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.
From the art district to the fishing village
Yesterday, Mom, Dad, Linda and I spent the day in Alfama. First we strolled through a large flea market (Feira da Ladra), then we took a tram ride and walked through the alleys...
Today the block is unfortunately quite short. What was announced yesterday with a headache and a sore throat unfortunately happened. Nothing worked for me this morning....
A city with a future and a past of proverbs.
When we arrived in Portugal, we first visited Viana do Castelo, a small Portuguese town in the north of Portugal. Tiles on and in houses are as much a part of Portugal as brick...
05/02/2023: Lamego - Peso da Régua - Pocinho - Peso da Régua: Following the recommendation of our hostess in Lamego, we drive to Peso da Régua in the Douro Valley, the center of...
03.02.2023: Figueira da Foz - Praia da Costa Nova - Sao Jacinta Beach - Torreira Camping: Today we continue northwards, with side trips to the - once again - most beautiful...
31.12.2022: Happy New Year! With a stopover and a walk on the beautiful beach of Aberta Nova, we drive past large cork oak plantations back to the familiar campsite at Lagoa de...
Two people, one dog. A new experience in my van life adventure. :) After this camping trip, it's back to civilization. In the evening, I create a warm salad with sweet potatoes,...
Whenever I meet friends in other places in the world, it not only shows me how small the world is, but also that it's not about the distance, but how often you see each other. ...
One week I've already been in Portugal and I haven't gotten far. Why move on when you have everything you need in one place? Safety, tranquility, variety, the right people. ...
After the beautiful city of Lisbon, we are once again drawn to the beach and nature. On uneven paths and dusty gravel roads, we reach a beautiful stretch of beach. Between the...
The biggest waves in the world are not in Hawaii, but here in Nazare. A 5000 meter deep canyon located in the ocean creates monster waves up to 30 meters high depending on the...
After the beautiful city of Porto, we are drawn back to the beach. We spend a few days in Torreira. The town is located on a narrow strip of land between the Aveiro River and...
Yes, heading towards Portugal is not quite right. I actually arrived in Portugal 3 days ago. 😊 I will be staying in the small town of Vila Nova de Cacela for another week. The...
We have been driving towards Portugal without any specific intermediate destinations in the past few days. We have repeatedly found very beautiful places to stay and have...
Mistakes are meant to be learned from
The internet is acting up here right now ... I'm barely able to upload pictures.... Today, Porto was on the menu. First, the only and thus last critique of this city: you can only...
By far the least pleasant hiking path, over 10 km along the road (24,304 steps), but it was worth it after all☺️
The greatest challenge before the journey begins... I have looked at various packing lists, countless videos, and other information on the internet to get an idea of what is...
On Sunday, I hiked along the coast of Sesimbra Nature Park. The nature there is beautiful, there were hardly any people around, and the weather was really nice!
We spent a few days on the beach at Zambujeira do Mar on the west coast and in Praia das Furnas on the south coast of Portugal. Here in the south we meet many travelers from all...
My evening comment that it would be interesting in the fishing port in the morning caused Della to get out of bed shortly after seven. I used the cool morning hour for a jog...
08.02.2023: Vila Cha - Viana do Castelo - Caminha, Camping: On our way to our next sleeping place, we make a stop at the sanctuary of Santa Luzia - very impressive, with...
02/01/2023: Sao Pedro de Moel - Pedrogao Beach - Figueria da Foz, Camping Orbitur: We spend a wonderful day on Pedrogao Beach - it's warm enough to sit outside in the sun and...
31.01.2023: Nazaré - Marinha Grande, Camping Orbitur: The day was mainly spent in Nazaré... unfortunately, no monster waves in sight; but a contemplative visit to the church...
01/29/2023: Praia Grande do Rodizio - Sintra - Cascais, Camping Orbitur Guincho: Early in the morning, we set off to the National Palace of Pena in Sintra, one of the first...
26.12.2022: And again a wonderful beach... we are standing on a large parking lot, almost alone... ...
A gray sky and rain accompany us. Nevertheless, we take a long walk on the beach, we are not made of sugar. The beaches here are simply stunning. We are only staying here for a...
I wake up tonight to a very strange noise and it takes me a while to realize: It's rain. It started suddenly and stops just as suddenly. Not for long, but enough to make the red...