8 Destinations in Portugal That Will Leave You Spellbound
Vinho Verde Wine Route
Believe it or not, Portugal consumes more wine than both Italy and France combined. Much of that wine is in fact made within Portugal, specifically, along the Vinho Verde wine route in the north. Like Tuscany in Italy, this wine route is filled with medieval towns, lush green landscapes and pleasant weather year-round.
You can rent a car or take a wine tour, stopping at multiple wineries and vineyards along the way. Some of the most celebrated wineries in the region are Quinta da Aveleda in Penafiel (which has been around since 1870), Quinta de Soalheiro in Melgaço (specializing in organic varieties of the Alvarinho variety) and Adega de Monção (a cooperative that has produced some of the most popular and award-winning wines along the route).
Lagos
Lagos’ sandstone cliffs alone are reason enough to visit the seaside Portuguese town. Day cruises and boating excursions explore the coastline and allow for swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
Lagos’ beaches too are a thing of beauty, with secluded coves and turquoise waters. Camilo and Batata beaches, in particular, are favorites among locals and tourists alike for their unique features such as a long wooden staircase leading down to the shore and a nearby fortress rising above the water, respectively.
Its city center also has a ton to offer, from zoos and water parks to museums and cinemas to bars and restaurants. As it’s impossible to get bored in Lagos, the town has become a popular vacation destination for families with kids.
