ESSENTIAL

From the amazing architecture and tiles to the welcoming locals, Portugal will become one of your favorite places. Here are essential tips to help you plan a trip to Portugal!

[{"selector":"#anim-3014ca03-f73f-41b2-baba-a91c808fab49","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-463adcae-44b6-4d14-b5dc-358dc5b8ac14","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 100.51800%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a898caec-59e7-4acb-b7ae-a4b3dc075531","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0e32a01e-c83e-4efe-8e63-891bb7143afa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -125.4321%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

How to Get Around

[{"selector":"#anim-c3942320-8d86-4ab9-a495-d691c31f82b2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc2ebc0c-2239-4705-b66a-871076c02b6e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ce769e60-f4e6-4e37-88d5-4d79fb297abf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -214.44452%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fabb5a88-ab9b-4b0d-bcb4-68cd1bbd6857","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6db413d8-c99c-4023-9da8-86e990d55b9e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -192.81048%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-79b4754a-827d-464b-a8fe-acde7d6a5072","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e2b093b1-a98b-417b-9a3b-0cccc2222b57","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -96.38329%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Portugal has an extensive rail system and taxis are available in cities and airports. Public transportation is the best and most economical way to get around.

[{"selector":"#anim-76b02036-fc30-495e-a656-7df24d2a0cde [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(9.881756897014425%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-612714f1-3ff5-42e5-bc0f-296fccfbfe0f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3f190227-9ba5-4d45-9b20-86b3fd0b2b28","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -95.88634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aa80a20f-7cd5-46c5-9681-9709cc9580d4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3160679f-6f10-40cf-96ae-db035c0a3681","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -141.85415%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Regions of Portugal

[{"selector":"#anim-9b45bb0e-70c6-408b-8a7b-263a62abcb85 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-94a1a41a-79e3-49fd-80f6-da25f6d75f4f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f998c1e5-5131-4e56-bd54-8e31f66acfd7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-94.95412%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fada2e92-6165-4983-9e9e-851efd9caffe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9a7c2dff-1aa4-4efb-aa3f-e44ea7785c81","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-113.33333%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-775fc50a-1e9a-4ebe-a88f-0f2d389e9e83","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a94723b-7e82-40b1-bfe4-dfede4326f71","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-110.78717%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

North

[{"selector":"#anim-c1a35e33-05aa-4807-bcc0-ed7d3c7464d4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-30f10f64-0d27-4a00-ae1e-493a0696a93e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -214.44452%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1964b5ad-db4c-4fd2-b134-9b3c68a42c3f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2a1812db-6e6e-406c-ab08-88e4c44919a7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -550.44477%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-007e2048-dc87-4019-8a0f-286ac5a9b2a4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-64c9f5d9-054a-41ec-a811-ebd7efbcf37f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -908.44498%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a2a4983-525d-493e-9661-4a5a32674a6f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Alentejo

[{"selector":"#anim-b37cc599-b357-49f9-9a29-5feccdf4d8ec","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ae0a6cf6-e915-414d-a100-87a4e5fa42d2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -216.78009%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a17106d-5a17-4b32-986b-54c2b8b651a7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2ff73ac5-e249-488f-afd0-831b90f47e16","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -614.73943%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-acbb4cc0-1d1a-45bc-bd39-9d6d6ebc315d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9edb9a07-ef02-4cd0-b89c-1a29f049914d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -1094.33142%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-22d379ab-ae0f-4214-881b-fffefd8f172c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

While Portugal is a small country, you still need time to see all the great sites so moving around does take time for sightseeing.

[{"selector":"#anim-7006a954-7e1b-4ecc-b0ac-4b26d5a8e940","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4df7975a-925c-42c6-8edb-f245d389fb51","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 97.24174%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a88f14f4-fe8d-4c19-98d9-803e665219af","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7249cddc-71ed-41bc-9491-245b9f4bffb5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -170.79776%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-90be5251-c78a-40e8-bcd9-2293facc1a1e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1c60f7ae-14a7-4c72-93d7-52c473328323","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 422.95757%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

For more freedom in Portugal, 10-14 days is ideal. I toured for 17 days, but suggest 1-2 stops for a 1-week trip, or 3-4 for 2 weeks.

