Planning your next Portugal vacation? Our suggestions for 2023
Planning a trip to Portugal in 2023? To go beyond the usual destinations chosen by most travelers like Lisbon and Porto, we're unveiling our favorite hidden gems.
Planning a trip to Portugal in 2023? To go beyond the usual destinations chosen by most travelers like Lisbon and Porto, we're unveiling our favorite hidden gems. Culture, nature, beaches, historic villages, wine country… there's something for every taste!
A journey through tradition and culture
We begin our getaway in one of Portugal's most emblematic cities: Aveiro. Located in the center of the country, the capital of the Ria absolutely deserves a detour during a stay in the Porto region. Though it offers the vibrancy of larger cities, it has managed to preserve the tranquility and authenticity of smaller towns.
Nicknamed the 'Portuguese Venice,' you'll find multiple canals crisscrossing the city, where you can navigate aboard 'moliceiros,' ultra-colorful traditional boats. In its downtown, you'll enjoy wandering and admiring its many Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings.
In Aveiro, you can also meet the salt producers and rice growers who still remain. Not to mention the ceramic artisans who are delighted to share their craft…
Located just 10 minutes from the sea, 30 minutes from the mountains, and a bit further from the vineyards, Aveiro will also enchant lovers of the great outdoors. As you can see, Aveiro has it all!
A journey into the heart of Portuguese nature
Craving a breath of fresh air in the heart of nature? Portugal boasts numerous lush regions where you can disconnect and immerse yourself in nature. Among our favorite natural sites, we can highlight:
- Sever de Vouga: known as the blueberry capital, it's also the ideal place to slow down and discover local traditions (blueberry production, traditional basket making, discovery of corn granaries…). For adventure seekers, you can also enjoy rock climbing, rafting, water walking…
- Serra da Estrela: one of Portugal's most vast and protected green zones! Comprising a mountain range, you'll find Portugal's highest point on the mainland. You can enjoy beautiful hikes through forests, lakes, and mountains!
- Serra de Lousã: renowned for its beautiful oak and pine forests, crystal-clear rivers and waterfalls, it's the perfect place to escape. Outdoor activities are plentiful (hiking, mountain biking, rafting, canoeing, rappelling…). In this hidden natural paradise in the heart of Portugal, you'll also discover medieval castles, monasteries and ancient churches, as well as traditional, historic, and schist villages.
A gastronomic journey and discovery of local terroir
Want to discover some of the finest specialties of Portuguese terroir? Head to the Douro Valley, a picturesque region in northern Portugal! This is where you'll find magnificent terraced vineyards nestled along the slopes of the Douro River, the ones that produce the world-famous Port wines!
Beyond visiting vineyards and tasting local wines, we recommend taking a river cruise to admire the vineyards and landscapes as they unfold along the water…
A waterside getaway
Looking to relax by the water during your Portugal trip?
Then don't miss the beaches of the Algarve, the southernmost region of the country. With approximately 200 kilometers of coastline, you'll find family beaches, paradise beaches, wild beaches… Among the Algarve's most beautiful beaches are Praia da Rocha and Praia da Falésia, Praia Camilo, and Praia Dona Ana.
We also recommend the town of Peniche. Nestled on a peninsula in the heart of Leiria district, in Portugal's central region, Peniche boasts extensive fine sand beaches with turquoise, crystalline waters. It's known as one of the world's surf capitals. Just offshore, you'll find the Berlengas archipelago, whose island beauty is breathtaking.
A journey steeped in history
Attention all history buffs, Portugal is brimming with historical gems that let you travel through time.
Such is the case with Óbidos, a charming medieval village situated on Portugal's west coast. What to expect on your visit: intact medieval ramparts, gardens with sweeping views of the countryside, narrow cobbled streets, period-colored houses, and ancient churches…
Another must-see historical destination in Portugal: the charming city of Évora. Located in southern Portugal, in the heart of the Alentejo, the city is UNESCO World Heritage listed. There you'll discover a magnificent Gothic cathedral, a Roman temple, the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval, as well as numerous museums, art galleries, and craft shops…
Frequently asked questions
Portugal can be visited year-round, but the best periods are spring (April-June) and fall (September-October), when temperatures are mild and tourist crowds are lighter. Summer is ideal for the Algarve beaches, while winter is perfect for cultural discoveries in cities like Évora or Aveiro.
Portugal is full of unknown and charming destinations: Aveiro (the 'Portuguese Venice'), Óbidos (intact medieval village), Évora (UNESCO-listed), the wild beaches of Peniche, or the natural landscapes of Serra da Estrela and Serra de Lousã. The Douro Valley is also unmissable for wine and nature lovers.
No, while the Algarve is the most well-known beach destination with its 200 km of coastline and iconic beaches (Praia da Rocha, Praia da Falésia, Praia Camilo), other regions offer beautiful beaches. Peniche, in central Portugal, for instance, offers expansive fine sand beaches with turquoise waters, all while being a world-renowned surf capital.
Portugal is an ideal playground for nature and adventure lovers. You can enjoy hiking in Serra da Estrela or Serra de Lousã, rafting and water walking in Sever de Vouga, surfing in Peniche, mountain biking and canoeing in the central forests, or take a cruise on the Douro River to admire the terraced vineyards.
The Douro Valley, in northern Portugal, is a picturesque region UNESCO World Heritage listed, renowned for its spectacular terraced vineyards on the slopes of the Douro River. This is where the famous Port wines are produced. Beyond wine tastings at estates, a cruise on the Douro River allows you to admire these unique landscapes from the water.
