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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 Matthew Hancock
updated 7.06.2023
Lisbon highlights to make a long list. It has great museums and interesting districts. With its elegant hotels, trendy clubs and welcoming atmosphere, and affordable prices for food and drink, it's no wonder that Lisbon city breaks are popular. Explore all this vibrant city has to offer with our comprehensive guide.
The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Portugal, your essential guide for visiting 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 ⤍Lisbon does tradition but it does hip too. Then sometimes it combines the two. Take Ribeira Market. Much of the building is now given over to a vibrant food hall, with an impressive range of stalls and plenty of bench-like tables where you can sit and eat.
Another famous historic market to visit on Lisbon city break is the Mercado de Arroios which has served Lisboetas for over a century. Thanks to the renovation the market is not just a place where you can buy and taste Portuguese products, but also a cultural and social centre.
This exciting short tailor-made trip to Essential Portugal will take you to the exciting and stunningly beautiful Portuguese cities of Lisbon and Porto, with guided tours of their historic old towns, and on to the pearls of north Braga and Gamares.
Even the city museums have an edge. See the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT) in Belém. Try the Fado Museum in Alfama. Or discover the Berardo Collection Museum. Catch unusual art at the Gulbenkian. Drop in on the quaint Carris Tram Museum. And the Maritime Museum is another must-do while on Lisbon city break.
Lisbon's fun to get lost in. Head to the centre, pocket your phone then just wander. Come across little-visited squares and discover alleys hiding tiny cafés. Not that Lisbon lacks big sights. Walk along Praça do Comércio - Lisbon’s main riverfront square.
Down on the waterfront, Cais do Sodré is a colourful but slightly down-at-heel suburb which has become hip thanks to some good restaurants, clubs and bars. Many of them are located along Rua Nova Carvalho, aka Rua Corde-Rosa or “pink street”, on account of the colour of its tarmac.
Elevador de Santa Justa street lift creaks its way up 32m above the Baixa. The exit at the top comes out next to the Bairro Alto’s Convento do Carmo, but you can stop first for a drink at the elevador’s own pricey rooftop café, which has great views over the city and the elaborate metal framework of the lift itself.
Don't miss the view from Castelo de São Jorge. See Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Belém. In fact, Lisbon highlights could fill weeks but you'll probably spend a lot of time just looking at the city. It's built on hills so there are plenty of great vantage points.
For city views, head to the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. This is a hilltop viewpoint in the district of Graça. It provides a spectacular panoramic view of the city, including some of its most famous landmarks such as Castelo de São Jorge and the Tagus River.
Alfama's extraordinary skyline is one of the main highlights of Lisbon city break /CC0
Lisbon enjoys over 3000 hours of sun a year. Even in December, there's sunshine for at least five hours. Fortunately, there's also lots to do outdoors. It's a short hop to the coast too. Estoril is famous for its James Bond connections. Today it also has some of the region's best beaches. Cascais is another easy train ride away. The beaches here are smaller. But the town compensates with mansions and historic backstreets.
Short on time? Book a packed day trip around Cascais, Estoril and Sintra from Lisbon.
Take your rental car and discover Lisbon, Sintra & Cascais before heading to Alentejo on this tailor-made trip to Lisbon and the South of Portugal. This fascinating region features many historic gems to discover, as well as a unique cuisine to taste.
Portuguese cuisine is one of the underrated Lisbon city break highlights. Almost every restaurant serves grilled fresh fish. Seafood's generally affordable and variations on bacalhau – dried salted cod - are many.
Pork's also a big deal and succulent grilled chicken is another staple, have it with, or without, piri piri sauce. Local wines tend to be cheap and highly drinkable. And don’t miss the pastries. Pastel de nata custard tarts always taste best in Belém.
Need a city break base? Stay at Famous Crows Lisbon Suites in Belém.
Lisbon’s nightlife is legendary, though don’t expect to see any action much before midnight. There are some great bars where you can get a drink at any time of the day, but clubs – which may not open much before 11 pm – generally operate on a “minimum consumption” policy. You buy a ticket at the door which you can get stamped each time you buy a drink at the bar.
The traditional centre of Lisbon’s nightlife is the Bairro Alto, an intriguing blend of student bars, designer clubs, fado houses and restaurants. The Cais do Sodré district is currently the “in” place, while neighbouring Santos also has a trendy reputation. Bars and clubs in Alcântara and the docks tend to attract a slightly older, wealthier crowd than those in the centre.
Lisbon's also the home of Fado which is the distinct music of Portugal. But avoid touristy fado clubs, find authentic fado bars instead. Believe me, you'll be moved. The Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest and most atmospheric quarter, a labyrinthine maze of narrow streets, steps and alleys wrapped around the steep lower slopes of the Moorish castle.
Walking around the area is a must for any Lisbon city break. Street life is the interest here, much of it continuing in the same way as it has for centuries. Appropriately in an area which is home to many fado clubs, there is also a museum dedicated to this classic Portuguese genre.
Discover the history of Fado. Take a walking tour of Alfama with local guides.
While planning your Lisbon city break look for restored townhouses in Baixa. Many are now smart hotels. You'll also find them as hostels and apartment rentals. Character hotels are an Alfama signature. Bairro Alto is very cool for night owls. And many districts offer budget accommodation.
Find more accommodation options to stay in Lisbon
Central Lisbon's small and walkable. Catch a historic elevadore to negotiate its steep hills. The city's metro is efficient, the buses are good too but the trams beat all. They mostly date back to the early 20th century and all tackle Lisbon's steep streets easily.
Around for a few days? Pick up a 72-hour hop-on-hop-off transport pass for Lisbon.
Vintage yellow trams roll along the oldest and steepest streets and are worth taking for the sheer fun of it. The most famous route is #28; the most interesting stretch is from São Vicente to the Estrela Gardens via the Alfama and the Baixa.
Beginning in Lisbon and ending in Porto, this tailor-made trip to Cultural Portugal 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.
Ready for a trip to Lisbon? Check out the Rough Guide to Portugal.
If you prefer to plan and book your trip to Portugal without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.
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written by Matthew Hancock
updated 7.06.2023
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Portugal