Portugal

T ravelers often give Portugal short shrift since many of them combine a visit to the country with a trip to neighboring Spain. Take one look at a map and the relative sizes of the two countries and it’s not hard to guess which gets the biggest chunk of vacation time.

But even though it may be smaller than its Iberian neighbor, this western sliver of the peninsula does have a lot to offer in its own right.

In Lisbon visit Baixa, the lower town with its mosaic pavements, as well as the warren of steep streets of the medieval Alfama quarter, with its many cafes and small bars. See the Museu Nacional do Azulejo (the National Tile Museum), housed in a centuries-old convent, the Castelo de São Jorge and the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (the National Art Museum in a 17th-century palace), among many other sites.

But also continue on to the fairytale-like Sintra – the summer escape for Portuguese kings – that is beautiful. Visit the wine capital of Porto up north, stopping at the old fishing town of Nazaré along the way. Down south laze along the picturesque Algarve coast, before heading to the high cliffs of Sagres and the most easterly point of the continent.

Top Experiences

Lisbon – the fascinating Bairro Alto
Algarve – beautiful hidden beaches
Coimbra – the university town
Sintra – royal palaces in a fairytale setting

Good to Know

The Drive from Lisbon to Porto
For a pleasant trip without the crowds at any time of year, the drive between Lisbon and Porto is hard to beat.
 

Cruising the Douro River
While it’s not exactly in a forgotten corner of Europe, Portugal’s Douro River does tend to be off the beaten river cruising track, says Cruise Critic.

Transportation

TAP Air Portugal operates direct flights from New York/Newark and there are connections to Lisbon from many other European countries. Rail service in-country is a mix of good service on the high-speed lines and poorer service on local routes. Bus service is good, but travel by auto can be risky due to poor roads in some areas and a high accident rate.

Hotels

Portugal boasts a great variety of hotels ranging from simple guesthouses to luxury resorts. For a pleasant change of pace, try the government-run pousadas (inns) which are often located in historic buildings.

Food

Portuguese cuisine is based on seafood such as salted cod, although restaurants in areas more frequented by tourists (i.e., Lisbon and the Algarve) offer more international dishes.

Quality of Medical Care (Good/Fair/Poor)

Good