20 Reasons to Visit Portugal this Year

Portugal is a travel destination that needs to be kept in mind. Porto, Lisbon, Algarve, and Alentejo are some of the main reasons not to forget this warm and loving country. These days it feels good to travel safely and to comfortable destinations: Portugal has it all! Get ready, it will be an unforgettable journey.

TRAVEL TO... LISBON

As one of the top European destinations, Lisbon is the city of choice for many visitors' holidays. One of the visitors ' main concerns is how to make the best out of the limited time they have: what to do? What to see? In this article, we gather a few suggestions. Today, Lisbon is one of the best travel destinations in the world and it's easy to understand why: great beaches nearby, the cathedrals and monuments, the labyrinth of cobblestone-covered streets, the seven hills that provide unique views over the city, the Tagus river, the food, and wine, the welcoming people...the list goes on and on.

WHERE TO GO IN LISBON 

QUINTA DO GRADIL

Visits to the estate and viticulture process, starting in the vineyards, going through the cellar, and ending up at the tasting room and wine shop, as well as horse riding, harvesting experience, birdwatching, running or cycling, are some of the proposals that are part of Quinta do Gradil's enotourism offer. To discover this incredible estate take the 3-Day Lisbon Tour. 

HOTEL AVENIDA PALACE

The Hotel Avenida Palace, located in the center of Lisbon close to Bairro Alto and the Chiado, is a 5-star hotel that combines luxury and charm and is regarded as part of the city’s historic heritage. Boasting an exceptional location between Lisbon’s Pombaline Downtown and the Avenida da Liberdade, elegant neoclassical architecture, sophisticated and luxurious decoration, and more than a century of history, although completely renovated, the hotel occupies the boundary where tradition and innovation meet. 

BAIRRO ALTO HOTEL

It is in the heart of an increasingly vibrant Lisbon, influenced by the elegance of Chiado and the irreverence of Bairro Alto, that we find Bairro Alto Hotel. Rehabilitated and expanded by the architect Souto de Moura with interiors of the Atelier Bastir and TheStudio, it combines style, bohemia, and sophistication with the classic charm of a different time.

ELEVEN RESTAURANT

Joachim Koerper is the mastermind behind all the dishes served in this incredible restaurant with author cuisine and Mediterranean style. Eleven is a unique restaurant that is considered the top address for gourmet cuisine in Lisbon, Portugal.

TRAVEL TO... PORTO AND DOURO

Port-tippling and charismatic, Porto is a city that wins everyone's heart with its laid-back charm, medieval cobbles, and a cavalcade of bridges. Wonderful and picturesque, Porto is known for its red roofs, azulejo tiled restaurants, and buildings, and of course, the Port wine and Douro river. 

The Douro Valley could as easily be called the enchanted valley, such as the beauty and magic that its landscapes offer.

WHERE TO GO IN PORTO AND DOURO

THE VINTAGE HOUSE DOURO

Idyllic and tranquil riverside location. The Vintage House Hotel enjoys an idyllic and tranquil riverside location at Pinhão in the authentic heart of the Douro Valley. The Douro is one of Europe’s oldest and most beautiful wine regions, a breathtaking man-made landscape enjoying World Heritage status. Remote and undiscovered, it offers the discerning traveler one of Europe’s most unforgettable vineyard experiences.

QUINTA DO VALLADO

Since 2005, Quinta do Vallado has received guests in its comfortable Wine Hotel. Initially opening the doors to the Traditional House, built in the 18th century and having once belonged to Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, it offers five recently renovated suites. This project's growing success led to the construction of the second building in 2012, made almost entirely of schist - the dominant stone in the region's soil. This new 8-room building was designed by Architect Francisco Vieira de Campos, who was also in charge of the winery's renovation project.

