Portugal City Breaks

A guide to Portugal

Portugal is a great choice for anyone looking for a relaxing weekend, combined with a good dose of European sun. Located at the edge of Western Europe, Portugal may seem like a long way to go for short trip, but with regular cheap flights operating from many UK airports, it may be less expensive and more convenient than you think. And if you’re willing to fly that little bit further, you are sure to be rewarded with some of Portugal’s superb weather, especially during the long summer months when the climate is at its finest. With a choice of cities across the country and miles of sandy coastline, there’s bound to be something for everyone.

Beautiful Lisbon, the capital city

Portugal’s capital city Lisbon is one of the country’s most popular destinations for travellers from all over Europe, and with good reason. Its excellent location at the mouth of the Tagus River allows for a cooling sea breeze and spectacular sea vistas, whilst the picturesque Old Quarter is home to a wide variety of impressive architecture, and perfect for relaxed strolling and pavement cafe stops. Other highlights in Lisbon include the many museums and galleries, including the fascinating National Museum of Ancient Art and the elaborate Belem Palace, with its UNESCO World Heritage listed Belem Tower. Lisbon can be an option for a winter trip, with some of Europe’s warmest temperatures during the winter.

Explore the coastal cities

For coastal breaks further south, you can head down to the popular Algarve region. Faro, the capital of the Algarve, boasts a selection of stunning white-fronted buildings and cobbled streets, allowing visitors to while away the hours of sunshine here. The city is also located next to the Ria Formosa lagoon nature reserve, home to hundreds of bird species and other wildlife. Alternatively, Tavira, close to the Spanish border is another beautiful coastal city, perfect for a slightly longer break in Portugal and for those keen to get away from some of the more built-up tourist areas on their city escape. In the north, you will find the city of Oporto, another popular coastal location brimming with culture and local customs, as well as superb fresh seafood every day.