Highlights of Our Six-Week Exploration of Portugal
Portugal is becoming a favourite with travellers around the world. Beautiful beaches, stunning cliffs and vistas, charming helpful people, and fabulous cuisine, pastries, chocolate, and wine. What’s not to like?
You’ll enjoy pastry perfection throughout Portugal
One thing we learned as soon as arriving in Portugal is that they have fantastic pastries everywhere you go. They are light, flavorful, and highly creative. We had our own kitchen facilities at the Airbnb properties we stayed at, and so we really enjoyed picking up different pastries at each of the grocery stores and bakeries that we visited. The walnut torte purchased at the Apolonia store above was one of our favourites. The Portuguese custard tarts (known as Pasteis de Nata locally) are also worth trying. Look for the ones with a burnt-looking top as they have the richest flavour.
Cascais is sure to captivate
It’s just a short hour’s drive west from Lisbon to Cascais, a coastal community of 214,000 residents. We have American friends who moved to Portugal a couple of years ago and they chose Cascais as their base due to its great location and safe, laidback lifestyle. Although we only had a brief visit there (that was made even shorter due to a stomach issue I succumbed to) we could truly appreciate why our friends chose this community with its vibrant waterfront and creative expression. The rugged cliffs of Cascais are quite stunning, offering unlimited opportunities to hike and great places to spot local fishermen looking for that tasty catch of the day.
A diversion to the Obidos Chocolate Festival
The International Chocolate Festival held in Obidos, is a must for chocolate lovers visiting central Portugal. The festival is held within the medieval stone wall built to protect the village in the 8th century. The fortress and castle were completed between the 12th and 14th centuries and add a magical feeling to your visit–complete with whimsical characters.
You can enjoy the whole day exploring the historic grounds of the Obidos Chocolate Festival. Don’t be surprised is this gal asks you to do a selfie with her.
The main street in the old village of Obidos is narrow and intriguing. Give yourself time to explore the small shops and cafes and enjoy a shot of Ginja (sour cherry liquor.)
During the chocolate festival you’ll also have the opportunity to meet chocolatiers and buy some amazing chocolate. The chili chocolate from Chuate Chocolate Artesanal was by far the best Portuguese-made chocolate we purchased at the festival. I truly wish I’d bought more.
Exploring the Algarve Region
If you’re a beach lover, you’ll really enjoy the Algarve region of Southwestern Portugal which includes about 200 kilometres (124 miles) of beautiful sandy beaches lined with organically sculptured sandstone cliffs–a blend of Miocene bioplastic limestone and sandstone dotted with seashells. The shells get washed ashore and become lodged in the sandstone that grows over time to become new towering cliffs. They are quite fascinating and unique to the region.
The close-up shown above was taken at Praia do Vale do Olival and shows just how many seashells are embedded in the sandstone cliffs in the Algarve region of Portugal.
The beach at Sao Goncalo de Lagos is especially beautiful with its high sandstone cliffs and inviting shoreline. We loved exploring the stunning beach at Lagos and its cliffs. We then headed up the cliff to enjoy a delicious lunch of fresh seafood–complete with a view that can’t be beat.
Exploring the caves of the southern Algarve
One of the highlights of our six-weeks in Portugal was the boat tour we took with Tridente Boat Trips. We were staying right on the beach in the laidback community of Armacao de Pera, so it was super easy for us to take this fascinating trip. The small boat coasted right onto the beach (with the aid of a tractor) to pick us up and then did the same to drop us off. We never had to get wet or sandy in the somewhat cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean–which was a blessing on the relatively cool day we joined the tour. As we were in the Algarve during some inclement marine weather, the boat tours didn’t run for nearly a week. We were fortunate that they resumed before we had to leave.
The Benagil Cave Tour with Tridente Boat Trips was stunning. You feel micro-sized within its towering walls. © Doreen Pendgracs
If you’re a fan of sand sculptures, Sandcity in Lagoa will leave you gobsmacked
We love being outdoors and were thrilled with the variety of activities that pushed all the right buttons for us. Sandcity–located just outside of the community of Lagoa–is home to the largest display of sand sculptures in the world and did not disappoint. There are approximately 120 sand sculptures of various shapes and sizes, all sharing a common theme. The 2024 theme was ‘World Travel’ and included sculptures indicative of each participating country’s culture or architecture. The weather had been unstable earlier in March, so their opening was delayed. But fortunately, Sandcity opened in early April just before we were leaving for home, so we got to fully enjoy the incredible talent displayed by the artisans who created the sculptures. We even got to see some of them repairing post-storm damage to their sculptures and adding on to existing ones. Definitely a great place to spend a few hours.
