{"id":4580,"date":"2021-04-08T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.joinmytrip.com\/blog\/the-picture-perfect-portugal-travel-guide\/"},"modified":"2021-04-08T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-04-07T22:00:00","slug":"the-picture-perfect-portugal-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.joinmytrip.com\/blog\/en\/the-picture-perfect-portugal-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The Picture-Perfect Portugal Travel Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your one-stop travel guide for the perfect holiday in Portugal! <\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re searching for your next holiday, consider Portugal<\/a>. Its year-round temperate climate, affordability, and wide range of attractions and landscapes have been drawing visitors to the west coast of the Iberian peninsula for centuries. To help out your planning, here\u2019s a 10-day Portugal travel guide for your trip to Portugal. It has information about food, lodging, the best places to visit in Portugal and some fun things to do.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Day 1: Lisbon \u2013 Porto<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n \"Porto,
\n Porto
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After landing in Lisbon<\/a>, the Portuguese capital, you\u2019re going to immediately hop a 55-minute flight to Porto. This Portugal travel guide is going to bring you to three corners of the nation. Your Portugal trip will end in Lisbon. <\/p>\n

Now, on to Porto<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal, is a sprawling city that is perched on top of a huge hill along the Douro River and one of the best places to visit in our Portugal travel guide. The city with small maze-like streets with old and colourful streets all around is the ideal place to go around on foot.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Try to get a hotel in the old city. Near the Sao Bento Railway Station reach the hotel<\/a> and take a rest for the later part of the evening.<\/p>\n

Visit the Ribeira and the Douro River area<\/h4>\n

On the first morning start by visiting the Ribeira and the Douro River area, two of the best places to visit in Portugal. Ribeira Square, previously a marketplace, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a popular tourist attraction. From the Douro River,<\/strong> you\u2019ll see the two sides of Porto connected by the Ponte Luis I Bridge<\/strong>, the Riberia side, and the Vila Nova de Gaia side. It gives a bird\u2019s eye view and a wonderful place to get photographed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n \"The
\n Douro River
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After lunch don\u2019t miss the \u201cNatas do Cebu\u201d <\/strong>or \u201ccream from heaven\u201d,<\/strong> a lovely homemade caramel and cream meringue combination for dessert. This is a fun place, with great food, an energetic atmosphere, and great prices.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the afternoon you need to go for another wine tasting session as you may know Porto is the home to the famous Port wine. Stay at the Vila Nova de Gaia side of Douro River and you may find many wineries for the tasting. You may indulge some hours into it and have a relaxed evening. <\/p>\n

Day 2: Porto\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you are lucky enough to be accommodated near the Sao Bento Railway Station, <\/strong>visit the station even if you don\u2019t need to catch a train during your Portugal<\/a> trip. The beautiful blue tiles show life in Portugal\u2019s countryside and other important historical events.<\/p>\n

\n \"Sao
\n Sao Bento Railway Station
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After visiting the station, reach the city centre. You can either have a long walk or take the waterway. Visit the Monument Church of St. Francis. <\/strong>It\u2019s Porto\u2019s 15th-century Gothic church designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Just beside the Monument Church of St. Francis, lies Porto\u2019s<\/a> old stock exchange Pal\u00e1cio da Bolsa, which was built in 1832. You have to go in order to comprehend the richness of the sculpture, decorative carvings, plasterwork, frescos, chandeliers, and tiles. The stuccoed Moorish Revival Sal\u00e3o \u00c1rabe is almost overwhelming, while the monumental P\u00e1tio das Na\u00e7\u00f5es courtyard is lit by an octagonal metal and glass roof. It is open from Sun-Sat from 9:00 AM \u2013 5:30 PM.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Casa da M\u00fasica<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The next part of the day is a must-see attraction in Porto, especially for those who appreciate architecture and music. Casa da M\u00fasica<\/strong> is a concert hall designed by the famous Dutch<\/a> architect Rem Koolhaas. Modern architecture adds a different edge to the city. The institution\u2019s program is dynamic and very innovative, presenting \u201cfrom classical music to the forefront of urban trends\u201d. You should definitely treat yourself with a ticket for any concert and also join a guided trip conducted to explore the building\u2019s architecture. The tours happen on a daily basis in Portuguese and in English, at 10 am and at 4 pm and it costs 7,50\u20ac per person. You can also enjoy the restaurant on the top floor of Casa da M\u00fasica or grab a coffee in the artist\u2019s bar. Get back to the hotel and stay overnight.<\/p>\n

\n \"Casa
\n Casa da M\u00fasica
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Don\u2019t forget to check out\u00a0JoinMyTrip<\/a>\u00a0for\u00a0unique trips<\/a>\u00a0happening in Portugal and around the world, to travel with\u00a0like-minded travelers<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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Day 3: Porto \u2013 Aveiro \u2013 Coimbra<\/h3>\n

Day 3 is all about the road trip <\/strong>that you are going to blend into your holiday plans. Of course, a rental car will be needed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Forty-five minutes after you hopped in the car, you will pull into Aveira. Because of its many canals, Aveira is regarded as the Venice of Portugal<\/a> and one of the best places to visit in our Portugal travel guide. While in the city, experience the cultural delights and check out the innovative architecture. Shops, office buildings, and houses incorporated hallmarks of art nouveau style with elements of traditional Portuguese decorative elements, such as ornate tiles.<\/p>\n

Boat ride on a Moliceiro<\/h4>\n

After that, go for a boat ride on a Moliceiro (a colourful, flatboat that looks similar to a gondola. The word moliceiro<\/em> comes from the word moli\u00e7o, which is an aquatic plant that fishermen used to catch and use as fertilizer.), <\/strong>one of the most popular and engaging activities of the place. Get the tickets on the dock.<\/p>\n

\n \"Moliceiro
\n Moliceiro
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After the boat ride get yourself some lunch and make sure you do that from Aveiro as the cooking and food culture of this particular region is different from that found in other parts of Portugal<\/a>. Find a good restaurant that serves fresh fish dishes which are available at the current time according to your choice. After lunch, make sure you try the ovos moles<\/strong> \u2013 a delicacy made from rice paper filled with egg yolks mixed with sugar.<\/p>\n

In the evening head out for Coimbra. It\u2019s a 65-km drive away. After the day of driving, a good night\u2019s sleep will be welcome.<\/p>\n

Day 4: Coimbra<\/h3>\n
\n \"Coimbra
\n Coimbra
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Coimbra<\/strong> is a rather hilly city but one of the best places to visit in our Portugal<\/a> travel guide. The old city and university are at top of a very high and steep hill where a castle once stood. Fortunately, all the most interesting sites are easy to reach. To keep things simple, book a hotel in the city centre.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here are a couple of Coimbra<\/a> attractions:<\/p>\n