Portugal: Lisbon, Porto and the Cliffs of the Algarve — Where to Go and What to Try

Lisbon: hills, trams and river views

Lisbon sits on hills above the wide estuary of the Tagus. The famous yellow trams rattle through the narrow streets of the old Alfama district, and the viewpoints look out over tiled roofs and the river. In Belém you'll find the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower, and the local pastry shops bake those famous pastéis de nata.

In the evening it's worth listening to fado — soulful, drawn-out Portuguese songs performed in the small restaurants of the old town.

Porto and the Douro Valley

Porto spreads across steep slopes above the Douro River. There's the Ribeira waterfront with its colourful houses, the double-deck Dom Luís I Bridge and, on the opposite bank, the wine cellars where they tell the story of port and let you taste it. Upriver begins the Douro Valley — terraced vineyards that run right down to the water.

The Algarve: cliffs, grottoes and the ocean

In the south of the country lies the Algarve, Portugal's sunniest region. Golden cliffs, grottoes and small coves, fishing towns and long beaches. Many of the grottoes, such as the famous Benagil, are best seen from the water — by boat or kayak, in calm weather.

Madeira and the Azores

Madeira and the Azores are part of Portugal in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Madeira is called the island of eternal spring: mountain trails run along old irrigation channels called levadas, and flowers bloom almost all year round. The Azores mean volcanic lakes, hot springs and green pastures, and whales and dolphins are often seen off their shores.

What to try

Portuguese cuisine is simple but delicious, with plenty of fish and seafood.

• Pastéis de nata — custard tarts in crisp puff pastry.
• Bacalhau — cod, which is cooked here in countless different ways.
• Grilled sardines — especially popular in summer, during the city festivals.
• Francesinha — a hearty sandwich from Porto with cheese and a thick sauce.
• Port and vinho verde, a light young wine.
• Fresh bread, olives and local cheeses with any dinner.

Good to know before you go

Portugal is a calm and hospitable country, and a few simple tips will help you feel at ease.

• Cobblestones on steep streets can be slippery, especially after rain — choose shoes with a good grip.
• The bread, olives and snacks brought to the table before you order usually cost extra: if you don't want them, you can simply decline.
• The ocean can be cold and rough: swim on beaches with lifeguards and keep an eye on the flags.
• Summers in the south are hot and sunny — take water and sun protection with you.
• For popular sights such as the palaces of Sintra, it's best to buy tickets in advance in high season.

Staying connected

In Portugal you need the internet from the very first minutes: to open a map, find your way around the trams and trains, find a restaurant, or show your hotel booking. You can install your eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, so after landing you won't have to hunt for a SIM card at the airport or stand in queues. When a plan's validity begins is shown on the checkout page before you pay: for some plans it starts at the first connection in the destination country, for others on installation or right after purchase. Your main number stays in your phone, and calls and messages to it keep arriving as usual, under your carrier's terms.