Ah, the Algarve: a veritable treasure trove of sun-kissed beaches, charming architecture and postcard-pretty landscapes. While this gorgeous region in southern Portugal is sometimes considered a tad touristy, there is far more to the Algarve than just sangria and sunbathing. With a coastline spanning almost 100 miles, a rich and varied culture and historical site aplenty, there’s an abundance of things to do in the Algarve.
11th June 2025 - Portugal Travel Inspiration
Portugal in October is all about being outdoors. Summer crowds are long gone, the sun still lingers in the south and the west welcomes powerful waves with skilled surfers in tow. To admire the landscape in all its golden glory, hike or bike around Alentejo and the Algarve or enjoy serene sightseeing in Lisbon. Alternatively, call in the wine season with a trip to the verdant vineyards of Douro Valley.
27th February 2025 - Portugal Travel Inspiration
For a long time, the average holiday in Portugal centred around the sun-soaked beaches and manicured golf courses of the Algarve. But today, Portugal can confidently challenge Spain and Italy as the host of some of Europe’s best city breaks. The warm Mediterranean climate, rich history and culture and delicious cuisine attract millions of visitors each year, with the country enjoying record-breaking tourism revenue in 2024.
4th December 2024 - Portugal Big Short Breaks
Portugal is a country famed for its golden coastline, vibrant cities and lush landscapes. Whether you dream of exploring historic streets, lounging on beautiful beaches, or wine-ing and dining like royalty, Portugal has the answer. Wondering where to begin? We’ve compiled a list of where to visit in Portugal to best get a taste of this diverse nation… 1. Porto2. Douro Valley3. Lisbon4. Alentejo5. Algarve6.
16th March 2024 - Portugal Travel Inspiration
If your idea of a perfect day is one spent riding the waves, then a trip to Portugal won’t disappoint. With more than 500 miles of coastline, the country boasts myriad spectacular surfing spots, from beginner-friendly breaks to real record-breakers. Winning waves all year round combined with a weather forecast that’s frequently sunny – what’s not to love? So, grab your board and jump in to our round-up of the seven of best places to surf in Portugal.
24th October 2023 - Portugal Beaches & Islands
Once overlooked in favour of Spanish or Italian cities, Lisbon is now a much-loved mainstay of the European city break circuit. As this captivating city has seduced more and more travellers with its easy-going charm, it has become trickier to find hidden gems in Lisbon – but luckily, we know of a few we think you might like. From lesser-known spots to take in the spectacular city views to our pick of places for a pastel de nata (the popular Portuguese custard tart), we’re here to help you plan an out-of-the-ordinary outing to Portugal’s capital.
22nd August 2023 - Portugal Travel Inspiration
There’s nothing we love more than helping clients really get under the skin of their chosen country by sharing the best of its artistic, architectural and foodie spots. Yet behind every happening hotspot and current cultural obsession is a wealth of history waiting to be uncovered. And delving into a destination’s past is an equally valuable way of getting to know a place. So, if you’re hoping to explore Portugal’s many treasures this summer, here’s a potted history of the Portuguese voyages of discovery to get the two of you acquainted (before even setting foot on a plane).
15th August 2023 - Portugal Culture
Portugal's captivating city of Porto is renowned for its historic charm, pretty architecture, tantalising culinary scene, and production of Port wine. The city's location at the mouth of the Douro River, combined with its favourable climate and vineyards in the nearby Douro Valley, have allowed this fortified wine to be produced in the region for centuries. After a day of exploring, nothing beats unwinding with a glass of this sweet nectar as you soak up the surrounding vibes.
9th August 2023 - Portugal Food & Drink
The hungry traveller feels instantly at home in Portugal; the land of hearty, homecooked fare, extra-special sandwiches and some very famous custard tarts. Neighbouring Spain might have historically hogged the culinary spotlight, but Portugal is now firmly on the foodie map thanks to its delicious and distinctive dishes (which pair oh so well with its world-class wines). So, if you’re wondering which classic dishes the Portuguese turn to when they’re peckish, here are our picks of the tastiest traditional food in Portugal.
2nd August 2023 - Portugal Food & Drink
Culture, coastal views and tasty cuisine; Portugal’s capital has it all. Famous for its sea of red rooftops, cobbled streets and Moorish castle overlooking it all, Lisbon offers the perfect weekend getaway. Escape to the coast and explore the avenidas of tiled facades, feast of pastels de nata and dip in and out of monasteries and boutique shops. Here are our top ten must sees in Lisbon to inspire your next trip.
