Travel to Portugal for some winter sun

My experiences

I have visited these two lively and picturesque cities many times both on research trips and for leisure, enjoying myself on every occasion! Here are some tips based on my visits.

Portugal is very hilly and whilst there are excellent tram systems in the central parts, I still encourage you to bring some hill walking shoes or trainers. Also, what kind of clothing I would advise bringing depends on when you’re travelling. In December for example, it typically reaches 20 degrees at the hottest point in the day. If you’re travelling over a similar period, you should bring a couple of sweaters and raincoat in anticipation of some slightly chilly evenings.

In terms of transport, it’s easy to fly to Lisbon from London and then a 25-minute taxi ride to the airport. Travel from Lisbon to Porto is also very simple, taking roughly three and a half hours by train.

Lisbon for three nights

For this rail-fly tour, you start with a flight to Lisbon typically from London. The capital city of Portugal is situated just north of the River Tagus. There are various sites of ancient architecture like the Castelo de São Jorge and the Praça do Comércio - Lisbon’s iconic ‘yellow square’ – which are well worth seeing. Additionally, throughout the city there are ‘miradouros’ or terraced viewpoints where you can see over different city quarters like Alfama where eye-catching street festivals take place.

I also recommend going on day trips from the city. One suggestion would be to get the train to the rolling foothills of Sintra, which are very accessible and cheap by train from Lisbon. In this area, the ornate Queluz Palace is open to visitors which is where the Portuguese royal family used to live until the French invasion in 1807.

There are also the beaches at Cascais, a coastal resort with various postcard-worthy beaches to relax on. Do be aware though that this is a more touristy area and less authentically Portuguese.

This is the hotel we recommend staying at in Lisbon:

Pousada de Lisboa, Lisbon

Previously housing the Portuguese Ministry of the interior, the building has been renovated and offers luxurious rooms, a stylish bar and an excellent location being so close to the Praça do Comércio.

Porto for two nights

This second capital of Portugal has the river Duoro winding between its cobbled streets, with more than six bridges crisscrossing over at various points. It has its own architectural masterpieces including the gothic Church of São Francisco and the Palácio da Bolsa – the latter was inspired by the Alhambra in Granada, Spain! If you want to see a more modern side to the city, I suggest meandering along Santa Caterina which has many international stores and local coffee shops serving delicious pastries.

On the northern side, you have the old town and views back across the river at the southern side which has a series of vintage port wine distilleries. Examples include the Calém cellars and the Espaço Porto Cruz - here you may also try the ‘vinho verde’ which has made the northern vineyards of Portugal famous.

We suggest staying at one of these excellent hotels for your stay in Porto:

Pestana Vintage Porto, Porto

A 5-star hotel which overlooks the River Douro, with a highly elegant interior, a lavish bar, spa and comfortable rooms all within walking distance of the cultural, historical and gastronomic draws of Porto.

Final thoughts

Both Lisbon and Porto are less crowded between December and February, making this the perfect time for cultural trips. I felt welcome wherever I went in these two beautiful cities and every effort was made to make my stay enjoyable at the hotels I stayed in. Don’t miss out on this holiday of a lifetime!