Discover Portugal with local tips, honest guides, and handpicked experiences

Portugal travel guide: discover the best places and hidden gems

We help you find the best places in Portugal, from iconic highlights to hidden gems, with practical tips to plan your trip with confidence. If you want extra help, we also offer personalised trip planning and Lisbon photo shoots.

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Portugal Destinations

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Lisbon Travel Guides

Tram 28 in Alfama, part of the Lisbon public transportation system, passing in front of the historic Sé de Lisboa cathedral on a cobbled street with overhead tram wires.

Explore Lisbon with local tips, hidden gems, and practical guides for your city trip. This is where most Portugal trips begin.

Discover Lisbon

What to see in Porto

The cloisters of Porto Cathedral with arches and azulejo tiles.

Discover the best things to do in Porto, from colourful riverside views to port wine tastings, museums and hidden corners.

The best of Porto

The best of Sintra

The vibrant and iconic Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal, with its colorful facades, intricate architectural details, and lush surroundings. Visitors walk through the grand stone gateway adorned with the Portuguese flag, exploring one of the most popular landmarks in Portugal. This captivating scene highlights why Pena Palace Sintra is a must-visit destination for history and architecture enthusiasts.

Visit Sintra’s palaces and forest trails with practical tips to avoid crowds and make the most of your day trip. Including many hidden gems!

A day in Sintra

Sunny Algarve

A stunning view of the beach and coastline near Ponta da Piedade in Lagos, Portugal, featuring golden cliffs and turquoise waters gently lapping against the sandy shore. The rugged cliffs and vibrant ocean colors highlight the natural beauty of this iconic Algarve destination.

Find the most beautiful beaches in Portugal and dramatic cliffs in the Algarve. Perfect for sunshine, coastal walks, and relaxed travel.

Algarve holiday

Plan your trip to Portugal with extra support

We offer personalised trip planning and Lisbon photo shoots to help you make the most of your time in Portugal.

  • A romantic couple captured in dreamy, golden hour light near the Tagus River in Lisbon. The man looks affectionately at his wife while she smiles toward the camera, showcasing the authentic and relaxed style of Lisbon couple photography.

Lisbon photo shoots

Capture your trip with natural, relaxed photos in Lisbon. Perfect for couples, solo travellers, families, or surprise proposals. Sessions are also available in Sintra, Cascais, and nearby spots.

View Lisbon photo shoot packages

Portugal trip planning

Feeling overwhelmed? We help you plan a personalised Portugal itinerary with clear recommendations, realistic routes, and trusted booking links.

Explore trip planning services
  • Portugal Trip Planning page with examples of a Portugal itinerary

Plan your perfect Portugal itinerary

Plan your trip with practical tips, clear guides, and local insights.

  • Lisbon funicular
    Transportation

    Learn how to get around Portugal by train, car, or public transport, including practical tips for your trip.
  • Lisbon in spring
    Seasonal guides

    Seasonal guides: Find out when to visit Portugal based on weather, crowds, and seasonal highlights.
  • Several glasses filled with Port Wine during the Lisbon Food tours
    Our favourite tours

    Recommended tours: Explore Portugal through experiences we’ve personally tried, from local food tours to day trips.
  • Bacalhau à Brás is a mix of shredded cod and shredded potato mixed with egg. It is one of the signature dishes in Portuguese cuisine
    Food and drinks

    Discover Portuguese dishes, local specialities, wine regions, and food experiences across the country.
  • Visiting the Valley of the Nuns is one of the best things to do in Madeira
    Nature in Portugal

    Portugal’s nature is diverse and perfect for Exploring beaches, hiking trails, viewpoints, and parks across Portugal.
  • Festas Santos Populares
    Events and festivals

    Find out what’s happening throughout the year, from local traditions to major celebrations.
Marga and Ulisses from Discover Portugal, smiling together on a street in Lisbon, wearing sunglasses and enjoying a relaxed atmosphere.

A quick introduction!

We’re Marga and Ulisses, a Dutch-Brazilian duo who now call Lisbon home. Marga is a travel writer and photographer with a background in aviation and tech. She visited over 65 countries before falling in love with Portugal.

Ulisses grew up in Brazil and has worked in hospitality for many years. His passion for culture, local food, and well-organised travel shines through in everything we share.

Together, we run Discover Portugal, helping you experience the country in a relaxed, personal and authentic way.

Read our full story

Bucket list experiences in Portugal

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  • Spectacular Pico Ruivo sunset in Madeira, with golden sunlight illuminating the rugged mountain landscape. The warm hues of the setting sun contrast with the deep shadows over rocky peaks and lush green vegetation. A breathtaking sea of clouds blankets the valleys, creating a dreamy and serene high-altitude view.
    Madeira Pico Ruivo Hike

    One of the best hikes in Madeira, with incredible mountain views. We did this at sunset, and it was one of our favourite moments on the island.
  • Things to do in Tomar
    Tomar

    A charming town in central Portugal with fascinating Knights Templar history. We love the atmosphere here and would move in a heartbeat.
  • View from Cacela Velha over Cacela Velha Praia de Cacela Velha with a palm tree in the foreground
    Cacela Velha Algarve

    We love this quiet Algarve village for its views over the Ria Formosa. The scenery made our jaws drop, and the beach is well worth visiting.
  • A breathtaking sunset view over Ursa Beach, Portugal, with golden cliffs illuminated by the warm glow of the fading sunlight. The towering limestone sea stacks rise dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean, as waves gently lap against the secluded sandy shore. One of Portugal’s most stunning hidden beaches near Cabo da Roca, known for its rugged beauty and remote charm.
    Praia da Ursa Sintra

    One of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal in a wild setting. Hard to reach, but so worth it, and one of my favourite spots for proposals.
  • Serralves treetop walk in Porto
    Serralves Museum

    this museum in Porto is a great spot. The combination of modern art, architecture, and peaceful gardens is amazing for a few hours.
  • The fortress at Berlengas Portugal
    Berlengas islands

    One of the coolest experiences in Portugal, where we stayed overnight with no other guests on the island. Rugged, wild, and a perfect adventure.
  • Tuk tuk Lisbon in the streets of Alfama
    Tuk-Tuk Tour Lisbon

    A great way to explore Lisbon if you’re short on time or prefer not to walk too much. As locals, we often do this when we have guests visiting.
  • A shaded walkway along Sintra Monserrate Palace, bordered by ornate stone railings and arched doorways with intricate carvings. The corridor overlooks a scenic forested valley, illuminated by dappled sunlight filtering through the trees.
    Monserrate Palace in sintra

    We love this peaceful palace in Sintra as an alternative to the busy Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. You can easily spend half a day in the gardens.


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