Country guide · Portugal
Best places to visit in Portugal
5 destinations compared, so you can choose where to spend your time.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
For a first trip to Portugal, start with Lisbon: Hilltop viewpoints, yellow trams and custard tarts on the Tagus. For beaches, look at Lisbon, Porto and Algarve. Porto is the least expensive of the destinations in this guide.
Key facts
- Destinations in this guide
- 5
- Best months overall
- May–June and September–October
- Start with
- Lisbon
- Least expensive here
- Porto
5 places to visit in Portugal
Best: April–June and September–October · 4 days
Lisbon
Hilltop viewpoints, yellow trams and custard tarts on the Tagus
Best: May–June and September–October · 4 days
Porto
Riverside terraces, azulejo tiles, port-wine lodges and the Douro Valley
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Best: May–June and September · 7 days
Algarve
Golden sea cliffs, lagoon islands and grilled-fish lunches on Portugal's south coast
Best: May–September · 8 days
Azores
Crater lakes, hot springs and whale watching on nine mid-Atlantic islands
Best: April–June and September–October · 7 days
Madeira
Levada walks, laurel forests and mild Atlantic weather all year
Compare the destinations
| Destination | Known for | Best time | Ideal stay | Mid-range per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | Pastel de nata and Tram 28 | April–June and September–October | 4 days | $150–$260 |
| Porto | Port wine and Ribeira | May–June and September–October | 4 days | $120–$210 |
| Algarve | Sea cliffs and caves and Golden beaches | May–June and September | 7 days | $130–$250 |
| Azores | Crater lakes and Whale watching | May–September | 8 days | $130–$230 |
| Madeira | Levada walks and Madeira wine | April–June and September–October | 7 days | $130–$240 |
When to visit Portugal
Across these destinations the most reliable months are May–June and September–October. Timing still varies by place: Lisbon is best in April–June and September–October; Porto is best in May–June and September–October; Algarve is best in May–June and September.
Signature dishes across Portugal
| Destination | Try first | Also try |
|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | Custard tart | Bacalhau à Brás and Grilled sardines |
| Porto | Francesinha | Tripe Porto style and Roast pork sandwich |
| Algarve | Cataplana | Grilled sardines and Piri-piri chicken |
| Azores | Cozido das Furnas | São Jorge cheese and Bolo lêvedo |
| Madeira | Espetada | Black scabbardfish with banana and Bolo do caco |
Events through the year in Portugal
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Algarve: Almond blossom in the inland hills (usually late January to February); Madeira: New Year's Day — end of the festive season in Funchal |
| February | Lisbon: Carnival — parades in nearby towns such as Torres Vedras (February or March, depending on Easter); Porto: Fantasporto — international film festival (usually February or March) |
| March | Lisbon: Lisbon Half Marathon (usually March); Azores: Start of the spring whale migration (usually from March) |
| April | Lisbon: Freedom Day — Carnation Revolution anniversary parade on Avenida da Liberdade (25 April); Algarve: Easter processions in towns such as Loulé and São Brás de Alportel |
| May | Lisbon: Lisbon Book Fair in Parque Eduardo VII (usually late May into June); Porto: Queima das Fitas — student festival (usually early May) |
| June | Lisbon: Santo António festivities — marches on Avenida da Liberdade and street parties in Alfama (night of 12–13 June); Porto: São João — street party with fireworks, grilled sardines and plastic hammers (night of 23–24 June) |
| July | Lisbon: NOS Alive music festival in Algés (usually July); Algarve: Faro International Motorcycle Concentration (usually July) |
| August | Lisbon: Jazz em Agosto at the Gulbenkian (usually August); Algarve: Olhão Seafood Festival (usually August) |
| September | Porto: Douro Valley grape harvest (usually September to early October); Algarve: Festival F — music festival in Faro's old town (usually early September) |
| October | Lisbon: Lisbon Marathon (usually October); Algarve: Feira de Santa Iria — traditional fair in Faro (usually October) |
| November | Lisbon: São Martinho — roasted chestnuts and new wine (around 11 November); Porto: São Martinho — chestnut and new wine celebrations (around 11 November) |
| December | Lisbon: Christmas lights and markets in the Baixa (December); Porto: Christmas lights and market on the Avenida dos Aliados (usually December) |
How far apart they are
| From | To | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | Porto | 274 km |
| Lisbon | Algarve | 217 km |
| Lisbon | Azores | 1,447 km |
| Lisbon | Madeira | 968 km |
| Porto | Algarve | 464 km |
| Porto | Azores | 1,509 km |
| Porto | Madeira | 1,190 km |
| Algarve | Azores | 1,568 km |
| Algarve | Madeira | 949 km |
| Azores | Madeira | 965 km |
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I go on my first trip to Portugal?
Lisbon: Lisbon climbs seven hills above the wide Tagus estuary, a short train ride from Atlantic beaches. The flat Baixa grid, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, links the medieval lanes of Alfama and the castle with Chiado…
+When is the best time to visit Portugal?
Generally May–June and September–October, though it varies by region.