The Portugal Bucket List: 25 Things to Do

From riding tram 28 to tasting port in the cellars where it ages, these are the experiences that make a trip to Portugal unforgettable. Here’s our Portugal bucket list: 25 things to do at least once, with links to plan each one.

Quick answer: the top five are eating a warm pastel de nata in Belém, exploring Pena Palace in Sintra, tasting port in Gaia, taking a boat into the Benagil cave, and hearing fado in Alfama.

How to use this list

You can’t do all 25 in one trip, and you don’t need to. Pick a region or two and tick off what’s there. Lisbon and Porto items fit easily into a week. The Algarve is best for a slower beach week, and the islands need a separate trip of their own. Each item links to a full guide with prices, times and how to get there.

Lisbon and around

1. Ride tram 28 through Alfama. The old wooden trams squeal up hills and squeeze through lanes barely wider than they are. Ride early in the morning to get a seat. See the trams guide.
2. Eat pastel de nata warm from the oven in Belém, with a dusting of cinnamon and icing sugar. The famous Pastéis de Belém bakery has made them since 1837. See the best pastel de nata.
3. Hear fado in a tiny Alfama tavern. These are songs of longing, sung by candlelight, and you’re expected to stay silent while they play. See fado in Lisbon.
4. Watch sunset from a miradouro, one of the city’s many free viewpoints over the red roofs and the river. See Lisbon viewpoints.
5. Explore Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, a short train ride from Lisbon. Pena’s tickets are for a set date and time (the Essential Visit is €20), so book ahead. Private cars can’t drive up to the palace, so take the bus or walk. See visiting Sintra.
6. Stand at Cabo da Roca, Europe’s westernmost point, where the cliffs drop into the Atlantic. The clifftop is free. Since July 2026 you can also visit the lighthouse, from €5, or €10 with the climb. See the Cabo da Roca guide.
7. Drink ginjinha from a hole-in-the-wall bar. It’s a sour cherry liqueur, often served in a tiny cup. See the ginjinha guide.

One classic has dropped off the list for now: Lisbon’s Glória and Bica funiculars and the Santa Justa lift have been closed since the September 2025 accident.

Porto and the north

8. Taste port in the Gaia cellars, just across the river from Porto. Most lodges run tours with a tasting at the end. See the port wine guide.
9. Walk across the Dom Luís I Bridge at sunset. The upper deck has the best views over the Ribeira. See Porto viewpoints.
10. Eat a francesinha, Porto’s huge sandwich of meats covered in melted cheese and a beer and tomato sauce. See what to eat in Porto.
11. Cruise or drive the Douro Valley at harvest time, roughly mid-September to early October, when the terraced vineyards are busy with pickers. See the Douro.
12. Ride the train along the Douro river from Porto to Pinhão, one of Europe’s most scenic rail journeys. It takes about two and a half hours, and the line to Régua reopened in April 2026 after upgrade works. See the train guide.
13. Swim in a waterfall pool in Peneda-Gerês, Portugal’s only national park, in summer. See Peneda-Gerês.

Central Portugal and the Alentejo

14. See the giant waves at Nazaré in winter. The biggest swells come mainly from October to March. Watch from the lighthouse above Praia do Norte. See Nazaré.
15. Walk the walls of Óbidos, a medieval village about an hour from Lisbon. Try the local ginja in a chocolate cup. See Óbidos.
16. Visit the Chapel of Bones in Évora, lined with the bones and skulls of thousands of monks. See Évora.
17. Stargaze over the Alqueva dark sky reserve, with guided telescope sessions near Monsaraz. See Monsaraz.

The Algarve

18. Take a boat into the Benagil cave. Since 2024 you can only visit on a licensed boat, kayak or paddleboard tour, and nobody can land on the beach inside. See Algarve boat trips and the Benagil cave guide.
19. Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys trail, about 5.7km one way along the clifftops from Praia da Marinha to Praia de Vale Centeanes, past Benagil. Allow two hours or more one way. Start early in summer, as there’s no shade. See Algarve hikes.
20. Watch sunset at Cape St Vincent, the windswept south-western tip of Europe near Sagres. See Sagres.
21. Eat cataplana by the sea. It’s a seafood stew cooked and served in a clam-shaped copper pan. See the seafood guide.

The islands

22. Walk a levada in Madeira. These old irrigation channels have flat paths beside them through forests and along cliffs. See levada walks.
23. Toboggan down from Monte in Funchal, in a wicker sledge steered by two men in straw hats, about 2km down steep streets. Since May 2026 it costs €30 for one person, €40 for two and €60 for three, paid in cash on the day. See Funchal.
24. See whales in the Azores. April to October is the main season. See Azores tours.
25. Look down on Sete Cidades and bathe in Furnas’ hot springs on São Miguel. Terra Nostra Park’s big iron-rich pool costs €17 for adults, with dated tickets online. See São Miguel.

When to go

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) suit most of this list: warm days, fewer crowds and lower prices. Summer is best for the Algarve beaches, Gerês waterfalls and calm seas around the islands, but it’s hot inland. Winter is the time for Nazaré’s big waves and quiet cities, and Madeira stays mild all year.

Practical tips

• Book ahead: Pena Palace slots, Benagil tours and popular port cellars fill up in summer.
• Getting around: trains link Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto, but you’ll want a car for the Alentejo, Gerês and much of the Algarve coast.
• Pace yourself: two or three items a day is plenty. Leave time for long lunches.

FAQ

What is the number one thing to do in Portugal?

For most first-time visitors it’s Sintra’s Pena Palace, closely followed by a warm pastel de nata in Belém and port tasting in Gaia.

How many days do you need to tick off the highlights?

About 10 days covers Lisbon, Sintra, Porto and a few days in the Algarve. The Azores and Madeira need a separate week of their own.

Can you swim into the Benagil cave?

No. Since 2024 swimming to the cave and landing on its beach are banned, and you can only visit on a licensed boat or guided kayak tour.

Plan it

See 10 days in Portugal, 2 weeks by train and the best time to visit.

More: Portugal’s hidden gems and the most Instagrammable places.

See also: the best places to visit in Portugal.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.