Your Ultimate Travel Guide
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Discover what makes Portugal unforgettable
Portugal’s beaches are simply stunning. The Algarve features dramatic cliffs and hidden coves, perfect for sunbathing and swimming in crystal-clear waters. Towns like Lagos and Albufeira offer vibrant atmospheres with charming cafes and shops. If you’re a surfer, Nazaré’s giant waves are legendary. For a more peaceful vibe, check out the serene beaches of Comporta, where you can unwind and soak in the breathtaking scenery.
Beyond the beaches, Portugal’s landscapes are incredibly diverse. You’ve got the lush, green mountains in the Azores, the rolling hills of the Alentejo, and dramatic cliffs along the coastline. Whether you’re hiking, cycling, or just taking in the scenery, Portugal’s natural beauty will leave you speechless.
Portugal’s architecture is a mix of medieval, Moorish, and modern influences. You’ll find Gothic monasteries, ornate Manueline-style buildings, and contemporary designs by world-renowned architects. Whether you’re visiting the ancient Jerónimos Monastery or the modern MAAT museum, the blend of old and new is stunning.
Portugal’s famous blue-and-white tiles—azulejos—adorn buildings, churches, and even train stations. These hand-painted tiles tell stories through intricate designs, adding character to the streets. You can explore Lisbon’s tile museum or just wander the streets and admire the art all around you.
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See all Portugal local experts →Rough Guides gets rave reviews
Trustpilot Rated 4.8/5.0Our agent was very helpful and responsive to our requests for changes to customise our trip. He met us at the airport and was available throughout our trip to offer support and advice.
We had a great time. Joel was a wonderful host and took great care of us. He was knowledgeable and friendly. We enjoyed our time with him. The trip went very well. All the accommodations were more than we expected, and the sights/events chosen gave us a full view of Portugal. I would whole-heartedly recommend Rough Guides and Joel for anyone considering Portugal. The only suggestion I would make is that an electric vehicle is not the best choice for long car rides. To manage the battery life, we had to go very slow, but we did enjoy our time with Joel on the drives. Electric is great for short visits like Sintra and Belhem, but for the longer drives the technology is not yet there.
Traveled to Portugal and Joel with Rough Guides was amazing. He planned our trip and was our driver too. He’s very friendly and loves his country. We felt we made a friend in the 10 days we were there. Loved our trip.
Our trip through rough guides, coordinated by Monica, was wonderful. Monica was an absolute pleasure to work with, she organized our trip so that we had no concerns. We have recommended Rough Guides to numerous people at home and during our trip.
We just wanted to give you some feedback on our itinerary. We were happy with all the hotels but especially enjoyed Melia Aeroporto. It was beautiful and the staff was professional. We had dinner there and enjoyed it. The breakfast was bountiful and delicious. We enjoyed all our stops and really enjoyed the Fado show. Boca do Inferno was a beautiful stop. Sintra was hard to access so we did skip it but stopped in Cas Cais briefly and thought it was lovely. The sailboat cruise was ok but it was drizzling and they didn't tell you what you were looking at unless you asked for that information. Porto was amazing and the wine cellar tour was wonderful. We enjoyed our meal at Escondidinho. Guimaraes was great and we enjoyed lunch there in the courtyard. Douro Valley was beautiful and the river cruise was well worth it. We had dinner at The Vintage House which was classy. The surrounding area was desolate at night. Next time we book with Rough Guides we would definately stay away from a standard transmission rental car. We appreciated your guidance and to know that you were accessible most times when we had questions. We had a great trip and thank you for all your knowledge. Will definitely recommend Rough Guides for future travel.
Just wanted to express my thanks to Joel and Rough Guides for a wonderful trip! Everything was well-chosen and we just loved all of the hotels, sightseeing recommendations, activities, etc. The one time we had an issue (and it really was only one time), I called Joel and he responded immediately and fixed the problem. Thanks again!
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Arrange your trip, hassle-free, with local travel experts
Arrange your trip with local travel experts