743 Travel reports · 132 travel bloggers · 15.7K photos · Best time to travel: February & April · Create a travel blog · About Vakantio
Portugal is a compact yet remarkably varied destination, making it especially rewarding for travelers who want history, coastline, cuisine, and culture in one easy-to-navigate trip. From Lisbon’s hilltop neighborhoods, tiled facades, and nostalgic tram rides to Porto’s riverfront charm and famous port wine cellars, the country offers a rich sense of place without the crowds and distances found in some larger European destinations. Travelers are often drawn to Portugal’s warm hospitality, Atlantic beaches, soulful fado music, and excellent food, from fresh seafood and grilled sardines to pastel de nata and regional wines.
Beyond its major cities, Portugal’s highlights include the golden cliffs and beach towns of the Algarve, the fairytale palaces of Sintra, the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, and medieval towns such as Óbidos and Évora. Outdoor lovers can surf along the western coast, hike coastal trails, or take scenic drives through wine country, while culture-focused visitors can explore monasteries, castles, and lively local markets. Practical tips: public transport is reliable between major destinations, but renting a car is useful for rural areas; comfortable walking shoes are essential for steep, cobbled streets; and booking accommodations early is wise in popular areas. Learning a few Portuguese phrases is appreciated, and meals tend to start later in the evening than in some other parts of Europe.
April is the strongest month in the popularity data, with February and March also performing well, making late winter through spring the best time to visit. These months likely offer a great balance of pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and strong access to Portugal’s cities, coastal areas, and cultural sights.
Great views and saying goodbye
Relaxation at the dream beach
Along the coast to Nordeste to Salto do Prego Waterfall
Goodbye Lisbon
July 19, 2020 The weather is beautiful today. Although there are still some clouds in the mountains, we decide to take a trip to Furnas and the surrounding area. Unfortunately,...
The night was bearable even without air conditioning. Here on the island, it is somewhat cooler than on Terceira, and also a bit drier. A
Today is about sports. After a delicious breakfast, we head to the metro. We want to play disc golf today at the DiscGolfPark do Parque das Artes e Desporto in Amadora. I
Spontan sind wir im Januar mal für ein paar Tage nach Faro geflogen. Faro ist viel mehr als nur Stopp am Flughafen. Die Hauptstadt mit einer Einwohnerzahl von 45000 bietet eine...
A wave rarely comes alone
Looks like the Caribbean, Iceland, Jordan, Greece...but it is: Mini-Island Porto Santo, Portugal!!!
We leave the Lisbon metropolitan area behind (see travel blog Lisbon) and head our Betty towards the northwest. We skip Sintra, the Portuguese 'Neuschwanstein' (too many...
23rd July 2020 Today we're going to the neighboring island of Faial! Our ferry leaves at 10:15, so we start directly after breakfast on the winding coastal road to Madalena. By...
July 14, 2020 Today there are 10 suns in the sky, so we want to take advantage of the beautiful weather and drive to Sete Cidades in the northwest of the island. The goal is...
7.07.2020 This morning, we still haven't received any test results, neither by email, SMS, nor phone call. How stupid, our flight to Terceira is at 14:00 - or maybe not!? Good...
We live here on a permaculture farm, 15 hectares in size, with forests and gardens. Permaculture (derived from 'permanent agriculture') means utilizing everything you have in the...
Jumping around the Azores with Ulla: Sāo Miguel
With our camper van Betty from Porto into the beautiful Douro Valley and further along the Atlantic to the Spanish border
July 25, 2020 Today we fly back to Sao Miguel. Our plane departs at 9:45, so we leave our beautiful vacation home at 7 a.m. as we decide to take the coastal road. After a good...
July 22, 2020 We wake up at 7 o'clock and have breakfast. Unfortunately, my hope for spontaneous healing did not come true, but the foot is already much less swollen and the...
21.7.2020 This morning we have to get up very early. The alarm goes off at 5:30 am. At 6 o'clock we have everything packed and ready to go. We get a doggy bag for breakfast from...
Today I traveled from Cádiz to the Algarve. The rough aim was Faro, but I usually don’t know for sure in the morning because I always book my accommodation during the drive in the...
6:00 Cheap flights mean getting up early...
We are on our way to Madeira. After a pleasant night, today is a sea day. The only one of this trip. Due to the time difference of 1 hour, we are awake a bit earlier.
Our day led us to the picturesque Sintra, a town that seems to have sprung from a fairy tale. Nestled in the lush hills of the Serra de Sintra, this place offers a blend of...
We fly back to Sao Miguel from Terceira to the Santa Barbara Eco Beach Resort
Anyone who believes that the Algarve consists only of cliffs and sandy beaches should take a detour into the hinterland. For motorcyclists, it's a true revelation. The day started...
Thanks to our overnight stay, we have the opportunity to explore the city today until 2 PM, or until everyone is back on board by 1:30 PM. After breakfast, we head out...