Portugal

Spring and autumn (April–June, September–October) are ideal for Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve: pleasant walking weather and fewer beach crowds. Summer is busy and hot on the Algarve; Lisbon stays walkable but hilly days tire you. Winter is mild compared with northern Europe, with rain more likely in the north, and good for city breaks. Surf seasons vary by coast; the west coast sees Atlantic swell year-round. Wildfire smoke can affect inland air quality in hot summers; coastal breezes help but are not a guarantee. Local festivals and school holidays can shift crowds even inside a “good” month, so a quick check of dates for your year is worth it.

Lisbon → train to Porto, with day trips to Sintra or the Douro, is a classic week. Add the Algarve for beach time, or the Alentejo for quieter towns and food. The country is compact, but hills and cobbles mean slower walking days than the map suggests. Trains and buses cover the main spine; a car helps for smaller coastal towns. Tram 28 in Lisbon is iconic and crowded—walking the same hills often yields better photos and fewer elbows.

Lisbon’s viewpoints (miradouros) and tram lines are iconic at sunrise and sunset; tiles and alley details work in open shade. Porto’s riverfront and Dom Luís Bridge glow at blue hour. Atlantic beaches need spray awareness. In Sintra, mist and forest light are part of the mood. Azulejo façades reward a short walk off the main squares where walls are less scraped by backpacks. Leave location on so coastal day trips don’t merge.