Welcome to a blooming Portugal! As spring awakens, spreading its lively colors across the country, you will find a lively tapestry unfolding before your eyes. Thus, revealing sun-drenched stone villages, verdant rolling hills and architectural jewels from bygone eras. Surely, spring is the season for a trip to Portugal – a time, when its historic villages are at their most enchanting. Over the course of 12 days, you can wander through the charming alleys of Castelo de Vide, step into Trancoso’s walled splendor and even soak in Piodão’s storybook beauty at a relaxed pace.
With every step of this adventure, brimming with medieval castles, whitewashed houses and cobbled lanes, you will see each destination unveil its wonders while leaving the fondest memories. Wondering which are the best places to visit in Portugal during spring? Let us share the perfect Portugal travel guide for a 12-day odyssey to remember!
Your spring getaway in Portugal begins in Lisbon! Let this timeless city’s vibrant atmosphere introduce you to a charming scenery of blooming jacaranda trees, coloring the most pictorial streets. A guided walking tour is the perfect way to explore this destination’s top attractions. The insightful words of a local guide will take you from Alfama’s labyrinthine lanes to Chiado’s age-old allure and Belém’s historically rich skyline. Jerónimos Monastery and its UNESCO-recognized architecture will instantly capture your attention with its Manueline architecture! A visit to this quarter demands a stop for a bite of the famous pastéis de belém – a deliciously crispy custard delight!
Your Portugal travel guide for spring will show that this is the ideal time for cultural tours that reveal exciting new perspectives. So, enjoy your first two days in the capital to explore the São Jorge Castle, one of the country’s greatest medieval symbols. Standing on its ramparts perched above the city, you will reach unrivalled views of a blooming, sun-bathed Lisbon.
As the third day of your trip rolls by, it is time to explore the historic villages of Portugal - and there is no better place to start than in the Alentejo! Let the golden landscapes and rolling fields lead you to your first stop in the region, Évora. Take a leisurely walk around town and uncover its UNESCO-listed gems. From the ancient Roman Temple to the eerie Chapel of Bones, Évora’s medieval cathedral will prove to be a show-stopper. Climb to the top of this religious site and admire the sweeping views of the town’s white-washed buildings dotting the verdant Alentejo countryside!
Estremoz will continue your adventure across the best spring destinations in Portugal, introducing you to a picturesque village famed for its white marble and medieval heritage. Start in Rossio Square, the destination’s beating heart, where on some days, market stalls brim with vintage finds and local crafts. Then, take some time to visit Estremoz’s highlight, its hilltop castle reveling in military and Gothic architecture.
Ready to continue to explore Portugal’s historic villages? With the gentle morning breeze and spring’s golden light illuminating your way, set off for Vila Viçosa. This town sculpted from stone is also known as the “Marble Capital of Portugal”. Street after street, church after church, you will find this destination’s landscape shimmering with the soft hues of locally quarried marble. While here, visit one of the main attractions, the Ducal Palace. Step inside this former residence of Portuguese nobility and explore its opulent halls that, to this day, whisper stories of power, passion and intrigue!
The afternoon invites indulgence, so head back to Estremoz for a gastronomical adventure. Perhaps a wine tasting at a family-run estate? This type of experience is the ideal way to get to know Alentejo’s bold reds and crisp whites. Alternatively, you can enter one of the town’s local restaurants and savor a feast of traditional Alentejo cuisine. Slow-cooked meats, aromatic herbs, rustic bread and locally-produced olive oil… is your mouth watering yet?
Spring vacations in Portugal demand a stop at one of its most hidden gems, Castelo de Vide! This pictorial destination, perched on a hill, enchants visitors with its cobblestone streets and well-preserved Jewish quarter. The best way to uncover this part of town is on foot. Put on your most comfortable shoes and set out on a time-travel experience that will take you from D. Pedro IV Square to the Street of Jews and the New Street, where new Christians (converted Jews) used to live. Then, find your way to Castelo de Vide’s heart to admire its medieval castle graced by spellbinding vistas!
Let Marvão continue your adventure of the best spring destinations in Portugal. From ancient stone walls to meandering lanes, the castle of medieval roots rises as the true highlights. Situated on top of a hill, this historic site offers breathtaking views that stretch over the Alentejo countryside and the Spanish border. Take your time to soak in such scenery punctuated by wildflowers dancing in the soft wind.
