Incomplete because there is always something new to discover. I love to travel around my country so you can expect now and then to see some updates and new recommendations.

This guide doesn’t include Lisboa, I have another post with tips here.

I am living in Germany for a long long long time but I will always be Portuguese, I have my favorite spots around the country and I when I go on vacations there I always try and discover some place new.

I hope you find this recommendations useful and that it helps you in your trips around my country.

 

Algarve:

Starting from the bottom, I love Algarve, some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal and Europe.

  • Beaches:
    • Around Carvoeiro/Lagoa – Some of my favorite beaches are around these towns.
      • Praia da Marinha (considered one of the most beautiful in the world)
      • Senhora da Rocha
      • Praia do Carvalho (enclosed in the scarps you access the small beach through a tunnel in the rock)
      • Praia dos caneiros
      • Praia Algar seco (get the fisherman’s boat and go to visit the caves that includes a visit to a beach inside of a cave- here a pic)
    • Armação de Pera
    • Ilha de Tavira (Amazing island close to Tavira)
    • Monte gordo (closer to the Mediterranean, warmer water)
    • Praia da Luz (Beautiful, close to Lagos)
  • Ponta de sagres/Cabo são vicente: most south/western point of europe, amazing landscape

Costa Vicentina

Costa Vicentina is a natural park that runs along the coast from Alentejo, it starts in Algarve and ends up about less than one hour south of Lisboa. The nature and the beaches are just amazing, there are not many tourists, food is really good, perfect place to relax, enjoy the nature, the sun and the beaches, It is one of my favorite places in Portugal. If you want my opinion, this is a place to visit. Here is a small map.

My favorite beach spots are:

  • Praia da amoreirinha (amazing beach with long and wide sand dunes and a river serpenting through them)
  • Carrapateira
  • Aljezur (beautiful beach, beautiful small town)
  • Odeceixe (Amazing)
  • Zambujeira do mar
  • Vila nova de mil fontes
  • Cabo Sardão
  • Porto covo

I recommend you to rent a car and go up and down the coast road, discover the amazing beaches, capes, Scarps and landscapes there, it is totally worth it. Also, very good region to try the wine and the food. There are farms that have small B&Bs to stay in the nature.

Around Lisboa (tips for Lisboa here)

  • South of the river Tagus (Tejo):
    • Costa da Caparica\Fonte da Telha in Almada: long extension of sand dunes, surf spot, my parents live very close to this one, and I love it.
    • Troia\Comporta close to Setubal: white sand, dolphins, middle of a nature park, beautiful…a paradise that you need to see to believe it
    • Portinho da arrabida close to Setubal: white sand, a mountain of green behind, no waves…
    • Praia do Meco close to Sesimbra: beautiful beach, sorrounded by scarps
    • Sesimbra: tipical town beach, very nice one, with the added value that in Sesimbra you really have great sea food restaurants
    • Cabo são vicente: Amazing landscape
  • North of Lisboa
    • Sintra: amazing UNESCO world heritage town, palaces, castles (see Lisboa tips for more)
    • Obidos: amazing old town, surrounded by castle walls, white houses, you get transported to medeival times
    • Guincho: beautiful beach, amazing landscape
    • Cabo da Roca: Amazing landscape, the most western point of continental europe.
    • Estoril, Cascais (beautiful bay)

Alentejo

Besides Costa vicentina, there is much more to see in Alentejo, my favourites cities are

  • Evora (my mom comes from close by): Amazing fortified old town, with Roman temples and medieval churches,
  • Reguengos de Monsaraz (amazing old town, top of the hill, fortified).

Center 

  • Coimbra: is a must visit town with the oldest university in Europa.
  • Aveiro, the Portuguese Venice.
  • Nazare, not only the biggest waves in the world (when the conditions are right they reach 30m) but also very beautiful landscapes and beaches.
  • Serra da Lousã, Serra da estrela – amazing nature, beautiful old villages, river beaches

North

  • Porto: Really nice and old town, friendly people, good food.
  • Braga\Guimarães: beautiful towns full of history and all the nature around in this region is just amazing, totally recommend the Peneda do Gerês national Park.
  • Douro Region, much to see here, amazing wine to taste 😉 amazing landscape, you can do cruises in the river and visit the different port/douro wine cellars.

Madeira

Group of Islands in the Atlantic, the 2 main islands are worth a visit:

  • Madeira Island: waterfalls, mountains, wild flowers everywhere, amazing places to hike, a nice landscapes…good food.
  • Portosanto: Amazing beach, one of the most beautiful I was ever at, big extension, warm water…

Açores (Azores)

Group of Islands in the Atlantic, composed of 9 islands all of them unique and with their own charm and beauty, my favorites are:

  • Flores: amazing, small island, very green, lots of nature, not many tourists…waterfalls everywhere…
  • Corvo: Small island, most of it occupied by a volcano crater, amazingly beautiful
  • Faial: nice harbor, nice views of the other islands
  • Pico: Big mountain, nice landscapes, when you are on top of the mountain (Pico) you can see the shadow of the mountain in the ocean. Pretty amazing. Also, opportunities to see whales and dolphins, incredible variety of species including sperm whales, blue whales and much more…
  • S.Miguel: Main island, very green, and beautiful, lots to do and the same offers in terms of whale watching…incredible.

Food:

  • If you like fish you are in paradise, amazing variety of fish (all over Portugal) plus you won’t get disappointed with the fresh sea food, I totally recommend: Ameijoas or Cadelinhas (types of mussels) -Sapateira (big crabs, specialty in Portugal) and much more…
  • Cataplana (a very tasty traditional dish in Portugal done in a copper recipient) Grilled fish, In Algarve Sardines are a must
  • Cod fish’ very traditional in Portugal, 1000 different ways how to cook it
  • the sweets…. desserts, cakes, pastry…amazing variety.