Things to do in 

Portugal

Slip beyond the postcard views to find alternative things to do in Portugal, from tile studios and fishing ports to cork groves and quiet vineyard roads.

Cultural experiences: In Lisbon’s Mouraria, paint your own azulejo at a small studio before a petiscos stop in a neighborhood tasca, a relaxed pick for couples. Across the river in Almada, tour a working shipyard corner and eat grilled sardines near Cacilhas, an easy ferry hop seniors enjoy. Near Évora in the Alentejo, visit a cork farm to see stripping tools and taste local olive oil under the trees. In Vila Nova De Gaia, skip big cellars for a family coopers’ shop and a simple francesinha at a bar locals favor; luxury travelers often add a private Douro tasting later.

Day trip ideas: From Lisbon, drive to Arrábida Natural Park for coastal trails and a seafood lunch in Setúbal, then watch dolphins from the harbor. Detour to Sintra’s Convento Dos Capuchos for mossy cloisters and a forest stroll far from palace lines. From Porto, ride to Guimarães for medieval lanes and artisan workshops, or to Amarante for riverfront pastry and a Romanesque church visit. From Faro, boat from Olhão to the Ria Formosa islands for boardwalks, birdlife, and a long, sandy beach afternoon families appreciate.

Explore Portugal’s regions: In the Douro Valley, base in Peso Da Régua or Pinhão for terraced vineyard viewpoints and slow train rides along the river. Up in the Minho, stroll Ponte De Lima and taste vinho verde in farm estates outside Viana Do Castelo. Across the Alentejo, wander whitewashed Monsaraz at sunset and follow cork and olive routes from Évora. Along the Algarve’s west, trace the Costa Vicentina from Vila Do Bispo to Odeceixe for cliff walks and quiet surf. On the islands, São Miguel in the Azores offers crater lakes and tea estates, while Madeira’s levada paths sit an easy ride from Funchal.

Travel tip: Plan 7–10 days for Lisbon, Porto, and one region; 12–14 adds the Douro or Alentejo plus time on Madeira or the Azores. Have a shorter window? Team Lisbon with nearby Spain for a smooth, train-friendly combo.

More places to see in Portugal

Beyond Lisbon, give yourself time for river bends, whitewashed towns, and island roads where the day follows meals, tides, and village clocks.

Porto: Start with a quick espresso and a look inside Livraria Lello, then climb the Clérigos Tower before the lines grow. Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia for a late-day tasting in a port lodge, and drift back to Cais da Ribeira when the lights come on along the river.

Douro Valley: Ride the train to Pinhão and check the azulejo panels in the tiny station, then cruise the river in the late afternoon when the terraces glow. Drop into a working quinta like Quinta do Bomfim or Quinta do Seixo for a vineyard walk and a tasting with a view.

Évora & Alentejo: Step by the Roman Temple in the cool morning and then the Chapel of Bones before crowds build. After lunch near Praça do Giraldo, drive to Monsaraz for quiet lanes, a castle wall stroll, and sunset over the Alqueva Lake plain.

São Miguel (Azores): In Furnas, watch pots of cozido lifted from the hot ground late morning, then sit down to the stew for lunch. Walk the rim above Sete Cidades for the Boca do Inferno viewpoint, and finish with tea and a short trail at the Gorreana plantation as the fields fall to the sea.

Seasonal activities

Spring: Expect mild days and fresh Atlantic breezes. Wander Lisbon and Porto as jacarandas begin to bloom, then catch Semana Santa processions in Braga. Hike Algarve cliff paths or watch whales in the Azores while seas are calm and crowds light.

Summer: Claim a beach cove in the Algarve or ride gentle surf in Cascais with the kids. Join the Santos Populares in Lisbon in June with sardines on the grill, or celebrate São João in Porto with fireworks and paper lanterns. Hop to Madeira for levada walks under laurel forests before a sunset meal by the sea.

Fall: Follow the grape harvest through the Douro and Alentejo, with villages marking vindimas and chestnut roasts. Cruise the Douro or ramble in Peneda-Gerês under warm, gold light that suits slower-paced travellers and photographers. Watch bird migration in the Ria Formosa and enjoy quieter city museums.

Winter: Settle into Lisbon and Porto for twinkling lights, nativity scenes, and cosy taverns serving caldo verde. Stand at Nazaré’s clifftops to see winter swells, or head inland for frost-tipped castles and easy day trips that suit seniors and couples. Carnival brightens February in places like Torres Vedras with witty parades.

Across the year, join beloved festivities like the Santos Populares in Lisbon every June, São João in Porto in late June, and the Romaria d’Agonia in Viana do Castelo each August. Pilgrimage dates to Fátima on 13 May and 13 October bring candlelit processions, while student parades for Queima das Fitas colour Coimbra and Porto in spring. On the coast, watch public celebrations for Our Lady of the Navigators and look for local harvest fairs from the Douro to the Algarve each autumn.