Lonely Planet Best of Portugal

Medieval castles and cobblestone villages, captivating cities and golden beaches, brooding mountains and superheated plains: the Portugal experience can be many things. A vertiginous history, great seafood and idyllic scenery are just the beginning

Celts, Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Christians all left their mark on the Iberian nation. Portugal is the sort of place where you can see the layers of history piled up on top of one another. A great way to experience the country is to base your itinerary on visiting Portugals wonderfully preserved medieval town centres and hilltop castles.

Freshly baked bread, olives, cheese, red wine or crisp vinho verde, chargrilled fish, cataplana (seafood stew), smoked meats the Portuguese have perfected the art of cooking simple, delicious meals, and dining is definitely one of the top reasons you might want to visit some parts of the country. Food and drink play a big part in the nations festival calendar, meaning you can drink, dance and feast your way through all-night revelries across the land.

Outside the cities, Portugals beauty unfolds in all its startling variety. You can go hiking amid the pristine scenery and historic villages of little-explored Beiras or enjoy a piece of the 800km of coast, the best beaches lining the laid-back Algarve. Gaze out over dramatic end-of-the-world cliffs, surf stellar breaks off dune-covered beaches or laze peacefully on sandy islands fronting calm blue seas.

History, culture and pumping nightlife

The capital of the Portuguese world is a fascinating place of trundling trams, breathtaking architecture and thumping nightlife. The district, with its labyrinthine alleyways, hidden courtyards and curving, shadow-filled lanes, is a magical place in which to delve into the soul of the city. Its also where you are most likely to hear fado, the melancholy music of the citys old working class districts.