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Tips & articles

The weird and wonderful food and drink of Madeira

Holidaymakers have long flocked to Madeira for the island’s laidback lifestyle, plentiful resorts and grand craggy cliffs. But perhaps the most unsung attraction is the unique gastronomy entwined in Madeiran culture. It would seem there’s nothing like a stiff sea breeze and an open mind to stoke some culinary creativity...

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How to live like a Local in Porto

The warmth of Portuguese people prompted Lonely Planet Local Emily McAuliffe to plant roots in Porto in 2016...

The warmth of Portuguese people prompted Lonely Planet Local Emily McAuliffe to plant roots in Porto in 2016. In search of culture and adventure, she found a city that wore its heart on its sleeve and casually showcased centuries’ worth of history and tradition along compact streets...

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The Serra da Estrela: exploring Portugal’s ‘star mountain’

Despite its incredible natural features – thick forests, hidden lakes and a lofty peak – Portugal's Serra da Estrela mountain range is often overlooked...

Despite its incredible natural features – thick forests, hidden lakes and a lofty peak – Portugal's Serra da Estrela mountain range is often overlooked. It is beautiful, for sure, and offers great opportunities for exploring nature. But look closely and you’ll discover quirkier jackpots, including the region’s own cheese, dog species and design hotspot. Located in the middle of Portugal, the Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela is easy to access...

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11 secret gardens in Porto

Don’t let Porto’s architecture fool you...

Don’t let Porto’s architecture fool you. At face value its slender buildings appear to house little more than pokey apartments or hole-in-the-wall cafés, but many doors are rabbit holes leading to spacious living quarters (perhaps with a veggie patch and chickens out back) or modern dining spots harbouring chilled-out terraces. So next time you’re in Porto make like Alice and discover the city’s wonderland of secret gardens...

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The Alentejo: dining in Portugal’s land of tradition

The Alentejo is one of the world’s great unsung culinary destinations. Home to scenic vineyards, olive groves and fertile farmlands, the Alentejo is in many ways the gastronomic soul of Portugal...

The Alentejo is one of the world’s great unsung culinary destinations. Home to scenic vineyards, olive groves and fertile farmlands, the Alentejo is in many ways the gastronomic soul of Portugal. The region produces half the nation’s wine and cooks up some of its most famous dishes. It also holds some of the most authentic restaurants in the country – places which celebrate age-old recipes and the deep Alentejan connection to the soil...

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A regional guide to Europe's best road trips

Packed with ancient history, sophisticated cities, cultural treasures, fine food and even finer art, Europe has an embarrassment of riches and is a dream for all kinds of travellers...

Packed with ancient history, sophisticated cities, cultural treasures, fine food and even finer art, Europe has an embarrassment of riches and is a dream for all kinds of travellers. And with landscapes boasting rugged coastlines, rolling country fields and mighty mountains (to name but a few), this is a region that suits road-tripping down to a T...

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Top 10 budget honeymoons

When planning your perfect wedding day who wouldn’t be looking for the dream honeymoon to match? But between the flowers, favours and the flights costs can rack up pretty quickly...

When planning your perfect wedding day who wouldn’t be looking for the dream honeymoon to match? But between the flowers, favours and the flights costs can rack up pretty quickly. With these top ten budget-friendly getaways you can count your pennies without compromising on all the once-in-a-lifetime experiences, dynamic culture and delicious cuisine you could want for your first adventure as newlyweds...

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Where to find 10 of Lisbon's best views

Unfolding over seven hills, the Portuguese capital spoils its visitors with viewpoints aplenty...

Unfolding over seven hills, the Portuguese capital spoils its visitors with viewpoints aplenty. The rugged landscape has you wandering from secluded courtyards overlooking medieval quarters to terraces where you can take in the whole city. This list of spots to see Lisbon from above includes some of the locals’ favourite places as well as less-known sites and locations that might not initially promise to offer a classic vantage point. All, though, will reward you with a spectacular view...

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The 10 coolest bars to drink at in Porto

At first glance, Porto’s appeal may be in its old-school character, but interspersed between the city’s timeworn buildings is a scattering of hip and happening bars...

At first glance, Porto’s appeal may be in its old-school character, but interspersed between the city’s timeworn buildings is a scattering of hip and happening bars. These watering holes serve everything from Porto’s namesake drink, port, to speciality beer and cocktails, and make the ideal spot to chill after a day on the town...

