Porto Travel Guide

Porto for First Time Visitors: Where to Eat, Stay & Play

Julie Portugal Leave a Comment

The city of Porto is renowned for its UNESCO-listed historic center, azulejo-adorned churches, and colorful pedestrian streets and promenades. On a visit to Porto, you can explore this city’s historical and cultural treasures, immerse yourself in the port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, or sample savory Portuguese dishes (or do all three!). In this Porto Travel Guide, we …

Portugal Itinerary 10 Days

10 Days in Portugal Itinerary: Lisbon, Porto & the Algarve

Julie Itinerary, Portugal Leave a Comment

For first timers to Portugal, Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve typically top the “must-see list.” With 10 days in Portugal, you have enough time to visit these three places and add on a day trip to Sintra. In this guide, we lay out a detailed Lisbon, Porto, and Algarve itinerary. We cover the best things to do, how to get …

Best Restaurants in Albufeira

Best Albufeira Restaurants: Cheap Eats, Fine Dining, Tapas & Wine

Julie Portugal Leave a Comment

Many people travel to Albufeira to visit its gorgeous beaches, enjoy the nightlife, and stay in one of its many resorts, but Albufeira is also home to quite a few great restaurants. In fact, one of the best things to do in Albufeira is to eat. From cheap eats to authentic Portuguese food to vegan superfood smoothies and Michelin starred …

Best Douro Valley Wineries to Visit

Douro Valley Travel Guide: Things to Do, Best Wineries, Where to Eat & More

Julie Portugal Leave a Comment

The Douro Valley is the oldest wine region in the world. Located in northern Portugal, it can be visited on a day trip from Porto or you can plan a longer stay here. In this guide, we cover the best things to do in the Douro Valley, the best wineries to visit, where to have a gourmet meal with a …

Best Douro Valley Wineries

8 Wineries to Visit in the Douro Valley, Portugal

Julie Portugal Leave a Comment

Sipping on wine and port while overlooking the Douro River is the #1 thing to do on a visit to the Douro Valley. In this guide, we list 8 wineries to visit in the Douro Valley. We spent four memorable days in the Douro Valley, using this time to visit a few wineries, indulge in several gourmet meals, and get …

Guimaraes Travel Guide Portugal

14 Wonderful Things to Do in Guimarães, Portugal

Julie Portugal Leave a Comment

Guimarães is a small town located in northern Portugal, not far from Porto and Braga. This town is famous for its historic city center, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Touring the palace, strolling the picturesque streets, and riding the gondola to Penha Park top the list of things to do in Guimarães. This is one of …

Best 10 Day Portugal Itinerary

10 Day Portugal Itinerary: 5 Amazing Ideas for Your Trip to Portugal

Julie Itinerary, Portugal 6 Comments

If you are planning your trip to Portugal, this is a great place to start. There are many different ways to play your “perfect Portugal itinerary,” depending on your interests. Visit the highlights, spend a good chunk of your time on the beach, go off-the-beaten-path, or explore Portugal’s long list of historic sites and castles. If you have 10 days …

Visit Ponta da Piedade

Best Way to Visit Ponta da Piedade: By Land & By Sea

Julie Portugal Leave a Comment

Ponta da Piedade is one of the top places to visit in the Algarve, Portugal. This rocky point, with its sea pillars, arches, and small but incredibly picturesque beaches can be explored both on land and by boat. A network of boardwalk trails runs from Praia Dona Ana to the tip of Ponta da Piedade. At several points, you have …

Best Lisbon Day Trips

14 Amazing Day Trips from Lisbon (+ HELPFUL Tips & Photos)

Julie Portugal Leave a Comment

Lisbon is not only filled with some of Portugal’s most iconic sights, but it also makes a fantastic home base for exploring the nearby towns and beaches. There is a long list of day trips from Lisbon, from quick visits to coastal towns to full day excursions to Sintra, Nazaré, and Óbidos. In this guide, we list the best day …

Things to Do in Braga Portugal

Visiting Braga & Bom Jesus do Monte: Things to Do, Photos, & HELPFUL Tips

Julie Portugal Leave a Comment

Visit the oldest cathedral in Portugal, climb the steps of Bom Jesus do Monte, stroll along the pedestrian streets and through colorful gardens, and take a photo with the brilliantly blue Braga sign…these are all things to do in Braga, Portugal. Braga makes a great day trip destination from Porto and can easily be combined with Guimarães, which we’ll get …

