Portugal Travel Guide

Planning a trip to Portugal and looking for itinerary ideas, practical advice, or help choosing between cities, the coast, and the islands?

This page features all our Portugal articles in one place, including destination guides for Lisbon, Central Portugal, the Algarve, Madeira, and the Azores. You’ll also find ready-to-use itineraries, seasonal advice, and planning tips to help you organize your trip more easily.

Good to know: All guides on this page are based on first-hand experience from multiple trips to mainland Portugal and the islands.

Start here if this is your first trip to Portugal:

Benagil cave in Algarve Portugal
Bussaco Palace Hotel at Mata do Bucaco Portugal
Ponta do Furado viewpoint at Ponta de São Lourenco hike in Madeira

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Portugal Travel Guides

Browse our Portugal guides by region and topic below.

Central Portugal

Algarve

Madeira

The Azores

Plan Your Trip to Portugal

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Portugal depends on what you want to do and which regions you plan to visit.

For warm weather, sightseeing, and beach time, the best period to visit is from May to September. July and August are the busiest months, especially along the coast, and it can be very hot for city sightseeing. If you prefer milder temperatures and fewer crowds, the shoulder season (April–May and September–November) is a much better choice. These months are ideal for city trips, road trips, and outdoor sightseeing.

Good to know: Madeira and the Azores are year-round destinations with a milder climate than mainland Portugal. In summer, temperatures are usually lower than on the mainland, and in winter you can expect spring-like weather, along with more wind and occasional rain.

Flying to Portugal

Portugal is well connected by direct flights to mainland cities and the islands, so the best route depends on where you are traveling from and which region you plan to visit. To find the best fares, use a flight comparison site and check alternative departure and arrival airports – both at home and in Portugal.

TIP: If you are flying to Madeira, the Azores, or Portugal from abroad, it’s usually worth checking the FlyTAP website. TAP Air Portugal offers the widest range of routes to Portuguese destinations and regularly has deals that include a free stopover in Lisbon.

Accommodation in Portugal

In general, accommodation in Portugal is quite affordable, especially outside the main cities and the most popular tourist areas. That said, hotels in central Lisbon and stays in the Algarve during the peak summer season can be just as expensive as in other major European destinations.

Still, it’s easy to find good-quality accommodation for a reasonable price across the country. We always book via Booking.com – it has the widest choice in Portugal and offers flexible cancellation on most properties.

Car Rental in Portugal

Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Europe for car rental. Still, it’s best to book in advance – especially in high season – since last-minute prices can be much higher.

You don’t need a car if you’re staying in major cities like Lisbon or Porto. Public transport works very well, and many popular day trips can be done by train or with guided tours. However, a car is very useful if you plan to visit smaller towns, rural areas, or coastal regions (for example in the Algarve outside the main resorts, Central Portugal, or Madeira).

We usually book through Booking.com to compare providers and prices. We also recommend choosing full insurance – it’s typically cheaper than at the counter and makes the whole process much easier.

TIP: Did you find this guide helpful? Bookmark this post for later, share it with your friends, and save it to Pinterest to inspire your next trip.

Travel guide for visiting Portugal