Where to stay in northern Portugal and Porto

Heading south on the way to Lisbon you can opt to travel along the coast visiting towns such as Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal and the historic village of Óbidos, although quite touristy well worth a visit. This medieval town is surrounded by a wall that has been beautifully preserved and inside, there are narrow cobblestone streets that wind through the town, offering a glimpse into Portugal's past.

Or you can discover the Serra da Estrela in the central Beiras region with its mountain villages mostly built entirely out of stone. On its southern tip lies the city of Coimbra which is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and is full of history and culture.

Of course, for anyone visiting the Lusitanian country, Lisbon will be a major attraction. The capital is a dynamic city, full of life and a perfect blend of open-mindedness and a deep respect for its heritage and tradition. It is a real pleasure to explore, to lose yourself in its majestic squares and cobbled streets. Each district has its own distinctive architectural style and charm, and it's easy to move between them on the tram network. The only downside is that it has become one of the top ten destinations worldwide with the ensuing rise in hotel prices and overcrowding of the most famous spots. But it has managed to keep its charm and with a bit of insider knowledge you can discover authentic and wonderful areas. We have been especially caring to select only the best boutique hotels in Lisbon and luxury hotels as well as a collection of stylish holiday rentals in the most beautiful boroughs of Lisbon such as Alfama, Bairro Alto, Lapa and the Chiado.

A few kilometres west of Lisbon you will find an abundance of completely different natural environments due to the micro climate of the Sintra mountains, a natural park. They include moist subtropical rainforests, full of fairy-tale palaces and manor houses in the historic towns of Sintra and Colares on the northern slopes, dry  Mediterranean style climate with pine forests south of the mountains and beautiful beaches on the coast. It is an ideal area to stay in the Lisbon region. In our curated selection you will find manor houses and romantic bed and breakfasts in Sintra and Colares as well as luxury and boutique hotels in Cascais and Estoril.

To the south east of Lisbon lies one of our favourite destinations in Portugal, the Alentejo, known for its vast, rolling plains, cork tree forests and picturesque hilltop towns. The region is a perfect destination for those seeking a tranquil escape, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling, and exploring the great outdoors. Stay in a boutique hotel in the town of Évora, or opt for one of the luxurious wine estates in the Alentejo surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.

Another beautiful and authentic destination is the charming village of Monsaraz. This fortified town is located on a hill overlooking the Guadiana River and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Stay in a charming guest house, such as the Monte Alerta. 

For a beach getaway, the Alentejo coast offers two stunning destinations. One of them is the chic and trendy village of Comporta known for its untouched beaches, endless pine forest and flashing green rice fields. Enjoy the area in one of the luxury hotels and boutique hotels in Comporta or a stylish villa in Melides, tranquil oases surrounded by nature. The other fabulous beach destination is the Costa Vicentina, that runs along the coast from Sines all the way down to the Algarve. The Costa Vicentina boasts a number of beautiful country side hotels in towns such as Vilanova de Milfontes, Zambujeira do Mar, São Teotónio and Carrapateira.

Finally, the Algarve in the far south, a popular destination for those seeking sun, sea, and sand. While the Algarve has suffered a bit from touristic development and mass tourism, there are still plenty of hidden gems to discover, including secluded beaches, quaint fishing villages, and charming towns. Stay in a charming holiday home in the undiscovered town of Olhão, a cosy bed and breakfast in the charming city of Tavira or opt for a luxurious stay at one of our many boutique hotels in the Algarve. There are also a number of beautiful villas in the Algarve that will fulfil all your dreams.

For a more rugged experience, head to the Azores, a group of volcanic islands located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. These islands are full of natural wonders, such as hot springs, waterfalls, and crater lakes. Stay in a charming hotel or beautiful holiday home in the Azores, most of the offering breath-taking views of the ocean and surrounding countryside.

Finally there is the island of Madeira with its luxury hotels in Funchal and romantic country inns and B&Bs in the surrounding mountains and nature. Madeira’s northern coast is also becoming a favourite spot for surfers.

A small country that we are sure will dazzle you with its variety of landscapes and environments. From the amazing light to beaches, from the plains of the south to the mountainous regions in the centre and the idyllic green hills of the north. The wonderful variety of countryside is perfectly complemented by a large number of charming villages and majestic monumental cities throughout the country. And let's not forget some of Europe's most stunning beaches. The options are practically endless. 

But it is the gastronomy that surprises many travellers. Portugal's cuisine, due to the country's location, is fundamentally based on seafood. It is heavily influenced by Mediterranean cuisine - from which it takes ingredients such as bread, oil and wine - and Arabic cuisine, resulting in rich dishes with a wide range of flavours, aromas and textures.

One of the stars of Portuguese cuisine are soups. There is a wide variety, including "caldo verde", made with cabbage, potato, sausage and smoked ham. Rice is also very typical, served with sea food, duck, partridge or the great protagonist of Portuguese cuisine: salt cod.

Wine is another of the country's great attractions, especially in the region of Oporto, where the homonymous drink shares the limelight with the most typical dish of the area: tripe with white beans, onions, rice, sausage and rice.

Seafood - especially in Lisbon and the south, where lobster and lobster are out of this world - is also particularly good in Portugal, as is its fish. We have already mentioned cod - presented in a thousand different ways, whether in croquettes, frayed or garnished with mussels and tomato - but this country also has the most exquisite sardines, red mullet and rays.

Another star dish is "cozido à portuguesa", a dish prepared like a common stew and made with vegetables, pork and beef.

Cheese lovers will find their place in Portugal. Famous cheeses are the "queijo da Serra", the “queijo de São Jorge” from the Azores and the deliscious “queijo de "Azeitão" just to name a few.

Portuguese sweets are also exquisite. It is worth tasting the delicious "pastéis de Belém" in Lisbon and indulging in the sophisticated sweetness of the "palmier" or Portuguese palm tree pastries.