A guide to Portugal’s seven regions – and why you should visit each

Visit for: Stunning natural landscapes and world-famous wines

Northern Portugal is renowned for its friendly inhabitants and their love of a good party. Tourists rarely venture far beyond the ridiculously picturesque city of Porto (and its equally good-looking sister city of Vila Nova de Gaia on the opposite bank of the Douro), but northern Portugal is also home to the country’s only national park: the wildly beautiful Peneda-Gerês, where wolves roam and villages are carved from ancient stone. 

The region is also home to historic cities packed with stunning Baroque architecture – there are particularly fine examples in beautiful Braga and in Guimarães, the city known as ‘the birthplace of Portugal – and gloriously unspoiled river beaches such as the pine-flanked sands of the Praia Fluvial da Lomba, on the banks of the Douro in Gondomar.

Then there are the verdant terraced hills of the Douro wine region, where the Douro International Natural Park further contributes to making this one of the most beautiful and diverse regions in the country – or indeed, the whole of Europe.

READ MORE: The best things to do in Porto

Visit for: Fairytale villages and blissful river beaches set at the foot of snow-capped mountains

Refreshingly untroubled by mass tourism, Central Portugal is a treat for adventurous travellers. You can goggle at the monster waves of Nazaré (and the highly-skilled surfers who dare to tackle them), master your own technique at the lively surf town of Peniche, or tackle hilly hiking and cycling trails between schist stone villages where hearty fare like suckling pig and sugary cakes replenish all that spent energy. 

Here you’ll find Portugal’s highest peaks – the UNESCO Geopark Serra da Estrela sees enough snow in winter to merit its own ski resort – and the gorgeous, forest-flanked river beaches of the interior make a crowd-free alternative to the lively sandy strips dotted along the 174 miles of coastline. Wine lovers, meanwhile, will revel in the robust reds and citrusy whites of the Dão region.

Urban adventurers have plenty to enjoy too: centuries-old religious buildings sit alongside buzzing bars and cafes in the handsome university city of Coimbra, while Aveiro (the self-proclaimed ‘Venice of Portugal’) is always impressive with its art nouveau architecture and brightly-painted canal boats.

Visit for: Buzzing city life, sandy stretches and a vibrant surf scene

Portugal’s famously sunny capital, Lisbon requires little introduction – its status as one of Europe’s hottest city destinations is richly deserved. But undiscovered treasures still lie among the hipster hubs and Segway-packed streets: you can spend a day spotting street art in the maze of streets that make up historic Alfama, seek out the hidden Chinese restaurants (Chinês clandestinos) operating from family apartments in the multicultural Martim Moniz neighbourhood, and fill up on huge plates at tiny tascas like Merendinho do Arco.

And if you’ve had enough of city life, you’re never more than a short bus or train ride away from glorious beaches and wild nature reserves. Hop on a train along the coastline to the popular beach towns of Cascais and Estoril and the adventurous terrain of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park; cross the river Tagus for the white sand, turquoise waters and pine-covered mountains of Serra da Arrabida, or take an hour-long bus ride to Ericeira – Europe’s first and only World Surf Reserve – for a laidback vibe and beachy lodgings like You and the Sea and Immerso.

READ MORE: The best things to do in Lisbon

Visit for: Sleepy traditional villages, fine food and wine, and celeb beach hangouts

Stretching south of Lisbon towards the Algarve, the sun-blessed Alentejo region (the name comes from the words ‘além Tejo’, or ‘beyond the Tejo’) has been quietly carving a reputation for itself as Portugal’s most chic beach destination. High-end boutique hotels offer ‘barefoot luxury’ lodgings in fashion-press favourites Comporta and neighbouring Melides, and the wines produced here are increasingly well regarded internationally. 

Exclusive beach hangouts aside, this is one of Portugal’s most traditional and least-explored destinations. There are plenty of charming towns to visit, from historic villages like the medieval Monsaraz to slow-paced fishing spots like Vila Nova de Milfontes. The pretty fishing town of Porto Covo marks the start of the dramatically beautiful Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentin Natural Park, which sweeps for 60 miles down to the Algarve and is notable for its surf beaches and multi-hued cliff faces.

Then there’s the region’s highly attractive capital, Évora: as notable for its food scene as its Roman temple and hauntingly impressive Chapel of Bones.

Visit for: Glorious beaches and picture-perfect fishing villages

Don’t let reports of hordes of lager-swigging ‘Brits abroad’ put you off visiting Portugal’s sunniest region. Not only does the Algarve have a reliably warm climate and some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, but it’s also home to sleepy whitewashed villages – each one seemingly even prettier and more packed with local charm than the last – and all easily reached by a scenic rail journey.

Fresh fish, seafood (and yes, that famously spicy piri-piri chicken) dominate the dining scene, and visitors would be well advised to give the pub grub a body swerve in favour of the local tascas, where you’ll be served a proper feast and a carafe of house wine for a fraction of the price of a fry up and pint of Guinness.

If you’re looking for a big city buzz, you’ll find it in Faro, the region’s lively capital. Want something lively but a little more laid-back? Join the surfer communities of watersports hotspots like Lagos and Sagres.

Visit for: Warm waters, jaw-dropping views and year-round sunshine

Nobody has ever accused Cristiano Ronaldo of hiding his light under a bushel, and the football legend’s home turf of Madeira really goes the extra mile in celebrating the success of its most famous son – even the airport in the regional capital Funchal is named in his honour. More of a Messi fan? You can bypass the Ronaldo museum, Ronaldo statue, and CR7 hotel, and just revel in Madeira’s breathtaking terraced mountains, sunny sub-tropical climate, year-round warm waters, and vibrantly-hued flowers.

An hour’s flight from the mainland, this archipelago in the North Atlantic is one of Portugal’s two Autonomous Regions. Its volcanic geography makes it a top destination for adventure sports enthusiasts: its towering peaks host a a spectacular Sky Race ultramarathon, featuring 34 miles of gruelling ascents and daring descents across 4,000 metres of elevation.

Mere mortals can bypass the running and enjoy the thrills and spills of Funchal’s toboggan run: whizzing down city streets in wicker baskets for a mile of fast-paced twists and turns. Finish off your adventures with a glass of poncha: the island’s boozy, fruity punch.

Visit for: Outdoor adventures, relaxing retreats and a chance to explore wild, untamed nature

An increased number of budget flights have brought tourist traffic to the weather-beaten Azores, but the nine-island archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean remains relatively under the radar.

Each of the islands has its own character, from the sandy beaches and mild climate of Santa Maria to the volcanic lakes and thermal springs of São Miguel. The Portuguese-owned islands are the perfect place to take a mindful break at destinations like Lava Homes, a wellness-focused ‘village’ carved from volcanic rock on Pico.

The islands are also increasingly talked about among foodies: in particular, the cheeses are a must-try, such as the sharp queijo da ilha from São Jorge, and the mild, creamy queijo vaquinha from Terceira. The Azores’ unique volcanic wines are something to savour too; visitors can find out about the fascinating production process (and taste the resulting wines) at Biscoitos Wine Museum on Terceira.