🇵🇹 PORTUGAL · TOURISM
What to visit in Portugal ?
4 cities curated by Hozy · 83+ places to discover. Landmarks, hidden restaurants, nature and viewpoints.
Portugal runs at its own rhythm. Lisbonites eat dinner past 9pm, the villages of the Alentejo close between noon and 3pm without exception, and no one apologises for it. It's a country where saudade isn't a tourism concept but a real way of inhabiting time - audible in a fado drifting from an Alfama lane on a weekday evening, with no intended audience.
The territory reads as vertical bands. The Minho in the north is green and damp, cut out for vinho verde and the markets of Viana do Castelo. The centre holds Coimbra with its black-caped students and the scorched pine forests of the Serra da Lousã. The Algarve in the south is split between ochre sandstone cliffs at Sagres and overloaded resorts in Albufeira. Between the two, the Alentejo stretches across plains of cork oak and wheat, with Évora as its anchor.
Good to know
April to June for the ideal compromise: temperatures between 18 and 26°C, limited crowds, countryside in bloom. September remains excellent for the coast. Avoid July-August in Lisbon and the Algarve, both saturated and expensive.
The Alfa Pendular train links Lisbon to Porto in under 3 hours for under €30 if booked in advance. For the Alentejo or the inland Douro, a car is essential - rural public transport is virtually non-existent after 6pm.
Pastelarias open from 7am and serve a full breakfast (coffee, toast, juice) for under €3. Avoid those with a four-language menu on display outside - the price doubles, the quality doesn't.
Cities to discover in Portugal
Frequently asked questions
Visiting Portugal, in practice
Which cities should I visit in Portugal ?
Hozy lists 4 cities in Portugal: Faro, Lisbonne, Porto, Sintra. Each city offers a curated selection of landmarks, hidden restaurants, viewpoints and activities.
How many days to plan for Portugal ?
A 5 to 10 day trip lets you discover 2 to 3 major cities in Portugal. For a full tour of the country, plan at least 2 weeks.
When is the best season to visit Portugal ?
April to June for the ideal compromise: temperatures between 18 and 26°C, limited crowds, countryside in bloom. September remains excellent for the coast. Avoid July-August in Lisbon and the Algarve, both saturated and expensive.