Leisure activities in Portugal

Popular tourist spots in Portugal

One of the best things about moving abroad and being an expat is getting the chance to experience what it feels like being a tourist in the place where you actually live. While it's definitely true one should strive towards building a home and a community, it is nonetheless exciting to be able to explore a different place through the lenses of an outsider every single day.

Naturally, this comes down to visiting all the major tourist sites, trying the local food and coming into contact with the natives. If you're moving into Porto or Lisbon, there is a lot to see and do on a daily basis, as both cities are filled to the brim with trendy eateries, lovely architecture and world-class tourist sites. It's the kind of place where it just feels easy to get away from routine and experience something new every day, since you can wake up early in the morning and go for a walk through the downtown area or check out a museum before heading to work.

On the other hand, and since you're already here anyway, you may always take advantage of weekends and paid time-off to explore the rest of the country. Sure, Porto and Lisbon are the definite highlights, but there's just so much more to see! You can hit the beach in the Algarve and Comporta; take a road trip down Costa Vicentina; experience the calmness of the Alentejo in the likes of Évora, Elvas or Monsaraz; appreciate the landscape and wine culture at the Douro Valley; take a flight to go hiking in Madeira and the Azores; visit the amazing cities of Coimbra, Braga, Óbidos; and check out some of the most beautiful villages in the country, such as Piódão, Marvão or Monsanto. In fact, one can easily spend years in Portugal without running out of places to visit! To make things easier for our readers, here are some destinations in Portugal you should not miss.

Lisbon

Lisbon is the country's capital and its most visited city. Furthermore, it's also the main hub for immigrants, digital nomads and expats, meaning you will find people from all walks of life when coming here. Spread across 8 hills, exploring can be tiresome, but it's also refreshingly rewarding, as there is just so much to see and do here. Aside from checking out the classics such as Jerónimos Monastery, São Jorge Castle or Belém Tower, you can stroll along the popular quarters of Alfama, Mouraria or Chiado, take the kids to the Oceanarium or dance the night away in Bairro Alto. It's the kind of city where you'll never get bored!

Read also Leisure in Lisbon

Porto

Regarded as Portugal's second city and its main northern hub, Porto is yet another great option for those looking to settle in Portugal. People in this city are known for being disarmingly honest and blunt, so what you see is often what you get! Once again, the downtown area is drop-dead gorgeous, particularly around the riverbanks in the quays of Ribeira and Gaia, with the imposing Dom Luís I Bridge standing between both shores. Other iconic places to visit include Torre dos Clérigos, the Sé Cathedral or São Bento Station, considered one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. Nearby, Livraria Lello is another stop that is usually quite popular with visitors. For a more local experience, we recommend leaving the city center and chilling in the seaside districts of Foz do Douro and Matosinhos.

Read also Things to do in Porto

Madeira

The homeland of legendary football player Cristiano Ronaldo, Madeira is a great stop for those seeking sunny, warm weather all year round. Furthermore, the town of Ponta do Sol is home to arguably the country's best-developed digital nomad hub, purposely created to build a community and attract expats from all over the world. Located just off the coast of Morocco, the archipelago is actually formed by two islands: Madeira and Porto Santo. Needless to say, both islands are known for their beaches and extraordinary hiking trails (called levadas), standing out as an off-the-beaten-path destination compared to the continental territory.

Azores

Composed of no less than 9 different islands, the Azores is Portugal's most remote territory. Smacked right in the middle of the Atlantic, halfway between Europe and North America, the Azores are the country's greatest natural treasure and best hidden gem, with a diversity of landscapes that go from sleepy volcanoes to lagoons, craters, sulphur baths, waterfalls and everything in between! Moreover, the food is downright delicious, and the archipelago is known for producing some of the best beef in Europe. Those visiting for the first time will want to stick to the islands of Terceira and São Miguel, the main population hubs, and where the most popular tourist attractions can be found.

Algarve

Possibly the only place that already received significant international tourism before the rest of Portugal went viral, the Algarve stands as the country's most popular beach area. To this day, thousands upon thousands of Portuguese descend upon the country's southernmost region every Summer to enjoy a much-deserved rest. Considering the territory is quite extensive, you can find all sorts of places suited to different types of travelers. For example, Albufeira, Portimão and Vilamoura usually attract bigger, rowdier crowds, while the likes of Tavira, Vila Real de Santo António and even Lagos are known for being calmer and quainter. Unfortunately, its popularity isn't without its side effects, as this is the only region in the country able to match Lisbon and Porto when it comes to outrageous rent and property prices. Plus, it's an extremely seasonal destination, meaning most towns and cities don't have much going on outside of the Summer season.

