Going on a holiday is always exciting, especially when the destination you are travelling to is as fascinating as Portugal. Although I have travelled to many countries, there is always something special about exploring a new place for the first time. So, this time my family and I chose to try a different holiday experience. We opted for a self-drive tour in Portugal. Instead of following the standard way, we took a self-drive tour that gave us complete freedom to discover Portugal at our pace.
From golden beaches to lush vineyards and vibrant cities, we were all set to explore everything Portugal had to offer. We took on eight days of pure magic, starting from Porto and ending at the capital city of Lisbon. Our itinerary included exploring caves, wine tasting, and savoring the local delicacies. With our route planned and car-packed, we set out on this trip, looking forward to creating memories.
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Once we landed and cleared immigration at the Lisbon airport, we picked up a self-drive vehicle and started our drive towards Porto. It is an ancient town between the sea and the Douro River. Porto is renowned for its historic landmarks, hilltop viewpoints, bridges, and Port wines. Imagine this – narrow cobblestone streets, hills, and homes adorned with white and blue tiles. It is like watching a picture postcard.
The number one thing that caught our eye was the magnificent views from the Dom Luís I Bridge. This bridge is an engineering masterpiece offering stunning views of the picturesque skyline of the city.
The next must-see tourist site is the Porto Cathedral. This beautiful Romanesque building from the 12th century is at the highest point of the old town, offering panoramic views of Porto. Its fortress-like design is impressive, with twin towers flanking the façade and a high-barrel roof. The interiors of the cathedral are mainly Romanesque, with rich gold and silver details. Inside, you will find three beautiful marble basins in the main area, and the chapels have stunning baroque-style wood carvings. The old quarter of the town is at the base of the cathedral, where cobbled streets and narrow ancient lanes lead to the riverside district. This ancient spot is also a UNESCO site.
Speaking about Porto without mentioning Port Wine is absolutely incomplete. Port is a fortified wine that is stronger and sweeter than the standard wines. Now, this Port Wine is primarily of three types
To explore this further, we drove to the Douro Valley.
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The drive from Porto to Douro Valley was gorgeous. We passed through winding roads along the hillsides and the Douro River flowing through the valley. The Douro Valley is famous for its centuries-old winemaking tradition and stunning beauty. As the oldest wine region in the world, it has lush vineyards and a rich history. It is a perfect spot for wine lovers with delicious wines, food, and welcoming locals. Port Wine is exclusively produced in Douro Valley. It has a higher alcohol content compared to other wines. The Port Wine production is strictly regulated. They are allowed to use grapes only from this region. It is this commitment to quality and tradition that makes Port Wine so special.
So, grabbing this opportunity, we did not want to miss a wine-tasting tour. As you drive through this beautiful region, you will find many wineries tucked into the hillsides, each with its rich history and unique flavours. We visited a few wine estates, took a vineyard tour and discovered the winemaking process. Of course, we did taste the three major types of Port wine – White, Ruby, and Tawny – each with its own character. But what was out of this world experience was its pairing with cheese and other traditional dishes.
One vineyard we visited was in an old church, where sipping wine among ancient stone walls and artwork felt like a unique journey through history. Another place had a modern tasting room with big windows showing beautiful valley views. The mix of old charm and contemporary style made the experience even more memorable.
Next in line on our Portuguese holiday was Lagos – the coastal gem of the Algarve.
The moment we arrived, we felt the laid-back beach town vibe. Lagos is a stunning coastal city renowned for its European vibe and upscale charm with whitewashed buildings. You can relate to it as a modern version of Goa. The town has a range of places to stay, from cosy BnBs to apartments and luxurious all-inclusive resorts. The USP of Lagos is its beaches, perfect for tanning, relaxation, and sunbathing. We explored many beaches, but the showstopper was Ponta da Pidade. There is no sand here, with amazing rock formations towering 20 meters above the Atlantic Ocean. The views are incredible, with golden rocks, beautiful sea arches, caves, and hidden grottos along the coast.
A highlight of our visit to Lagos is the Benagil Caves. We took a speed boat from Lagos, and with a short thirty-minute ride, we reached this incredible sea cave. The view was stunning, with turquoise waters and golden cliffs. Imagine entering a massive dome-like cave with a hole in the ceiling. This hole lit up the cave, creating a magical vibe. If you want to add some adventure, try kayaking – it takes you up close to the caves and allows you to explore the hidden corners. Alternatively, you can go hiking along the coast and its stunning views. So, when you are in the Algarve region in Portugal, do not miss the chance to explore the Benagil Caves – it offers a classic mix of thrill and natural beauty.
