Oh, Portugal! What do you think of when you hear the name of this often underrated country? Most people conjure images of colorful buildings and trams! While you’d certainly be correct to associate these images with Portugal (perhaps more specifically Lisbon), but the country has so much more to offer. I will be covering some of my favorite locations while visiting the country for a period of 2 weeks this summer (2022).
Lisbon
The capital of Portugal is home to some true gems like the 28 tram, LX factory, and many miradouros (viewpoints), additionally it is neighbors with Belem that boasts some prominent landmarks like Torre de Belem and Jeronimos Monestary. The colorful buildings and funky look outs make this city one of the best to visit for nearly any occasion!
Tolmar
Off most tourists’ radar, Tolmar is kind of a hidden gem in Portugal (shhh), but I opted to include it because it has one of my favorite former convents in all of Portugal, Convent of Christ. This small town has a number of cafes and restaurants, but this former convent is a highlight of the city.
Coimbra
This college town is a fun stop to make en route to Porto or other cities in the north of the country. Fun sculpture art can be found around the city in addition to a collection of buildings and collectors items associated with Coimbra University.
Porto
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. Ribeira, a neighborhood in the city center, is known for nightlife and the Dom Luis I bridge. I visited Porto as part of a day trip from Lisbon, which made for a very long day given that I made stops along the way, but it was very worth seeing the city first hand!
Lagos
Ah, the Algarve– such a beautiful region of Portugal! Lagos is a great introduction to the region although the majority of travelers start in Faro, a city on the South Eastern side of the country, because of the airport. However, if you have time, I’d recommend heading over to Seville, Spain from Faro, Portugal so making Faro your last stop in Portugal can also be advantageous.
Carvoeiro
This cute small town along the Algarve is well-worth a visit if you have a car or plan to take a tour of the region! From small colorful homes to a beautiful beachfront, the town is bustling with life.
Albufeira
Similarly, Albufeira is a great place to visit and is perhaps more well-known! From white buildings to a boardwalk, the town also has a beach.
Together, these destinations make for a lovely visit to the country of Portugal! The time frame needed to enjoy a trip of this scale would be between 10-14 days depending on your pace.
Stampchaser Photography 