https://portugaltraveltips.com/ Practical, up-to-date Portugal travel guides from the Portugal Travel Tips groups. en https://portugaltraveltips.com/laurisilva-madeira/https://portugaltraveltips.com/laurisilva-madeira/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Madeira's Laurisilva laurel forest: why UNESCO listed it, the trees and birds, the best places to see it, the EUR 4.50 trail bookings and what to wear. https://portugaltraveltips.com/nos-alive-festival/https://portugaltraveltips.com/nos-alive-festival/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Going to NOS Alive in Alges: 2027 dates, tickets and passes, getting there from Lisbon by train, where to stay, what to bring and tips for the festival grounds. https://portugaltraveltips.com/skiing-in-portugal/https://portugaltraveltips.com/skiing-in-portugal/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Skiing in Portugal at Serra da Estrela: what the small resort near Torre is like, the 2026-27 season, lift pass and rental prices, and getting there. https://portugaltraveltips.com/best-beaches-in-the-azores/https://portugaltraveltips.com/best-beaches-in-the-azores/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Best Azores beaches: black sand on Sao Miguel, pale sand on Santa Maria, Porto Pim on Faial, lava pools on Pico and Terceira, plus sea temperatures. https://portugaltraveltips.com/alentejo-beaches/https://portugaltraveltips.com/alentejo-beaches/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Alentejo beaches from Comporta and Melides to Porto Covo, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Almograve and Zambujeira do Mar, with access, lifeguards and safety tips. https://portugaltraveltips.com/igreja-do-carmo-porto/https://portugaltraveltips.com/igreja-do-carmo-porto/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Igreja do Carmo in Porto: the free 1912 tile wall, the hidden house between two churches, the EUR 8 ticket with catacombs, opening hours and photo tips. https://portugaltraveltips.com/museu-do-oriente-lisbon/https://portugaltraveltips.com/museu-do-oriente-lisbon/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Museu do Oriente in Lisbon: the Portuguese Presence in Asia collection, EUR 10 tickets, free Friday evenings, closed Mondays, and getting to Alcantara. https://portugaltraveltips.com/thermal-spas-portugal/https://portugaltraveltips.com/thermal-spas-portugal/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Thermal spas in Portugal: the best termas by region, from Chaves and Vidago to Sao Pedro do Sul, Luso and Geres, what each is known for, prices and tips. https://portugaltraveltips.com/leitao-bairrada/https://portugaltraveltips.com/leitao-bairrada/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Leitao da Bairrada, Mealhada's roast suckling pig: how it is cooked, how it is sold and what it costs, the sparkling wine to drink and the wine route. https://portugaltraveltips.com/hiking-in-portugal/https://portugaltraveltips.com/hiking-in-portugal/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000The best hiking in Portugal: Madeira levadas and Pico Ruivo, the Rota Vicentina, Peneda-Geres, the Azores and the Seven Hanging Valleys, plus 2026 trail fees. https://portugaltraveltips.com/lisbon-museums/https://portugaltraveltips.com/lisbon-museums/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000The best museums in Lisbon: the reopened Gulbenkian, MAAT, the Coach Museum, Museu do Fado and Carmo, with 2026 prices and the museums closed for renovation. https://portugaltraveltips.com/best-tours-in-madeira/https://portugaltraveltips.com/best-tours-in-madeira/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000West island tours, jeep safaris, Pico do Arieiro sunrise, levada walks, whale watching and canyoning: the best Madeira tours. https://portugaltraveltips.com/porto-churches/https://portugaltraveltips.com/porto-churches/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Porto's most beautiful churches: Clerigos, the Se, the gilded Sao Francisco, the tiled Capela das Almas and Carmo, Serra do Pilar and a half-day walk. https://portugaltraveltips.com/football-in-portugal/https://portugaltraveltips.com/football-in-portugal/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Football in Portugal: how visitors buy Benfica, Sporting and FC Porto tickets, prices, stadium tours at the Luz, Alvalade and Dragao, and match-day tips. https://portugaltraveltips.com/sao-francisco-church-porto/https://portugaltraveltips.com/sao-francisco-church-porto/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Sao Francisco Church in Porto: the gilded baroque interior, the Tree of Jesse, catacombs and museum, one ticket of about EUR 9, hours and nearby sights. https://portugaltraveltips.com/porto-museums/https://portugaltraveltips.com/porto-museums/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000The best museums in Porto: Serralves, the Bolsa palace, Sao Francisco, World of Discoveries, WOW, Casa da Musica and more, with 2026 prices. https://portugaltraveltips.com/best-time-to-visit-the-azores/https://portugaltraveltips.com/best-time-to-visit-the-azores/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000When