Portugal holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Portugal holiday in Europe
Portugal is the underrated star of Europe: spectacular Atlantic coasts, warm people, fantastic food and wine – all at a value that is unmatched in Western Europe.
Capital
Lisbon
Language
Portuguese
Currency
Euro (€)
Time zone
UTC+0
Flight time from DE
about 3 hours
Entry requirements
EU identity card
Deals for Portugal:
Which hotels in Portugal are recommended?
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Portugal — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
InterContinental Cascais-Estoril by IHG
Estoril, Portugal
Six Senses Douro Valley
Mesao Frio, Portugal
Hotel Four Seasons Ritz Lisbon
Lissabon, Portugal
Savoy Palace, The Leading Hotels of The World Savoy Signature
Funchal, Portugal
The Yeatman Hotel
Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
Pestana Palácio do Freixo
Porto, Portugal
Royal Savoy
Funchal, Portugal
Torel Avantgarde
Porto, Portugal
What are the highlights of Portugal?
The best-known highlights of Portugal include Lisbon, Algarve, Porto, Madeira, Sintra.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Lisbon
Yellow trams, Fado music, Pastéis de Nata, and views from the Miradouros.
Algarve
300 sunny days, golden beaches, bizarre rock formations, and hidden caves.
Porto
The port wine city: Ribeira, Livraria Lello, Dom Luís Bridge, and Francesinha.
Madeira
Flower island in the Atlantic: Levada hikes, eternal spring, and dramatic cliffs.
Sintra
Fairytale palaces in mystical forests, just 30 minutes from Lisbon.
Hotels in Portugal
Compare thousands of hotels, apartments and resorts on Expedia – with price guarantee, free cancellation and reward points.
* You will be redirected to Expedia.de. Their terms of use apply.
Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
The best time to visit Portugal is May–October. In summer: 25–32°C. In winter: 10–16°C.
Recommended travel time
May–October
Summer
25–32°C
Winter
10–16°C
How much does a holiday in Portugal cost?
A holiday in Portugal costs roughly 40–65€ per person per day (excluding flights) on a budget, 65–120€ mid-range and 120–250€ for luxury travel.
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
40–65€
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
65–120€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
120–250€
Boutique hotel, fine dining
How long is the flight from Germany to Portugal?
From Germany you reach Portugal in about 3 hours.
What travel tips are there for Portugal?
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
Pastéis de Nata warm from the bakery – a must!
Take tram 28 in Lisbon early in the morning (fewer tourists)
Renting a car in the Algarve is highly recommended
An evening of Fado in Alfama is an unforgettable experience
Portugal has excellent and affordable wine
What do people eat in Portugal?
Typical dishes in Portugal are Pastéis de Nata, Bacalhau, Francesinha, Cataplana, Bifana, Vinho Verde.
These dishes you must try!
Which regions and places in Portugal are worth visiting?
38 regions, cities and highlights in Portugal
Cities
Albufeira
Albufeira is the vibrant heart of the Algarve, combining like few other places on the Portuguese southern coast stunning sandy beaches, a lively nightlife, and the authenticity of …
Cascais
Cascais is Lisbon's elegant Riviera – a sophisticated coastal town at the mouth of the Tagus River, which has served as the summer residence of the Portuguese royal family since …
Lagos
Lagos is the jewel of the western Algarve, combining dramatic cliffs, golden sandy beaches, a lively old town, and a surfing scene that is unparalleled in Europe. The city at the …
Peniche
Peniche is Portugal's surfing capital and an authentic fishing town on a windswept peninsula, about 90 kilometers north of Lisbon. The city is globally known as the venue for the …
Sesimbra
Sesimbra is Lisbon's favorite beach getaway – a picturesque fishing village nestled in a protected bay, surrounded by the green hills of the Arrábida Natural Park and the deep …
Vilamoura
Vilamoura is the glamorous heart of the Algarve, combining one of the largest marinas in Europe with top-notch golf courses, golden sandy beaches, and a vibrant nightlife. The …
Lisbon
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal built on seven hills, is one of the most fascinating metropolises in Europe. The city by the Tagus River combines centuries-old history with …
Porto
Porto, the untamed sister city of Lisbon, dramatically rises along the steep banks of the Douro and combines raw authenticity with a burgeoning creative scene. The Ribeira …
Faro
Faro, the capital of the Algarve, is perceived by most travelers only as an airport city — a mistake, because behind the modern facades lies a charming old town with centuries-old …
Sintra
Sintra is a fairy-tale masterpiece of extravagant palaces, enchanted gardens, and mystical forests, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Located just 30 …
Évora
Évora, the heart of Alentejo, is a living museum with over 2,000 years of history and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. The city, surrounded by medieval walls, …
Coimbra
Coimbra is the oldest university city in Portugal and home to the Universidade de Coimbra, founded in 1290, whose historical core has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013. …
Braga
Braga, founded as Bracara Augusta by the Romans, is one of the oldest cities in Portugal and the spiritual center of the country. The city in the green north combines 2,000 years …
Funchal
