From Douro River cruises to Port tasting, Portugal offers terrific experiences that should be on every traveler’s list. Here are Fodor’s top picks for a memorable trip.
Azulejos
Brightly colored ceramic tiles adorn numerous fountains, churches, and palaces, including the Queluz National Palace, throughout the country.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Portugal Travel Guide
Port Wine Tasting
Near Porto, you can tour the caves that store Portugal’s most famous drink. Top off the experience with generous tasting sessions.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Porto and the North Travel Guide
Pousadas
Spice up your trip with a stay in a pousada. These lodgings in restored castles, monasteries, and historic buildings meld luxury with regional charm.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Portugal Travel Guide
Madeira
The unique natural beauty of this subtropical island includes mountain summits cloaked in hazy fog and cliffs that plummet seaward.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Madeira Travel Guide
Sintra
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town of Sintra teems with gorgeous palaces and gardens. The surrounding hills form a romantic backdrop for its historic charms.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Sintra Travel Guide
Douro River Cruises
A cruise is a relaxing way to explore the eye-opening landscapes of the Douro River Valley, with its steeply terraced vineyards.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Porto and the North Travel Guide
Évora
One of Portugal’s best-preserved medieval towns, Évora has fortified walls and winding cobblestone lanes lined with Roman and Gothic architecture.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Évora and the Alentejo Travel Guide
Lisbon
The vibrant capital encompasses cobblestoned streets; funicular railways; world-class museums; and top-notch dining, shopping, and nightlife scenes.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Lisbon Travel Guide
Beaches
Take your pick of beautiful beaches—from windswept surfing hubs to unspoiled, sheltered coves—on the long Atlantic coastline.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Portugal Travel Guide
Fado
Don’t miss a performance of this unique musical style at a fado house. Singers croon plaintive tunes to soulful Portuguese guitar accompaniment.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Portugal Travel Guide
Cafés and Pastelarias
You’re never far from a café or pastry shop in Portugal. Be sure to take frequent breaks to savor coffee and delicious pastries like pastel de nata, an egg-custard tart.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Portugal Travel Guide
Hilltop Villages
Fortified medieval walls, narrow streets, dramatic castles, and spectacular views of the countryside make these stunning settlements irresistible.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Portugal Travel Guide