7 Places to See and Stay at in Portugal, Plus What to Eat and Do While There! Start Packing Now, You Won’t Regret It (2019)

Portugal is one of the world's finest tourist destinations that has wonderful museums, monuments, scenic natural reserves and so much more. In case you are in search for that ideal holiday spot, then look no further than the amazing European country called Portugal.

Located at Estrada da Lagoa Azul, Linho Sintra, 2714-511 in Lisbon, Portugal, this resort is one of a kind since it offers worldwide toll-free reservations. Make a call and prebook for a hotel room without charges from wherever you are. Final payments are usually made in the hotel's currency. Go to ritzcarlton.com and make your bookings. The prices for booking hotel rooms range from Rs.15,599 to Rs.46,796 per night. One of the most affordable rooms available for booking is the Deluxe Room, Guest room, 1 King or 2 Twin/Single Bed(s), Balcony. This room offers a forest view, and it also has features including the following: soundproof windows, outdoor space with one balcony, the room is non-smoking, it is air-conditioned and it is 42sqm/452sqft in size.

There is no need to worry about food and beverages as there is 24-hour room service, bottled water for a fee, a coffee maker and a minibar for a fee. The kitchen has a mini-refrigerator. Internet services and phones will be at your disposal in a Deluxe room as you will access 3 phones, complimentary wireless internet, wired internet at a fee, high-speed internet for a fee on top of complimentary on-site and parking.

Entertainment in a Deluxe room is assured given the availability of TV, cable/satellite, international cable/satellite, CNN, radio and iPod dock. You will enjoy the available marble bathroom that has a hairdryer, slippers, a bidet, a lighted make up mirror and a separate bathtub and shower.

Located in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal is the five-star Cliff Bay which is part of the acclaimed Porto Bay hotel group. The airport is a mile away from the hotel. This hotel has such an elegant look that is accompanied by fresh flowers and perfectly polished marbles all over.

The hotel facilities are given a 10 out of 10 ratings as the staff are hospitable, you receive a glass of champagne on check-in and also, there are excellent facilities such as a games room with snooker, a tennis court, three swimming pools, a solarium, sauna, gym, an outdoor whirlpool tub and a spa with ESPA products.

Value for your money is guaranteed given that the double rooms range from 133 pounds in low seasons and rise to 265 pounds in high seasons. The hotel will perfectly serve you on Poncha, a white rum which is a Madeira traditional drink. A big buffet is available for all guests. Visit Cliff Bay today and taste the difference.

Pine Cliffs Hotel is a luxury collection resort. It is strategically located on the Algarve coast where it offers all travellers, holiday makers and vacationers an outstanding living at the clifftop resort, in view of the Atlantic Ocean. This luxury hotel resort sits on a 72-hectare piece of land that is wide enough to host parties, meetings and other events. Do not forget to take a camera with you to this resort so as to capture the aromatic pine woods and a sheer cliff formation with striking orange sandstones.

The available services include Wi-Fi, a minibar, golf, spa and gym, room service, laundry service and an ocean view. The Pine Cliffs Resort was nominated for the 2018 World Luxury Hotel Awards. This is a one-stop destination for your family holiday or vacation.

This hotel is for sports-loving people. Located in Portugal-Algarve is the Alfamar Beach and Sports Resort. The establishment provides a running track, 15 tennis courts, a large gym that has machines and free Olympic weights and a 4-star hotel and apartments.

More sports facilities that this location offers include a 4 lane track with a 6 lane straight, jump runways and sand pits for long jump and triple jump in addition to other jumping and throwing facilities. Indulge in sports while your family members spend time at the spacious villas with ample living areas, an equipped kitchen and swim at the indoor swimming pool located at Hotel Alfamar. This beach and sports resort has sports facilities that will enhance the sportsperson in you.

With Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa as accommodation for your upcoming holidays, you get cool views of the flower-filled parkland or Algarve coastline, plus fabulous amenities such as Wi-Fi internet access, BlueTooth speakers and LCD TVs.

The available rooms include a Deluxe Room starting from Rs.27,384 per night, Deluxe Room Ocean View that can be occupied by 2 adults only and provides an excellent ocean view. The Junior Suite offers a garden view, it can accommodate up to 3 persons and has clean lines inspired by Portuguese tiles. The Penthouse suite gives you elegance in a Mediterranean style with a garden and ocean view and is suitable for couples. Its maximum capacity is 3 persons. The Grand Suite is suitable for all types of guests and can accommodate up to 3 persons.

Apart from the rooms, this resort and spa offer restaurants and bars, health and well-being facilities, sports and leisure facilities, babysitting services for families, gourmet packages as well.

