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Things to do in Portugal

There's no getting away from Portugal's wild and woolly coastline which is why things to do in Portugal usually start and finish with a day spent surfing, sunning or simply staring at the beach. Delve a little deeper inland and cycle tracks over Alentejo plains, yoga in monastic retreats and the 350km Rota Vicentina provide much more than just sand between your toes.

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Things to do in Portugal

Gentle terrain and balmy conditions make Portugal a pedallers' paradise, whatever your pace.

Pedalling perfection

Portugal offers free-wheeling perfection – diverse landscapes, few steep inclines! The Alentejo mixes fertile plains, shady oak forests and duney beaches, while Sintra's lush undulations are scattered with UNESCO architectural gems demanding picture stops. The Algarve hinterland offers gentle hills and woods dotted with ancient villages like Moorish beauty Silves. You want hills? Hit the Serra da Estrela, where wineries flank the ancient university town Coimbra.

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Unforgettable sandscapes

Portugal boasts 1,800km of beach-fringed Atlantic coast. Head west beyond the crowds clinging to the resorts around Faro and the Algarve morphs into secluded white sand bays and eye-catching rock formations culminating in the rugged drama of Cape St Vincent, Europe’s most southwesterly point. Heading north, the Costa Vicentina enthrals with miles of wild, deserted beaches, while above the shoreline the Fishermen's Trail is the 120km single-track ocean section of the 350km Rota Vicentina, one of Europe's most breathtaking walks. Among Lisbon's Blue Flag beaches (a short ride from the capital) the dune-backed Guincho is a wide golden local legend. Reaching towards Spain's Galician border, the Costa da Prata (Silver Coast) and Costa Verde combine timeless fishing villages with atmospheric waterfront restaurants and surf spots like Peniche and Nazare - where 2013 saw the tallest wave ever surfed come rolling in.

Yoga in Portugal comes with invigorating natural complements.

Gentle bends

Bendy unwinding in Portugal is about drawing in scented forest air and tangy ocean breeze as much as dynamic breathing practice and choosing from Iyengar, Hatha or Pranayama. Add the choice between connecting to ocean power in the surf or communing with hill spirits during mountain river dips. Tap into Portugal's timeless human fabric too - caress Neolithic standing stones, reflect in timeworn monastic retreats. Then slumber beneath magical starlit heavens.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Portugal or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

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Toll free 1-866-821-6866

Calling us from outside the US?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Walking in an anytime wonderland

The 2013 opening of the 350km Rota Vicentina gave Portugal one of the world's finest walks. 120km hugs the Atlantic on the Fishermen's Trail, while the Historical Way crosses tranquil wildflower valleys, cork forests and Alentejo uplands still paced by shepherds. This old pilgrims' trail is stamped with history – churches, old country houses, time-warp villages where locals delight to chat about their lives and your journey.

Inland from the Algarve beaches, the Serra de Monchique's ancient paths track through orange and almond groves, and woods scented with eucalyptus and arbutus. Long valley views provide ready-made pauses. For geo-drama, the Serra de Estrela constitute Portugal's highest mountains, a north-east national park mixing limestone peaks, mossy waterfalls, granite caves and rippling rivers. In winter, this is also ski country – though luxury retreats offer relaxation amid beauty year-round.

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Best time to visit Portugal

The best time to visit Portugal is spring season which starts in February to find hills bedecked in seasonal flowers and almond groves awash with pretty pink blossom.

Portugal travel guide

Our Portugal travel guide will point you in the right direction when it comes to what we rate and what we don't as well as offering a fair bit of insider info regarding the best beaches, walking and cycling trails, and a brief history of Portugal, warts and all.

Portugal Map & highlights

From Porto in the north to Lagos in the south, with Lisbon and the Sintra-Cascais National Park in between, making the most of your time in Portugal should always start with a map and highlights as this page goes to prove.

Yoga vacations in Portugal

There's just something about the warm weather and peaceful countryside that sets yoga vacations in Portugal aside from the rest of the pack with no end of additional activities and well-being therapies also helping to create an experience that's as spiritually inspirational as effortlessly relaxing.

Sintra vacations

Sintra, a fairytale tapestry of ancient castles, palaces and grand estates set into the wooded hills of the ‘Portuguese Riviera’ is the most popular day-trip from Lisbon.

Alentejo

Vacations in Alentejo introduce you to one of Europe’s last remaining unspoilt landscapes.

The Algarve

Whether you want a more active vacation, or a peaceful few days hanging around the pool with the family, Portugal’s famously sunny Algarve region fits the bill.

The Azores

1,500km off the coast of Portugal, the Azores is a volcanic archipelago that’s all about the scenery and cetaceans.

Cycling in Portugal

We give Portugal an ‘A’ for cycling vacations: Algarve, Azores, Alentejo, Atlantic Coast – an incredible diversity of scenery.

Lisbon

The Monument to the Discoveries, representing iconic figures of Portugal’s ‘Age of Discovery’, is among the most famous landmarks in Lisbon.

Madeira

For such a small island Madeira boasts a stunning range of landscapes from volcanic lava pools to vineyards, emerald green forests, rivers and offshore reefs.

Walking vacations in Portugal

Walking vacations in Portugal introduce you to magnificent coastal and countryside routes, many of which can be approached at any time of year.

Portugal with kids

Finding the right beach is essential for anyone traveling to Portugal with kids as wave sense equals freedom to let little ones run wild amongst the surf and sand along the Atlantic coast.

Portugal travel advice

Portugal travel advice should always start with a few tidbits from friendly folks that we know and trust which is why this page is devoted to tips on how to eat, live and love like a local as well as a handy health & safety section to help you travel with confidence along Portugal's Atlantic coast.

Responsible tourism in Portugal

Hard times across the globe haven't helped Portugal's fragile economy although the responsible tourism industry in Portugal is doing its level best to entice travelers away from the resorts of the Algarve as well as encouraging travel outside of peak seasons and into the country's rural landscapes.

All our Portugal guides

All our Portugal guides.

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Written by Norman Miller

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Photo credits: [Page banner: Ian_woodhead1] [Pedalling perfection: Web Summit] [Unforgettable sandscapes: Samuel Zeller] [Gentle bends: Vale de Moses, Mirte Ruesen] [Walking in an anytime wonderland: Diogo Tavares]

Things to do in Portugal