Things to Do in Portugal — By Town & City
Curated things-to-do guides for every town, city and region we cover with a private Mercedes-Benz and English-speaking driver. Pick a destination to plan it at your own pace.
Alentejo
- Things to Do in Castelo de Vide — White village with one of the best preserved medieval Jewish quarters in Portugal.
- Things to Do in Comporta — Quiet rice paddies, pine forests and the Atlantic dunes the Lisbon weekenders keep secret.
- Things to Do in Elvas — UNESCO star fortress on the Spanish border, with the longest aqueduct in the Iberian peninsula.
- Things to Do in Estremoz — Marble town and Saturday market, the centre of Portugal's marble triangle.
- Things to Do in Évora — UNESCO walled city, Roman temple, bone chapel and the heart of the Alentejo.
- Things to Do in Marvão — Eagle's nest village on a granite peak, with views into Spain.
- Things to Do in Melides — The next quiet village south of Comporta, even more peaceful, with one long beach.
- Things to Do in Mértola — Whitewashed Moorish town on the Guadiana river, with one of Portugal's only mosque-churches.
- Things to Do in Monsaraz — Whitewashed hilltop village above Alqueva lake, one of Europe's certified dark sky regions.
- Things to Do in Vila Nova de Milfontes — Atlantic estuary town on the Vicentine coast, the wildest beaches in mainland Portugal.
Algarve
- Things to Do in Albufeira — Central Algarve resort, the launch point for the cave coast.
- Things to Do in Carvoeiro — The launch point for the Benagil sea cave, with a small village beach and cliff walks.
- Things to Do in Faro — Algarve capital, gateway to the Ria Formosa lagoon and the eastern coast.
- Things to Do in Lagos — Golden cliffs, Ponta da Piedade and the most photographed coast in Portugal.
- Things to Do in Monchique — Mountain villages, eucalyptus forests and the highest point in the Algarve.
- Things to Do in Olhão — Working fishing port with a famous market and Cubist white architecture.
- Things to Do in Portimão — Working harbour and Praia da Rocha, the long Atlantic beach.
- Things to Do in Sagres — The end of the world, where Henry the Navigator launched the Age of Discovery.
- Things to Do in Silves — The old Moorish capital of the Algarve, inland and red-walled.
- Things to Do in Tavira — The prettiest old town in the Algarve, with a Roman bridge and warm tile facades.
- Things to Do in Vilamoura — The Algarve's largest marina, with golf, a Roman site and easy beach access.
Centro & Silver Coast
- Things to Do in Alcobaça — UNESCO 12th century Cistercian monastery, the largest church in Portugal.
- Things to Do in Aveiro — The Venice of Portugal, with painted moliceiro boats and Art Nouveau architecture.
- Things to Do in Batalha — The flamboyant Gothic monastery built to celebrate the 1385 victory over Castile.
- Things to Do in Berlengas — Wild island archipelago off Peniche, a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
- Things to Do in Coimbra — Portugal's medieval university town, the Joanina library and a slower fado.
- Things to Do in Conímbriga — The largest Roman ruins in Portugal, with intact mosaics in their original setting.
- Things to Do in Costa Nova — The iconic striped beach houses just outside Aveiro.
- Things to Do in Fátima — One of the most important Marian sanctuaries in the world, an easy private day from Lisbon.
- Things to Do in Nazaré — Big-wave fishing town, drying fish on the sand and the cliff that surfers come for.
- Things to Do in Óbidos — Walled medieval town, cobblestone lanes and the famous cherry liqueur.
- Things to Do in Peniche — Working surf and fishing port, gateway to the Berlengas islands.
- Things to Do in Tomar — Templar headquarters, the Convent of Christ and one of Portugal's most atmospheric old towns.
Douro & Interior
- Things to Do in Douro Valley — The world's oldest demarcated wine region, terraced vineyards and slow river days.
- Things to Do in Lamego — Baroque sanctuary above town, with the famous monumental staircase.
- Things to Do in Pinhão — The heart of the upper Douro, with the famous azulejo train station.
- Things to Do in Régua — Capital of the Douro Valley, river cruise hub and museum of port wine.
- Things to Do in Vila Real — Northern town and the gateway to the Mateus palace and the Marão mountains.
- Things to Do in Viseu — Calm interior city, capital of the Dão wine region.
Lisbon Region
- Things to Do in Arrábida — Limestone cliffs over turquoise water, an hour south of Lisbon.
- Things to Do in Azeitão — Wine country 30 minutes from Lisbon, with historic estates and the original Moscatel.
- Things to Do in Cascais — Authentic old fisherman village, sea air and slow afternoons by the Atlantic.
- Things to Do in Ericeira — World Surfing Reserve, whitewashed streets and Atlantic seafood.
- Things to Do in Estoril — Belle époque coast, palm-lined avenues and a quiet beach 25 minutes from Lisbon.
- Things to Do in Lisbon — The capital, on your terms. Belém, Alfama and the river in one private day.
- Things to Do in Mafra — The vast 18th century royal palace and convent, an easy half day from Lisbon.
- Things to Do in Sesimbra — Quiet fishing village under the Arrábida cliffs, fresh fish and turquoise water.
- Things to Do in Setúbal — Working fishing port, dolphin estuary and the Arrábida natural park.
- Things to Do in Sintra — Palaces in the clouds. A private day, the way Sintra is meant to be seen.
Porto & North
- Things to Do in Amarante — Riverside town between Porto and the Douro, with the famous São Gonçalo bridge.
- Things to Do in Braga — Religious capital of Portugal, with the great Bom Jesus sanctuary.
- Things to Do in Guimarães — Where Portugal was born. UNESCO old town, castle and the founding palace.
- Things to Do in Peneda-Gerês — Portugal's only national park, granite mountains and waterfalls in the far north.
- Things to Do in Ponte de Lima — The oldest village in Portugal, on a Roman bridge over the Lima river.
- Things to Do in Porto — Granite, river and port wine. Portugal's second city, on your terms.
- Things to Do in Viana do Castelo — Atlantic estuary town with Portuguese filigree gold and the Santa Luzia hilltop sanctuary.
- Things to Do in Vila Nova de Gaia — Across the river from Porto, where every port wine cellar lives.