[{"selector":"#anim-251a708d-e30b-4760-b820-aafcc2591d0c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4b6db780-5bbd-4a1c-ab60-436178846c44","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 97.73068%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-17f93431-023c-4579-a733-08c16383ec7c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-003c97c7-c992-4e52-bef3-4f35168d9d35","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -142.07517%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

To experience Portugal fully, consider having EPIC Travel plan your trip. They'll book everything and tailor your trip to include unique local experiences.

[{"selector":"#anim-09a65c3c-7b4c-41fc-8fef-dc951865267c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e43afcfc-d9ed-4791-ae74-1a793cad6689","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -133.26516%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0b6e774c-2970-4a9c-83b0-3c10cb0e2149 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

swipe up

[{"selector":"#anim-512cc6db-1468-4d47-a8a3-d154a3a710cf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fcf359c6-3e28-4909-8ea5-ba412b46c326","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 214.35628%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ab87d79f-8fc3-4daa-b813-46b9dc8afbb7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e0af0e59-3b73-4596-a14b-35c296f43c7c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 187.34569%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

MORE FROM

[{"selector":"#anim-f804aade-9c23-4c5a-be91-c8ec39341156","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a929560-08f5-4800-8c4d-6e16c9191d2c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-109.55055%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ddecd390-7bb6-42ab-b4ba-685630f35bf3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e0f03faa-ff27-4f80-9089-880f0073dc2c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.29212%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5aa731ff-d60a-47aa-b3f1-8ab842a5eb47","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bf559c24-7ada-4eae-8439-f2985c0070d2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(113.40782%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-90bc8dca-89df-4b7c-a623-88d75cf5f487","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9465ab01-1eaa-4abe-86b1-5e6217474152","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(106.70391%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-00ad6b4b-6184-4bab-8e2e-ff32a9ad6190","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3af3207e-2a88-42b4-b9f5-19a4eee8f5fa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.75977%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6445575f-ccad-4d0a-9858-f4ea1fa51f1e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3cd65f85-c544-4b14-b79e-b2dc43e5aa78","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-109.4972%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5ff4ed86-88a5-4d44-966b-17c2d0ea62cc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-22bab783-48d5-4dfb-9c90-60a6cec60d23","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(117.96406%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-441614e7-528c-477e-9ced-970e36fc8fa0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6215b3d5-a637-43b2-85e9-3d9bb9ea9212","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-122.42424%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f3b4dbd7-d613-4781-8613-8278e2e8a9e5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c8c63942-c0d6-4d00-bdbf-b587e01d2cf4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(119.63190%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

ESSENTIAL

PORTUGAL

TRAVEL TIPS

From the amazing architecture and tiles to the welcoming locals, Portugal will become one of your favorite places. Here are essential tips to help you plan a trip to Portugal!

How to Get Around

Narrow roads and limited parking make driving in the city center difficult. It is wise to hire a driver for day trips beyond the city.

Portugal has an extensive rail system and taxis are available in cities and airports. Public transportation is the best and most economical way to get around.

Regions of Portugal

There are seven main regions of Portugal, all with unique sites and beautiful places to visit. Most of the areas offer medieval towns or historic cities, unique food experiences, outdoor activities, and friendly people.

North

It is famous for being the home of port and Douro wines.

Central

Central Portugal has historic towns, castles, and the Serra da Estrela mountains.

Lisbon

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is the largest city in the Lisbon region and a must-see for visitors.

Alentejo

If you love wine, great hotels, and fantastic night skies, you must add Alentejo to your Portugal itinerary!

Algarve

Algarve is a southern Portuguese region with rocky cliffs, sandy beaches, resort hotels, golf courses, and Arabic-influenced architecture.

Azores

Azores' nine islands offer outdoor adventures, relaxing hotels, and amazing scenic views.

While Portugal is a small country, you still need time to see all the great sites so moving around does take time for sightseeing.

Planning Your Itinerary

For more freedom in Portugal, 10-14 days is ideal. I toured for 17 days, but suggest 1-2 stops for a 1-week trip, or 3-4 for 2 weeks.

To experience Portugal fully, consider having EPIC Travel plan your trip. They'll book everything and tailor your trip to include unique local experiences.

swipe up

to learn all the essential Portugal travel tips on our blog!

MORE FROM

27 Best Places & Cities in Portugal to Visit

TAP Portugal Business Class Complete Review

5 Lisbon Hotels That Will Make Your Portugal Vacation Awesome