Lonely Planet Portugal (Travel Guide)

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The 76m-high (249ft) Torre dos Clérigos, designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni in the 1700s, is Porto’s signature landmark. The baroque tower soars above the city rooftops and visitors can climb 225 steps to reach far-reaching city views from the top. It's not an experience for the claustrophobic – the structure definitely wasn’t built with big crowds in mind! Comprehensive selection of maps throughout and beautiful full-colour photography to inspire you as you plan your unforgettable journey From the milepost, you can walk southwest, following the Rio Homem downhill through the beautiful Mata de Albergaria forest. This entire stretch is littered with Roman trail markers – some inscribed with the name of the emperor during whose rule they were erected. 6. Rocha da Pena circuit Typically the rainiest month of the year, November in Lisbon is cold rather than freezing, but life moves indoors. One of the largest tech industry events in Europe takes over the city at the beginning of the month, and after hours, nightlife hotspots get crowded.

Even if you limit your travels to the city, you’ll want to have good shoes. You’ll find steep streets, loose cobblestones and uneven sidewalks in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and many other towns. Save the heels and dress shoes for nicer restaurants and nightclubs. Good shoes will also come in handy when you want to take a walk beyond the town. Across the country, Portugal has some magnificent hikes, like the stunning clifftop trail of Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos – not difficult to do, but you need proper footwear. Dress modestly when visiting churches Planning tip: For fresh-off-the-boat seafood, factor in lunch in Matosinhos, where an entire street (Rua Heróis de França) is enshrouded in the smoke from sizzling outdoor grills. 3. Climb the Clérigos Tower Porto’s west coast location, at the intersection of the North Atlantic Ocean and the Douro River, makes for some epic sunsets. When the daylight starts to fade, Porto hipsters grab a beatbox and some cold beers and head to the narrow park along Passeio das Virtudes, which slips down the hillside in a series of terraces. When you see how busy this place gets, you’ll realize that Porto sunsets are serious business. The beachfront at Foz do Douro is another top spot to catch the sun's last rays, as is the Jardim do Morro in Vila Nova de Gaia. 11. Experience world-class acoustics inside the Casa da Música With cloudless skies most of the year and little light pollution, the artificial Great Lake Alqueva in Alentejo is one of Portugal's most perfect spots for stargazing. These extraordinary conditions made the lake the first official starlight tourism destination in the world, as certified by Spanish-based Fundación Starlight. Several local companies offer stargazing and nighttime tours of the lake, and budding astronomers can also visit the observatory. Key events: Festas do Sítio Nazaré, Queer Lisboa Film Festival, Feiras Novas Ponte de Lima, Concertos na Avenida Porto, Festival Flamenco Lagos. October is harvest season in wine country

One of Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês' unforgettable hiking experiences is the Via Geira, an ancient Roman road that once stretched nearly 322km between Braga and Astorga (Spain), and now has World Heritage status. The most beautiful stretch begins at Portela de Homem, where the Roman milepost XXXIV still stands. Often rainy and chilly, the shortest month of the year is a welcome interlude between the busy holiday season and upcoming spring events. On the weekend before Shrove Tuesday, some Carnaval parades take over the streets, but the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations happen outside of Lisbon in nearby towns like Sesimbra and Torres Vedras. Praia do Camilo is a prime example of the small sandy coves that dot the coastline of the Algarve region. The small, dramatically set beach is located on the outskirts of Lagos, a pretty resort town with cobbled lanes and picturesque squares enclosed by 16th-century walls.

South of Lisbon, the Setúbal Peninsula has long been the weekend playground of Lisboetas (Lisbon residents). A ferry ride, followed by a short bus or bicycle ride, takes you to the Costa da Caparica, a seemingly endless beachfront that gets wilder and less crowded the further south you go. If you want a surf lesson, some downtime on the sands or a meal overlooking the lapping waves, this is the place to come. Key events: Amplifest, Festival Gastronómico Francesinha, Oktoberfest, Feira de Santa Iria in Faro, Feira de Praia Vila Real de Santo António. Places to stay are cheaper in November Wherever you go, expect higher prices, as accommodation prices typically increase by 30% or more during the summer high season. On the plus side, this is one of the most festive times to be in Portugal, with big national celebrations, as well as lots of local outdoor events (including concerts and film screenings). Low season months of November to March are a cheaper time to visitThe mercury soars in August, with sweltering days best spent at the beach, or, better yet, in the water (surfing, snorkeling, SUP adventures). This is Portugal’s busiest tourist month, and reserving months ahead is essential.

No matter where you roam in Portugal, you’re never far from the beach or a sparkling inland lake or river. Porto and Lisbon both have lovely beaches within easy reach of the city center, while remote corners of Portugal – like Peneda-Gerês National Park have waterfalls and natural pools. It would be a mistake not to bring your swimsuit, even if you think you won’t need it. Learn some Portuguese and use it Further north, you’ll find Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês, a vast, rugged wilderness of dramatic peaks, meandering streams and frozen-in-time stone villages. Dozens of hiking trails crisscross the reserve, taking walkers past old Roman roads, castle ruins or sparkling waterfalls.

Renting a car in Portugal is relatively straightforward, with rental outfits found in major towns, cities, and larger airports like Lisbon, Porto, and Faro. Fun insights that will pique your curiosity and take you to the heart of the place – embrace Alentejo's slow paced vibe with olive harvesting and horse riding; discover riverside Porto by bike and stop for freshly grilled seafood in Afurada; dive in the crisp waters of the human-made Azibo reservoir