DOC RESTAURANT

DOC, a space to “Taste, Dare and Communicate”, is where Rui Paula, with a modern and inventive touch, makes the kitchen a historical laboratory based on several generations of culinary recipes. every meal is a unique and special moment. Either from the glazed room or from the suspended terrace over the river, the view is breathtaking: the terraces of vineyards and shale, the tranquility of the riverside villages, the trains passing by on the other shore, momentarily breaking the stillness around the valley, large boats transporting tourists over International Douro.

QUINTA NOVA LUXURY WINERY HOUSE

Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo is the first wine estate in Douro to open wine tourism facilities and is one of the most highly-rated wine tourism spots in Portugal.

TRAVEL TO... ALENTEJO

Secluded, luxurious and with impressive sights, Alentejo is Portugal's largest region and covers a third of the country. Rolling hillsides, rice fields, lime-green vines, olive, and almond trees, a rugged coastline, and marble towns, among many others, Alentejo promises to be the perfect region for summer vacations.

WHERE TO GO IN ALENTEJO

HERDADE DA MALHADINHA NOVA, COUNTRY HOUSE & SPA

Alentejo. A region with one of the lowest population densities in Europe and one of Portugal’s best-kept secrets. Covering a third of the country’s territory, it is home to unique, immaculate, and endless landscapes of inestimable beauty. A welcoming and hospitable land recognized for its excellent food and wines, respect for environmental sustainability, and the preservation of ancient traditions and customs.

L’AND VINEYARDS, A LUXURY WINE RESORT

More than a hotel, L'AND Vineyards is an exclusive retreat, with 30 suites and villas that blend modern architecture with nature, providing an atmosphere of sober luxury, natural beauty, and tranquility. It is set in the heart of Alentejo, in a unique landscape with Márcio Kogan’s interiors, Promontório’s architecture, and Michael Biberstein’s artwork. At L'AND Vineyards resort you can make a gastronomic trip in the restaurant, renew in the Vinotherapie spa, and sleep under the stars among the vineyards in one of the sky suites. Discover all about this incredible southern paradise. 

LAND VINEYARDS, RESTAURANT

At L'AND Vineyards they seek to express the new Portuguese gastronomic culture, reflecting our history and our culture and integrating the experience resulting from the Portuguese trip in the East. We value the unique products of the region, land, and sea. With the help of locally preferred producers of organic farming, we use citrus fruits, vegetables, cheeses, aromatic herbs, beef cattle raised in the field, fish, and shellfish from the port of Setúbal, and traditional olive oil from the region, seek to create a unique gastronomic experience that expresses our identity.

TRAVEL TO... ALGARVE

There’s no shortage of high-quality beaches either. Sandy stretches as far as the eye can see, framed by golden cliffs, virtually deserted islands marking the boundary between Ria Formosa and the sea, and small coves sheltered by the rocks. The ocean, in every shade of blue and mostly calm and warm, invites you for long swims and to indulge in water sports.

VILA VITA PARC, RESORT & SPA

The stunning natural beauty and bracing sea air of Portugal’s Algarve region is medicine on its own. 

Vila Vita Parc is a five-star resort, a member of "The Leading Hotels of the World," with 22 hectares of immaculate subtropical gardens, situated in front of a secluded white sand beach and surrounded by the dramatic coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. Serenely tranquil, the hotel offers you a glamorous retreat with the privacy you need. Known for its timeless elegance and the unrivaled style of its range of services, the hotel offers each guest a unique and personalized experience, inspired by Portuguese culture and hospitality.

VILA VITA PARC, WINE CELLAR

Many people don’t know the existence of this fabulous place that is part of Vila Vita’s incredible history. Also known as “A Cave de Vinhos”, this special place is where you will find the best wine qualities to complement the luxury experience at this unbelievable resort in the south of Portugal. Wine tasting, personalized service, personalized dinners for the guests, and impressive tours through the wine house facilities are some of the main activities that you will have the chance to experience in Villa Vita’s unbelievable Wine House.

OCEAN RESTAURANT

The Ocean Restaurant at VILA VITA Parc is an exceptional gourmet experience. Holder of two Michelin stars, the intimate restaurant creates tasting menus that are exquisite renditions of the art of fine dining.