Portugal Travel Guide

GALLERY

Nestled between Spain and the Atlantic Ocean, it's no surprise that Portugal has abundant seafood and beautiful beaches. Yet the landscape unfolds in astonishing variety from the coastline to the lush vineyards of the Douro River Valley to a mountainous, green interior dotted with castles. Celtic, Roman, and Islamic influences are evident in the land and its people, whose apparent reserve belies a welcoming and friendly nature. From big cities to tiny villages, a popular pursuit is to meet with friends and family and linger over strong coffee and pastries as the hours glide by.

Guidebooks for Every Journey

Fodor's Essential Portugal

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Fodor's InFocus Lisbon

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Fodor's Inside Lisbon

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Find a Hotel

Guidebooks for Every Journey

Fodor's Essential Portugal

Buy Now See All Guideboks

Fodor's InFocus Lisbon

Buy Now See All Guideboks

Fodor's Inside Lisbon

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Top Destinations

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The Algarve

The Algarve is deservedly popular, with millions of annual vacationers thronging here to enjoy sandy beaches, superb golf, and all the other enticements of seaside...

Funchal

When colonists arrived in Madeira in July 1419, the valley they settled in was a mass of bright yellow fennel, or funcho in Portuguese. Today...

Porto

Portugal's second-largest city, with a population of roughly 280,000, considers itself the north's capital and, more contentiously, the country's economic center. Locals support this claim...

Northern Portugal

Perched on the steep banks of the River Douro, Porto is many people's favorite part of Portugal. A center for the arts, culture, and cuisine...

Madeira

Floral scents fill Madeira's sea-washed air. Bird-of-paradise flowers grow wild, pink and purple fuchsia weave lacy patterns up pastel walls, and jacaranda trees create purple...

Lisbon

...

Lagos

Breezy and cool in every sense of the word, Lagos has an infectious energy and a laid-back feel. This bustling fishing port has many buildings–-the...

Faro

The Algarve’s provincial capital combines a smattering of history and ample leisure opportunities in one lively package. It is one of the few places in...

Sesimbra

Sesimbra, a lively fishing village surrounded by mountains and isolated bays and coves, is a popular day trip for Lisboetas. And, despite high-rise apartments that...

Estoril

Having long ago established its reputation as an affluent enclave, Estoril is still the place to go for glitz and glamour. In the 19th century...

Costa da Caparica

Costa da Caparica is a 20-km (12-mile) stretch of beach on the northwestern coast of the Setúbal Peninsula. White sand and a laid-back holiday vibe...

Cascais and Boca do Inferno

Once a mere fishing village, the town of Cascais—with three small, sandy bays—is now a heavily developed resort town packed with shops, restaurants, and hotels...

Barca d'Alva/Castelo Rodrigo

These two small villages, a stone's throw from the Spanish border, make good jumping-off points for visiting the other Douro River villages, and even for...

São Vicente

The little town of São Vicente is nestled in a narrow gully just inland from the dramatic north coast. Most of the central streets are...

Coimbra

Coimbra is a fascinating city that combines a tangible sense of history with all of the vibrancy and street life typically associated with a university...

Coimbra and Central Portugal

While frequently sidestepped by tourists, this region is arguably the most unspoiled and quintessentially Portuguese part of the country. Even the coastal resorts have, as...

The Algarve

The Algarve is deservedly popular, with millions of annual vacationers thronging here to enjoy sandy beaches, superb golf, and all the other enticements of seaside...

Funchal

When colonists arrived in Madeira in July 1419, the valley they settled in was a mass of bright yellow fennel, or funcho in Portuguese. Today...

Porto

Portugal's second-largest city, with a population of roughly 280,000, considers itself the north's capital and, more contentiously, the country's economic center. Locals support this claim...

Northern Portugal

Perched on the steep banks of the River Douro, Porto is many people's favorite part of Portugal. A center for the arts, culture, and cuisine...

Madeira

Floral scents fill Madeira's sea-washed air. Bird-of-paradise flowers grow wild, pink and purple fuchsia weave lacy patterns up pastel walls, and jacaranda trees create purple...

Lisbon

...

Lagos

Breezy and cool in every sense of the word, Lagos has an infectious energy and a laid-back feel. This bustling fishing port has many buildings–-the...

Faro

The Algarve’s provincial capital combines a smattering of history and ample leisure opportunities in one lively package. It is one of the few places in...

Sesimbra

Sesimbra, a lively fishing village surrounded by mountains and isolated bays and coves, is a popular day trip for Lisboetas. And, despite high-rise apartments that...

