The best things to do in Portugal
When you have a pastel de nata in hand and our expert guides by your side, everything on your Portugal trip goes from good to great.
During a single afternoon in Portugal, you can walk past 15th-century azulejo tiles, cross into a neighborhood with a medieval monastery, and end up on a tavern stool with a glass of vinho verde and a plate of bacalhau in front of you. That kind of range is why travelers are always interested in going to Portugal. Our Portugal tours cover the country from cities to coast—and this is everything we think you should do while you’re there.
The best historic sites to visit in Portugal
Why these landmarks belong on every Portugal itinerary
Portugal has centuries of stories to share, and its buildings tell them best. Decades of seafarers, traders, and artists left behind some of the most stunning architecture in Europe. Our Portugal tours put you face to face with the places where those stories actually happened, and our local guides bring it all to life.
Must-see monuments and landmarks
- Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon: Visiting this site, which honors Portugal’s explorers and houses Vasco da Gama’s tomb, is one of the best things to do in Lisbon.
- Pena Palace in Sintra: Looking for the best day trips from Lisbon? This colorful hilltop palace is a highlight of our Grand Tour of Portugal: From Porto to Lisbon.
- Belem Tower in Lisbon: This fortification was the last thing explorers saw when leaving Lisbon and the first thing they saw upon their return.
The top Portugal beaches and coastal experiences
What sets Portugal’s Atlantic coastline apart
Portugal’s coast is one of the most varied in Europe. The Algarve alone gives you dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden sea caves, and warm sandy beaches stretching for miles. Farther north, the water gets wilder and the surf gets serious. See our guide of things to do in the Algarve and start planning.
Seaside destinations that stand out
- The Algarve: The sea caves at Praia da Marinha are best seen from the water. The Algarve Coastal Cruise & Sagres Fortress excursion on our A Week in Portugal: Porto, Evora & Lisbon tour takes you there.
- Nazare: This town holds the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed. See how big the swells get when you visit on our Grand Tour of Portugal: From Porto to Lisbon.
- Cascais: Cascais is 40 minutes from Lisbon and the sandy beaches, walkable waterfront, and fresh seafood at restaurants make it an easy and rewarding day trip from Lisbon.
Must-try foods and drinks in Portugal
Portuguese food and wine culture explained
Portuguese food is unfussy, ingredient-driven, and deeply regional. There’s fresh seafood on the coast, smoky meats inland, and pastries everywhere in between—and you can try it all on our Food & Wine of Portugal: Porto, Douro Valley & Alentejo tour. Pair it all with a glass of wine from the Douro Valley and you’ll understand why culinary moments are all the hype in our Portugal Travel Guide.
Essential bites and sips to seek out
- Pastel de nata: Eating this custard tart at Pasteis de Belem is one of the best things to do in Lisbon. Can’t make it there? We highly recommend the ones inside Time Out Market.
- Bacalhau: Salt cod became Portugal’s national dish because it kept well on long voyages during the Age of Discovery. Locals say there are 365 ways to prepare it—one for every day of the year.
- Douro Valley wine: The grapes used in Portuguese white, red, rose, and Port wine all grow here. Definitely try Port, a fortified wine, on our Portugal with America’s Test Kitchen: Porto, Alentejo & Lisbon tour.
Can’t-miss cities and neighborhoods in Portugal
How Portugal’s cities differ from each other
No two Portuguese cities feel alike. Lisbon is sprawling and cosmopolitan, Porto is compact and river-driven, Coimbra is shaped by centuries of student life, and Evora feels frozen in Roman time. Understanding the differences makes each one more rewarding to explore on your Portugal tour.
The areas where you should spend your time
- Alfama district in Lisbon: This is Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood, a labyrinth of Moorish-era streets. Climbing to Sao Jorge Castle, where the city spills out below you, is one of the top things to do in Lisbon.
- Ribeira waterfront in Porto: Coming to this popular area to see the Douro River, rabelo boats, and unique bridges is one of the can’t-miss things to do in Porto.
- Upper Town in Coimbra: One of Europe’s oldest universities crowns Coimbra’s hilltop old town, and its gilded, frescoed Baroque Joanina Library sits atop a medieval prison.
- Historic Center in Evora: This compact district holds a Roman temple and the Chapel of Bones. It’s also the gateway to Alentejo wine country.
Browse our favorite Portugal tours
Cultural experiences you can have in Portugal
How to go deeper than the sites in Portugal
Portugal’s culture isn’t sealed off behind glass—it’s alive in the taverns, tile studios, and olive groves. Engaging with the country’s living traditions on your immersive Portugal tour is how you go from just seeing to fully experiencing what makes Portugal so singular.
Top traditions to know about
- Fado music: Fado is Portugal’s UNESCO-recognized soul music built around themes of longing and fate. Experience a live tavern performance on our Lisbon, Seville & Madrid tour.
- Cork production: Portugal supplies over half the world’s cork, harvested by hand from trees that regenerate every nine years. Visit a factory on our A Week in Portugal: Porto, Evora & Lisbon tour.
- Olive oil farming: A good olive oil is a lot like wine. The terroir and harvest timing both matter. Visit an olive grove on our Portugal tours to taste the magic.
- Azulejo tilework: Hand-painted azulejo tiles have covered Portugal's buildings since the 15th century. Tracing their history at the National Tile Museum is one of the best things to do in Lisbon.
The best outdoor activities and natural landscapes in Portugal
What nature lovers need to know before visiting Portugal
Portugal’s landscapes go well beyond its beaches, though the Algarve is also a stunner. From the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley to the volcanic peaks and crater lakes of the Azores, the country offers nature lovers an extraordinary range of settings to explore.
Where to get outside across Portugal
- The Azores: Combine Iceland’s landscapes with Hawaii’s greenery to get the Azores. Go to Sao Miguel for the crater lakes, geothermal hot springs, and to see why the Azores are Europe’s best-kept secret.
- The Algarve: Rugged sea cliffs, secret grottoes, and sandy Atlantic shores are just three reasons we love the coastal Algarve region.
- The Douro Valley: Getting on the water in Pinhao is the best way to grasp the scale of the Douro’s terraced vineyards—and drinking the Port wines they produce is a pretty good perk.
Tips for planning your Portugal trip
Portugal is easy to fall in love with, and even easier to explore when you go with the right crew (that’s us!). We handle the logistics—like transportation, hotels, and local know-how—so you can spend more time enjoying the journey. Here’s why thousands of travelers trust us to bring their Portugal itineraries to life.
Why choose a guided tour of Portugal
- Hassle-free transportation: Skip the rental cars and train stress. We handle every connection for you.
- Expert local guides: Your Tour Director knows the things to do in Portugal that go beyond a guidebook. Consider them your on-the-ground travel bestie.
- Curated itineraries: Vetted hotels, meals showcasing Portuguese food, and access to the best places to visit in Portugal are all bundled into your Portugal trip.
- Flexible booking and traveler support: Life’s unpredictable, but your travel plans don’t have to be. Our flexible booking policies, Any Reason Protection, and 24/7 On-Tour Support help you breathe easy.
