I bet you’ve probably checked most European destinations off your travel bucket list by now: the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Ireland, Austria, Switzerland… Have I missed any? Oh yeah! You should visit Portugal.
Originally written by Portuguese native Ines Campos Pinto, these reasons to visit Portugal will make you want to pack your bags right now. Wait, don’t tell me Portugal isn’t even on your travel bucket list.
Why Visit Portugal
This post was originally written by Ines Campos Pinto who has since closed down her travel blog, and it has now been updated by The Planet D.
Portugal is a country where you can spend the morning surfing awesome waves and the afternoon skiing down snowy slopes? Plus, it is a place that is home to hundreds of award-winning wines.
With centuries-old cities and castles, Portugal is a country where you can hike up a 7,000ft tall peak and where you can taste one of the world’s best kept culinary secrets?
I bet it’s hard to say ‘no’ to all of that. But I mean, what do I know – I was only born there and all.
Just in case you’re not convinced yet though, allow me to change your mind with 16 (totally unbiased) reasons to visit Portugal and give it a chance this year:
1. The mouthwatering Pastéis de Nata
I’ll be honest with you: The Portuguese do food very well. The pastéis de Nata arguably take the prize for Portugal’s most delicious pastries.
Only five people in the entire world know the recipe for these scrumptious egg-cream tarts, so you’ll want to enjoy these authentic treats in Lisbon. You’ll find the best ones at Pastéis de Belém (in Belém) and at Manteigaria (in Largo do Camões). Read more: Portuguese Food: 26 Traditional Dishes to try in Portugal or at home
Love trying different food? Read Why I travel for food and so should you.
2. The picturesque town of Sintra
If you like your fairytales real, you’ll absolutely love Sintra. Quaint narrow alleyways, picturesque façades and glamorous palaces and gardens are just some of the things that make Sintra one of the most enchanting towns in Portugal. Thinking of a Portugal visit? Check out Traveling Lisbon for Under 5 Euros a Day
3. There are too many ancient castles to count
Did you know that Portugal has had the same borders since the 11th century? That makes it one of the oldest countries in Europe. Thankfully most of the history has been beautifully preserved.
That means today you can roam through centuries-old castles and historical sites all over the country.
Guimarães is where Portugal’s first king was born, Coimbra is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, and, of course, who can forget the sweeping views from Castelo de São Jorge in Lisbon?
4. The Santos Festivities
Every year in June, Portugal’s towns and cities come alive with festivities in celebration of three Catholic saints (The Portuguese refer to these as the Popular Saints). Parades, weddings, traditional street dances, and fresh sardines fill the streets of Portugal for days on end.
The festivities start early in the evening and continue well until the night. Going on a European Vacation? You’ll want to read our Packing Tips for Europe
5. In fact, all Festivals
The Portuguese people really like their festivals.
As a historically Catholic country, Portugal celebrates many saints year-round with lots of music, parades, and (of course) great food. If you love festivities, it’s yet another reason to visit Portugal.
In Tomar, locals have been giving thanks to the Holy Spirit since the 17th century at Festa dos Tabuleiros (Trays Festival).
During this festivity, which takes place every 4 years (the next will be in 2023), women parade through the town’s main streets carrying half a kilo (1lb) of trays decorated with flowers and bread on their heads.
And Portugal has a Carnaval as well. The most impressive parades are in Torres Vedras and Sesimbra, where the processions feature some very interesting political satire.
6. The gorgeous beaches
Portugal has over 100 beaches and, no, not all of them are located in the Algarve. All along the country’s west coast, you’ll find some of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches like Comporta and Figueirinha. Read more: Best Things to do in Lagos
Sure, the water here will be a little colder (you are, after all, bathing on the Atlantic Ocean). But, at the end of the day, you’ll be rewarded with a romantic pink-and-orange sunset right on the ocean. 3 Days in the Algarve
7. The award-winning wine
Wine production is one of Portugal’s most ancient traditions. And Portuguese wine is becoming increasingly recognized worldwide for its exquisite flavor and rich quality.
If you’re a true wine enthusiast, you can explore the Douro Valley and the Alentejo region on a wine tour when you visit Portugal. Check out some tasty food from this region at Food from Portugal
8. Portugal inspired J.K. Rowling – and it will inspire you too
True Harry Potter fans probably already know this, but Portugal was actually a great source of inspiration for J.K. Rowling while she was writing the earlier volumes of the magical saga.
Specifically, in Porto, the author spent many afternoons writing at Café Majestic and at Palácio de Cristal (Crystal Palace).
And if you visit the sumptuous Livraria Lello (Lello Bookstore) in the city, it might look eerily familiar to you: that’s because this 100-year-old bookstore was Rowling’s inspiration for creating the Hogwarts Library.
9. The great outdoors
Portugal is a small country, but you can enjoy just about every kind of outdoor activity here. Ride the world-renowned waves in Ericeira, ski down the mountain hills at Serra da Estrela, or camp out under the stars at Parque Nacional do Gerês.
The volcanic islands of the Azores are also becoming an increasingly popular place to hike dramatic cliffs, discover stunning lakes and swim in natural pools.
10. One word: Fado
If you want to understand the heart of the Portuguese (and learn what saudade really means), head to a Fado house and listen to this melancholic music.
