Portugal luxury vacations 2024 & 2025

Key destinations in Portugal include Lisbon, Sintra, the Douro Valley, and the Algarve. In sophisticated Lisbon you’ll find trams and funiculars navigating the hilly streets between exuberant Baroque churches and the narrow laneways of the Moorish Alfama.

Northwest of Lisbon, Sintra is known for its fairytale parks, gardens, and palaces, while further north, the terraced hillsides of the Douro Valley are blanketed in vineyards in one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions.

For golden sands and Moorish and Roman ruins head to the Algarve, but if you’d like to get away from it all, the nine volcanic islands that make up the Azores offer dramatic craters and steaming fumaroles as well as sun-drenched vineyards and gushing waterfalls.

Far more than a bed for the night, hotels in Portugal offer an insight into local life and history with stays in 16th-century convents, 300-year-old wine estates, and opulent former palaces. History is never far from the mind with a stay in a characterful former monastery, an elaborate boutique hotel set in a 15th-century palace, or converted country mansion with vineyard views.

If you prefer something sleek and modern, you’ll find chic, sophisticated hotels in the heart of Lisbon and sleek apartments made from volcanic stone in the Azores, while along the coast, we’ve found smart resorts on secluded beaches and boutique retreats set in lush gardens.

To get a better idea of what’s on offer, browse our collection of places to stay in Portugal.

Roman, Moorish, and Baroque architecture, terraced vineyards, and sunny beaches await in Portugal. Portugal offers rich culture, historic streets, and memorable food and wine experiences. While here, you could wander Moorish alleyways, explore the crypts of medieval cathedrals, or see whimsical palaces and gardens built by royalty to escape the summer heat.

Explore the vast Palácio Nacional de Mafra, an 18th-century palace-monastery with more than 1,200 rooms, listen to melancholy but entrancing fado music, join elaborate Holy Week processions, feast on custard tarts, or learn about the country’s long history of wine making.

You can retreat to the coast for sunshine and sandy beaches, cruise down a river in a private yacht, or head for the far-flung islands of the Azores to discover crater lakes and lava tubes, hot springs, and heavenly hiking.

It takes around seven hours to fly from the East Coast of the US to Portugal, and around 13 hours from the West Coast.

The time zone in mainland Portugal is UTC+0 hours, while in the Azores it’s UTC-1 hour. Daylight Savings Time is observed from late-March to late-October.

The best way to get around in Portugal is to drive. The road network is well maintained, car rental is straightforward, and it gives you the freedom to explore as and where you wish. If you’d prefer not to drive, we can arrange for a private driver to take you between destinations.

US citizens don’t need a visa to travel to Portugal. However, your time in Portugal will contribute to your 90-day limit for travel in the Schengen area.

Speak to your doctor for current advice on immunizations for Portugal and ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations at home. You can also check the suggested vaccinations on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Check that your passport will be valid for three months beyond your departure from Portugal or the wider Schengen area if you’re also visiting other European countries on the same trip.