23 Photos That Will Have You Planning a Trip to Portugal, ASAP

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If you haven’t been—and even if you have— Portugal should be next on your vacation list. While we could ramble on for hours about the unforgettable food, Instagram-worthy vistas, and hotels worth planning a trip around (and we have), there are a few obvious reasons this spot stood out among the rest when it came to choosing the Editor’s Pick for this year’s Destination of the Year poll.

There are a few things that make a place vacation-worthy: delicious cuisines with a strong regional bond, sights that just can’t be found anywhere else, and the ability to attract travelers from the far ends of the budget (and everywhere in between). Portugal ranks in all of these—and it’s not just one city shadowing other less-visited destinations.

Although Lisbon remains a must-stop on itineraries (as it should), head three hours north and you’ll find the cultural hub of Porto, where port tastings are the perfect option for filling lazy vacation days at the vineyard. If you’re looking for ancient ruins and enough castles to fill a volume of photo albums, head to Sintra. The Pena Palace remains a favorite, with its bold color palette that’s best seen against a sunrise or sunset. Don’t forget to take in the Moorish architecture of the Sintra National Palace—it’s not hard to see why Danish fairy tale author Hans Christian Anderson was so inspired by this city. An hour north of Sintra, you’ll find Obidos—a medieval town that dates back 700 years, topped by a castle that you can now spend the night in.

And that’s only half of the country. Head south to see the pristine beaches or hop on a quick plane ride to Madeira, a series of four islands off the western coast that are known for their volcanic terrain and botanical gardens. Give yourself a couple of weeks, and you can get a solid taste for what this country has to offer.

There is no wrong itinerary when it comes to Portugal—you just need to submit yourself to the fact that you’re going to have to visit more than once to truly experience everything it has to offer. Just in case you need a jump-start, we’ve wrangled up 23 photos that are sure to kick your wanderlust (and vacation planning) into hyperdrive. After all, you deserve a break from the day.

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The Dom Luis Bridge Over the Douro River

Alvaro Leiva

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Zambujeira do Mar

Alanna Hale

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Vineyards Over Douro Valley

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Praia da Rocha, Algarve

Alanna Hale

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A Serene Setting at Cabanas No Rio, Comporta

Christopher Wise

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The Church of Saint Ildefonso, Porto

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Aerial View of Porto

Alanna Hale

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Casa Serralves, Porto

Alvaro Leiva

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Stretch of Beach at Porto Covo

Christopher Wise

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Coliseu do Porto

Armando Rafael

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Fishing Village Porto Covo

Christopher Wise

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Rooftops Across Lisbon

Anna McKerrow

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Gale Beach, Comporta

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Cobblestone Street in Lisbon

Anna McKerrow

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Angra do Heroismo, Azores

Getty Images/iStockphoto

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Intricate Building Facade in Lisbon

Anna McKerrow

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Villa Extramuros, Horta do Chaveiro

Christopher Wise

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The Douro River in Porto

Alvaro Leiva

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Statue of Sao Jorge in Lisbon

Anna McKerrow

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Rooftops Across Porto

Alvaro Leiva

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Casa Serralves Gardens in Porto

Armando Rafael

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Beach at Cabanas No Rio, Comporta

Christopher Wise

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Palácio da Bolsa in Porto

Armando Rafael

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23 Photos That Will Have You Planning a Trip to Portugal ASAP

1 of 23

The Dom Luis Bridge Over the Douro River

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Zambujeira do Mar

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Vineyards Over Douro Valley

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Praia da Rocha, Algarve

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A Serene Setting at Cabanas No Rio, Comporta

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The Church of Saint Ildefonso, Porto

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Aerial View of Porto

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Casa Serralves, Porto

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Stretch of Beach at Porto Covo

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Coliseu do Porto

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Fishing Village Porto Covo

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Rooftops Across Lisbon

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Cobblestone Street in Lisbon

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Angra do Heroismo, Azores

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Intricate Building Facade in Lisbon

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Villa Extramuros, Horta do Chaveiro

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The Douro River in Porto

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Statue of Sao Jorge in Lisbon

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Rooftops Across Porto

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Casa Serralves Gardens in Porto

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Beach at Cabanas No Rio, Comporta

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Palácio da Bolsa in Porto

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