Sr. Vinho and Clube de Fado are just two great places in Lisbon where you can enjoy some delicious traditional Portugal cuisine accompanied by excellent Fado singers.
11. A Gondola Ride, just Like Venice in Portugal
Venice isn’t the only city intertwined by pretty canals. On a smaller scale, the northern Portuguese city of Aveiro is also filled with picturesque waterways that you can discover on a relaxing gondola ride.
Read about our experience in Exploring the Canals of Venice
12. You’ll Love Everything about Madeira
Lava pools, charming villages, and incredibly scenic views are just some of the things that will make you fall in love with Madeira.
The fresh seafood (grilled limpets are the specialty here) that pair beautifully with a strong Madeira wine will make you want to stay forever.
13. You’ll love Portuguese beer
Beer has a long history in Portugal. And there’s a whole ongoing national debate here pitting the two major breweries against each other (namely, Sagres and Superbock).
What better way to settle this dispute than to try them for yourself? (I’m sure you’ll soon realize Superbock is the superior beer.)
Love Beer? Check out our visit to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin
14. The nightlife lasts until morning
If there’s one thing Portuguese people know how to do well (besides the delicious food, obviously) it’s partying. And there’s a party scene for everyone in Portugal.
From Lisbon’s street bars in Bairro Alto to the selective nightclubs in Vilamoura, the party starts early and, well, ends early too (early the next day, that is).
15. The Instagram-ready design
Picture-perfect tiles (The locals like to call them azulejos) decorating picturesque façades and impressive designs on cobblestone streets (calçada, if you will) make Portugal one of the most picturesque places in the world.
Just about any town, village or city is ready to be immortalized on your Instagram feed (#nofilter).
16. Portugal is just so cheap
Again and again, Portugal has been named one of the best budget destinations in Europe. Basically, Portugal offers the whole European history and charm thing for half the price.
So whether you’re choosing to stay in a city center hostel or a luxe hotel on Avenida da Liberdade, you’ll get more out of your hard-earned pennies here.
Want to learn more about Budget Travel? Read How to Travel on a Budget
17. The amazing people
Sure, Portugal is a beautiful country with great food, stunning scenery and lots of history. But what truly sets it apart (and what keeps travelers coming back for more) is the hospitality of the locals.
Portugal hosting people and making new friends: They’ll make sure you’re eating well (you’re sure you don’t want seconds?), go out of their way to show you around, and guarantee you have a fun time however you choose to spend your days here.
Read More:
7 Stunning Off The Beaten Track Places to Visit in Portugal
Great article
Hi,
Madeira is not a town, it’s an island belonging to an archipelago
Best regards
You guys are a great travel inspiration.. Keep up the good work!
The wording is totally clear. I get that you’re comparing the northern Portuguese city of Aveiro to Venice, but this photo should be of Aveiro, right?
“On a smaller scale, the northern Portuguese city of Aveiro is also filled with picturesque waterways that you can discover on a relaxing gondola ride.”
Except the photo isn’t Aveiro, it’s Porto and these are called rabelos, which are traditional Portuguese cargo boats used to transport people and goods along the Douro River in the olden days. Aveiro does have gondolas, but these aren’t it.
The photo above the caption “Ride a Gondola just like Venice” isn’t Aveiro, it’s Porto… (I live in Porto)
We’re saying, Ride a gondola just like in Venice. We’re letting people know that you don’t have to go all the way to Venice to ride a gondola. Maybe my wording wasn’t the clearest:)
I went for a long weekend in Lisbon last year and loved it. Ate far too many pastel de nata, and visited Sintra for the day – so beautiful. I would love to visit more of this country!
LOVE Portugal – it has high-end, quality food & wine similar to Italy, eccentric gypsy characteristics of Spain and at a fraction of the cost! Was happy to spend 2 weeks there last summer and looking forward to going again this July with Drishti Yoga!
Absolutely fantastic posting! Lots of interesting information….It seems like you had a great time
Loved the Algarve region, its natural scenery, sea food and architecture. I do recommend it!
Great article thanks for sharing, Its such a wonderful place to visit!
I am hoping to finally go to Portugal in November, for the Web Summit. My sister has been there a few years ago and she fell in love with it!!
That’s fantastic that your sister lives there. Someone to show you around as a local.
I love the architecture, but I think it might just be the wine and festivals that get me there. And I had no idea that you could ski in Portugal!? What a diverse country.
I will always travel for wine 😉
woow .. ya realmente adorável lugar turístico trernyata Portugal guardar um monte de beleza, espero que eu possa parar lá ya . Saudações de Bogor Indonésia administrador viajar
Translation:
woow .. really lovely ya trernyata tourist place Portugal save a lot of beauty, hope I can stop there ya . Bogor Indonesia Greetings Administrator travel
Great post. We’re off to Portugal for at least 6 weeks in October and you have re-confirmed our choice. Thanks.
Wow! Have an amazing time. That’s a great amount of time to really explore a destination.
Great post. You have mentioned various reasons to visit Portugal. I have already heard about this country that it is home to some of the oldest architecture and best place for history buff(like me). Great info.. Will bookmark this post for planning my next trip 🙂
Ah I love destinations where the images and scenery from one spot to the next are so diverse!!! It looks beautiful there! Wish I could travel to more of Europe!!
What a lovely destination to tour. I would love to visit one day. Spectacular photos