to visit the Azores: weather by season, the best time for whale watching, hiking, hydrangeas, island hopping and festivals. https://portugaltraveltips.com/praia-da-rocha/https://portugaltraveltips.com/praia-da-rocha/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Praia da Rocha in Portimao: 1.5km of sand below cliffs, the Tres Castelos viewpoint, the fortress and marina, boat trips, nightlife, parking and hotels. https://portugaltraveltips.com/pasteis-de-belem/https://portugaltraveltips.com/pasteis-de-belem/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon: open daily 8am to 9pm, EUR 1.60 a tart, how to skip the takeaway queue by eating inside, what to order and the recipe story. https://portugaltraveltips.com/monument-to-the-discoveries/https://portugaltraveltips.com/monument-to-the-discoveries/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Monument to the Discoveries in Belem: the 33 figures, the compass rose map, the rooftop viewpoint, 2026 tickets (EUR 10) and hours, and what is nearby. https://portugaltraveltips.com/boca-do-inferno-cascais/https://portugaltraveltips.com/boca-do-inferno-cascais/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Boca do Inferno near Cascais: the collapsed sea cave and viewpoints, the 2km coastal walk from the station, when to see big waves, safety and food nearby. https://portugaltraveltips.com/porto-trams/https://portugaltraveltips.com/porto-trams/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Porto trams: tram 1 along the Douro to Foz, tram 18 from Carmo, the tram 22 city loop, 2026 fares from EUR 6, timetables, the Tram Museum and queue tips. https://portugaltraveltips.com/pillar-7-lisbon/https://portugaltraveltips.com/pillar-7-lisbon/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Pillar 7 (Pilar 7) in Lisbon's 25 de Abril Bridge: the glass-floored deck, 372 steps while the lift is out, EUR 3 tickets, opening hours and getting there. https://portugaltraveltips.com/azores-hot-springs/https://portugaltraveltips.com/azores-hot-springs/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Azores hot springs on Sao Miguel: Terra Nostra, Poca da Dona Beija, Caldeira Velha and Ponta da Ferraria, with 2026 prices, hours and bathing tips. https://portugaltraveltips.com/mercado-dos-lavradores/https://portugaltraveltips.com/mercado-dos-lavradores/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Mercado dos Lavradores in Funchal: opening hours, flower sellers, fruit stalls and how not to get overcharged, the fish market, tiles and what's nearby. https://portugaltraveltips.com/what-to-eat-in-the-algarve/https://portugaltraveltips.com/what-to-eat-in-the-algarve/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Algarve food: cataplana, grilled sardines, piri-piri chicken, octopus, Ria Formosa clams and oysters, almond and fig sweets, medronho, and ordering tips. https://portugaltraveltips.com/porto-bridge-climb/https://portugaltraveltips.com/porto-bridge-climb/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Porto Bridge Climb on the Arrabida Bridge arch: 262 steps to 65 metres above the Douro, EUR 20, about 45 minutes, ages 12 and up, and how to get there. https://portugaltraveltips.com/what-to-eat-in-madeira/https://portugaltraveltips.com/what-to-eat-in-madeira/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Madeira's food and drink: espetada, bolo do caco, black scabbard fish with banana, lapas, poncha, Madeira wine and honey cake, with where to try each one. https://portugaltraveltips.com/what-to-eat-in-the-azores/https://portugaltraveltips.com/what-to-eat-in-the-azores/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Azores food: cozido das Furnas cooked in volcanic ground, alcatra, Sao Jorge cheese, pineapples, Gorreana tea, queijadas, island wines and where to eat. https://portugaltraveltips.com/vereda-dos-balcoes/https://portugaltraveltips.com/vereda-dos-balcoes/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Vereda dos Balcoes (PR11) in Madeira: an easy 3km return levada walk from Ribeiro Frio to a laurel forest viewpoint, the 2026 booking fee and bus 801. https://portugaltraveltips.com/monte-palace-garden/https://portugaltraveltips.com/monte-palace-garden/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Monte Palace Tropical Garden above Funchal: the oriental gardens, tile panels and museum, 2026 tickets and hours, the cable car up and how long to allow. https://portugaltraveltips.com/levada-do-rei/https://portugaltraveltips.com/levada-do-rei/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Walking Madeira's Levada do Rei (PR18): 5.3km each way from Quebradas near Sao Jorge into the laurel forest, trail status, EUR 4.50 fee, buses and tips. https://portugaltraveltips.com/levada-do-caldeirao-verde/https://portugaltraveltips.com/levada-do-caldeirao-verde/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Levada do Caldeirao Verde (PR9), Madeira: 13km return from Queimadas Forest Park via four tunnels to the waterfall, the EUR 4.50 booking and 2026 