Portugal
Golden cliffs, an ocean full of surf and cities of azulejos and fado — Portugal is the gentle, affordable face of southern Europe.
About Portugal
The Algarve in the south is the best known: a coastline of ochre rock formations, hidden coves and golf resorts, with resort towns like Albufeira and Lagos and the quieter east towards Tavira. Head north and Portugal turns urban and green. Lisbon climbs over seven hills with trams, viewpoints and the nightlife of Bairro Alto; Porto looks across the Douro to the port-wine lodges; and between them lie the wine valleys and the pilgrim town of Fátima.
The appeal is the mix of price, safety and atmosphere. You eat fresh from the Atlantic — sardines, bacalhau, pastéis de nata — for a friendly bill, and the people are known for their warmth. The Algarve has the mainland's longest beach season (April to October); the cities are worth it year-round, with spring and autumn the most pleasant.
☀ Algarve Apr–Oct; cities year-round, best in spring & autumn