The sand sculptures you’ll enjoy at Sandcity may depict sights and culture from around the world. All are beautifully hand carved and inspiring. We loved this sculpture depicting the wackiness of Willy Wonka.
Find evidence of the Knights Templar in Silves, Portugal
History buffs may be captivated by a trip to medieval Silves–a small historic community located 15 minutes north of Lagoa and 12 kilometres (7.45 miles) from the coast. Castelo de Silves is an active archaeological site where 12,000 square meters is being excavated–much of which is accessible to visitors to explore. As a fan of the Knights Templar, my husband was intrigued by the fact that these masters of the Crusades had been inhabitants of Silves during the late 12th century.
Silves is best known for its stunning castle and abundance of white storks (fondly nicknamed the mascots of the Algarve.) You can spot the giant white birds nested on top of buildings, amid the town’s infrastructure, and in trees. All photos contained in this post and on this site are © Doreen Pendgracs.
Things to consider when planning a trip to Portugal
- The weather can be varied and unpredictable. We were there from late February until early April. It was surprisingly cooler–and wetter–than we expected, but we did also have some fabulous weather. Be prepared by bringing a variety of clothing ranging from a light coat to beachwear. The instability of the “winter” weather will also affect what outdoor attractions are open, so be sure to check directly with the places you plan to go to find out if they’re operating as advertised.
- Portugal is welcoming and the people are friendly. This is particularly helpful in finding places, as there aren’t enough street signs and the GPS isn’t always reliable.
- Portugal is not known for tooting its own horn, so most folks don’t know how wonderful it is. The wine is incredible for the price and you can get store commissioned brands such as the Porco Preto Vinho Tinto (red wine) from the Alentejano region that is available at Lidl stores for less than 5 euros a bottle. You can get a truly excellent wine from the recommended Alentejano region for twice that amount at any major grocery store.
- Carefully check costs you may incur with the local airlines. We unexpectedly had to pay the equivalent of $150 Canadian (equivalent to approximately $110 USD) at the airport counter of TAP airlines for our two carry-ons.
- Most of all, have fun. Appreciate the amazing culture and history of this fabulous country, knowing you can always go back for another visit if you don’t have time to do all you hope to. We certainly plan to, with Porto and Sintra (both World Heritage Sites) already on our list for round two of our Portuguese adventures.
- Lisbon is a great and dynamic city, but Portugal is so much more than the capital. For more on Lisbon, please read this post.
- Much more useful information on traveling to and within Portugal is available at Visit Portugal.
Sharing is Caring!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post highlighting the favourite parts of our Portuguese journey. If so, I hope you’ll share it with your friends and colleagues. Have you been to this amazing country? If so, please share your own favourite highlight in the comment thread following this post. And if you’ve not yet been to Portugal, what’s holding you back?
Thank you for sharing details of your six-week adventure in Portugal! It sounds like an unforgettable journey full of amazing experiences and discoveries. Your descriptions of the pastries, especially the Pasteis de Nata, made me crave a taste of Portugal’s delicious treats. I also loved reading about Cascais and its breathtaking coastline—it must be a great place to unwind. The Obidos Chocolate Festival and your exploration of the Algarve beaches and caves sounded like real highlights. Sandcity’s impressive sand sculptures and the historical wonders in Silves also seem like must-see attractions for any traveler. Thanks for taking us along on your journey and sharing all these wonderful insights!
Manuel and I enjoyed Portugal very much too. It was only a short week, and we covered Lisbon/Belem, Cascais, Sintra and Porto. We agree with you – the vibes, kind people, landscapes, views, architecture, food… all of it, fantastic! Porto stole our hearts. It’s been nice to read your impressions from other regions we were not able to visit, as well as your great pics, Doreen!
