Top Reasons to Visit Portugal for Your Next Vacation

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Portugal has so much to offer, from spectacular wine regions, fascinating history, and fresh seafood to charming cities, exotic castles and palaces, and luxurious seaside resorts.

 

Below are my highlights of Portugal.

 

Charming Lisbon, Portugal 

There is a little something for everyone in the charismatic city. Lisbon is Portugal's seaside capital, filled with interesting history, narrow hilly streets, nearby beaches, beautiful, tiled buildings, and all the luxury shops you expect to find in every major city. Ride the historic wooden trams up and down its hilly streets or experience on a culinary segway tour.

 

Portugal's Wine Regions 

Portugal has several wine regions. The most popular is the Douro Valley. It is one of the world's most spectacular and oldest wine regions. The Douro River flows in between the hills of rolling vineyards. A spa hotel nestled in the hills is the perfect home for exploring this region. Visit historic vineyards, where you tour the property with one of the owners, and enjoy tastings and lunch. 

Portugal's Food Scene 

Portugal has some of the freshest seafood in the world. Popular favorites while visiting are grilled octopus and the Portuguese dessert 'pastel de nata.' These small custard tarts are typically served warm at every meal.  

 

Spectacular Porto, Portugal 

Porto is a small city carved right into the Douro River. The scenery, vibe, excellent bars, and restaurants make Porto a one-of-a-kind city. Stroll the hilly streets on your own or schedule a culinary walking tour where your guide will introduce you to delicious local Portuguese foods as you wander through the city. 

Magical Small Towns 

Aside from the well-known cities of Porto and Lisbon, there are some hidden treasures in Portugal. Sintra and Óbidos are two magical small towns full of charm. Sintra has so much history and several impressive palaces to tour. And the ancient city of Óbidos will transport you back in time with its beautiful city walls and medieval architecture. 

 

Portugal's Beaches 

The incredible coastline of southern Portugal is known for its beautiful beaches, rock formations, and luxurious seaside resorts. This area has caves that can only be reached via boat, so a boat ride along the coast is an experience not to miss.