Stay at this revamped 19th-century palace now operating as a hotel for a taste of the country's history. With gorgeous classic decor, a hotel is a remarkable option for your stay. The rooms are spacious and fitted out with antique furnishings that will take you back ages.

Each room comes with either a view of the city or its lush verdant garden. There is no dearth of facilities too - you will find in the room workstations, free wifi and minibars. Additional amenities include indoor and outdoor pools to relax as well as a full-service spa. The highlight, of course, is the hotel's garden. Beautifully landscaped and featuring walking paths, the garden is a delight. For fine dining, head to its upscale Valle Flôr restaurant for a romantic evening. Else, head to Allegro Bar and Casa do Lago for a more casual experience.

This highly-rated 5-star resort in Algarve is a home away from home which is situated near Lagoa, 50km from Faro airport in Portugal. This calm and relaxing resort is ideal for your peace of mind given the available Vilalara Longevity Thalassa and Medical Spa that offers anti-ageing solutions to you. This resort gives you direct access to a golden sand algarvian beach in addition to exotic gardens that make for an outstanding setting for your vacation. There are new apartments in place, 4 outdoor saltwater swimming pools and 1 heated swimming pool and restaurants offering delicious and sophisticated flavoured foods. Get a taste fresh fish, seafood and barbecues. The professional chefs provide the most surprising cocktails at their fine dining restaurants.

A place like Lisbon has a plethora of churches including Se de Lisboa, Igreja de Sao Roque, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Convento da Ordem do Carmo, Igreja de Santa Engracia, Igreja de Santa Catarina, Igrejo do Convento dos Cardaes, Igreja do Menino Deus and Igreja dos Anjos. These churches are often the best way to appreciate the culture and history of the country.

Portugal in general and Lisbon, in particular, is known for amazing seafood. There are numerous world-famous restaurants here that specialize in a variety of seafood dishes. So do not miss out on experiencing these gourmet wonders. Some must-try restaurants include Ramiro which is celebrated for its prawn and shellfish items. A Cevicheria is another wonderful restaurant to try - food here is based on Ceviche where fresh fish is marinated in lemon juice and then spiced. Our third recommendation is Restaurante Porto De Santa Maria which is a great family-friendly option. Popular with celebrities and locals as well, these restaurants offer the full range of seafood from lobsters to shellfish.

Come see the horse-drawn carriage collection of vehicles from the 18th and 19th century at the National Coach Museum which is located in Lisbon and very close to the Jeronimos Monastery. Some of these horse-drawn vehicles belonged to Philip II of Spain who ruled from 1581 to 1598 and they are the oldest in the available collection.

The museum also has paintings that will blow your mind away with its uniqueness and beauty. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 am to 6 pm and closed on Mondays, every 1st of January and May, Easter Monday, June 13th, 24th and 25th December.

In case you want to see what a stunning stadium looks like, here is Estadio do Dragao-Futebol Club do Porto for you. It is one of the biggest stadiums in Portugal and accommodates 50,100 people. The museum is the home of the Futebol Clube do Porto and was designed by architect Manuel Salgado.

If you need to get away from the hustle of sightseeing around the city, Lake Lagoa Corvos is the destination for you. This popular and beautiful lake is found in Portugal. It is a fantastic place for swimming, kayaking, canoeing and sunbathing. You can have your stay at the nearby Figueira da Foz town before setting off for the lake view and eat out at the nearby restaurants. Your holiday will be a refreshing one at this lake.

It is a fact that Lake Alqueva, Alentejo is the largest man-made lake in Europe. Go explore this creation of man that is home to lots of bird species and is an ideal place for taking a swim in the summer season.

Take a boat ride during the day and gaze up at the sky at night to see the wonderful Alqueva sky which is like a dark velvet that is cloaked by a huge blanket of stars. Spending a vacation at this lake will be a memorable experience for you.

During these months, Portugal gets so crowded that in places like Lisbon and Algarve you will find yourself unable to pass by on roads. Look for shoulder months like May, June, September and October when the climate is still mild but crowds are significantly lesser

There are several amazing museums in Portugal and surely you may be interested in heading to a few of them. If you travelling budget style, then you can save some money by visiting museums on the first Sundays since entry is free for all museums in the country on that day. Pretty cool, right?

Even though the problem is most prevalent in Lisbon, other cities in Portugal too have the issue of pickpockets. Be alert while in crowds and hold on tightly to your bag/purse. Ensure you do not carry anything too valuable in the pockets of your jacket or pants. Ditch open handbags and use lockable backpacks instead.

When you enter any restaurant in Portugal, the waiter will usually bring you small dishes of olives, bread, cheese and cold meats. These are not free and if you take any you will be charged. Therefore if you do not want them, send them back in which case you will not have to pay for any of it.