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

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto

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.

01 of 23

The Dom Luis Bridge Over the Douro River

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Alvaro Leiva
02 of 23

Zambujeira do Mar

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Alanna Hale
03 of 23

Vineyards Over Douro Valley

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Getty Images/iStockphoto
04 of 23

Praia da Rocha, Algarve

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Alanna Hale
05 of 23

A Serene Setting at Cabanas No Rio, Comporta

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Christopher Wise
06 of 23

The Church of Saint Ildefonso, Porto

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Getty Images/iStockphoto
07 of 23

Aerial View of Porto

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Alanna Hale
08 of 23

Casa Serralves, Porto

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Alvaro Leiva
09 of 23

Stretch of Beach at Porto Covo

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Christopher Wise
10 of 23

Coliseu do Porto

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Armando Rafael
11 of 23

Fishing Village Porto Covo

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Christopher Wise
12 of 23

Rooftops Across Lisbon

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Anna McKerrow
13 of 23
23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Getty Images/iStockphoto

Gale Beach, Comporta

14 of 23

Cobblestone Street in Lisbon

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Anna McKerrow
15 of 23

Angra do Heroismo, Azores

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Getty Images/iStockphoto
16 of 23

Intricate Building Facade in Lisbon

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Anna McKerrow
17 of 23

Villa Extramuros, Horta do Chaveiro

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Christopher Wise
18 of 23

The Douro River in Porto

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Alvaro Leiva
19 of 23

Statue of Sao Jorge in Lisbon

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Anna McKerrow
20 of 23

Rooftops Across Porto

19 Hacks for Saving Money During Solo Travel
Alvaro Leiva
21 of 23

Casa Serralves Gardens in Porto

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Armando Rafael
22 of 23

Beach at Cabanas No Rio, Comporta

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Christopher Wise
23 of 23

Palácio da Bolsa in Porto

23 Beautiful Photos that'll make you want to plan a trip
Armando Rafael
Was this page helpful?
Related Articles