embellished with gold leaf. There are ornate balconies. And trompe l'oeil paintings grace the ceiling. Beautifully bound books pile from floor to roof. And the effect is more elaborate cathedral, than library. How anyone studies here is beyond me.
Immerse in vintage Coimbra. Stay at Hotel Residencial Alentejana in the old town.
The university is also the birthplace of Coimbra fado. This variation on Portuguese fado music was first performed by male students. Like traditional fado it speaks of love, loss and suffering, Yet Coimbra fado differs in that it's sung only by men. And Coimbra singers are not professionals. They just love to sing. A passion that's clear in every performance.
Keen to hear authentic fado? Book an evening of music and port tasting in Coimbra.
Coimbra University Library in Central Portugal Image by Olivia Rawes
Aveiro is another Centro cultural highlight. A lovely town, it's just inland. Sheltered from the ocean by dunes and a wide lagoon.
Colourful moliceiro boats ferry tourists on Aveiro's canals. Faded Art Nouveau buildings line the waterfront. And every cobbled street is a charming ocean-themed mosaic. With anchors, fish, sea horses and eels reflecting Aveiro's heritage.
Head to the old fishing quarter. Here the simple houses are covered in tiles. Beautiful, and also a guard against the sea air.
Make some seaside tradition of your own. Stay at Typical House Aveiro close to São Gonçalinho Chapel.
A strong sense of place is also found in Aveiro restaurants.
Salpoente restaurant is set in old salt house. We ate traditional codfish served as a salty ceviche. Paired with pepper sauce it came in a tin. A nod to Aveiro's canning industry. Our dessert incorporated ovos moles. A sweet made at local convents from communion wafers, egg yolk and sugar. But ovos moles Salpoente style arrived in Kilner jars with raspberry sorbet.
Quinta das Lagrimas in Coimbra also twists tradition. Here, everyday corn bread is dyed with squid ink and sprinkled over curried fish.
Centro now produces wines to rival its neighbour, Alentejo.
Paço dos Cunhas de Santar is set in the heart of the Dao. We enjoyed several local wines here. Each perfectly paired with a course of our meal. The menu was fantastic. And the wine even better, But what struck me most was the people. Everyone working here loved their job. And I'd noticed that time and again during this trip.
Central Portugal has so much to offer. Beautiful countryside, grand architecture and peace. Yet what stands out is the warmth of locals. Untouched by mass tourism they're genuinely passionate. You should come for the tranquillity. The untamed nature and rich culture are irresistible. But it's the genuine welcome at the heart of Portugal that will stay with you longest.
Ready for a trip to Portugal? Read more about the best time to go to Portugal, the best places to visit and best things to do in Portugal. For inspiration use the Portugal Itineraries from The Rough Guide to Portugal and created by our local travel agents in Portugal. A bit more hands on, check out the map of Portugal and learn about getting there, getting around the country and where to stay in Portugal once you are there. And don't forget to buy travel insurance before you go.
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written by Olivia Rawes
updated 23.11.2018
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Portugal