Portugal
Portugal is a beautifully varied destination of Atlantic beaches, tiled cities, vineyard valleys, fishing towns, island landscapes and warm hospitality, offering sunshine, culture and value in one easy holiday.
Excellent
4.6
Portugal
Portugal has a quiet confidence that makes it one of Europe’s most rewarding holiday destinations, because it does not need to shout to make an impression. It wins travellers over slowly, with golden light on tiled buildings, the sound of trams climbing Lisbon’s hills, the smell of grilled sardines drifting from a backstreet restaurant, and the sight of Atlantic waves rolling onto beaches that seem to stretch for miles. This is a country where every region has its own rhythm. Lisbon is colourful, creative and full of viewpoints, with old neighbourhoods, riverside walks, fado houses, food markets and elegant squares that make it a superb city break. Porto feels more soulful and compact, with steep streets, wine cellars, river views and a handsome old centre that looks especially beautiful in the evening.
The Algarve brings the classic sunshine holiday, with sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, golf resorts, family hotels and easy resort life, while Madeira offers something greener and more dramatic, with mountain roads, botanical gardens, levada walks, ocean views and a subtropical island atmosphere. Inland, the Douro Valley is one of Europe’s great wine landscapes, with terraced vineyards falling towards the river, while the Alentejo feels slower and more spacious, with whitewashed towns, cork forests, vineyards and a deeply traditional food culture. Portugal works for families, couples, golfers, food lovers, city-break travellers, surfers, walkers, island explorers and anyone who wants a holiday with warmth and character. It is friendly, scenic, good-value and wonderfully easy to enjoy, but it also has enough depth to keep curious travellers coming back for more.
Portugal’s Most Popular Resorts and Holiday Areas
Portugal offers everything from lively beach resorts and smart marina towns to historic cities, island escapes and quiet coastal villages. The best place to stay depends on whether you want nightlife, family comfort, golf, culture, scenery, walking or a slower Portuguese pace.
Albufeira is one of Portugal’s best-known holiday resorts, offering sandy beaches, family hotels, restaurants, bars and a lively old town. It is ideal for travellers who want a classic Algarve beach holiday with plenty of choice, good value and a busy evening atmosphere.
Vilamoura is one of the Algarve’s most polished resort areas, known for its marina, golf courses, stylish hotels and waterfront dining. It suits couples, golfers and travellers who want a smarter holiday setting with easy beach access and a relaxed but refined atmosphere.
Lagos is one of the Algarve’s most characterful coastal towns, combining historic streets, beaches, boat trips, nightlife and dramatic cliffs around Ponta da Piedade. It is a strong choice for couples, groups and independent travellers who want scenery and atmosphere alongside beach time.
Cascais is a stylish seaside town close to Lisbon, with beaches, restaurants, a marina, coastal walks and easy rail links to the capital. It is ideal for travellers who want to combine city sightseeing with a relaxed coastal base, especially if they prefer a more elegant resort feel.
Funchal is the main resort city of Madeira, offering sea views, gardens, restaurants, markets, cable cars and easy access to the island’s mountain scenery. It suits couples, walkers, mature travellers and anyone who wants a warmer island escape with more nature and culture than a standard beach resort.
Porto Santo is Madeira’s quieter sister island, best known for its long sandy beach and peaceful atmosphere. It is a great choice for travellers who want a gentle island break, simple seaside relaxation and a slower pace away from busier resort areas.
Latest Offers
Explore our latest Portugal holiday offers, from Algarve beach breaks and Lisbon city stays to Madeira escapes, Porto weekends, golf getaways and flexible packages with flights, accommodation and transfers.
Our Top Destinations in Portugal
Portugal is wonderfully varied for a relatively compact country, with city breaks, coastlines, islands, vineyards and historic towns all within reach. These standout destinations show the best of Portugal for first-time visitors and returning travellers alike.
Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is one of Europe’s most atmospheric capitals, with tiled façades, yellow trams, hilltop viewpoints, riverfront neighbourhoods, food markets and a creative modern energy. Visit Belém, Alfama, Chiado, Bairro Alto and the riverside, but leave time for simple pleasures too, because Lisbon is at its best when you slow down and let the city unfold.
Porto
Porto
Porto is a beautiful northern city with steep streets, colourful houses, wine cellars and views over the Douro River. It is perfect for a long weekend or as the start of a wider northern Portugal trip, especially if you enjoy food, wine, architecture and a more compact city atmosphere.
