Holiday destinations

Portugal has long been one of Europe’s easiest countries for a short break — compact, welcoming, and rich in atmosphere.

Cascais is one of those seaside towns just outside Lisbon that’s easy to underestimate until you actually spend time there. Once a royal summer retreat, it still carries that polished feel.

When people look for the best resorts in Portugal for couples for Valentine's Day, it’s usually about ease rather than excess.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, holidays in Portugal for couples tend to move higher up the wish list, and it’s easy to see why.

Portugal doesn’t do national parks in the same way as Spain or Italy. Instead, most protected areas fall under the natural park label.

Portugal has quietly cemented itself as one of Europe’s most reliable golf destinations.

The Azores are one of those places that still feel like a bit of a secret in the middle of the Atlantic.

The Algarve has a bit of a reputation as wall‑to‑wall resorts and sunbeds, but once you step away from the coast, a different side appears.

A solar eclipse is one of those rare sky shows Europe actually gets to enjoy properly this year. 2026 is extra special because a total solar eclipse in Portugal has not been visible since 1912.

UNESCO cities in Portugal may be few – there are five in total across the mainland and islands – but they tell a disproportionate amount of the country’s story. Each one has a historic centre recognised by UNESCO for its “outstanding universal value”.

Portuguese wine is having a real moment, and the best wine routes in Portugal put you close to that energy. Wine tourism here means slow weekends on the river, drives through cork forests and evenings in small towns where the local taverna still knows every regular.

A small northern Portuguese town has been picked as one of the world's best travel destinations for 2026.

A stretch of the Portuguese coastline has just been crowned the World’s Leading Beach Destination 2025 at the World Travel Awards, often nicknamed the “Oscars of Tourism”.

A street in Porto has just been named the 3rd coolest street in the world for 2025 by Time Out.

When crowds head for Madeira and São Miguel, Portugal's lesser-known islands keep their easy rhythm.

Portugal is home to 11 inhabited Atlantic islands across the Azores and Madeira archipelagos, plus a scatter of wild islets and a few coastal islands near the mainland.  The country’s Atlantic outposts feel remote in the best way, yet are still easy to reach.

Skyscanner’s fare trends put Madeira in Portugal firmly in the frame as one of the best-value destinations for 2026.

Are you wondering where to spend Christmas in Portugal? Whether you’re looking for twinkling city lights, a cosy countryside escape, or a sun-soaked coastal getaway, Portugal offers a magical holiday experience.

Portugal's northwest city is leaning into the season with a warm glow and a proper sense of occasion this year.

Solo travelling is having a real moment, and Lisbon is right in the thick of it, thanks to being the sort of city that makes going it alone feel easy.

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 does festive evenings properly: grand trees, clever illuminations and markets threaded through historic centres.

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.

Winter in Portugal suits a quieter city break with mild days, good-value stays and proper comfort food, especially if you’re plotting the best Portuguese cities to visit in winter.