A Week in Portugal

In the grand finale of our European Adventure, we set our sights on Portugal, a country which neither of us had visited before. However, it held a unique significance for us, as my maternal grandparents had immigrated from Portugal to the United States before they met. My mother was the youngest of eleven children and as you can imagine we had quite a large extended family. My grandparents\' home was the core of the family and the entire extended family would gather there often. Though I was young, the memories of food, laughter, music and dancing endure in my mind. Those days, a cherished part of my past, have been brought back to life through this exploration of Portugal, allowing me to savor those precious memories. As we walked around the city streets, I could close my eyes and hear my grandparents talking in Portuguese; the cadence and tone of the older people in the streets talking to each other was exactly as I remember my grandparents\' lively discussions.

Our one week exploration of Portugal began in Porto, and then to the Douro wine region, a landscape adorned with terraced vineyards along the hillsides. Here, we immersed ourselves in the art of winemaking, sampled local vintages including the world famous port wine. From there we hit the beach Praia do Norte, in Nazaré in an attempt to see the big surf on our way to Lisbon.

Lisbon, the capital city, awaited us with its blend of old-world charm and modern vibrancy. Exploring historic neighborhoods like Belém and Baixa and the Praça do Comércio, we delved into the heart of Portuguese culture, indulging in pastéis de belem and seafood galore. The Portuguese have a myriad of ways to cook codfish, also known as 'bacalhau.’ No trip to Portugal is complete without sampling the bacalhau.

Our journey southward brought us to Portimao in the Algarve region, where Portugal's beaches and stunning rugged rock formations proved to be some of the best we've ever encountered—and we've explored numerous coastlines. The allure of the Algarve extends beyond its coastal beauty, reaching into its culinary offerings. From enjoying grilled sardines at beachside shacks to savoring the flavors of regional dishes like cataplana de peixe, the gastronomic experiences alone would make us revisit Portugal.

The map image below displays our route and destinations during our Portugal exploration, click any of the destinations in the list to be taken to that part of this page.

1. Porto, Portugal
2. Delfim Douro Hotel, Samodães, Portugal
3. Praia do Norte, Portugal
4. Lisbon, Portugal
5. Portimao, Portugal
6. Cape St. Vincent, Portugal

Click the above video poster image to explore our "Portugal Reasons to Visit and Travel Vlog" - In this Portugal vacation travel video guide we'll provide reasons to visit and information about how to spend a week in Portugal. Portugal is a beautiful country directly on the Atlantic Ocean that offers a lot of value for your money and it has a fascinating history and culture. From the Douro River Valley to Nazare surf beach to the scenic and historic Lisbon and then south to the incredibly picturesque beaches of the Algarve Portugal has a lot to offer.

While Portugal ranks 19th in size among European countries, covering an area of 88,889 square kilometers, its diverse landscapes beckon exploration beyond major cities. With a width of 218 km and a length of 561 km, mainland Portugal boasts 832 km of Atlantic coast and shares a 1,215 km border with Spain. To truly experience the more remote and scenic locations, a rental car becomes essential.

However, for those planning to stay within major urban hubs, navigating Portugal without a car is entirely feasible. Efficient train and bus services link key cities such as Porto, Lisbon, and Lagos, and others providing an economical means of transportation. To explore available options and plan your journey, websites like Omio can be invaluable. Check out the bus and train options from Lisbon to Porto: Omio Lisbon to Porto.

If you are considering train travel in Europe, then you may want to consider acquiring the Omio travel app. Twenty-seven million monthly users already compare and book trains, buses, flights and ferries on their phones seamlessly in Europe and beyond.