What to do in Portugal

For things to do in Olhao, early starts and unhurried evenings work best.

If you’re weighing up the best place to spend New Year’s Eve in Portugal, picture Passagem de Ano as sociable and outdoorsy: twelve raisins at midnight (doze passas), a toast with espumante, and a slice of bolo‑rei the next day.

Portugal’s winter can be quietly dramatic: frost on granite villages, empty mountain roads, taverns warmed by bowls of caldo verde.

Winter slips into Portugal with misty valleys, fire‑warm taverns and the scent of street‑roasted chestnuts. Snow does arrive on higher ground while the coast stays mild and moody.

Portugal is famous for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture—but did you know it’s also home to some of Europe’s best hot springs and thermal spas?

If you’re hunting for things to do this Halloween in Portugal, think candlelit traditions and cheeky night-outs side by side.

October in Portugal has that first-hint-of-autumn feel. Grape juice on your trainers in the Douro, chestnut smoke in the lanes, soft light on the castles, and a steady run of food and film events in the cities.

As summer comes to an end, it’s the perfect time to start planning your next holiday.

As summer draws to a close, the lure of a weekend getaway is still strong, but instead of heading to the coast, why not explore Portugal’s medieval towns?

Lisbon hides many of its loveliest corners in plain sight. The magic turns up in everyday rhythms: a counter-side coffee in a family-run tasca, a pocket-sized miradouro with seagulls over the River Tejo, a quick ginjinha on streets paved in black and white mosaics.

If you’re swapping a beach day for slides and lazy rivers, Albufeira is nicely placed for easy splash-filled escapes across the Algarve's top waterparks.

The world’s largest women‑only trail event, SheUltra, is heading to the Algarve in 2025, bringing a celebratory weekend of running and walking along Portugal’s sunny coast. SheUltra: what it's all aboutSheUltra is a women‑only trail movement with a clear purpose: bringing women together across

Tavira is a town that unfolds along the banks of the Gilão River in the eastern Algarve. Its whitewashed buildings are topped with distinctive four-sided roofs, and a historic pedestrian bridge connects the two halves of the town centre.

Albufeira is a coastal city in the Algarve, southern Portugal, that has grown from a quiet fishing village into one of the area's most popular resorts.

Floating in the Atlantic Ocean, closer to Africa than to mainland Portugal, Madeira is an island with a character all its own. It's often called the 'island of eternal spring', and for good reason, as the weather stays mild throughout the year.

Planning a holiday or thinking of moving to Portugal in 2025? Then you’re in for a real treat—literally. Portuguese food is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, offering bold flavours, hearty dishes, and rich culinary traditions influenced by Mediterranean and Atlantic cuisines.

Portugal's history is written across its landscape, from ancient university towns to wine regions sculpted by hand over centuries.

Summer in Porto can be scorching, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C. At this time of year, locals and tourists alike seek out refreshing outdoor spaces to escape the heat.The city’s public swimming pools offer the perfect solution — combining leisure, sport, and social time.

Portugal’s got a proper sweet tooth, and it shows—just pop into any pastelaria and you’ll be spoiled for choice. The country takes its pastries seriously, with locals nipping in for a quick coffee and something sweet at all hours.

No visit to Portugal is complete without tucking into at least one pastel de nata. Born in the convent kitchens of Lisbon, this little custard tart has become a national icon.

If you’ve spent any time nosing around Portuguese cafés, you’ll know there’s one local treat that gets everyone talking – the pastel de nata.

Lisbon isn’t short of things it does well, but the custard tarts you’ll spot in every window from Belém to Alfama might be the city’s proudest export. The hunt for the best pastel de nata in Lisbon is a cherished pastime for both locals and newcomers.

From 22 August to 7 September, the city of Porto welcomes thousands of book lovers to celebrate the written word in one of Portugal’s most beautiful settings.With a long-standing tradition in the Invicta city, the Porto Book Fair has become one of the most anticipated events in the local cultural ca