Costa Vicentina

Considered one of the most iconic road trips in Portugal, the Costa Vicentina is a seaside region that stretches for over 100 km between the towns of Odeceixe and Burgau. Along the way, it goes through dreamy, pristine beaches, lovely coastal villages and hidden hiking trails, entering the Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina National Park. Although it is technically part of the Algarve, this region is extremely different from the tourist-oriented experience most other areas of the district typically provide, which is why we believe it deserves its own entry. Popular spots you can use as a base include Odeceixe, Zambujeira do Mar, Aljezur, Porto Covo or Vila Nova de Milfontes.

Alentejo

There's a stereotype in Portugal that people from Alentejo take things a bit too slowly. Although this is somewhat exaggerated, there's at least some truth to it, as time does seem to go by more slowly in Alentejo, as the scorching sun burns through the region's iconic vast plains and desolate landscape. This part of the country is a lot more connected to nature and to rural life, so it's often the perfect choice for expats wishing to live in small villages or trying to start their own nature-based communities. On the downside, and especially outside the main urban centers, infrastructure can be pretty outdated and public services are abysmal. For tourists, though, Alentejo is a great place to relax for a few days or weeks, whether you wish to see the roman temples and spooky ossuaries in Évora, check out some of the most beautiful small towns in Portugal (Monsaraz, Elvas, Estremoz, Marvão, Castelo de Vide and more) or simply go off-grid and rent a cabin in the middle of nowhere!

Read also The Portuguese lifestyle

Braga

Considered the biggest city outside of the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto, Braga has also been recognized as one of the best places to live in Portugal. As of now, the city is experiencing fast growth, steadily on its way to becoming one of the country's most important urban, commercial and economic hubs. Plus, it's less than an hour away from Porto, so you're still close to an international airport! The city itself is quite pretty and boasts a relaxed and well-preserved historic center that hasn't yet been completely reclaimed by tourism. As a result, and unlike other popular places in Portugal, one can still feel the city belongs to its actual residents. In the outskirts, tourists flock to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, one of Portugal's most important religious centers and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the city of Guimarães - just 25 km away - is also worth a visit.

The biggest events in Portugal

One thing to keep in mind is that Portugal is a country where services, infrastructure, entertainment options and business/work opportunities are highly concentrated in its biggest cities: especially Lisbon!

As such, if you're staying in a small town, chances are you'll probably be bored after the feeling of moving to a new place fizzles out. Outside of the capital and maybe Porto, don't expect to come across special events or big concerts, as internationally recognized brands and artists are usually reserved for one of those two cities. Be that as it may, and as centralized as things might be, Portugal still plays host to all sorts of events every year.

Music festivals

One thing to keep in mind is that the Portuguese absolutely love music festivals. Every year, there are many events scattered across the country that mainly revolve around live music performances - especially in the Summer. Some events are relatively well-known worldwide or all across Europe - such as Rock in Rio Lisboa or Primavera Sound Porto - while others rely on international headliners to try to attract local and international crowds, like NOS Alive, Meo Marés Vivas or Vodafone Paredes de Coura.

Networking and business events

On a business level, no other event comes close to the Web Summit, the famous technology conference that takes place in Lisbon every November. If you're in the IT industry (or just curious about business in general), attending is a must, as the event centers on emerging technologies and venture capitalism. Needless to say, you can expect to rub shoulders with angel investors, CEOs from unicorn startup companies and Fortune 500 execs. The perfect place to put your networking skills to the test!

Movie festivals

For lovers of the "Seventh Art", and though Portugal isn't exactly on the route of any famous movie festivals, Fantasporto remains an important event for independent moviemakers wishing to showcase their work. It is by far the most important movie festival in Portugal, as well as one of the most prestigious in Europe for fans of horror and supernatural movies.

Sports events

Moving on to sports, Portugal frequently plays host to many international events and competitions, from athletics to gymnastics, but also swimming, hockey, rowing, and more! Due to the nature of these competitions, different editions are hosted by different nations, meaning most events are one-time-only occurrences. A great example will be the 2030 World Cup - arguably the most watched sports competition in the world - which will be played in Portugal for the very first time in history (alongside Spain and Morocco). However, some popular competitions do take place on a yearly basis, such as the ATP tennis tournament Estoril Open, the Portuguese Motorcycle Grand Prix, the Portuguese Open (Golf), the Tour of Portuga l (cycling), or the Portuguese Formula 1 Grand Prix, which will be back after its last edition in 2020 (decision still pending).

