Portugal, home sweet home. My home country has recently been added to the bucket list of millions. See my top 10 reasons to visit Portugal that will keep you coming back for more.
Once you’ve decided to visit Portugal, check out our blog post on The Ultimate 7-Day Portugal Itinerary: From City to Coastline.
1. People will treat you like family, and we speak the language.
Portugal has very friendly, welcoming locals. We are very easy-going and will try hard to make you fall in love with our country. It’s safe to say that you will be feeling at home in no time! When I lived in Portugal and encountered ‘turistas’, I loved helping out by giving traveling tips and directions. Plus, most of the Portuguese population knows English as a second language so you will not have a hard time finding your way around the country.
2. The weather is ideal.
One of the many reasons to Visit Portugal is that the weather is pleasant without major temperature swings. Even though Portugal has a coast that faces the Atlantic Ocean, its weather is similar to most Mediterranean countries: hot and dry in the summer and temperate in the winter.
3. We have award-winning wines.
For all of our adventurous wine drinkers out there, Portugal is the ideal place to start. Portugal hosts world-renowned, award-winning wines that are famous for showcasing a vast array of indigenous grapes, with more than 250 native grape varieties. According to Wines of Portugal, this is the highest density of indigenous grapes per square mile of any country in the world! In addition to the famous Port Wine originating from Porto, there are a multitude of diverse wines that we can’t wait for you to taste.
Recommended Wine Regions to Visit on your Portuguese Vacation
- Douro Valley is the oldest wine region in the word. It easy to see why it’s recognized as a UNESCO Heritage site with its deep valleys, gorges, and the clear blue waters of the Douro River. I highly recommend starting your winery venture in Porto where you can explore the wine Sellars and enjoy Port Wine in the city. From there, you can embark on a Douro Valley wine tour. There are multiple companies that offer full day winery tours for which transportation to and from Porto, river cruises, and wine/olive oil tastings are included!
- Alentejo is a wine region in southern Portugal that covers almost a third of the country! It borders Spain in the east, Algarve in the south, and the Atlantic Ocean in the west. The climate in Alentejo is hot and sunny, with rolling hills of wheat, sheep, and marble castles. Wineries in the Lower Alentejo region can be visited as a day trip from the Algarve.
Favorite Wines to Try While Planning your Portuguese Vacation
- Casa Ferreirinha ‘Barca Velha: Most expensive on the list, but it is Portugal’s most famous table wine! Originating from the Douro Valley.
- Quinta das Carvalhas Reserva: This full-bodied, intense wine is one of my go to’s! It has hints of violet, blackberry, and spice that will keep you coming back for more.
- Torre do Esporão: My favorite red wine from Alentejo. Per Esporão, this wine is complex and concentrated with notes of blueberries plus dark chocolate liqueur, liquorice and a hint of fresh mint with very well integrated notes of spice and oak.
4. Delicious food that will feed your mouth and soul.
Portugal has a huge variety of food, from seafood on the coast to tender meat in the countryside. Let’s just say it’s one of the main reasons to visit Portugal!
Here are a few of the must-try foods while you’re visiting Portugal:
- Appetizers: Famous codfish cakes with potato and parsley – you can find these in practically any coffee shop around the country but we highly recommend Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau. Here, you can also try Serra da Estrela which is the most notorious Portuguese cheese. Even in this modern time, this soft, buttery cheese is still made like it was centuries prior – by hand.
- Seafood: Atlantic Ocean crab, boiled lobster, grilled octopus, yellow salted codfish (unsalted for over 48 hours)
- Meat: Posta Mirandesa is a famous steak from Northern Portugal
- Dessert: You must try the famous Pastéis de Belém. These delicious custard tarts have been around since the early 1800’s, and you can find these while visiting the city of Lisbon.
- Fine Dining: There are about 37 Michelin Star restaurants found around Portugal! Check them out here.
Credit: Follow the Camino
Credit: Forever Cheese
5. Beautifully preserved history.
Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe, and most of the history has been wonderfully preserved. The country was born in 1143. Portugal has many historic sites, including medieval castles, Roman bridges, cathedrals, monuments, and UNESCO Heritage sites. For all of the history buffs, this makes Portugal a delight and is one of the top reasons to visit Portugal.
that make Portugal a delight for all history buffs.
6. We have the best beaches in Europe.
Portugal has the best beaches in Europe, and even some of the best beaches in the world! Portugal has a huge coastline with hundreds of beaches, from the wavy, cooler seas in the north to the calm, warmer waters in the south. The most popular beaches are located in Algarve with its luxurious resorts, rock formation, and caves. But don’t forget about the beautiful beaches in the Azores and Madeira, as well as the record breaking waves for surfers in Nazare.
7. It’s charming and picturesque.
As you’re walking down the cobblestone streets of Portugal, you will quickly notice why Portugal is one of the most picturesque countries in the word. From the beautiful tiles ‘azulejos‘, medieval gardens and castles, colorful houses that line the streets, and stunning cliffs and seaside caves, make sure you bring your cameras so you can capture it all!
8. We know how to party.
Other than our delicious food and wine, there’s one thing that we Portuguese people know how to do well: PARTY.
Porto and Lisbon have the busiest nightlife. With the numerous dance clubs, bars, and restaurants, there is a different party scene for everyone. The nightlife follows a Mediterranean style: starting off with a late dinner, followed by a night out until early the next morning. And it’s not uncommon for locals to go straight to breakfast following a fun night out. If nightclubs and bars aren’t the vibe for you, you can experience one of the Portugal’s many festivals. Summer is a prime festival time, with music festivals and the famous Popular Saints’ Festival in June which is one of the biggest parties!
9. Safety First.
One thing you do not want to worry about on your vacation is safety. Well I have good news for you, Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world! The Global Peace Index 2022 puts Portugal as the sixth safest country in the world.
10. Three words: Hawaii of Europe.
If you have time on your Portuguese vacation, don’t miss the opportunity of visiting Azores. It’s also known as the ‘Hawaii of Europe’ and you will quickly see why! Azores feels like paradise on Earth, with its volcanic mountain peaks, hot thermal springs, and amazing hikes with views of the vast Atlantic Ocean. Plus, it’s just a short nonstop flight from Lisbon or Porto!