Estoril

Having long ago established its reputation as an affluent enclave, Estoril is still the place to go for glitz and glamour. In the 19th century...

Costa da Caparica

Costa da Caparica is a 20-km (12-mile) stretch of beach on the northwestern coast of the Setúbal Peninsula. White sand and a laid-back holiday vibe...

Cascais and Boca do Inferno

Once a mere fishing village, the town of Cascais—with three small, sandy bays—is now a heavily developed resort town packed with shops, restaurants, and hotels...

Barca d'Alva/Castelo Rodrigo

These two small villages, a stone's throw from the Spanish border, make good jumping-off points for visiting the other Douro River villages, and even for...

São Vicente

The little town of São Vicente is nestled in a narrow gully just inland from the dramatic north coast. Most of the central streets are...

Coimbra

Coimbra is a fascinating city that combines a tangible sense of history with all of the vibrancy and street life typically associated with a university...

Coimbra and Central Portugal

While frequently sidestepped by tourists, this region is arguably the most unspoiled and quintessentially Portuguese part of the country. Even the coastal resorts have, as...

Porto

Portugal's second-largest city, with a population of roughly 280,000, considers itself the north's capital and, more contentiously, the country's economic center. Locals support this claim...

Funchal

When colonists arrived in Madeira in July 1419, the valley they settled in was a mass of bright yellow fennel, or funcho in Portuguese. Today...

Lisbon

...

Ponta Delgada

...

Horta

...

Lagos

Breezy and cool in every sense of the word, Lagos has an infectious energy and a laid-back feel. This bustling fishing port has many buildings–-the...

Faro

The Algarve’s provincial capital combines a smattering of history and ample leisure opportunities in one lively package. It is one of the few places in...

Sesimbra

Sesimbra, a lively fishing village surrounded by mountains and isolated bays and coves, is a popular day trip for Lisboetas. And, despite high-rise apartments that...

Estoril

Having long ago established its reputation as an affluent enclave, Estoril is still the place to go for glitz and glamour. In the 19th century...

Costa da Caparica

Costa da Caparica is a 20-km (12-mile) stretch of beach on the northwestern coast of the Setúbal Peninsula. White sand and a laid-back holiday vibe...

São Vicente

The little town of São Vicente is nestled in a narrow gully just inland from the dramatic north coast. Most of the central streets are...

Coimbra

Coimbra is a fascinating city that combines a tangible sense of history with all of the vibrancy and street life typically associated with a university...

Porto

Portugal's second-largest city, with a population of roughly 280,000, considers itself the north's capital and, more contentiously, the country's economic center. Locals support this claim...

Funchal

When colonists arrived in Madeira in July 1419, the valley they settled in was a mass of bright yellow fennel, or funcho in Portuguese. Today...

Lisbon

...

Ponta Delgada

...

Horta

...

Lagos

Breezy and cool in every sense of the word, Lagos has an infectious energy and a laid-back feel. This bustling fishing port has many buildings–-the...

Faro

The Algarve’s provincial capital combines a smattering of history and ample leisure opportunities in one lively package. It is one of the few places in...

Sesimbra

Sesimbra, a lively fishing village surrounded by mountains and isolated bays and coves, is a popular day trip for Lisboetas. And, despite high-rise apartments that...

Estoril

Having long ago established its reputation as an affluent enclave, Estoril is still the place to go for glitz and glamour. In the 19th century...

Costa da Caparica

Costa da Caparica is a 20-km (12-mile) stretch of beach on the northwestern coast of the Setúbal Peninsula. White sand and a laid-back holiday vibe...

São Vicente

The little town of São Vicente is nestled in a narrow gully just inland from the dramatic north coast. Most of the central streets are...

Coimbra

Coimbra is a fascinating city that combines a tangible sense of history with all of the vibrancy and street life typically associated with a university...

Northern Portugal

Perched on the steep banks of the River Douro, Porto is many people's favorite part of Portugal. A center for the arts, culture, and cuisine...

The Algarve

The Algarve is deservedly popular, with millions of annual vacationers thronging here to enjoy sandy beaches, superb golf, and all the other enticements of seaside...

Madeira

Floral scents fill Madeira's sea-washed air. Bird-of-paradise flowers grow wild, pink and purple fuchsia weave lacy patterns up pastel walls, and jacaranda trees create purple...

The Azores

...

Cascais and Boca do Inferno

Once a mere fishing village, the town of Cascais—with three small, sandy bays—is now a heavily developed resort town packed with shops, restaurants, and hotels...