Funchal, the capital of Madeira, nestles like an amphitheater on the steep slopes above the Atlantic, combining subtropical lushness with cosmopolitan flair. The city, with its …
Lagos
Lagos on the western Algarve is a city that effortlessly combines beach paradise, historical charm, and vibrant nightlife. The old town, surrounded by 16th-century city walls, …
Tavira
Tavira is considered the most beautiful city in the Algarve and enchants visitors with its authentic charm, which stands out refreshingly from the tourist hotspots of the region. …
Óbidos
Óbidos is a medieval picture-book village that preserves a world of whitewashed houses, blue and yellow borders, and bougainvillea-covered streets behind fully intact castle …
Guimarães
Guimarães is the cradle of the Portuguese nation — here, in 1109, the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, was born, and here he declared independence from León in 1143. The …
Aveiro
Aveiro, affectionately called the 'Venice of Portugal', impresses with its colorful Moliceiro boats that glide leisurely through the city's canals. The former seaweed collection …
Regions
Alentejo Coast
The Alentejo Coast is Portugal's wild Atlantic dream – a stretch of over 100 kilometers of nearly untouched coastline between the Tróia Peninsula in the north and Cabo de São …
Comporta
Comporta is Portugal's best-kept secret – a sleepy coastal village south of Lisbon that has transformed in recent years from an insider tip for the Portuguese elite to an …
Minho
Minho, Portugal's greenest and most traditional north, stretches from the Atlantic to the Spanish border and enchants with lush river valleys, granite villages, and a culture …
Ribatejo
Ribatejo, the region along the Tejo between Lisbon and Alentejo, is Portugal's land of horses, bulls, and fertile river plains. The name literally means 'on the banks of the …
Beaches
Carvoeiro
Carvoeiro is a picturesque fishing village on the Central Algarve that has preserved its original charm despite growing popularity. The small village nestles in a natural rock …
Portimão
Portimão is the vibrant heart of the western Algarve — a lively city with Portugal's most spectacular beach right at its doorstep. Praia da Rocha, a golden sandy beach under …
Praia da Rocha
Praia da Rocha is the legendary beach of Portimao and one of the most famous seaside resorts in the entire Algarve. The name - Rock Beach - is fitting: A nearly two-kilometer …
Praia da Marinha
Praia da Marinha is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and has been awarded by the Michelin Guide as one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world. This …
Nazaré
Nazaré has transformed from a sleepy fishing village into a mecca for big wave surfing, attracting surfers and spectators from around the world with its monstrous waves. At Praia …
Islands
Faial (Azores)
Faial is the "Blue Island" of the Azores — named after the hydrangea hedges that bathe the entire island in a bright blue during summer, lining the paths, fields, and gardens like …
Madeira
Madeira, the flower island in the Atlantic, is a subtropical natural paradise 1,000 kilometers southwest of Lisbon. The volcanic island rises up to 1,862 meters from the sea (Pico …
Azores
The Azores, Portugal's volcanic archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic, is a paradise for those who wish to travel off the beaten path. Nine islands offer an overwhelming …
Porto Santo
Porto Santo, the smaller sister island of Madeira, is a sun-drenched jewel in the Atlantic, surprising visitors with nine kilometers of the finest golden sandy beach — a striking …
Areas
Algarve
The Algarve, Portugal's southernmost region, is one of Europe's most popular travel destinations, boasting over 300 sunny days a year, spectacular rocky coastlines, and turquoise …
Douro Valley
The Douro Valley is one of the oldest wine regions in the world — marked as a cultivation area since 1756 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. Along the Rio …
Alentejo
The Alentejo stretches over a third of Portugal's land area and is yet the least populated region of the country — a vast land of golden wheat fields, ancient cork and olive …
Costa Vicentina
The Costa Vicentina at the southwestern tip of Portugal is one of the last untouched coastal stretches in Europe. The Parque Natural do Sudeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina …
Serra da Estrela
The Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain range on the Portuguese mainland and with Torre (1,993 meters) the highest point of the continental land. The nature park covers 1,000 …
Complete guide for Portugal
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
Open guideReady for Portugal?
Plan your Portugal holiday now with our free tools.
How do I plan a holiday in Portugal?
Portugal is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, offering Beach, City, Budget and much more. The best time to visit Portugal is May–October, when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 40–65€ (Budget) to 120–250€ (Luxury), Portugal is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital Lisbon, Portugal can be excellently explored. The official language is Portuguese, and the currency is Euro (€). From Germany, you can reach Portugal in about 3 hours. Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Pastéis de Nata, Bacalhau, Francesinha, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Portugal has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your Portugal holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Portugal is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
Suitable holiday types for Portugal:
More travel destinations in Europe:
All countries in Europe