Where to Stay in Algarve Portugal

Where to Stay in Algarve 2024: Ultimate Hotel Guide

Julie Portugal Leave a Comment

Trying to decide where to stay in Algarve, Portugal? Most likely, you have a lot of questions running through your head. Where are the best locations in the Algarve? How much does it cost to stay in Algarve? How far in advance should I make my reservation? Will I need a car? We answer all of these questions and more …

Things to Do in Lisbon Portugal

Lisbon Bucket List: 40 Amazing Things to Do in Lisbon

Julie Portugal 5 Comments

Lisbon is the largest city in Portugal and a popular starting and/or ending point for many visitors to this country. The list of things to do in Lisbon is very long, with historic landmarks to visit, colorful neighborhoods to explore, and quite a few places to indulge on Portuguese delicacies. Below is a big list of things to do in …

2 Day Porto Itinerary

2 Days in Porto: Best Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Julie Itinerary, Portugal 2 Comments

If you are planning your first trip to Porto, this Porto itinerary is perfect for you. With 2 days in Porto, you have just enough time to see the highlights of this incredible city. Enjoy the views from the Dom Luís I Bridge and Torre dos Clérigos, go port tasting at the wine cellars in Gaia, stroll along the Douro …

Best Beaches in Algarve Portugal

Best Beaches in Algarve: 10 Stunning Beaches You Can’t Miss

Tim Portugal 2 Comments

Located along the southern coast of Portugal, the Algarve boasts some of the most stunning beaches in Europe. From hidden coves and grottoes to long stretches of shoreline, each of these gems offers a unique experience that will leave you in awe of the natural beauty of this part of Portugal. Join us as we unveil the best beaches in …

One Day in Sintra Itinerary

One Day in Sintra: 3 Sintra Day Trip Itineraries from Lisbon

Julie Portugal 6 Comments

Tucked away in the mountains outside of Lisbon sits the lovely town of Sintra. This town is the gateway for exploring several of Portugal’s most famous palaces, castles, and museums. With one day in Sintra, visit Pena Palace, stroll through the gardens at Quinta da Regaleira, walk the walls at the Castle of the Moors, see the beautifully tiled rooms …

Big waves of Nazare

14 Amazing Things to Do in Nazaré, Portugal

Julie Portugal 5 Comments

Nazaré is a small fishing town surrounded by a long stretch of sandy beaches. This city has a long, rich history, but in recent years it is growing in popularity because of its enormous waves. During the winter months, the largest surfable waves in the world crash on Nazaré’s shore, making this a surfing mecca. Seeing the giant waves tops …

Things to Do in Porto Portugal

Porto Bucket List: 30 Amazing Things to Do in Porto, Portugal

Julie Portugal 6 Comments

Stroll along the Douro River, go port tasting at the wine cellars in Gaia, visit the most beautiful bookstore in the world, and watch the sunset from the Dom Luís I Bridge. These all top the list of the best things to do in Porto, but there are also beautiful churches to visit, new foods to try, and neighborhoods to …

Niepoort Wine Cellar Porto

Wine Cellars in Porto: Port Tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia

Julie Portugal 2 Comments

One of the best things to do in Porto is to taste port wine. Located across the Douro River from Porto, in an area called Vila Nova de Gaia (or simply Gaia), sit the wine cellars where port wine is stored and aged. In this guide, we list the best wine cellars in Porto to visit, things to do in …

When to Visit the Algarve

Visiting the Algarve in October: Weather & What to Expect

Julie Portugal 6 Comments

When is the best time to visit the Algarve? If you want sunny skies, warm temperatures, warm water, and relatively low crowds, October is a fantastic time to visit the Algarve. We spent 9 days in the Algarve in early to mid-October. With warm weather and brilliantly sunny days throughout our visit, the weather was perfect. This time of year, …

Things to Do Sintra Portugal

13 Amazing Things to Do in Sintra, Portugal (2024 Guide)

Julie Portugal 12 Comments

Sintra is a land of fairytale palaces, historic estates, and stunning coastlines. Pena Palace and the Initiation Well in Quinta da Regaleira may be Sintra’s most famous attractions, but you can also walk the walls of an ancient Moorish castle, tour the oldest palace in Portugal, and visit the westernmost point of continental Europe. In this guide, we cover the …