Things to do in Portugal
Portugal is a beautiful country, famous for its beaches, river, scenery, and history. Here are some of the best things to do in Portugal:
Wander through Lisbon
Lisbon is a must for anyone who is thinking about taking a trip to Portugal. Simply wandering through this gorgeous city is an excellent way to spend a day or two , and you’ll find Gothic cathedrals, huge monasteries, interesting museums, and plenty of alleyways and narrow backstreets just waiting to be explored.
The history of Lisbon says that the city was founded by Ulysses shortly after he left troy, although it’s more commonly believed that Lisbon was founded by the Phoenicians. One thing is for sure, the amazing amount of history will astound you as you walk through one of my favourite cities in the world. It can also be extremely affordable to visit, one tip I have is find some self-catering places to stay in Lisbon to cut down food costs, so you can spend more time in this lovely, little European city.
Get Active in Madeira
Madeira is known as the “Pearl of the Atlantic”, largely due to its exquisite location which is sure to charm you. The interesting culture, delicious cuisine, mountains, and coastline will mean that you’ll want to stay longer than planned, and it’s the perfect place to visit if you like to get active on holiday. There are plenty of hikes in the region, and you can also explore natural rock pools, go snorkelling, or simply lie on the beach for a while.
Take a river cruise on the Douro
If you like the idea of a luxury river cruise while you’re traveling through Europe, there’s no better place than the Douro in Portugal. The river is where some of the finest wine and produce in the world is produced, and you’ll be able to relax on the cruise at night, waking up in quaint towns and villages along the river.
Luxurious river cruises on the Douro are a dream for many people, so choose a company like Scenic which has a maximum of 98 guests on each river cruise, give you a much more intimate and enjoyable experience.
Grab Coffee in Coimbra
This city is the place to go if you’re after a relaxed and young atmosphere. The 13th century university is packed with students and considered to be the best in the country, giving the city a modern feeling. During the school year you may find that the cafes and bars are full of students which can be a great way to meet some locals, however the city is also nice and quiet during summer if you prefer to relax in peace.
Coimbra was once the medieval capital of Portugal, and this is a place which takes pride in how historically significant it is, while embracing some of the most modern architecture and culture in Europe.
Relax in Sintra
If you want to get away from it all, consider visiting Sintra. This little hillside town is just an hour from Lisbon but was once a holiday spot for the rich and famous (including royalty). The town centre is especially beautiful, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.