Portugal Travel Guide: the best things to do, see, and eat

Calling all foodies and wine enthusiasts: Autumn in Portugal is right up your alley! The fall season is when wine grapes, olives, cork, and other staple crops get harvested throughout the country, and sampling farm-fresh bites is always a treat. Plus, the Portuguese countryside will be picture-perfect as vibrant foliage crops up along rolling hills. See it (and taste it!) all for yourself on our Food & Wine: A Taste of Portugal tour.

Portugal has a sprawling coastline, which means any fish dish you try will be top notch. If you’re a fan of nautical fare, you have to order the pratos do dia, or plate of the day. Local fishermen bring back hauls each morning to nearly every restaurant, so it’s as fresh as it gets. Be on the lookout for delicious dishes made with cod, sardines, octopus, clams, and more.

Okay, so this is still seafood, but this one’s specifically cod. It’s Portugal’s national dish, and there are over 365 ways to prepare it—so technically, you can eat it every day and never get bored.

This classic Portuguese soup is made with potatoes, kale, and sliced chorizo—and yes, it’s absolutely divine.

You can find these popular Portuguese pork sandwiches everywhere on tour in Portugal, and for good reason—they’re delicious! This traditional snack is made with marinated slices of pork served on a roll with piri piri sauce and mustard.

Have a sweet tooth? If so, these traditional custard tarts are a must-try on tour in Portugal. They’re made with sweet cream in a round puff pastry shell, then baked until the top is caramelized—and you can find some of the best in Lisbon at the famous bakery called Pasteis de Belem.

The world’s best Port wine is made in Portugal’s Douro Valley. This sweet, fortified red wine is usually enjoyed with dessert or after dinner. Felicidades!

Paying a visit to this Lisbon landmark is like stepping into its maritime past. It was built in the early 1500s as one of the city’s defenses and has had some pretty notable visitors—including Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan.

Inside this 2,000-year-old, UNESCO-listed city, you can wander down the medieval streets of the Old-World Ribeira district, which sits alongside the picturesque Douro riverfront. Find yourself surrounded by colorful buildings covered in glazed, pastel tiles—you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back into another era.

Portugal’s southernmost region boasts whitewashed homes and fishing villages on low cliffs overlooking sandy coves. Go to admire intricate tilework or soak up the sun on white-sand beaches along the coastline.

Sagres is the southwesternmost point of Europe, and the last-explored part of the ancient world. The Romans believed it was the Promontorium Sacrum, or “end of the world.” Today, this seafaring town is home to an incredible fortress with stunning views of the sea.

Among the most noteworthy of Portugal attractions is this Baroque-style mansion. Set against the backdrop of the Portuguese countryside, this home features gorgeous gardens, grand architecture, and majestic fountains.

This UNESCO-recognized city is regarded as the “cradle of Portuguese nationality,” and you can visit during an exciting excursion on our Food & Wine: A Taste of Portugal tour. In 1128 A.D., many political and military movements began in Guimaraes and eventually led to the formation of Portugal. Learn about the history of these events as you pass the medieval Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, Largo da Oliveira square, and the city’s Baroque-style church. You can even step inside the Castelo de Guimaraes, which is believed to be the birthplace of Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal.

Spend your evening at a Lisbon tavern listening to fado. Derived from the Latin word fatum, which means “prophecy” or “fate,” fado is Portugal’s national musical treasure. Fado’s traditional theme is saudade, a word that doesn’t quite translate to English but conveys a sense of both nostalgia and longing.

Sure, the coast is incredible from the land, but it’s even more impressive from the sea. Join the extension on our A Week in Portugal: Porto, Evora & Lisbon tour, and add our Algarve Coastal Cruise excursion to sail past spectacular cliffs and beaches—including the natural rock formations and caves of the famous Ponta da Piedade. You may even catch a glimpse of dolphins and birds, like Spoonbills and Greater Flamingos!

This seven-story elevator isn’t just good for the breathtaking views of Lisbon. It’s also the quickest route between the Bairro Alto district and the Baixa neighborhood, which are also worth a visit!

Mountaintop towns don’t get much prettier than Sintra, which is a UNESCO-listed spot that looks like it’s right out of a storybook. Wander through its colorful villas, small shops, and impeccably manicured gardens, and even tour the 19th-century Romanticist Pena Palace. You’ll quickly learn why poet Lord Byron once called Sintra a “glorious Eden.” Here’s everything you need to know about taking a day trip to Sintra.

Painted pottery has been a part of Portugal’s culture for centuries—and makes for a great gift to bring home, too. You can buy beautiful bowls, plates, traditional tiles, and more. The patterns and colors alone will bring you right back to your times here!

Filigree is one of the world’s oldest jewelry-making techniques, and Portuguese artisans have practiced it since the beginning of the 16th century. Goldsmiths twist and plait fine threads of metal to create delicate, lace-like patterns anyone would want to wear.

Portugal is the biggest exporter of cork in the world. In fact, on our Portugal for Solo Travelers tour, you’ll visit the Alentejo Cork Factory to learn more about this famed Portuguese product—and to do a little shopping. “I got a cork purse to bring home and I use it all the time in the spring and summer,” said staffer Jules.

There’s no better souvenir than a bottle of regional wine if you want to bring the flavors of Portugal back home with you. Pick one up during your visit to Porto on our Grand Tour of Portugal & Spain: Porto to Barcelona tour.

Yes, you read that right. Sardines are one of Portugal’s most common dishes, and the canned ones come in beautifully designed tins that make for nice mementos. “They’re different than the ones we have in North America,” said traveler Gustavo. “I was actually surprised when I enjoyed them.”

This is one of the top packing tips in our solo traveler’s guide to Portugal, too. Portugal is known for its intricate Portuguese pavement, known locally as calcada Portuguesa. These gorgeous walkways feature small, flat pieces of limestone, arranged like a mosaic—and if you’re not wearing the right shoes, it can get a little dicey. “The street tile in Lisbon is beautiful, but I found it to be a little slippery, especially when walking downhill,” said staffer Sarah.

Think you might like to take a dip during free time on tour in Portugal? We don’t blame you—the country boasts one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe! Be sure to bring your swimsuit if you’ll be exploring seaside spots like the Algarve region.

The shoulder seasons in Portugal see warm, sunny days slip into cooler nights. So, if you plan on exploring Portugal in the spring or fall, clothing that you can easily layer will be most comfortable. Think: a stylish scarf and a warm sweater.

This is one of our favorite eco-friendly travel essentials, especially in Portugal. Tap water in Portugal is safe to drink, so all you have to do is stop for a refill as you walk around town.