PORTUGAL
Oh, Portugal, Europe’s Southern Belle!
From vibrant cities and charming villages to medieval castles and dramatic coastlines, this country packs an incredible variety of landscapes and experiences into a relatively small space.
I’ve spent more than a year exploring Portugal, discovering both famous landmarks and lesser-known gems along the way – one of the many perks of working remotely!
Here you’ll find all my Portugal travel guides for destinations like Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, and Madeira, to help you plan the perfect trip around this beautiful country.
CAPITAL
Lisbon
POPULATION
10.7 million
CURRENCY
Euro
LANGUAGE
Portuguese
TIME ZONE
GMT+0
(Azores GMT -1)
Best of Portugal: TRAVEL GUIDES
Whether you are visiting Portugal for the first time or planning a longer trip around the country, these guides will help you discover the best places to see in Portugal.
From colorful cities and historic castles to scenic viewpoints and hidden gems, you’ll find plenty of ideas for your Portugal bucket list itinerary!
Portugal bucket lists:
- 40 Ultimate Best Places to Visit in Portugal
- 23 Best Cities to Visit in Portugal
- 30 Most Beautiful Places in Portugal
- 34 Marvelous Hidden Gems in Portugal
- 17 Most Charming Villages in Portugal
Portugal travel inspO:

CENTRAL PORTUGAL: Lisbon, Sintra & Around
Central Portugal is home to the capital, Lisbon, and some of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. You can easily explore this region on day trips from Lisbon or while traveling around on a road trip.
Climb the hills of Lisbon, wander through the palaces of Sintra, watch giant waves in Nazaré, or stroll along the medieval walls of Óbidos – there is a lot to see in this part of Portugal!
Portugal’s vibrant capital, Lisbon, is full of history, colorful streets, and stunning viewpoints. Explore its many ‘miradouros’, visit Arco da Rua Augusta, drive the yellow tram, explore the Belém Neighborhood, and try pastel de nata!
LISBON CITY GUIDES:
- Lisbon bucket list: 22 top things to do in Lisbon
- 19 ultimate things to do in 2 days in Lisbon
- 33 most famous Lisbon Instagram spots (+map!)
- 23 secret spots and hidden gems in Lisbon
- 19 most beautiful places in Lisbon
- 17 best viewpoints and rooftops to see Lisbon from above
- 11 best pastel de nata spots in Lisbon (I tried them all!)
- 15 most beautiful castles near Lisbon
Popular destinations in Central Portugal are perfect for exploring on a day trip from Lisbon. Be it Pena Palace in Sintra, ocean views in Nazaré, medieval streets in Óbidos, or the majestic monastery in Batalha!
DESTINATIONS IN CENTRAL PORTUGAL:
- 25 most popular day trips from Lisbon, Portugal
- Sintra » best things to do | best Instagram spots
- Nazaré » things to do in Nazaré
- Óbidos » best things to do in the charming Óbidos
- Évora » best things to do in the Museum-City Évora
- Monsanto » Monsanto, the most Portuguese village
- Piódão » Hidden Piódão, one of Portugal’s Historical Villages
NORTHERN PORTUGAL: PORTO, AVEIRO & BEYOND
Northern Portugal is a beautiful region to explore if you enjoy historic cities, scenic viewpoints, charming towns, and stunning natural landscapes.
It is home to the vibrant city of Porto, as well as beautiful towns like Braga, Guimarães, and Aveiro. You can wander through the Douro Valley, famous for its terraced vineyards and winding river views, or explore Peneda-Gerês National Park, a paradise of mountains, waterfalls, and hiking trails. Enjoy!
SOUTHERN PORTUGAL: THE ALGARVE
Southern Portugal is all about sun, sea, and stunning coastal landscapes. The Algarve region is famous for its golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, hidden caves, and charming seaside towns like Lagos, Tavira, and Albufeira.
Explore the unique Benagil Cave, relax on Praia da Marinha, or discover spectacular spots along the coastline like Ponta da Piedade. These guides will be perfect for planning your ultimate Algarve adventure. Happy travels!
Southern Portugal travel guides:
- Algarve bucket list: 15 top things to do in Algarve
- 19 best Instagram spots in Algarve
- 17 most beautiful beaches in the Algarve
- 15 unique hidden gems in the Algarve
- 11 caves and algars you should see in Algarve
- 12 best breakfast & brunch spots in Algarve
- How to find the heart-shaped rock in Algarve?

THE ISLANDS: MADEIRA

Madeira, the “Island of Eternal Spring,” is known for its lush mountains and dramatic coastal cliffs. From Funchal’s charming streets to the island’s breathtaking viewpoints, waterfalls, and hiking trails, there’s definitely something to do for every type of traveler!
These guides cover the best things to do in Madeira, including scenic viewpoints, photo locations, and must-see natural spots like Pico do Arieiro, Ponta de São Lourenço, or the Fanal Forest. Happy exploring!
MADEIRA travel guides:
- Madeira bucket list: 27 things to do & see in Madeira
- 7 best waterfalls you have to see in Madeira
- 9 most beautiful viewpoints in Madeira, Portugal
- 10 most unique things you must do in Madeira
- 15 most iconic Instagram spots in Madeira
- 5 must-do hiking trails in Madeira, Portugal
- Adventure paradise: 9 fun adventures in Madeira
- Ultimate guide to Madeira: all you need to know!

















