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Portugal has long been a favorite destination for Europeans on holiday. Some of the world's best beaches encircle its coastline, the cities are lively and unique, and wine production is one of the country's most ancient traditions. Sunny and sublime, Portugal serves up architecture, history, music, cuisine, and spectacular wine.
How do you approach planning a trip to such a diverse country? Once you take in the magnificent beaches, here are some ideas for exploring the other regions of Portugal.
If You Love Culture and the Arts
Begin in Lisbon with a Street Art Tour and graffiti seminar. Hosted by a Portuguese graffiti artist, you'll learn about the materials and techniques used in this modern art form.
Next, visit the workshop of the royal family's jewelers where, after a tutorial, you can create an original piece or commission one for a special occasion. Before leaving the city, take a photo tour hosted by a professional photographer who will help you capture the streets and landscapes from a new perspective.
Learn all about ‘azulejos’ (Portuguese tile art) on a full-day tour that includes a tile-making workshop in Azeitão and a visit to the National Tile Museum in Lisbon. Browse the exceptional collection at the National Tile Museum for inspiration, and, under the direction of an expert artist, paint a tile to take home.
Next, travel to the mountains of Serra da Estrela in Central Portugal, where artisans create a traditional Portuguese fabric called Burel. Wool is shorn from Bordaleira sheep manually by local shearers using an ancient local technique. At the burel factory, you'll witness the process of making burel fabric for a variety of handicrafts.
Continue on to Ílhavo, home to the Vista Alegre Factory, producer of the finest porcelain in Portugal. The Portuguese porcelain manufacturing process is a centuries-old trade laden with secrets. On your visit, you'll tour the factory, learn about production, and hand paint a piece of your own.
Complete your tour in the historic city of Porto, Portugal's second-largest metropolis. Discover artisanal soap-making techniques and spend time in the Scent Lab before creating your own soap to bring home.
Before you leave, make time for Porto Legends, an underground virtual experience set beneath the Porto Customs House. Narrated by Oscar-award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, the show recreates the history and legends of the Undefeated City.
If You Love Food and Wine
Portugal has 13 different wine regions, including the exotic islands of Madeira and The Azores. Enjoy vineyard tours and tastings throughout your land journey or consider a river cruise through the Douro Valley for an exceptional experience.
Begin in Lisbon with a foodie tour. Sample Portuguese cuisine, experience local culture on a local market tour, and conclude with a spirited cooking class. Save room for a craft beer tour that includes traditional Imperial beer tastings, the vibrant historic square, and bars where the locals hang out. Saúde!
Next visit Ericeira, a fishing village north of Lisbon, whose pristine coastline is a protected World Surfing Reserve. Portugal has around one thousand marine species, and sea urchins are a specialty in Ericeira. Meet with a local chef who will teach you about this unique shellfish, show you how to find them, and demonstrate how to prepare them.
Stop in Azeitao, a picturesque town nestled among vineyards, cork trees, and olive trees at the foot of the Arrábida mountains. The region is celebrated for its muscatel wine production. You can tour ancient cellars where the wine is stored and enjoy a tasting paired with local Azeitao cheese.
Lastly, wrap up your tour near Porto at the Singeverga Monastery, one of the few active monasteries in Portugal. The Benedictine monks produce an herb liquor called Singeverga. Learn about the process used to distill this liquor, made from aromatic and balsamic herbs cultivated on site.
If You Love Nature and Active Vacations
First stop is Sintra, the UNESCO World Heritage town on the Portuguese Riviera. There's much to see in the historic city center, but make sure to allow time for hiking through the hills of the Serra de Sintra. Along with the spectacular views, you'll discover palaces, villas, and the ruins of a Moorish castle.
Racing enthusiasts and thrill-seekers will enjoy a stop at the Formula 1 Estoril Race Track for a tour and driving experience. Next, take it slow in the Alentejo region, known for its endless plains, beautiful beaches, and historic fortified towns. Enjoy hiking or cycling through the countryside, horseback riding on the beach, and a variety of water sports on the largest artificial lake in Europe.
If you visit Portugal between October and March, catch Big Waves season in Nazaré, a colorful fishing village where some fishmongers still wear the traditional seven skirts. In the summertime, Nazaré is a paradise for surfers, thanks to the Nazaré Canyon, the largest underwater canyon in Europe, that allows the formation of perfect giant waves.
Finally, conclude your trip with a visit to Peneda-Gerês National Park, known for breathtaking landscapes, waterfalls, and thermal baths. Walk or cycle the ancient Roman road, tour castle ruins and medieval monasteries, and look for wild ponies, Spanish ibex, and countless other species.
Portugal is a fantastic destination for all types of travelers. Email us at info@grandjourneystravel.com to learn more about exploring this diverse and beautiful country.
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