Portugal

Small enough to cross in a day, rich enough to fill a month. Lisbon’s hills, the Algarve’s cliffs, Porto’s river — pick your pace and let the rest wait for next time. Solo travellers blend in here without ever feeling like a spectacle.

Where to stay

EPIC SANA Lisboa Hotel

Lisbon · Santo António

A rooftop infinity pool over the Tagus, and central Lisbon spread out beneath it.

See if your Lisbon dates are free

  • A glass-and-steel tower in Santo António where the top-floor infinity pool looks straight down the Tagus toward the Ponte 25 de Abril. The spa runs across two floors, and the in-house restaurant leans into Portuguese seafood without ever feeling like a hotel dining room. It’s a five-minute walk to Avenida da Liberdade, so you’re never far from the centre, but the rooftop is the kind of place you’ll want to linger even after the pool closes.

Pestana Porto, A Brasileira

Porto · Historic Centre

Housed in the old literary café A Brasileira, right in Porto’s historic centre.

See if your Porto dates are free

  • Built inside the building that once housed A Brasileira, the café where Lisbon’s and Porto’s writers argued over coffee a century ago. The façade and tiled entrance are original; the rooms behind them are contemporary. You’re steps from Livraria Lello, Clérigos Tower and São Bento station, so the historic centre unfolds on foot from the front door without ever needing a taxi.

Tivoli Carvoeiro

Algarve · Carvoeiro

Perched on the clifftop, a two-minute walk from Praia do Vale Covo’s hidden cove.

See if your Algarve dates are free

  • Located in Lagoa, Tivoli Carvoeiro is near the airport and near the beach. Albufeira Marina and Marina de Lagos are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Carvoeiro Beach and Benagil Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider Slide and Splash Water Park, or check out an event or a game at Carvoeiro Tennis Club. With snorkelling, water skiing and parasailing nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.

8 Bucket List things to do in Portugal

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10 of the best Portuguese Tours

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The best places to stay in Portugal

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    • Portugal ranks 7th safest of 163 countries in the 2026 Global Peace Index — a position it has held since 2023.

    • Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, older than Rome, Paris and London.

    • Port wine has been regulated by demarcation since 1756, and the Alto Douro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    • Portugal is the world's biggest producer of cork.

    • Lisbon to Porto takes under three hours on the Alfa Pendular, so you can do both on one trip without flying.

  • Best time — March to June, then September into October. July and August bring the heat and the biggest crowds, especially in Lisbon and the Algarve.

    Getting around — Trains link Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra, and the Alfa Pendular is the fast one. For the Alentejo and the Douro valley you'll want a car. Lisbon's trams are charming and slow; the metro is faster when you're actually trying to get somewhere.

  • Portugal is one of the easiest countries in Europe to travel alone, and the safety ranking backs that up rather than just being a marketing line. The usual caution applies on Lisbon's tram 28 and in crowded areas, where pickpocketing is the main risk. Worth knowing before you book: Alfama's lanes are steep, cobbled and dimly lit at night, so a room at the top of them is a lovely view and a real climb.

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