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On the hop: Lisbon's exploding craft beer scene

A cold beer in Portugal has traditionally meant one of two things: Sagres or Super Bock. These two everyman lagers, created during military dictatorships, have dominated the country's beer landscape for decades. But a hop-heavy suds revolution is brewing in Lisbon and beyond. Europe's oldest independent capital city is finally embracing the craft beer booze-fest...

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This other Eden: the Azores, Europe's secret islands of adventure

For in-the-know travellers, the Azores have long represented a beckoning blip on the radar of possible destinations...

For in-the-know travellers, the Azores have long represented a beckoning blip on the radar of possible destinations. Recognition from Unesco and other organisations has helped that blip to pulse more brightly over the years. But most people still know little, if anything, about this far-flung archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic. And yet it is hard to imagine a place better suited to nature lovers, fans of adventure sports, or anyone looking for a beacon of sustainability...

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Porto on a plate: a perfect day in Portugal's food capital

When it comes to talent in the kitchen, Porto knows few rivals in Portugal...

When it comes to talent in the kitchen, Porto knows few rivals in Portugal. With the Atlantic on its doorstep, the Douro vineyards rolling east and the Trás-os-Montes producing smoked meats in its fumeiros and tangy cheeses - the city cherry picks the finest regional produce. So loosen the belt and prepare to scoff and slurp your way around our favourite spots in Porto: this is one perfect day for food lovers. Make a pit-stop at Café Majestic for guaranteed glamour...

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Where to find the Algarve's best beaches

The coast of the Algarve in southern Portugal is a seemingly endless series of some of Europe’s finest beaches...

The coast of the Algarve in southern Portugal is a seemingly endless series of some of Europe’s finest beaches. They are seriously spectacular stretches of sand: the climate and atmosphere are Mediterranean, but this is the Atlantic so good waves and watersports are available alongside more sedate, family-oriented paddling zones. There are more than 150 beaches to choose from but we’ve done the hard yards to bring you our favourites. Praia da Marinha: one of the Algarve's best known pin-ups...

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From Lisbon with love: the best city spots for romance

Lisbon is the perfect Valentine's date – bright, charismatic, naturally good-looking, fun-loving and ever the dreamer...

Lisbon is the perfect Valentine's date – bright, charismatic, naturally good-looking, fun-loving and ever the dreamer. Romance literally embraces you on every street corner here, be it the way the cobbles shimmer like silver after the rain, the plaintive wail of fado song drifting through open shutters in the alley-woven Alfama district, or the pure Atlantic light cascading across the facades of houses in a fresco painter's palette of colours...

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The Algarve's wild western coast

Portugal's least developed region, the western Algarve has nationally protected nature reserves, pristine beaches, wild coastlines, jagged cliffs, and is home to Europe’s southwestern most point, Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St Vincent). From fresh seafood caught daily by local fishermen and the best beaches in Portugal to relaxing spas, coastal activities, and access to nature preserves, the western coast of the Algarve is the perfect wild retreat for those looking to escape from it all...

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Sweet Lisbon: the best places to get your sugar fix

Stroll the hilly backstreets of Portugal’s capital and you’ll soon come across evidence of the Lisboetas' love for all things sweet...

Stroll the hilly backstreets of Portugal’s capital and you’ll soon come across evidence of the Lisboetas' love for all things sweet. Hidden in the districts' cobbled streets, rows of tiny tiled bakeries await, each serving up their own delicious array of pastéis de nata – Portugal’s famous egg custard tart...

Portugal travel tips & articles

The weird and wonderful food and drink of Madeira

How to live like a Local in Porto

The Serra da Estrela: exploring Portugal’s ‘star mountain’

11 secret gardens in Porto

The Alentejo: dining in Portugal’s land of tradition

A regional guide to Europe's best road trips

Top 10 budget honeymoons

Where to find 10 of Lisbon's best views

The 10 coolest bars to drink at in Porto

On the hop: Lisbon's exploding craft beer scene

This other Eden: the Azores, Europe's secret islands of adventure

Porto on a plate: a perfect day in Portugal's food capital

Where to find the Algarve's best beaches

From Lisbon with love: the best city spots for romance

The Algarve's wild western coast

Sweet Lisbon: the best places to get your sugar fix

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