Porto’s west coast location, at the intersection of the North Atlantic Ocean and the Douro River, makes for some epic sunsets. When the daylight starts to fade, Porto hipsters grab a beatbox and some cold beers and head to the narrow park along Passeio das Virtudes, which slips down the hillside in a series of terraces. When you see how busy this place gets, you’ll realize that Porto sunsets are serious business. The beachfront at Foz do Douro is another top spot to catch the sun's last rays, as is the Jardim do Morro in Vila Nova de Gaia. 11. Experience world-class acoustics inside the Casa da Música Planning tip: Pre-booking is required, although admission is free for kids under 8, with scheduled starry observations happening during the day or at night. 10. Road trip on Estrada Nacional 2 Forge new connections on your next adventure with the latest advice from our weekly newsletter. Don’t try to see it all in one trip Offers two-hour open-air sessions taking in the marvellous star-filled skies of the Alentejo. You'll get an overview of constellations visible with the… Don’t rule out visiting Portugal’s most appealing cities. Places like Lisbon and Porto have a wide range of accommodations, and you can find excellent prices if you’re willing to stay outside the center (or in a more centrally located hostel). You can also find inexpensive activities (free museums, neighborhood exploring), and you don’t need to spend much on transportation.

Tips & Advice Spanish cities implement new rules to curb party tourism - here's what you need to know At the country’s highest point – the summit of Torre, artificially pushed to 2000m (6561ft) by the addition of a not-so-subtle stone monument – you can slalom down Portugal’s only ski slope. Oh, and did we mention the furry sheepdog puppies that frolic by the roadside? You’ll long to take one home.Towering dramatically above Lisbon, these mid-11th-century hilltop fortifications sneak into almost every snapshot. Roam its snaking ramparts and pine…

Unfortunately, Portugal is not a user-friendly country for travelers with disabilities. Some train stations have ramps, others do not. Some trains also have interior steps making access difficult. In general, Porto is the best city for getting around if you have a wheelchair. Nearly all metro stations are fully accessible with ramps, elevators, and dedicated spaces for wheelchair users onboard metro trains. Lisbon has fewer elevators, and they are often out of service. Planning tip: You can delve deeper into the port experience at the World of Wine, a vast cultural complex that contains various museums, a wine school and a dozen restaurants and bars – plus a huge terrace with views over the Ponte Dom Luís I, the Douro and the city across the water. 14. Cross the Ponte de Dom Luís I The Portuguese have a special fondness for the Minho, a verdant region of vineyard-covered valleys, mountainous wilds, isolated beaches and picturesque river towns that seem little changed by time. The gateway to the region is Braga, a city with Roman ruins, a fabled medieval cathedral and tranquil flower-trimmed plazas sprinkled with outdoor cafes and restaurants. Be aware that cycling conditions aren’t perfect everywhere, with cobbled streets in some old-town centers liable to jar your teeth loose if your tires aren’t fat enough; city cyclists should have wheels at least 38mm in diameter. Rattle across Lisbon and Porto via tram Key events: Feira do Março in Aveiro and Feira dos Enchidos in Monchique. April brings springtime bloomsFado, a musical genre started in Portugal that’s on Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, envelops listeners in melancholic, sorrowful and heartfelt music. Slow, lingering songs are sung to the sound of guitarra Portuguesa (Portuguese guitar) and other string instruments.

Portugal has a decent railway network that connects major cities and towns across the country. Although trains don’t go everywhere, journeys on board are affordable, comfortable, convenient, and often the most scenic way to travel. Trains connect popular tourist hotspots, including Lisbon, Faro, Lagos, Porto, and Coimbra. Long nights and cooler days can’t dampen the Christmas spirit, with holiday markets, roasted chestnuts and colorfully decorated squares. Days are mostly pleasant in the south but brisk at night, while the north sees cold, rainy days and nights. The westernmost town in the Algarve, Sagres has some of Portugal’s most spectacular scenery. At the centuries-old Fortaleza de Sagres, you can walk to the edge of sheer sea cliffs and watch the waves crashing far below while pondering the daring of Portuguese explorers who headed off into uncharted waters.

Planning tip: Can't be there for Fat Tuesday? There's an alternative. In Podence, a small village in Portugal’s northwest, Carnaval is celebrated differently from the rest of the country – here, it’s a unique end-of-winter celebration that inherited the pagan traditions of former Celtic settlers and is part of Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Villagers take part in the Caretos (masked men) parade, and they cover their faces with handmade tin or leather masks depicting a demon-like figure and wear cowbells around their waists. 8. Stay in a traditional schist village Key events: Amplifest, Festival Gastronómico Francesinha, Oktoberfest, Feira de Santa Iria in Faro, Feira de Praia Vila Real de Santo António. Places to stay are cheaper in November