Guides
How we plan a slow week in Lisbon
One neighbourhood, one favourite café and no more than one 'big thing' a day: our recipe for falling in love with Lisbon.
By ALKIKI · · 1 min read
Our photoPortugal
Tiled streets, Atlantic light and long lunches. Portugal is where we learned to slow down.
We've been hereBest: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
In this guide: Overview
Why Portugal
Portugal is small enough to feel easy and varied enough to keep surprising you. In one trip you can wander Lisbon's hills, drink port by the river in Porto and end up on a quiet beach in the Algarve.
It's also one of our favourite places to recommend to remote workers: good Wi-Fi, friendly cafés, a big community of people working on the road, and a time zone that suits both Europe and the Americas.
Our photo“Our first evening in Alfama, we got completely lost and ended up at a tiny fado bar with six tables. That's still our favourite kind of night: no plan, good music, and someone's grandmother cooking in the back.”
Highlights
Lisbon's viewpoints
Sunset at a miradouro with a glass of vinho verde is a ritual we never skip.
The Douro Valley
Terraced vineyards an easy day trip from Porto, best by train along the river.
Sintra
Fairy-tale palaces in the hills; go early on a weekday to beat the queues.
The Alentejo
Cork forests, whitewashed villages and the slowest, most delicious meals.
When to go
April to June and September to October
- January: Quieter
- February: Quieter
- March: Good
- April: Our pick
- May: Our pick
- June: Our pick
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Our pick
- October: Our pick
- November: Quieter
- December: Quieter
Spring and early autumn bring warm days, fewer crowds and fairer prices. July and August are lovely but busy and hot inland; winter is mild and quiet, with more rain in the north.
Before you go
- Most of Portugal is hilly and cobbled: pack shoes with grip.
- Lunch is the main meal; a 'prato do dia' (dish of the day) is great value.
- Trains between Lisbon and Porto are quick and comfortable; book ahead for the best fares.
- Tipping isn't expected, but rounding up or leaving 5 to 10% for good service is appreciated.
Places to explore in Portugal
Through our lens
Stories from Portugal
Our photoDreaming of Portugal?
Tell us who's travelling and what you love. We'll read every answer and, if we're a good fit, build your plan by hand.