Departing from Lagos – we drove towards Sintra. The town is known for its brightly coloured buildings, fairy tale palaces, and natural beauty. There are plenty of things to do at this UNESCO site. It is an enchanting town full of royal palaces, historical monuments, cobblestone streets, and lush green gardens. One of the most famous landmarks in Portugal – the Pena Palace, seems something straight out of a fairytale. It is perched atop a hill with these crazy bright colours – yellows, reds, and purples. Inside, it is all intricate carvings and elaborate tiles. The views from up there are incredible – on a clear day, you can even see the horizon. Other town highlights are the vibrant shopping districts, local markets, cafes, restaurants, and nightlife in the old town.
Adventure lovers can also opt for paragliding, surfing, and kayaking on the beaches in the nearby area. If you love nature, you should explore the lush forests, visit the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, and enjoy the views of the Atlantic Coast. Oh, and, we made a quick stop at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe. Standing there, looking out at the Atlantic, you really feel like you are at the border of the world.
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The last segment of our Portugal tour – was the westernmost capital city of Europe.
Ancient and vibrant – Lisbon is full of life and represents the lively Portuguese culture. Set on seven hills, the narrow streets of the city feature old colourful buildings. The landscape of the town is truly exotic, with golden sand beaches and hills. Check out the ancient charm of St. George Castle, Jeronimos Monastery, National Azulejo Museum, and Belem Tower. Millions of tourists visit Lisbon for its ancient ruins, Fado music, trams, winding old town, and the thing we liked the most – Pasteis de Nata.
We rode on the famous Tram 28, and it was a blast. It is this cute yellow tram that winds its way through the most historic neighbourhoods of the city. As you board the tram at the Estrela Basilica, you are instantly teleported in the past. The tram clatters along narrow streets, passing through ancient buildings with colourful tiles. It is the best way to see the city. It takes you through the soul and heart of Lisbon, giving you a taste of the vibrant culture and rich history of the city.
One of our favourite spots was the Time Out Market. It is a massive space with restaurants, bars, shops, and a top-notch music venue, offering the best food, drinks, and entertainment in Lisbon. There are several food stalls selling everything from traditional Portuguese dishes to fancy fusion cuisine. Another highlight feature of this market is its vibrant atmosphere, with live entertainment and music happening multiple times throughout the week.
Just a block away from Time Out Market, there is Pink Street. Yes, it is actually pink! It used to be the red light district, but now it is this cool area full of bars and clubs. If you are looking for nightlife in Lisbon, this is the place. The pavement is painted bright pink, which makes for some great photos. It is one of the favourite streets in Europe. This small pedestrian street is also often used as an open-air art gallery.
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This content on Portugal would definitely be incomplete without mentioning the local food. To begin with – we had Pastéis de Nata. These are little custard tarts, that you will find everywhere in the country, but the best ones are at Manteigaria in Lisbon. Crispy, flaky pastry filled with creamy custard and dusted with cinnamon – it is like a little piece of heaven. At Manteigaria, you can also watch the entire baking process. As soon as you step inside, you can smell the freshly baked tarts, and I guarantee, that you will not be able to resist tasting a few.
But our local food-tasting experience does not end here. Portugal is also renowned for its traditional Ginja Liqueur and fruity Sangria. The Ginja is a Portuguese liqueur infused with sugar, sour cherries, and cinnamon. It is super sweet, dark red, and strong, with an ABV of approximately 18–24%. Although Sangria is a Spanish drink, it is popular in Portugal too. It is an alcoholic drink made of a mix of chopped fruit, red wine, ice, and spices. It is a perfect drink to enjoy on a warm day. Together, these flavours offer a taste of Portugal that you won’t soon forget.
How can we leave Portugal without buying a few souvenirs? Portugal is renowned for its cork products. Did you know that Portugal produces more than half the amount of corks in the world? We bought a cork wallet and a Fridge Magnet of Slate. Some other popular souvenirs are cork products, traditional Portuguese ceramics, gold and silver filigree jewellery, Olive oil, Pasteis de Nata, and Port Wines.
As we end our trip in Lisbon, I agree that this country enchants the heart and soul of every traveller who visits. From the sun-soaked beaches of the Algarve to the rolling hills of the Douro Valley, from the exciting energy of Lisbon to the narrow streets of Porto, every moment on this trip had been an adventure.
Self-driving across the country gave us the added liberty to explore the country, as per our preferences. Portugal seamlessly blends modernity with traditions. As I settled into my flight seat, I knew this would not be my last visit to Portugal. There is still so much to explore in the enchanting country. So if you are thinking about visiting Portugal, Book your Portugal tour packages ASAP to explore this European gem.
I Mrs. Ketika Shah (Sales Manager, Flamingo Transworld) Joined Flamingo Transworld in 2002 and started the outbound tour department. I got a chance to explore many countries, took international tours, deal with many people, and understood customers’ psychology. I graduated with B.sc and entered in Aviation and Tourism Industry with the certified course of IATA. I believe in selling quality tours to our customers as our employees are our biggest strengths.
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