Explore the historic capital of Lisbon
A city built on seven hills, Lisbon has so much more appeal than just pastéis de nata (custard tarts). You’ll get ample time to explore its cobbled streets and bougainvillea-filled squares and pack in landmarks such as the 16th-century Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower, St. George’s Castle, and Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square). Highlights include strolling along Liberty Avenue, admiring artworks at the Berardo Collection Museum, marvelling at ceramics at National Tile Museum, and riding the Elevador de Santa Justa (also known as the Carmo Lift) for arresting city views.
Soak up the scenery in Eastern and Western Algarve
For walking holidays, Portugal has a superb network of routes. This is all too apparent in the Algarve, the country’s south-coast stunner where the lesser-known eastern and western regions are the real stars. Spanning a vast space between Olhão to Vila Real de Santo António and the Spanish border, Eastern Algarve is characterised by its rolling countryside, vineyards, lagoons, white-washed villages, and salt pans of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. You’ll get to admire the Moorish castle and stroll the Ria Gilão cobbled streets in the pretty town of Tavira and learn about the history of Vila Real de Santo António – the fishing town on the banks of the Guadiana River.
Stretching from Silves to the Atlantic seaboard, Western Algarve has a wilder vibe that’s perfect for walkers keen to navigate dramatic cliffs, secluded coves, and golden sands. Highlights here include visiting the historical town of Lagos, exploring the pine, oak, and eucalyptus forests around the Serra de Monchique, and following the coastline to Praia da Bordeira. Equally rewarding is Cape St. Vincent – the most south-westerly point in mainland Europe famed for its sacred ground, birds of prey, and lighthouse dating back to 1846.
