Portugal Tours & Vacations

The best months to visit Portugal are April, May, September or October. These months allow you to avoid summer crowds, and enjoy fantastic weather in both the spring and the fall.

As a year-round destination, Portugal is also popular in the summer and winter. The summer, though the hottest and most popular time of the year, is great for sightseeing in Lisbon, beach trips to the Algarve, and island-hopping in the Azores. Portugal’s winter is one of the warmest in Europe and is pleasant enough to enjoy tours of Lisbon, wine-tasting in the Douro Valley, and cultural experiences in Porto.

From exploring Portuguese castles and the Douro Valley during harvest season in fall to experiencing the highlights in spring before the summer crowds arrive, find the right time for your trip in our guide on the best time to visit Portugal.

Explore Lisbon for an immersion into Portuguese culture, taste authentic Port in Porto, or relax on picturesque beaches hugging the Algarve’s coastline. These are just a few of the best places to visit in Portugal and here’s why they are the top destinations:

• Lisbon: With pastel-colored buildings draping its famous hills, Lisbon is a picture-perfect place to explore. As the vibrant capital of Portugal, Lisbon boasts historic sites like the Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery alongside trendy shops, restaurants, and nightlife in the lively Bairro Alto neighborhood.
• Porto: From stunning views of the Douro River to historic port wine cellars, Porto enthralls visitors with its colorful riverfront and charming cobblestone streets. Visit Porto Cathedral or admire the traditional azulejo tiles of Sao Bento Railway Station as you discover the city's historic architecture and thriving culture.
• Douro Valley: The beautiful Douro Valley offers breathtaking scenery of steep, terraced vineyards that cascade down to the Douro River. The region is renowned for its production of port and fine red and white wines that can be sampled at the many wineries and quintas dotted along the valley.
• Algarve: With a stunning coastline dotted with secluded coves and picturesque beaches, the Algarve offers the perfect Portuguese escape for sun, sand, and surf. From the port city of Faro to resort towns like Lagos, the Algarve charms visitors with its laidback seaside villages, fresh seafood, and wealth of water activities like sailing, scuba diving, and windsurfing.

With a rich colonial history, surprising food and wine scene, beautiful landscapes, and sweeping coastlines, Portugal invites you to experience the highlights in a wealth of wonderful ways. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Portugal for your trip:

• Discover the deep cultural roots and history on tours of historic towns and ancient ruins
• Visit Portugal’s famous castles and royal palaces
• Enjoy Portugal’s local flavors, specifically seafood dishes prepared along the coastline
• Venture into the Douro Valley to taste the local wines, admire the scenery, and sail the river
• Explore the Portuguese countryside and national parks
• Spend time on the breathtaking beaches and enjoy kayaking, snorkeling, and other water sports

Travel the Azores on a luxury island-hopping adventure

Portugal blends European and global influences with its ancient history, and the result is a cultural melting pot of sights to see, from Belem Tower to Pena Palace, Sao Jorge Castle, and Lisbon Cathedral.

Here are some of the top things to see in Portugal on your trip:

• Jeronimos Monastery, Lisbon
• Belem Tower, Lisbon
• Sao Jorge Castle, Lisbon
• Pena Palace, Sintra
• Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra
• Porto Cathedral, Porto
• Sao Bento Railway Station, Porto
• Dom Luís I Bridge, Porto
• Benagil Cave, the Algarve

Portugal is known for being the home of Fado, port, and bacalhau. Fado, traditional Portuguese music, shares the stories of Portugal’s seafaring past in song. Port is a perfectly sweet fortified wine to enjoy on tours of the Douro Valley and Porto. And bacalhau, or codfish, is a signature seafood to try among many others, including octopus and sardines. Explore our top reasons to visit Portugal to learn more about what Portugal has to offer.

Portugal has a long wine-making history, and its wines continue to grow in popularity. Here, we highlight some of the country’s top wine regions to visit on wine tours of Portugal:

• Douro Valley
• Alentejo
• Lisbon
• Minho
• Bairrada
• Dao
• Madeira

Home to approximately 150 castles, there is a wide variety of fortresses and palaces for you to discover the country’s royal history. Here are some of the best castles in Portugal to visit on your trip:

• National Palace of Pena, Sintra
• Castelo de Almourol, Constancia
• Castelo de Marvão, Marvão
• Castle of the Moors, Sintra
• Guimarães Castle, Guimarães
• Sao Jorge Castle, Lisbon
• Obidos Castle, Obidos
• Leiria Castle, Leiria
• Castelo de Alcoutim, Alcoutim
• Tomar Castle, Tomar
• Penedono Castle, Penedono

Portugal is a surprisingly popular winter destination in Europe. With highs averaging 60°F and lows of 48°F, summer lovers are particularly fond of visiting Portugal in the winter. You can still do most of the things you would in any other season, though here are some top experiences for your winter trip to Portugal:

• Explore Portugal’s rich history and cultural charms at heritage sites, including castles, palaces, and museums
• Sample the fine local wines and ports on tasting tours of Porto, the Douro Valley, Alentejo, and more popular wine regions
• Enjoy Portugal’s famous winter sun on the Algarve beaches or when island-hopping in the Azores

Savor the winter flavors on food tours that highlight seasonal cuisine, from arroz de pato, duck rice, to caldo verde, cabbage soup

Though small in size, there are so many ways to explore Portugal with different routes depending on your interests. Most tours of Portugal begin in Lisbon or Porto, and move to the countryside, wine regions, or the coastline.

You could, for example, spend a few days in Lisbon and then make your way to the Algarve’s coastal towns. Or you could travel north to Porto, with an extension to the Douro Valley for river sailing and wine-tasting.

You can explore our best Portugal itineraries for more ideas, and customize your favorite to create your own itinerary.

Explore more information in our frequently asked questions about planning a trip to Portugal and inspiration in our Portugal travel guide.