Carrie-Marie Bratley - Moon Portugal: With Madeira & the Azores (Travel Guide)

boats in Carvoeiro

Like the sardine that has become symbolic of Portuguese gastronomy and its formidable seafaring heritage, Portugal is small but packs a mighty flavorful punch. Hemmed by the seemingly infinite Atlantic to the west and south, its northern and eastern borders fused with Spain, Portugal forms the most southwesterly corner of Europe, occupying about a fifth of the Iberian Peninsula.

Small, bright, and breezy, steeped in staunch tradition and culture, Portugal has tons to offer beyond the beaches and golf courses for which it gained a reputation in the 80s. Languid rivers flanked by lacy vineyards that produce the countrys acclaimed wines characterize the mountainous north; capital city Lisbon is an exciting and fast-paced modern metropolis; rolling golden wheat-covered plains carpet the Alentejo region; snow-capped ski resorts are an unexpected surprise in a country famed for its Mediterranean climate; and medieval castles, historic palaces, Roman ruins, and ancient slate villages pepper the mystical Centro.

As birthplace of the Age of Discoveries and center of the first global empire, Portugal has always been a country of intrepid adventurers and pioneering explorers. Remnants left by ancient peoples including the Celts, Romans, Visigoths, and Moors who once occupied Portugal pay testament to its historic desirability, while the growing numbers of tourists who visit annually are proof that the country today still has major appeal. Despite once being one of Europes poorest countries, Portugals resilient people, in addition to being proud of their rich heritage, are experts at reinventing the wheel. They also have an innate love of a good festa; making time for coffee and a cake is a key part of the daily ritual, and family and football are sacred.

piripiri chicken

Benagil sea cave

levada trail on Madeira

Portugal caters for all tastes in travel: glamorous modern metropolises, rural hideaways, barefoot surfy towns, and paradisiacal beach resorts are just some of its compelling features. Add into the mix two fascinating archipelagosMadeira and the Azoresa gastronomy that is second to none, people who are genuinely warm and welcoming, and year-round fine weather, and its easy to see why Portugal is consistently among Europes top destinations.

the Glria Funicular in Lisbon

Livraria Lello, the famous bookshop in Porto

the eggy custard tart pastel de nata

Kayaking on the Azores emerald green crater lakes, or gazing down at them from above.

, from its chilling 16th-century Chapel of Bones, to its medieval cathedral, to a well-preserved Roman Temple.

Tasting Portugals authentic , from grilled sardines and chicken piripiri to the famous pastel de nata.

Sipping , whose breathtaking vineyards can be explored by river cruise, car, or train.

Soaking in a performance of Portugals mournful folk music in the .

Strolling into the past in the of rural Portugal.

Dolphin-watching and eating seafood in authentic villages on the windswept .

Whizzing down vertiginous streets in one of , used for transportation on the island of Madeira since the 1850s.

Climbing the walls of the glorious to learn about Portuguese history and for incredible views of rolling plains.