Sintra, the Estoril Coast, and the Setúbal Peninsula

The capital’s backyard offers some seriously enticing side trips. A succession of attractive coastal resorts and camera-ready towns lie within a 50-km (31-mile) stretch north...

Barca d'Alva/Castelo Rodrigo

These two small villages, a stone's throw from the Spanish border, make good jumping-off points for visiting the other Douro River villages, and even for...

Coimbra and Central Portugal

While frequently sidestepped by tourists, this region is arguably the most unspoiled and quintessentially Portuguese part of the country. Even the coastal resorts have, as...

Northern Portugal

Perched on the steep banks of the River Douro, Porto is many people's favorite part of Portugal. A center for the arts, culture, and cuisine...

The Algarve

The Algarve is deservedly popular, with millions of annual vacationers thronging here to enjoy sandy beaches, superb golf, and all the other enticements of seaside...

Madeira

Floral scents fill Madeira's sea-washed air. Bird-of-paradise flowers grow wild, pink and purple fuchsia weave lacy patterns up pastel walls, and jacaranda trees create purple...

The Azores

...

Cascais and Boca do Inferno

Once a mere fishing village, the town of Cascais—with three small, sandy bays—is now a heavily developed resort town packed with shops, restaurants, and hotels...

Sintra, the Estoril Coast, and the Setúbal Peninsula

The capital’s backyard offers some seriously enticing side trips. A succession of attractive coastal resorts and camera-ready towns lie within a 50-km (31-mile) stretch north...

Barca d'Alva/Castelo Rodrigo

These two small villages, a stone's throw from the Spanish border, make good jumping-off points for visiting the other Douro River villages, and even for...

Coimbra and Central Portugal

While frequently sidestepped by tourists, this region is arguably the most unspoiled and quintessentially Portuguese part of the country. Even the coastal resorts have, as...

São Miguel

...

Faial

...

São Miguel

...

Faial

...

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All Destinations
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Coimbra and Central Portugal

Coimbra

Lisbon

Madeira

Northern Portugal

Barca d'Alva/Castelo Rodrigo

Porto

Sintra, the Estoril Coast, and the Setúbal Peninsula

The Algarve

The Azores

Coimbra and Central Portugal

Coimbra

Northern Portugal

Barca d'Alva/Castelo Rodrigo

The Algarve

Lisbon

Porto

The Azores

Madeira

Sintra, the Estoril Coast, and the Setúbal Peninsula

Coimbra and Central Portugal

Coimbra

Madeira

Porto

The Algarve

Lisbon

Northern Portugal

Barca d'Alva/Castelo Rodrigo

Sintra, the Estoril Coast, and the Setúbal Peninsula

The Azores

Top Experiences

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Two weeks in Portugal Itinerary
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Portugal rental car or day trip tours
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Guidebooks

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Fodor's Essential Portugal
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...

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Fodor's InFocus Lisbon
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...

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Fodor's Inside Lisbon
Hip, innovative, and affordable, Lisbon is a hub for cosmopolitan, design-minded makers...

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Portugal

Portugal

Guidebooks for Every Journey

Find a Hotel

Find a Hotel

Guidebooks for Every Journey

Top Destinations

Top Destinations

The Algarve

Funchal

Porto

Northern Portugal

Madeira

Lisbon

Lagos

Faro

Sesimbra

Estoril

Costa da Caparica

Cascais and Boca do Inferno

Barca d'Alva/Castelo Rodrigo

São Vicente

Coimbra

Coimbra and Central Portugal

The Algarve

Funchal

Porto

Northern Portugal

Madeira

Lisbon

Lagos

Faro

Sesimbra

Estoril

Costa da Caparica

Cascais and Boca do Inferno

Barca d'Alva/Castelo Rodrigo

São Vicente

Coimbra

Coimbra and Central Portugal

Porto

Funchal

Lisbon

Ponta Delgada

Horta

Lagos

Faro

Sesimbra

Estoril

Costa da Caparica

São Vicente

Coimbra

Porto

Funchal

Lisbon

Ponta Delgada

Horta

Lagos

Faro

Sesimbra

Estoril

Costa da Caparica

São Vicente

Coimbra

Northern Portugal

The Algarve

Madeira

The Azores

Cascais and Boca do Inferno

Sintra, the Estoril Coast, and the Setúbal Peninsula

Barca d'Alva/Castelo Rodrigo

Coimbra and Central Portugal

Northern Portugal

The Algarve

Madeira

The Azores

Cascais and Boca do Inferno

Sintra, the Estoril Coast, and the Setúbal Peninsula

Barca d'Alva/Castelo Rodrigo

Portugal

TRAVEL GUIDE

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