13th July 2023 - Portugal Travel Inspiration
We can thank whoever had the ingenious idea of building Lisbon on seven hills for the mind-boggling amount of viewpoints spread across the city. Couple this with its excellent selection of swanky rooftops and you have a city that is just begging to be photographed. Taking height makes it possible to appreciate the brilliantly bizarre Lisbon skyline: there’s the 25 de Abril suspension bridge stretching over the azure Tagus River,
11th July 2023 - Portugal Travel Inspiration
Small in size but big in cultural clout, historic charm and, of course, bewitching beauty, Portugal’s villages harbour the nation’s most authentic spirit. They are places to slow down and appreciate the smaller things in life: traditional food in a hilltop village looking over the Alentejo, indulgent wines in the opulent hubs of the Douro Valley or leisurely hikes between tiny coastal hamlets. Let our
22nd June 2023 - Portugal Travel Inspiration
Porto, Lisbon’s seriously enchanting second city, is currently sitting at a magical confluence: it flies just far enough under the radar that it still feels local and traditional, but is popular enough to have an exciting buzz of activity everywhere you look. On top of that, its compact size is conducive to a whistle-stop city break – but do be warned: your quads will need a good bout of rest after hitting those hills.
25th May 2023 - Portugal 24 Hours In
Who could say no to living life on the road every now and again? We’d find it hard to decline. So if you’re thinking about what to do on your next holiday in the sun, consider planning a few road trips in – you won’t regret it. With over 500 miles of dramatic coastline to explore, as well as national parks and rustic villages to visit, there are oodles of options. Cruise down the south coast with the sound of the waves and the smell of the sea breeze.
9th May 2023 - Portugal Travel Inspiration
Portugal’s main cities seem to get most of the attention. Lisbon is lauded as the perfect place for a city break, while Porto is praised as the capital’s charming culture-filled counterpart. Both are blessed with the added benefit of close proximity to the coast, meaning your city stay can feature a seaside sojourn as well as world-class dining, exquisite architecture and vinitourism (wine tasting).
26th September 2022 - Portugal Beaches & Islands
Lisbon’s rich cultural heritage is cradled within a picturesque collection of cobbled lanes, colourful facades and medieval castles. An endless adventure for the senses, the Iberian nation has been shaped by a variety of influences and is now one of Europe’s best-loved destinations. Impressive architecture and well-preserved relics reflect the city’s history as a great maritime power during the ‘Age of Discovery’, while the country’s stunning topography has been crafted over the years by natural forces, including the great Lisbon earthquake of 1755.
16th March 2022 - Portugal 24 Hours In
Home to the oldest bookshop in the world, Portugal sets the scene for you to create your own story with its abundance of possibilities for sun-seekers, sailors, surfers and loafers alike. The Algarve and the Alentejo, both in the south of the country, are two of Original Travel's favourite Portuguese holiday destinations; both are home to the obligatory beautiful beaches but there's plenty more to explore besides.
28th June 2021 - Portugal Travel Inspiration
We all know that during the summer months the Algarve is pretty hot, but things just got hotter in Quinta Do Lago. Queue drum roll please... This hotel opened in October 2012 and was voted in 2012 by the World Travel Awards the 'World's Leading New Resort', 'Europe's Leading New Resort' AND 'Portugal's Leading New resort'. Allow me to introduce the Conrad Algarve... So why is it so good? Well this newly built resort wowed me on every level.
28th June 2021 - Portugal Hotels
On my eight day self-drive around Portugal I discovered how welcoming and generous the Portuguese are all across this diverse country... -Would you like a glass of wine or maybe a cocktail? -No, thank you, unfortunately I am driving. -Oh that's a shame, I will bring you a detox juice then! And, the positive discoveries did not stop there as I soon learnt that their hotels are equally wonderful. I visited a fair few hotels on my trip, so many in fact that I decided to create my own Hotel Awards (sorry, but there's no prize).
28th June 2021 - Portugal Hotels
Following the arrival of the royal baby (!), it would appear that young George Alexander has already got global fascination and a wealth of admirers. Lucky him! With the nation going mad, I thought I would jump on the band wagon. This is where the celebration of the royal baby gets a little different... Forget a street party or dressing up in a Union Jack something-or-other. Instead, celebrate by treating yourself to a trip away somewhere.
28th June 2021 - Portugal Travel Inspiration
When I booked my flight to Porto in April, I wasn't convinced I would either see the sun or find much of interest - and thankfully I was very very wrong thanks to the fantastic hotels in Porto! Undiscovered Portugal in the Douro Valley Only a two hour flight from London, the Douro Valley is easy for a weekend and well worth visiting whilst it is still ""undiscovered"". My first stop was at the Yeatman, a new hotel in the city of Porto which overlooks the historic town - the view from every single room is stunning.
