Jump to:
- Explore Lisbon on Foot
- Head to Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
- Visit Porto Moniz
- Cross the 25th of April Bridge
- Explore the Bars and Restaurants of the the Ribeira District
- Enjoy Ria Formosa Natural Park
- Learning a Little of the Language from the Locals
- Walk the Coastal Trail of Cabo da Roca
- Have a Drink at the Porto Calem Winery
If you’re planning on visiting Portugal for the first time, you’re probably wondering what the best things to spend your time doing in the country are. And you’re right to be planning ahead because there are so many things to do all over Portugal, so confining yourself to one area would be a mistake.
We’re going to talk today about some of the very best experiences to be had in Portugal. Each of them offers something special that you probably won’t want to miss out on. So read on now if you want to find out more about what the wonderful nation of Portugal has to offer visitors.
Explore Lisbon on Foot
Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal, and it’s much more than that too. It’s a city of hills, and it's right next to the coast as well. As far as European capital cities go, both of those things are quite unusual and make it stand out. If you’re going to get the most out of the city, you’ll want to experience it at street level. That’s why I recommend exploring it on foot and experiencing the vibrancy of the city in real time, both during the day and in the evenings.
Head to Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
While you’re in Lisbon, one of the locations you’ll want to head to is Mosteiro dos Jeronimos. It’s one of the most significant buildings in the entire country, and that’s the case because of its religious significance and the fact that it's now more than 500 years old, making it a historic site that people flock to. But regardless of its age, the ornate design and beautiful architecture are what really stand out and draw people in.
Visit Porto Moniz
If you find yourself in Madeira, you should definitely take the time to head to Porto Moniz. It’s one the most beautiful locations in the whole of Portugal; it rises above the sea and is surrounded by volcanic rock. One of the reasons many people visit it is to relax and take it easy in the pools that can be found there. If you’re looking to relax and enjoy some of the most stunning surroundings Portugal has to offer, be sure to head to Porto Moniz for a visit.
Cross the 25th of April Bridge
The 25th of April Bridge is the largest suspension bridge in Europe, so you’ll definitely want to see it when you’re in Lisbon for your holiday. You can cross it by car or by train, but unfortunately it’s not possible to walk across it. Nevertheless, it’s certainly an impressive feat of engineering and if that’s the kind of thing that you’re interested in, you should definitely give it a visit. Even taking a look at it from the shoreline gives you an idea of its grand scale and stature.
Explore the Bars and Restaurants of the the Ribeira District
Porto is usually considered Portugal's second city, and it certainly has a lot to offer. One of the things you won’t want to miss out on when you’re there is the Ribeira District. This district is known for its fantastic nightlife, and the wonderful bars and restaurants that are found here. It’s a hive of activity and you’ll have no problem finding great food and a great atmosphere here.
Enjoy Ria Formosa Natural Park
In the Algarve, you’ll find Ria Formosa Natural Park. It’s a 60 kilometer ecosystem made up largely of marshlands and lagoons. It’s certainly a unique landscape, and one that can be a lot of fun to explore if you enjoy nature and biodiversity. The range of landscapes and terrains found in the park is what makes it special and so much fun to walk in and explore. There’s also a lot of rare bird species who make the Natural Park their home. So be sure to give it a visit if you’ve never been there before.
Learning a Little of the Language from the Locals
One of the best things you can do while you’re in Portugal is pick up some of the language. It’s one of the most beautiful languages in the world, but often gets overlooked in favour of the more widely spoken Spanish. Being able to speak a bit of Portuguese will help you get by and impress the locals. And if you want to learn Portuguese in Lisbon, there are plenty of classes. Or you can simply pick it up by speaking to people and learning organically if that’s what you prefer. It’s up to you.
Walk the Coastal Trail of Cabo da Roca
If you’re looking to go for long walks along the coast, there’s nowhere better in Portugal than Cabo da Roca. In fact, there’s many people who would passionately argue that there’s nowhere better for walking and hiking along a coastline in all of Europe. There are caves, cliffs and even some pretty lighthouses to spot along the way. There’s also plenty of wildlife and flowers that you’ll pass as well, making it a very pleasant trail to spend a day walking.
Have a Drink at the Porto Calem Winery
Porto is known for its wine and the other kinds of alcohol produced there. So if you find yourself near the city, you should certainly take the time to stop off at the Porto Calem Winery. The Calem family have been running it for generations, and it’s a beautiful spot to relax and sample some of the best and most authentic Portuguese wines you’ll find anywhere in the country. It’s certainly not an experience you’ll want to miss if you’re a wine connoisseur.
As you can see, there’s no shortage of great things to spend your time doing when you’re in Portugal. Hopefully, at least a few of the ideas above will have inspired you. All that’s left for you to do is plan out your itinerary, filling it with as many fun activities as you possibly can.
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