Thx so much for your comment, Roberto! I hope things are going well for you in Baracoa. So glad you enjoyed Portugal and my post. Looks like we’ll definitely have to return to spend more time in the north & central regions. Porto has been a fav of the readers who’ve written in with their thoughts. Happy travels!
Thanks for sending your newsletter Chocolatour. Interesting and informative. I enjoyed Portugal as well. We spent 5 days in Barcelona before we flew to Portugal. In Porto, we toured WOW- World of Wine. Fabulous museum detailing the history of wine and included chocolate, complete with a wine and chocolate pairing tasting session. We also did a Douro River cruise through wine country. It was an equally wonderful experience.
Thx so much for your comment, Marilyn. And thx for the tips re WOW in Porto and the Douro River cruise! Those are things that we’d surely enjoy on our next trip to Portugal.
Thank you for sharing your exploration of Portugal! Your journey sounds like it was filled with incredible sights, unique cultural experiences, and flavors. From the enchanting cliffs of Cascais to the mouth-watering pastries and the medieval charm of the Obidos Chocolate Festival, it’s clear you embraced every moment. Highlights like the Benagil Caves, the sands of Algarve, and the awe-inspiring Sandcity sculptures must have been unforgettable. Your passion for discovering the soul of Portugal, from ancient sites to scenic beaches, is inspiring—thanks for letting us experience a slice of it through your words!
Thanks for sharing your experiences and fabulous photos. I went to Portugal on a tour several years ago. The weather was cool so no beaches but we did walk along one in Porto. Of all the cities we visited this was my favourite. We did a port and chocolate tasting (sorry I can’t remember which port winery we went to) that was fabulous. The best port and chocolate I’ve tasted in a long time. The scenery was spectacular. The whole tour was amazing. I would love to go back again to the Algarve someday.
Thx so much for your comment, Suzanne. Yes, I wish we’d had time to go to Porto, but alas it was out of our way. And in winter, going south of Lisbon is much preferred to going north. I hope you get to the Algarve sometime soon. It’s fabulous!
Great post about your trip to Portugal Doreen. Joe and I went there in January of 2024. We rented a car and stayed in at least nine different towns. What a beautiful country with diverse landscapes. The wine was awesome. We lucked out on the weather (22) especially on the two coastal visits. I wish we were there for the sand sculptures and the chocolate festival. Those are incredible pictures! Joe and I were especially taken by the detail of the tile work designs on the streets even in the small towns. So much history in this country. Thanks again for this post. Now we will have to go back to the places we haven’t seen yet!
Thx so much for sharing your recollections of Portugal, Frances. It was indeed your enthusiasm for this great country that helped us figure out some of the best places to visit. I’m glad that some of our experiences may encourage a return visit for you.
I collect sand and shells so would have enjoyed seeing the sand sculptures and the shells embedded in the stone. Were there plenty of shells to pick up on the beach as well? You captured some lovely images of your time in Portugal. It’s another country I haven’t yet visited. (What was the chocolate like?)
Hi Debbie and thx for your comment. No, we didn’t see a lot of shells on any of the beaches we visited. Some, but nothing unusual or special. What was really unique is that the shells form the cliffs over time. As mentioned in the post, the Chuate was the best Portuguese-made chocolate we tasted while in Portugal. Enjoyed meeting the chocolatier at the Obidos Chocolate Festival.
Such great information! We were in Portugal in the late 80’s and loved every part of it. Your article definitely makes us want to return….it’s time!
Thx so much for your comment, Eleanore. You bet it’s time to return to Portugal if it’s been 40 years for you! So much history, culture, natural beauty and hospitality to enjoy.
This is a lovely and comprehensive post about Portugal. I especially like the chocolate sculpture from the Obidos Chocolate Festival!
Thanks so much, Cindy. Glad you enjoyed the post. Portugal is quite a fascinating country.
Hi from eastern Spain, Doreen. Thanks for spurring some happy memories with your post. Roger and I loved Portugal – especially Lisbon – when we were there in our mid-twenties. We struggled with the language, though, and at that time few of the locals spoke English. But we understood “especial do dia” well enough and so, weary from our explorations, ordered it one night. It turned out to be tripe floating in a greasy broth. Uggh. We put down some cash and scurried out of there.
