Whether you spend one night in this charming riverside city or several, my insider tips should help you decide where to stay in Coimbra. As the city I lived in for my first year in Portugal and where I worked for another 8 years, I know it well. It’s alsoRead More →
Where’s the best place to stay in Lisbon if you’re visiting for the first time? The central neighbourhoods of Chiado, Baixa, Principe Real, Bairro Alto, Avenida da Liberdade, and possibly Alfama, are the best areas for accommodation if you want to be based in the heart of the city andRead More →
It’s a pity that more people don’t visit Faro, although that is starting to change. The Algarve’s capital city has more going for it than a mere gateway to the beaches and resort towns. Once you read about the many things to do in Faro and around, I think you’ll agree thatRead More →
I often get asked about things to do in Porto, especially its ‘must sees’. In my experience, this intriguing city has such a lot to offer that it’s hard to narrow down the selection. It’s a city whose architecture spans millennia with traces of Roman dwellings, plenty of medieval housesRead More →
You’ll find there are plenty of things to do in Funchal, Madeira Island’s capital city. Some of the city’s most worthwhile attractions are way above sea level and best reached by cable car but the journey is part of the fun. Thankfully, old town Funchal is relatively flat and easyRead More →
I am often asked about the best things to do in Lisbon. To answer that question, I’ve drawn on my experiences of countless visits to the city over the years, to collate the best of Lisbon’s must see sights and hidden gems. I get cross whenever I see a listRead More →
I’m always looking for an excuse to visit Guimarães. This ancient northern city is known as the cradle or birthplace of Portugal so its wealth of cultural heritage is hardly surprising, nor is its UNESCO World Heritage classification. There are plenty of things to do in Guimaraes and it’s road andRead More →
With so many fun things to do in Braga, it’s well worth incorporating into your Northern Portugal itinerary. The former Roman city of Bracara Augusta is now the capital of Northern Portugal’s Minho region and is well and truly steeped in history and architectural treasures. Try to allocate at leastRead More →
With its prime position on the mouth of the river Douro and its huddle of colourful buildings, Porto is extremely photogenic. Here are my tips for where to find the best views in Porto so you can go home with enviable holiday snaps. Note that my flexible self-guided walking tour of Porto sightsRead More →