Algarve
Algarve
The Algarve is Portugal’s classic sunshine region, loved for beaches, cliffs, golf courses, fishing towns and easy resort living. It works brilliantly for families, couples and groups, with lively resorts such as Albufeira, polished areas such as Vilamoura and scenic towns such as Lagos and Tavira.
Madeira
Madeira
Madeira is a superb choice for travellers who want nature, sea views, gardens and walking rather than a purely beach-focused holiday. Funchal is the natural base for many visitors, while the island’s mountains, levadas, viewpoints and coastal roads make it one of Portugal’s most distinctive escapes.
Transport Options in Portugal
Flights
Portugal has excellent flight access, with major airports including Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Madeira. Lisbon is ideal for city breaks, Cascais, Sintra and central Portugal, Porto is best for the north and the Douro Valley, Faro is the main gateway to the Algarve, and Madeira Airport serves Funchal and the wider island.
Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are one of the easiest ways to reach your hotel or resort, especially if you are staying in the Algarve, Madeira, Cascais or outside a city centre. Shared transfers can be a good-value option in popular holiday areas and can often be arranged as part of a Travel Cheaper package.
Private Transfers
Private transfers are ideal for families, couples, groups and travellers who want a faster and more comfortable arrival after their flight. They are especially useful for late arrivals, golf groups, Madeira hotels, Algarve villas, coastal resorts or stays where public transport would involve multiple changes.
Car Hire
Car hire is a brilliant option if you want to explore Portugal beyond one base, particularly in the Algarve, Alentejo, Douro Valley, Madeira and rural coastal areas. It is less necessary in central Lisbon and Porto, where hills, traffic, parking and public transport make walking, taxis, trams, trains and metro services more practical.
Portugal is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area, so Irish citizens travelling from the Republic of Ireland do not need a visa for a short holiday. Travellers should carry a valid Irish passport or Irish passport card when entering Portugal, and every passenger, including children and infants, must have their own travel document. Non-Irish citizens living in Ireland may have different entry requirements and should check whether a Schengen visa is required before booking. Entry rules can change, so it is always sensible to check official travel advice before departure.
Portugal’s climate varies between the mainland coast, inland regions and islands, but it is generally one of Europe’s most pleasant year-round destinations. May, June, September and October are often the best months for a comfortable mix of sunshine, sightseeing, beach time and touring, especially in Lisbon, Porto, the Douro, the Algarve and the Alentejo. July and August are best for full summer beach holidays, although popular coastal resorts can be busy and inland areas can become very hot. Madeira is mild for much of the year, making it a strong choice for walking, gardens and winter sun, while spring is especially beautiful across the country, with greener landscapes, blooming flowers and a fresher feel before the main summer rush.
6 Travel Tips for Visiting Portugal
Portugal changes dramatically between Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, Madeira, the Douro and the Alentejo, so choose your region around the holiday mood you want rather than trying to cover too much in one short trip.
In busy summer months, the best seafood restaurants, rooftop terraces, marina spots and small local dining rooms can fill quickly, so reserve ahead for special meals rather than leaving everything to chance.
Portugal’s cities and old towns often have cobbles, hills, steps and polished pavements, so comfortable footwear will make Lisbon, Porto, Sintra, Funchal and historic villages far easier to enjoy.
Trains work well for journeys such as Lisbon to Porto, Lisbon to Cascais and some regional routes, making them a useful alternative to driving when travelling between major towns and cities.
Do not just stick to familiar menus, because dishes such as bacalhau, cataplana, caldo verde, bifanas, pastel de nata and fresh grilled fish are central to the Portuguese travel experience.
Portugal’s Atlantic beaches can have stronger currents and cooler water than visitors expect, so always follow beach flags, avoid unsafe swimming areas and take extra care on surf-facing beaches.
Things To Do in Majorca
Majorca is much more than a beach destination. From scenic coastal drives and pretty mountain villages to historic landmarks, local markets, boat trips and family attractions, the island offers plenty to enjoy between relaxing days in the sun.
Things to Do
Cultural Highlights
5 Things to Do in Portugal
Portugal offers a brilliant mix of city sights, coastal scenery, wine country, islands and historic landmarks. The best holidays combine one or two well-known highlights with slower local experiences, from seafood lunches to river views and village wandering.
Explore Belém in Lisbon
Belém is one of Lisbon’s most rewarding areas, with riverside monuments, grand architecture, museums and the famous custard tarts that draw visitors across the city. It is a must for anyone visiting the capital, especially when paired with a walk along the Tagus and time in the historic centre.