Last, but certainly not least, patron saint celebrations are a huge thing in Portugal. Though people care less and less about their religious meaning, the parties are absolutely wild and attended by hundreds of thousands in the big cities. The streets are appropriately decorated, there are impromptu concerts and stages everywhere, and everyone is just happy to be there. In the specific cases of Lisbon and Porto, their patron saints' celebrations take place on June 13 (Santo António) and June 24 (São João), respectively. Although these are the bigger and rowdier parties of their kind in Portugal, every city and small town usually has its own thing going on in June.

Read also Living in Lisbon

Kid-friendly activities in Portugal

Since Portugal is a relatively traditional and very family-oriented country, it's no surprise that there are many cool activities to partake in with your kids.

Once again, it's much easier to find special events and kid-oriented activities in the likes of Porto, Lisbon or the Algarve. In Lisbon, the Oceanarium is usually a fan-favorite, standing alongside the Lisbon Zoo as prime attractions for animal lovers! To cross off some of the local attractions from your bucket list, ride one of Lisbon's historical trams and elevators or take the scenic Lisbon Cable Car over Parque das Nações, with great views of the Tagus River. Furthermore, and since Portugal is a nation that is absolutely obsessed with football, catching a local game at either Estádio da Luz or Estádio de Alvalade can also be a pretty cool thing to do with kids. As the nation's capital, the best Portuguese museums (for kids and grown-ups alike) are also located here. Check out MAAT, the Museum of Puppetry, the National Tile Museum or the Museum of Fado, as well as the fun interactive experiences at Lisboa Story Center and Quake.

Alternatively, if you're based in Porto and are looking for something to help your kids pass the time, you should visit the World of Discoveries. This interactive museum and exhibition center focuses on the iconic travels of Portuguese sailors and explorers, highlighting the small (or big) ways this tiny country ended up influencing places all over the world. Across the river, in Vila Nova de Gaia, you can also take the family on a day out to the Santo Inácio Zoo and to the nearby Gaia Biological Park. About 20/30 minutes away from the city center, you can find beaches in Matosinhos, Foz do Douro or Leça da Palmeira. If they prefer to go to the park, you're welcome to pay a visit to Parque da Cidade or to the beautiful Palácio de Cristal Gardens. Furthermore, catching one of Porto's old trams is a must! There are only 3 lines remaining, but they'll take you along the river banks in a short but very picturesque journey. Alternatively, you may also check the Gaia Cable Car or the Funicular dos Guindais for great views over the Douro. For Potter Heads, visiting the legendary Livraria Lello – consistently ranked among the most beautiful bookstores in the world – is a must, as this place is said to have inspired JK Rowling when she was writing her famous juvenile saga.

Sports in Portugal

A big part of our national identity, football is a way of life in Portugal. As such, supporting a club is almost like following a religion, and we can guarantee that the atmosphere on match days reflects that passion. Most of the excitement usually revolves around the country's powerhouse teams – SL Benfica, FC Porto and Sporting CP – with clubs like Sporting de Braga and Vitória SC also bringing a lot of people to the stadiums. Getting a ticket can be pretty hard for high-profile matches, but most fans will still gather in cafés, bars and restaurants to watch the action unfold. Most other teams have a much smaller following and they rarely fill their stadiums (except when playing one of the Big 3). This makes it possible to buy tickets at the last minute without much hassle.

While football (and its beach and salon – 5 vs 5 – variations) definitely takes the spotlight, there are plenty of other sports worth following. Cycling draws plenty of attention, while basketball, handball and roller hockey also have a steady fan base. In recent years, racket sports such as padel, tennis and pickleball have surged in popularity, especially in urban areas where new courts keep popping up.

Last but not least, surfing is another sport that some Portuguese natives are very passionate about. In fact, Portugal is home to the world-famous “Canhão da Nazaré”, the place where the tallest ever surfable waves were recorded (including the tallest one). Needless to say, this is a place only pros should try! Nonetheless, the country's almost 2000 km of coastline is dotted with great beaches for surfing, so you'll never be too far away from a place where you can catch some waves!