Honeymoon in portugal
Adventure, islands, stunning cities, vineyards and wild beaches, a honeymoon in Portugal is a lesser discovered delight…
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OVERVIEW
One of Southern Europes lesser discovered gems when it comes to honeymoons, from Porto to Lisbon to the Algarve and stunning Atlantic Ocean islands. There are many delights to be found on a honeymoon in Portugal!
Lisbon is usually the first stop for couples on a honeymoon in Portugal. This city of hills is one of Europe’s most picturesque.
Take a ride on the famous tram. Admire the elegant architecture of the Chiado and visit the world’s oldest bookshop Livraria Bertrand (opened in 1792!).
Wander through the cobblestone streets of Alfama and marvel at the views from Castelo de Sao Jorge.
Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. Discover history and art in one of Lisbon’s many museums.
We love the fairytale National Coach Museum and the Berardo Collection Museum, which has some gems from the surrealists.
A Pastel de Nata, or custard tart from Pastéis de Belém, is a must. This little tiled shop has been serving their secret recipe since 1837 (tip: sit in rather than take out!).
Admire the historic squares of Baixa. Visit Cais do Sodré and it’s famous Rua Nova do Carvalho aka Pink Street (which is packed with revellers by night).
The bohemian neighbourhood of Bairro Alto is one of our favourites on earth. By day admire the view from São Pedro de Alcântara Viewpoint and visit the Bica Funicular, probably Lisbon’s most photographed spot.
It’s also the best destination in the city for foodies and night owls. Catch a folk music (and dinner) Fado show. A quick hop outside of the city is a must, to the lovely seaside town Cascais and nearby Sintra and Palacio de Pena and Castelo dos Mouros.
Portugal’s second city, Porto, in the north, should be the first place to start so that you can make a beeline down the coast. But not before sampling the highlights of the city and surrounds!
Spend a couple of days exploring this foodie city. The 100-year-old Livraria Lello bookshop, the views from Clérigos Tower and Ponte de Dom Luís I bridge are all worth stopping by.
Buy soaps from Claus Porto and chocolate from Chocolataria Equador. Bring home some Port wine. Wander in the gardens of Jardins do Palácio de Cristal.
You can take a road trip to the stunning UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley, home to some of Europe’s oldest vineyards.
Take the scenic train ride (and make your honeymoon more sustainable) from the ornate São Bento Train Station. Wine connoisseurs should spend a night or two in the region.
The drive from Porto to Lisbon is around 300km / 200 miles. You could take the train if you just want to city hop, but in between you’ll find rolling mountains and wild surfing beaches and cute towns like Obidos and Aveiro (the “Venice of Portugal”).
The Estrada Nacional (National Road 2 or N2) aka Portugal’s Route 66 spans 739km and takes you through the heart of the country from Chaves in the North to Faro in the South. It’s a hugely popular biking route.
If you stick to the coast, north of Lisbon, discover surfing towns like Nazare, Peniche, Santa Cruz and Ericeira. Some of the best surfing waves in the world are here. Take a trip to the Berlengas Archipelago. South of Lisbon, you’ll find the Alentejo region.
The Costa Azul / Setubal peninsula’s has beaches for relaxing and mountains for hiking just a stone’s throw away from the capital. Explore Arrabida National Park. Stop at the hotspot towns of Melides and Comporta and the UNESCO World Heritage town of Évora. The southwest part of Alentejo and Costa Vicentina is probably the wildest in Southern Europe.
The southern part of Portugal, known as the Algarve, is the most famous region with a lovely coastline featuring some of Europe’s most expansive and cleanest beaches.
Spend your days soaking up some sun along the pristine beaches and in the cute seaside towns and villages, each with its own distinct vibe.
Whether you’re looking for lively party beach resorts or tiny laid back fishing towns. Explore the lovely spots like Tavira and Carvoeira and stylish spots like Vilamoura.
If you’re looking for an adventure honeymoon and are considering a honeymoon in Portugal, you must visit the Azores!
Lying 1500kms from mainland Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean, this remote archipelago is known as ‘the Hawaii of Europe’.
The breathtaking landscapes of volcanic peaks covered in lush forests and black sand beaches, craggy cliffs and deep blue waters are ideal for couples who want to get off the beaten track.
It’s one of the best honeymoon destinations for whale and dolphin watching, diving and even surfing. It’s a haven for hiking and the sunrise and sunset from Mount Pico are perfection.
The quaint colourful towns are worth exploring, too. Whether it’s canyoning or horse riding, it’s perfect for adventure lovers. San Miguel island is the unofficial capital, and you’d need nearly 3 weeks to explore all 9 islands in the Azores.
Picking a couple of islands ideal as part of a longer honeymoon in Portugal itinerary.
Another lovely option is the holiday island of Madeira. This island north of Spain’s Canary Islands, off the coast of Morocco is hugely popular with European travellers with flights from not just mainland Portugal but many European countries all year round.
You’ll find lovely hotels, a compact capital, Funchal, Michelin star restaurants and beautiful hiking trails and boats that will take you whale and dolphin watching.
Is Portugal good for a honeymoon? Yes! As you can see, there is a lot more to a honeymoon in Portugal than first meets the eye! Vineyards, wild beaches, beautiful cities and exciting islands await!
where to tag on
Have you got more time and been thinking about planning a multi-destination honeymoon?
You can also combine Portugal with any country in Europe, with regular daily flights year round to Porto, Lisbon and Faro, too.
Spain is very accessible. For example, Seville is only two hours from Faro to create a beautiful multi-centre honeymoon on the Iberian Peninsula.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to honeymoon in Portugal from April to October, when the weather is warm.
From July to August, the weather heats up with temperatures with average temperatures around 28°C / 80°F in Lisbon in high summer, however inland can get hotter.
During winter, Portugal is cooler and gets more rain, with average temperatures of around of 10°C / 50°F but you will see plenty of sunny winter days too.
how long to stay
We recommend at least 10 – 14 nights for a honeymoon in Portugal.
However, the ideal duration of a honeymoon in Portugal can vary depending on personal preferences and budget.
10 nights will allow you some time to recover from jet lag if necessary and see multiple destinations with a mix of activities and relaxation.