Visit Sintra and Pena Palace
Sintra is one of Portugal’s most magical day trips, with forested hills, romantic palaces, gardens and colourful architecture that feels completely different from Lisbon’s city streets. Pena Palace is the headline sight, but the town, viewpoints and surrounding estates are worth taking time over.
Tour the Douro Valley
The Douro Valley is one of Portugal’s great landscapes, with terraced vineyards, river bends, wine estates and viewpoints that are especially beautiful in soft afternoon light. It is ideal for wine lovers, couples and anyone who wants to experience the countryside beyond the cities and beaches.
Walk Porto’s Ribeira District
Porto’s Ribeira district is one of the most atmospheric places in the country, with narrow lanes, riverside restaurants, colourful buildings and views across to the port wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia. It is perfect for slow wandering, photography, dinner by the river and an evening drink as the city lights come on.
Discover Madeira’s Levada Walks
Madeira’s levada walks are one of the island’s defining experiences, following old irrigation channels through mountains, forests, valleys and viewpoints. They range from gentle routes to more challenging hikes, making them a brilliant way to see the island’s greener, wilder side.
5 Cultural Highlights in Portugal
Portugal’s culture is shaped by maritime history, music, faith, tilework, wine, food, craftsmanship and a strong regional identity. Its cultural highlights are easy to combine with a holiday, whether you are staying in a city, a beach resort or a rural touring area.
Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon
Jerónimos Monastery is one of Portugal’s great architectural landmarks, closely tied to the country’s Age of Discovery and maritime history. Its stonework, cloisters and setting in Belém make it a powerful cultural stop and one of Lisbon’s most impressive sights.
Fado Music in Lisbon or Coimbra
Fado is one of Portugal’s most distinctive cultural traditions, full of longing, storytelling and emotion. Hearing it in a small Lisbon fado house or in Coimbra’s more academic tradition gives visitors a deeper sense of Portuguese identity than sightseeing alone can offer.
Livraria Lello in Porto
Livraria Lello is one of Porto’s most famous cultural landmarks, known for its ornate interior, staircase and literary atmosphere. It can be busy, but for book lovers and architecture enthusiasts it remains a memorable stop in the city.
University of Coimbra
The University of Coimbra is one of Portugal’s most important historic institutions and a superb cultural highlight for anyone travelling between Lisbon and Porto. Its old buildings, library and academic traditions give the city a strong identity and make Coimbra far more than just a stopover.
Évora Old Town
Évora is one of the finest cultural destinations in the Alentejo, with Roman remains, whitewashed streets, churches, squares and a calm historic atmosphere. It is ideal for travellers who want to see inland Portugal and experience a slower, more traditional side of the country.
What are the best things to do in Majorca?
Popular things to do include visiting Palma’s old town, exploring the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, taking a boat trip along the coast, visiting traditional villages and spending time at the island’s beaches and coves.
Is Majorca good for families?
Yes, Majorca is a great family destination, with sandy beaches, shallow waters, family-friendly resorts, waterparks, boat trips and plenty of relaxed places to eat.
Can you explore Majorca without hiring a car?
Yes, many resorts have good local facilities, and buses, taxis and organised excursions make it possible to explore without driving. A car can be useful for visiting quieter beaches, villages and mountain viewpoints.
What is Majorca best known for?
Majorca is best known for its beaches, sunshine, scenic coastline, relaxed resorts, historic Palma, pretty villages and the dramatic Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.
Is Majorca only for beach holidays?
No, Majorca is also great for sightseeing, cycling, walking, food, shopping, culture, romantic escapes and luxury hotel stays.
Why Portugal Is a Must Visit
Atlantic Beauty and Authentic Charm
Portugal is a must-visit destination because it gives travellers sunshine, scenery, culture and value without losing its local character. You can build a holiday around beaches, city breaks, wine regions, islands, golf, walking, food or historic towns, and each version of Portugal feels warm, distinctive and easy to love.
For families, Portugal offers beach resorts, short flights, good hotels, water parks, easy transfers and welcoming restaurants. For couples, there are boutique city stays, wine country escapes, clifftop sunsets, island walks and romantic old towns. For groups, Lisbon, Porto, Albufeira and Lagos bring nightlife, food, music and plenty of choice, while golfers, walkers, surfers and culture lovers will find the country rewarding in every season. Portugal works because it feels relaxed but never empty, familiar but never bland, and full of small moments that turn a good holiday into a favourite memory.
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