A round trip through authentic Portugal will amaze you! Stroll through the bustling cities of Lisbon and Porto, drink delicious wines and port, enjoy the exceptional coastline of the Algarve and savor Portuguese delicacies (pastel de nata).
For the ultimate round trip, you can travel from north to south, from authentic Porto to sunny Faro. Along the way you’ll get to know the Portuguese culture, the delicious food, the colorful cities and the impressive nature; and all that under the Portuguese sun!
I will takes you along on her tour of wonderful Portugal!
A tour around Portugal
- Fly-drive Portugal
- Authentic Porto
- Surf town of Nazaré
- Colorful Lisbon
- Sunset in Sagres
- Sunny Lagos
- Idyllic Faro
Fly drive Portugal
The ultimate European tour is in Portugal. Here you will find the ideal mix of bustling cities, picturesque villages, colorful culture and beautiful nature. My advice is to take at least 2.5 weeks for this tour; that way you can discover everything at your leisure. Do you have less time? Then that’s no problem either! You can also start the round trip in Lisbon – this way you travel from Lisbon to Faro. Or you can choose to skip the South of Portugal and travel through the North of Portugal from Porto to Lisbon.
The tour is ideal to do with a rental car. This way you are very flexible and you drive along the most beautiful places. In addition, the route from north to south, along the coastline, is extremely beautiful. Do you prefer to travel by public transport? The round trip is also easy to do by bus or train.
Authentic Porto
Porto is a wonderful spot to start your tour. The city is not too big so everything is within walking distance. Ideal to spend the first few days of your roundtrip. Stroll through the small alleys, get acquainted with the Portuguese food and drink and enjoy the amazing view on the other side of the Luís Bridge. In this city, you can eat, shop, absorb culture and, of course, drink port. After my visit to this wonderful city, it has definitely become one of my favorites!
| Tip: Rent a bike in the city and take a bike tour to the coast of Porto. This way you can not only enjoy an afternoon on the beach but also discover other parts of Porto outside the centre. |
Surf town of Nazaré
From Porto you can easily travel to the south of the country. Don’t have a rental car? Don’t worry, there are several buses and trains running in the direction of Lisbon. I caught the train to the south and ended up taking a bus to the surf town of Nazaré. This small coastal town is known for its vast beaches and some of the the tallest waves in the world. In other words, a super popular destination for surfers. Even if you are not a surfer, it is nice to stay 1 or 2 nights in this picturesque coastal village; you can not only enjoy delicious fish food but you can also recharge your batteries on the beach after a few days in the bustling city of Porto.https://ku999.vip/
| Tip: For a moment of peace and quiet, I recommend this very nice glamping site: OHAI Nazaré. Here you can enjoy the beautiful nature in peace and stay in luxury tents. A true paradise! |
Colorful Lisbon
Lisbon is best known for its iconic yellow trams, colorful tiles and historic districts. From Nazaré you can easily travel by bus to the beloved Lisbon. No matter how often you visit Lisbon, this city never gets boring! From drinking cocktails at a rooftop bar, dining with live music in the Alfama district to shopping in Bairro Alto. For the best view of the city, climb the Castelo de São Jorge; the castle is 110 meters high. The walk through the historic Alfama district is great fun, but if the climb is too much for you, tram 28 stops just around the corner from the castle!
| Tip 1: Discover the best neighborhoods, sights and smallest streets with tram 28. The iconic yellow tram will take you through the steepest alleyways, show you the best views and pass by all the sights of the city. | Tip 2: Take a trip to the colorful city of Sintra about 40 minutes from Lisbon. From castles, palaces and historic houses; this city is just like a fairy tale! |
Sunset in Sagres
After the lively Lisbon it is time to continue the journey to the south of Portugal: the Algarve. Sagres is a picturesque town in the western part of Portugal. This coastal town is also very popular among surfers because of its high waves. This typical surfers’ town has a number of trendy restaurants and shops and is further mainly loved for its amazing views and stunning beaches. In fact, you can enjoy the most incredible sunsets in Cabo de São Vicente, the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe. Sagres can be chilly at any time of year due to the strong winds, so pack a warm jumper or jacket for the summer months.
| Tip: After a wonderful day at the beach, I recommend you to drive to the nice restaurant Three Little Birds. This place is run by surfers and both the atmosphere and the food are amazing! |
Sunny Lagos
Lagos is especially known for its particularly beautiful beaches. From small bays to rocky cliffs, the coastline of the Algarve is unique! My favorite bays in the Algarve are: Praia do Camilo, Praia Dona Ana, Praia Porto de Mós and Praia da Marinha. Especially in the summer months these small bays can be very crowded; early morning or late afternoon are therefore the best times to visit the beaches. Watching the sunset on one of these beaches is also absolutely a must! Besides the beaches, the old centre of Lagos has many cosy restaurants and shops. Especially in the afternoon and evening hours it is very lively in the city.
| Tip: The very best activity in Lagos is a kayak trip along the rocky cliffs of Ponte de Piedade. From the port of Lagos, a catamaran takes you out to sea for a stunning kayak tour. Clear blue water, huge rocks and narrow caves: this is a must do when in Lagos! |
Idyllic Faro
In the south of Portugal, in the city Faro, your tour of Portugal ends. Faro is a small city, where you don’t have to stay too long. Perfect to spend the last evening of your vacation; this way you are already close to the airport. Within the city walls of Faro you will find the old centre, where you can wander through the narrow alleys and eat traditional Portuguese food. Faro is mainly known for its authentic architecture and its orange trees. 🍊
Would you like to make a wonderful round trip through Europe this summer? Then choose for the breathtaking Portugal. Here you can immerse yourself in a colorful culture, enjoy delicious traditional food, admire the beauty of nature; and all of this under the Portuguese sunshine!
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