Portugal City Breaks
A Portugal City Break Guide
Portugal is such an incredible and varied destination it's no surprise why it has become such a popular place in 2024 and 2025 for both beach holidays along its coastlines, city escapes in Lisbon and Porto and outdoor adventures inland. City breaks in Portugal are popular for the culture, history, and stunning landscapes that they provide visitors, as well as allowing citybreakers to enjoy activities both within the cities and outside, like wine tasting in the Douro Valley, or playing a little golf in Cascais.
Getting to, from and around Portugal
There are plenty of flights from the UK to Portugal, with a number of airlines flying into three main cities, Porto in the north, central Lisbon and Faro on the Algarve in the south. While the sandy beaches of the Algarve are more considered a sunny holiday destination, the cities of Lisbon and Porto are the places to head if you prefer more of a city break escape, from discovering incredible history in the old town to simply stopping at a cafe to enjoy a local custard tart.
Depending on where you're visiting, will depend on your best way to get around. From major town or city to another, the rail transport network can be a good option, such as between Porto and Lisbon or simply from Lisbon to Cascais. If you're planning to stay within a small area, public transport can be useful, or if you love a good walk, exploring by foot can be just as fun.
Things to do in Portugal
From sipping on sweet Port amongst the lush landscapes of the Douro Valley to trying your hand at an exciting watersport, there are so many activities and attractions to explore and discover in Portugal.
Organised tours can be a great starting place, allowing you to find places you otherwise might not have known about. These can be as simple as a hop-on hop-off bus tour, or an organised day trip by coach, taking you around the historic monuments and museums, before stopping for a traditional lunch and heading on to see the gardens and landscapes of a city.
Where to stay in Portugal
Lisbon
As the capital of Portugal, Lisbon is typically the first Portuguese city break destination on a hit list. It's easy to get to, relatively affordable and packs a punch with so many things to do. What's more, you can combine it with time at the beach or golf course in Cascais, just a short train ride away.
EXPLORE LISBONPorto
Porto is a stunning city, full of historic treasures, delicious cafes and fascinating museums. From its historic UNESCO World Heritage Site to the impressive Douro River, if you've done a few other cities, Porto earns its place on the bucketlist for many holidaymaker.
EXPLORE PORTOFaro
For a sunny city break option, Faro is a seriously underrated option, with most Brits flying in and heading straight out to the beaches. But Faro has a unique charm with its Old Town and marina area being a popular place to visit and stay.
EXPLORE FARO