I get asked questions about Portugal all the time so here I am. Will and I lived in the country for a total of 2 months (1 month in Lisbon, 1 month and 4 days in Porto) and visited a few small towns in between. Portugal has become our go-to place to escape the New York winters, and honestly, we don’t think we can stop going back.
These are the cities and towns that stick with us. We’ve written entire guides for some of them. Others are still sorting through photos. All of them are worth your time.
Lisbon
Lisbon is where it all started for us. We parked there for a month in the winter of 2022 and fell in love with the city. The light alone is worth the trip. Even the collapsing buildings are enveloped in a golden warmth that looks like a painting.
Neighborhood is what really captivates us. Each has its own personality. Alfama feels like a village. Bairro Alto comes alive at night. Principe Real is the place you go when you want to sit in the garden and pretend you live there (which is exactly what we did repeatedly).
The food is cheap, the wine is cheap and the pasteis de nata situation is out of control in the best way. The guide includes a full breakdown of the 25 best things to do in Lisbon, plus a weekend getaway itinerary and guidance on where to stay if you’re short on time.
Oh, and if you love all things nice, read 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Lisbon before you go. We’ve made most of it so you don’t have to.
porto
My introduction to Porto started with a weekend trip from Lisbon. We took a three-and-a-half hour train ride and spit out the most beautiful train station in the world (Sao Bento, look it up), and immediately booked an extra night because two days wasn’t enough.
Next winter, we promised to stay in Porto for a month. In total, we spent over 5 weeks here and I can confidently say that it is one of my favorite cities in Europe. The port wine alone may be enough to justify a trip, but the city is so much more than that. Cozy cafes, delicious food, and colorful buildings stacked up along the Douro River. Porto feels like a city where it doesn’t matter whether you’re cool or not. It just is.
We have a full guide to Porto, a three-day itinerary and some of our favorite brunch spots. I wrote a whole post about Lisbon vs Porto if you’re trying to decide between the two.
Sintra
Sintra is the place to go when you want to feel like you’re in a fairy tale and immediately regret not buying your tickets in advance. Located in the hills outside Lisbon, this small town is full of palaces, castles and gardens that look too colorful to be real.
Pena Palace is the star of the show, with its bright yellow and red towers jutting out over the forest. We visited Pena Palace but the line was two hours deep so we skipped the inside. Don’t regret it. The exterior and surrounding park were sufficient.
We have a complete Sintra 1-day itinerary, a guide to Sintra Castle and a list of the best things to do. It’s an easy day trip from Lisbon and one of our favorite days out in all of Portugal.
Cascais
Cascais is a beach town that Lisbon locals visit on the weekends, and after visiting, I completely understand why. It’s a 30-minute train ride from Lisbon and feels like a world away. Cute beach walks, delicious seafood, and a pace that will make you slow down whether you want to or not.
We spent one day here and wanted to plan two days. The coastal promenade from Cascais to Guincho Beach is truly beautiful. Check out our Cascais guide for a full overview.
Braga
With over 2,000 years of history, Braga is officially the oldest city in Portugal. The Romans founded it in 16 BC and called it Bracara Augusta. It sounds like a character from a period drama, and here I am.
The city is about an hour north of Porto and easily accessible as a day trip. The main attraction is Bom Jesus do Monte, a pilgrimage church at the top of a dramatic Baroque staircase. The stairs are 116 meters high and some pilgrims climb them on their knees. We took the cable car. There is no shame.
Braga also has over 30 churches and cathedrals dating back to the 12th century. If you are based in Porto, this is one of the best day trips.
lagos
Lagos is located in the Algarve, on Portugal’s southern coast, and is the place to go if you want dramatic sea cliffs, hidden caves and beaches that look like they belong on a postcard. The Ponta da Piedade rock formation is the headliner here. You can view it from the cliffs above or take a boat tour through the cave.
The old town is also attractive. Narrow cobblestone streets, good restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere that is hard to find on Portugal’s popular coast. Lagos is still on my long-term visit list, but everyone we spoke to said the same thing. Go before it gets too crowded.
coimbra
Coimbra is known as Portugal’s student city, and for good reason. Founded in 1290, the university is one of the oldest universities in Europe. The university’s Biblioteca Joanina is considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, and the photos made me believe it.
The city is located roughly halfway between Lisbon and Porto, making it a natural stop when traveling between the two. About 16 kilometers from Coimbra is Coimbri, Portugal’s best-preserved ancient Roman city. History buffs, take note.
Aveiro
Aveiro may be called the Venice of Portugal, but the colorful Moliseiro boats cruising along its canals are undoubtedly photogenic. The Art Nouveau architecture is beautiful and the ovos mole (local egg yolk pastry) is reason enough to visit.
It’s about an hour south of Porto by train, making it another day trip option. We’ll pair it with a day at the beach in Costa Nova, where the houses are painted in candy-colored stripes.
Evora
Evora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Alentejo region, the kind of place where you turn a corner and stumble upon a 2,000-year-old Roman temple nestled in the heart of town. The Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos) lives up to its name and is both fascinating and deeply unsettling.
The Alentejo region surrounding Evora is Portugal’s wine region. Rolling plains, cork oak forests, and some of the best red wine in the country. This is Portugal without tourists.
Óbidos
Óbidos is a small medieval walled city about an hour north of Lisbon that’s so charming it almost feels fake. Enter through a gate covered in blue and white tiles, and the entire village is basically one cobblestone street lined with white houses and bougainvillea.
The local specialty is Ginjinha, a sour cherry liqueur served in a chocolate cup. You drink it, eat a cup, and buy another cup. It’s a dangerous cycle. Obidos is the perfect place to stop for half a day on your way to or from Lisbon.
Best Cities in Portugal (Quick Summary)
If you’re short on time and can only pick a few, the top three would be Lisbon, Porto, and Sintra. Between these three, you could easily spend a week and not run out of things to do. For a complete overview of Portugal, check out our guide to the 15 best things to do in Portugal.
- Lisbon
- Porto
- Sintra
- Cascais
- Braga
- lagos
- Coimbra
- Aveiro
- Evora
- Óbidos
Frequently Asked Questions
If you had to choose just three, go to Lisbon, Porto, and Sintra. We spent over a month in Lisbon and Porto, and Sintra is an easy day trip from Lisbon with some stunning palaces and castles. Together they offer the best of Portugal’s culture, food and architecture.
Braga has a history of over 2,000 years. The Romans founded it as Bracara Augusta in 16 BC. Today it is famous for its churches, including the dramatic Bom Jesus do Monte pilgrimage site with its Baroque staircase.
To do Portugal justice, we recommend at least 10 days. You can spend 3-4 days each in Lisbon and Porto, and then take day trips to Sintra, Cascais or Braga. If you have two weeks to spare, you can add the Algarve (Lagos) or Alentejo region (Evora).
