Discover these top 10 Portugal holiday destinations that are often overlooked by the Algarve.

 

1. Madeira

Visit Madeira for its wonderful green landscapes decorated with blankets upon blankets of exotic-looking flowers. It also offers a photogenic seascape with towering cliffs off the northwest coast of Africa. 

 

2. Porto

Pretty ole Porto is Portugal's second-largest city. Medieval yet modern, the coastal town offers culture by the bucketful. Look out for the quintessential azulejo tiles in town and the iconic Dom Luis I bridge. 

 

3. Peniche

Peniche is a big surfing town, which is also on the map for its fishing port. Load up on fresh seafood, before exploring the clip-top maritime fortress. If you've got time, it's worth heading out to the Berlingas Islands for a wander around its beautiful natural reserve. 

 

4. Lisbon

Lisbon is Portugal's colourful capital city. It's a hilly hub spilling with cobbled streets, sunshine inspired yellow trams and creamy pastéis de nata i.e those custard tarts you see littered over Pinterest. When can we go? 

 

5. Sintra

Step out of Lisbon and into neighbouring Sintra. Just half an hours drive away, Sintra offers stunning mountainside scenery and historic regal-like architecture including the UNESCO stamped Quinta de Regaleira.

 

6. Aveiro

Aveiro is best explored by boat so observers can take in the structure of its magnificent and fully functioning canals. Jump aboard one of the colourful moliceiro boats for an authentic cruise through this charming neighbourhood.

 

7. Estoril

Estoril is a cosmopolitan seaside destination set along the Portuguese Riviera. It's home to Casino Estoril, which is regularly cited as Ian Fleming's inspiration for the James Bond character. A  rather chic claim to fame if you ask us...

 

8. Cascais

Cascais is another cosmopolitan choice for holidaymakers. It has retained its old fishing town charm, both in the Old Town and its slightly newer marina. Have a mooch around one of the many free museums for a taste of what life was like here before it became a bustling resort town. 

 

9. Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada on São Miguel is the capital of the Azores. Seen as a gateway to this rural archipelago, Ponta Delgada benefits sun-drenched weather and wild greenscapes making it a natural choice for anyone outdoorsy.

 

10. Evora

Evora was once an important stop on the trade route to ancient Rome. Now, it's a historic and beautiful town known as a city museum, for its UNESCO world heritage status. Pretty impressive credentials, eh? 

Stay in one of our villas in Portugal.