status. https://portugaltraveltips.com/unusual-things-to-do-in-lisbon/https://portugaltraveltips.com/unusual-things-to-do-in-lisbon/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Unusual Lisbon sights: the scorched Sao Domingos church, Casa do Alentejo's Moorish courtyard, LX Factory, Prazeres Cemetery and the Hospital de Bonecas. https://portugaltraveltips.com/pico-arieiro-to-pico-ruivo/https://portugaltraveltips.com/pico-arieiro-to-pico-ruivo/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1) on Madeira: the 7km one-way route, booking and the EUR 10.50 fee, sunrise, what to bring, safety and getting there. https://portugaltraveltips.com/santana-madeira/https://portugaltraveltips.com/santana-madeira/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Santana on Madeira's north coast: the triangular A-frame houses, the Madeira Theme Park, the Caldeirao Verde and Pico Ruivo walks, and getting there. https://portugaltraveltips.com/portuguese-sardines/https://portugaltraveltips.com/portuguese-sardines/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Grilled sardines are best from June to September: how to eat them on bread with peppers, where to try them, the Santo Antonio parties and tinned sardines. https://portugaltraveltips.com/boavista-porto/https://portugaltraveltips.com/boavista-porto/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Boavista in Porto: Casa da Musica tours and concerts, the Bom Sucesso market, the Serralves museum and park, getting around and hotels with more space. https://portugaltraveltips.com/ferragudo-portugal/https://portugaltraveltips.com/ferragudo-portugal/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Ferragudo, across the river from Portimao: grilled sardines on the riverside, the old town lanes, Praia Grande and the castle beach, plus where to stay. https://portugaltraveltips.com/alvor-portugal/https://portugaltraveltips.com/alvor-portugal/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Alvor near Portimao: a huge beach, the 6km dune boardwalk, the Tres Irmaos rocks, grilled fish by the harbour, the Ria de Alvor and where to stay. https://portugaltraveltips.com/camara-de-lobos/https://portugaltraveltips.com/camara-de-lobos/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Camara de Lobos, 15 minutes west of Funchal: colourful fishing boats, Churchill's viewpoint, poncha bars, espada, and how to combine it with Cabo Girao. https://portugaltraveltips.com/things-to-do-in-olhao/https://portugaltraveltips.com/things-to-do-in-olhao/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Olhao, 15 minutes from Faro: the waterfront market halls, Saturday farmers' market, the cube-house old town, ferries to Armona and Culatra, and seafood. https://portugaltraveltips.com/is-tap-water-safe-portugal/https://portugaltraveltips.com/is-tap-water-safe-portugal/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Yes, tap water is safe to drink across mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores. Why it can taste of chlorine, asking for it in restaurants and refills. https://portugaltraveltips.com/madeira-wine-guide/https://portugaltraveltips.com/madeira-wine-guide/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Madeira wine explained: the four styles from dry Sercial to sweet Malmsey, what 5, 10 and 15-year-old mean, and the best Funchal wine lodges for a tasting. https://portugaltraveltips.com/lisbon-walking-tours/https://portugaltraveltips.com/lisbon-walking-tours/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000The best walking tours in Lisbon: free tip-based tours of Baixa, Chiado and Alfama, plus food, street art, fado and Belem tours, and how to choose one. https://portugaltraveltips.com/tipping-in-portugal/https://portugaltraveltips.com/tipping-in-portugal/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000How much to tip in Portugal: about 5 to 10% in restaurants, small change in cafes, rounding up taxis, tour guides and hotels, plus the couvert explained. https://portugaltraveltips.com/piri-piri-chicken-algarve/https://portugaltraveltips.com/piri-piri-chicken-algarve/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Piri-piri chicken in the Algarve: frango da Guia near Albufeira, charcoal-grilled with chilli oil, how to order, where to eat it and making it at home. https://portugaltraveltips.com/cataplana-algarve/https://portugaltraveltips.com/cataplana-algarve/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Cataplana, the Algarve's copper-pan dish: how it is made, seafood, fish and pork with clams versions, how to order it (usually for two) and where to eat. https://portugaltraveltips.com/bifana-and-prego/https://portugaltraveltips.com/bifana-and-prego/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000What a bifana and a prego are, how they differ, regional styles, how to order one with mustard, the prego no prato, and where to find the best ones. https://portugaltraveltips.com/portuguese-breakfast/https://portugaltraveltips.com/portuguese-breakfast/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000What Portuguese people eat for breakfast: a bica or galao with a pastel de nata, buttered torrada or a tosta mista, how to order and where to find brunch.