28th June 2021 - Portugal Hotels
In the era of budget flights and short-haul adventures, weekend getaways have never been easier. While we're big fans of those espresso-style Big Short Breaks for when you're short on time, there's something wonderfully luxurious about long holidays. More time in a destination means more authentic experiences and a real insight into the local culture. With many of us still working from home, Ella from our marketing team, took the opportunity to spend a month in sunny Lisbon on a 'workcation'.
28th June 2021 - Portugal Culture
Quinta da Bela Vista This stunning Madeiran Quinta near the town of Funchal dates back from 1844 and, as the name suggests, has lovely views over the surrounding mountains and Funchal Bay. Recently restored, the house still retains the feel of a private home with paintings and antique furniture in many of the rooms and communal areas. There are 89 elegant bedrooms, including 10 interconnecting rooms, with views over the mountains, the ocean or the gardens and each has been beautifully furnished with meticulous attention to detail.
28th June 2021 - Portugal Hotels
Aldeia da Pedralva Just a few short years ago Pedralva was a ramshackle village full of derelict houses and one small pizzeria catering to the local surfing community. Then in 2008 along came Antonio Ferreira, an Algarvean advertising exec looking to develop a property in this beautiful unspoilt corner of the Algarve, the Natural Park of Costa Vicentina. Two years later Ferreira and a couple of equally visionary colleagues had bought more than 30 houses from more than 200 individuals,
28th June 2021 - Portugal Hotels
Ecorkhotel Cork might not be the most obvious building material for a hotel but this is Alentejo after all, and it turns out that cork is not only a wonderfully effective insulator but its production is also about as sustainable as you can get, so the Ecorkhotel has the eco-friendly box very firmly ticked. The main building is clad entirely in cork, with the hotel's 56 cottage suites, each with its own private terrace, dotted amongst the groves of olive trees and cork-oaks.
28th June 2021 - Portugal Hotels
Six Senses Douro Valley Six Senses Douro Valley is the quintessential modern boutique hotel - a tasteful and contemporary renovation of a classic 19th-century manor house offering all the mod-est cons in elegant surroundings. Set on a hill overlooking the beautiful terraced slopes of the Douro Valley, this Six Senses property has 57 guest accommodations, made up of rooms, suites and villas all designed with clean lines and contemporary furnishings.
28th June 2021 - Portugal Hotels
Martinhal Lisbon Cascais Situated on the Lisbon coast, Martinhal Lisbon Cascais is a stylish, child-friendly hotel. Designed by award-winning Lisbon architect João Paciencia and landscaped by the legendary Francisco Cabra, the hotel exudes a neat, modern feel throughout. There are 72 spacious rooms in total, four of which are suites beautifully adapted for families. In addition there are 12 villas on site, perfect for families, each complete with two bedrooms, a kitchen, open-space living room and a dining area leading out to a terrace.
28th June 2021 - Portugal Hotels
Pool with a view. The Brits have long had a penchant for port, but the vineyards where the fortified wine is created and the eponymous city of Porto are, in themselves, a delight. Wander at will Portugal's second city, Porto is a gem that is largely free from the tourist hordes. While there are a couple of sites worth seeking out specifically, the best way to spend a day is wandering around the maze of cobbled alleys before ending up in one of the port warehouses across the Douro river.
28th June 2021 - Portugal Travel Inspiration
For many travellers, Portugal is synonymous with sandy beaches basking in sunshine. And with a coastline that stretches generously for 1056 miles, there is enough sand for everyone. Famous for its beautiful beaches and neat seaside resorts, the south-facing Algarve coast naturally attracts many tourists. But it is also dotted with secluded and secret coves bordered by cliffs. And the Algarve has even more to offer.
28th June 2021 - Portugal Beaches & Islands
Portugal is prized among travellers for its authenticity and simplicity. Head south for a short break or a longer holiday. The charm of the country's traditions, its feel-good Movida atmosphere, prices that will bring a smile and lovely sunny weather all make Portugal a fave among Brits. Porto and Lisbon may be neighbours but they've always been rivals. On the one hand you have His Majesty Lisbon (almost 600, 000 inhabitants) the capital of Portugal and the birthplace of the Golden Age, when its sailors raised anchor and set out to conquer the world.
28th June 2021 - Portugal Travel Inspiration
The capital of Portugal (600,000 inhabitants) is currently a leading destination for short city breaks in Europe. But while we love exploring the classic sites, we also know how to get really off the beaten track in Lisbon. Stroll through a neighbourhood painted with superb frescoes - have a drink in a multicoloured bar, once a temple to the oldest trade in the world - tour the city in a 1940s sidecar - have lunch in a market where the star chefs of the city offer their specialties for just 10 [EUR].
6th November 2019 - Portugal Travel Inspiration
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
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