Hi Virginia and Cindy! I hope your Spanish adventures haven’t left you feeling too soggy. Weather can be such a factor wherever we go. Glad to hear that you and Roger enjoyed Portugal. English is now spoken more prevalently since your visit though in the smaller towns it’s still difficult for those of us who don’t speak Portuguese. Sorry your “special of the day” dinner turned out to be a bust. So often ordering something like that gives you an opportunity to try something new that turns out to be a delight.
Thanks for posting this, Doreen. Interesting and very timely, as we are heading there for three weeks in March. We will be staying in one place in Albufeira and making day side trips from our hotel.I appreciated your comments on the weather, as I have been mentally packing and re- packing my suitcase for a few weeks now, trying for a compact but suitable wardrobe for the weather.
Thx so much for your comment, Laurel, and congrats on the upcoming trip to Portugal in March. We almost stayed in Albufeira, but there was some construction there when we would have been in the Algarve and so we chose Armação de Pêra and that was absolutely the best! Do visit the Pera Bar & Bistro in Armação de Pêra if you’re near there as they have fabulous food and live entertainment outside. We went there 3x and enjoyed every visit there tremendously.
Doreen
Thanks for the pictures and stories. Looks and sounds like the trip of a life time. I’m glad you got to experience all that. Looks like you took full advantage of your time there and enjoyed all the experiences the country had to offer. Now it’s time to start planning your next world adventure.
Tyler
Thanks so much for your comment, Tyler, and welcome to Chocolatour! Yes, the trip to Portugal was fantastic. Would love to go back, but not during the winter months when the weather can be unpredictable and cooler than we’d like.
Loved all the pics and details of your trip. Great timing with this post. We have friends who are heading there later this month. Will forward this to them and see if they can check out some of the places you and Kim experienced. My favourite is the cave trip!
Very cool, Pat. Another one of my readers was also drawn to the cave tour as well. It was truly one of our favourite moments in Portugal. I hope your friends have a marvellous time.
Doreen I love the candid shots you show of the Portuguese locals. It looks like you had a wonderful time in Portugal.
Thanks for your comment, Allen. Portugal is a country filled with beauty and smiling faces.
Excellent recap and some awesome photos
Thx so much, Rick. Means a lot to me coming from you – as one of my fav photographers
Portugal is definitely on our bucket list. So much great info here. It helps us plan. What a splendid trip you had.
Thx so much, Janet. I know that you and Rick would really enjoy Portugal.
Beautiful pics and great info
Thx so much, Marie.
Wow, I didn’t know you were planning a trip to Portugal when we spoke the other week! Your photos are incredibly inspiring, and my favorite is the Benagil Cave Tour. Now that gardening is done for the season, it’d be fun to do some traveling.
Hi Esther & thx for your comment. Yes, our trip to Portugal was absolutely amazing. I hope we manage to get back to this welcoming nation sometime in the future. And I hope you, too, manage to fit in some inspiring travel experiences very soon- whether near or far from home. I’m hoping to write about our recent trip to North Vancouver later this month.
Absolutely fabulous visually as well as educational. You are truly lucky to have experienced such a great trip.
Thx so much for your comment, Betty. It’s great having you join the conversation here on Chocolatour. I’m glad you enjoyed reading about the highlights of our trip to Portugal.
Doreen visiting Portugal with you was simply amazing. The country is beautiful and the people are very friendly and helpful. The quality of the wine was exquisite for the price. For me being vegetarian there was always something great to eat and the bread, buns and pastries were to die for. All in all it was a great trip and can’t wait for the next adventure.
Thx so much, Kim! Portugal truly was a magical country. Where shall we go on our next adventure?
We loved Portugal when we visited it briefly back in 1969. Been back to Europe since then but not made it back to Portugal.
Thx so much for sharing, Irene. I do recall you mentioning that you and Don had enjoyed Portugal. Kim & I are trying to visit places that are new to both of us so that we can continue to create wonderful travel memories together.
How splendid to be able to spend six weeks in one country! I love that full immersion aspect. Glad to see you’re getting out and about again. Hope the stomach bug didn’t keep you down for too long.
Thx so much for your comment, Linda. So nice to see you here again! Yes, Portugal was a great place to immerse ourselves in all things local and celebrate the uniqueness and richness of Portuguese culture. I hope you, too, are continuing to enjoy life.