Portugal, about the size of Indiana, is surprisingly diverse. From the stunning vineyards in the north to the grandeur of Lisbon to the beaches and resorts of the Algarve, there’s something for everyone.
With this vacation guide, I’ve taken my favorite spots in this country I’ve called home and created a flexible itinerary for your trip. It’s built around an 8 day trip (2 in Porto, 1 in Coimbra, 4 in Lisbon (with day trips), and 1 in The Algarve). But, it’s also flexible. There are an additional 7 day trips from Porto, Coimbra, and Lisbon that will allow you to extend your trip to 15 days. Or, you can swap out a day trip for one of your days in another
city.
Each day is packed with recommendations for things to do and what to eat. But, if something doesn’t strike your fancy, I’ve also included expansive maps with recommendations of things to do, places to eat and drink, where to shop, and where to stay in each city.
So, let’s enjoy some delicious Port wine, creamy Pastel de Natas, and fresh Ovos Mexidos com Espargos Selvagens!
While Lisbon gets the lion’s share of the press (and tourists), Porto is becoming more and more popular each year. The city is so popular, in fact, that the Ribeira (River) neighborhood is often so crowded that it’s difficult to move around.
Careful planning can alleviate some of the madness, just don’t expect Porto to be the “hidden gem” some travel writers make it seem.
For our eight day itinerary, we’re setting aside two days in Porto. For the sixteen day vacation, day trips to Braga, Guimarães, Viana do Castelo and/or the Douro Valley are highly recommended.
One of the best things to do when visiting a new city is to take a food tour. Of course, not all food tours are created equal. I’ve taken dozens all over the world, some good, some great, and, honestly, some disappointing.
In Porto, André Apolinário is the founder of a terrific food tour company, Taste Porto. The Downtown & Bolhão Market Food Tour takes you to several tasty spots, including the essential Bolhão Market.
The Bolhão Market has been around for over 100 years. Back in the day, it was simply a produce market where farmers came to sell their wares. In recent times, it has added vendors who sell prepared foods, wine, cheese, and souvenirs for tourists.
After years of neglect which saw structural problems plaguing the building as well as a run-down atmosphere, the city finally decided on a restoration project costing over 40 million Euros. The new and improved market opened in 2022 and is better than ever!
The market is still looking to add restaurants and cafes to the upstairs area, but there are tons of vendors on the ground floor to tempt you. Lots of fresh produce and flowers as well as spices, wine, and prepared foods.
After all that amazing food on the tour, you definitely won’t need to eat for a while, so let’s walk around Porto.
Portugal is famous for its distinctive Azulejos tiles. And while Lisbon is home to Portugal’s National Tile Museum, Porto is my favorite place to see famous Azulejo works.
Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the novel “Truffle Hunt” (Eckhartz Press) and the short story collection “That Bird.” He’s also written dozens of foodie travel guides to cities around the world on Destination Eat Drink, including an in-depth eating and drinking guide to Portugal. Brent’s podcast, also called Destination Eat Drink, is available on all major podcasting platforms.
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