Day 6’s journey takes you to Monsanto, considered the “most Portuguese village” in the country. As the spring air carries the scent of pine trees and lush greenery, dare to explore this peculiar town’s architecture. A maze of narrow streets and houses built on boulders unfolds before your eyes, unveiling a landscape to remember. Amidst a patchwork of greenery and stone structures, you will come face to face with the heart of a town with Paleolithic origins that stands still in time.
From Monsanto, journey deeper into Central Portugal to find the town of Belmonte – another must-visit historic village. Portugal in Spring reveals even more charm. So, enjoy the season’s mild weather and longer days to continue your exploration and learn more about Belmonte’s connection to the Jewish community and the Portuguese monarchy. The Jewish Museum and the town’s castle are two highlights to include on your itinerary. For a more adventurous take on the past, step inside the Discoveries Museum and get to know the legacy of Pedro Álvares Cabral, a famed navigator!
Step back in time in Castelo Rodrigo! Revered for its medieval outlines and imposing stone walls, this village provides visitors with a glimpse into the country’s past and connection to Spain through King Alfonso IX of Léon. Picture the scent of wildflowers dancing in the air as you step on the town’s cobbled ground. Each step takes you closer to treasured landmarks, namely the Church of São Vicente and its weathered stone, and the castle ruins that once guarded the village. From the ramparts, you will be rewarded with sweeping views, where Spring blossoms in Portugal paint the countryside in yellow and purple hues!
Your next stop? Sortelha. Considered one of the most enchanting historic villages of Portugal, this destination invites you to stroll through its quiet streets and admire its time-honored beauty. Granite houses dot the town’s skyline, highlighting its unique character. History buffs will find here a haven of fascinating sites to visit, including a medieval castle and old stone arches that seem to carry the weight of centuries.
Day eight brings about Portugal’s natural splendor and rich traditions. Serra da Estrela is the place to visit. As one of the country’s highest mountain ranges, this destination presents a landscape to take your breath away. This part of the Portuguese countryside in spring is in full bloom, becoming a sight to behold – colorful flowers, tranquil lagoons and gentle streams contrast with the imponent peaks that seem to pierce the sky. Hiking is the ultimate way to connect with Serra da Estrela’s beauty!
As you leave the mountains behind and their fresh air, you will find this region brimming with a rich cheese-making tradition. With the famed Serra da Estrela Cheese as the star, the production of this edible good spreads across the Serra’s small villages. Each creation of this cheese, marked by a creamy texture and distinct flavor, captures the richness of the land. After a hike, there is no better way to reward yourself than with a taste of this local delicacy!
Travel back to historic realms in Trancoso - the next stop on your Portugal travel guide for Spring. This is a charming, underrated town where history and heritage come alive at every corner. The ancient walls will be your first point of contact with the town’s past, leading you to a well-preserved castle and medieval market squares, where every year, a fair honors this period in history. Horses and people dressed in medieval clothes help bring the past onto the present, creating a unique, transporting ambience!
You have already got to know Central Portugal’s cheese. Now, it is time for a visit to the wine country! Viseu, beyond its stunning Renaissance architecture, is renowned for its vibrant wine culture. With vine-covered hills, this destination is responsible for the production of the acclaimed Dão wines. The scent of blossoms and ripening grapes will make it even more enticing to visit one of the region’s estates and have a sip of their awarded drinks.
On the trail along the historic villages of Portugal, Piódão rises as an obligatory destination. This hidden gem tucked in the Serra do Açor’s slope has gained a reputation for being one of the country’s prettiest schist villages. With grey-hued houses and narrow, winding streets, each step will appear to lead you to sights straight out of a dream. Each turn reveals another layer of rural life’s magic in this Portuguese corner.
After Piódão, we suggest you visit Lousã, another picturesque village, nestled between the mountains and surrounded by resplendent greenery. Here, the forested trails offer the perfect opportunity to fully embrace the beauty of one of the best spring destinations in Portugal. Birdsongs fill the air as the rustling leaves guide your way. Out in the town, the ruins of a former medieval castle beckon attention with their striking architecture.
As your journey nears its end, it is only reasonable to make Coimbra part of your Portugal travel guide for spring. This city welcomes you with a rich academic legacy, presenting itself as the home to Portugal’s oldest university. Centuries of knowledge and tradition populate every corner of this fascinating destination. A guided walking tour will take you along some of the top highlights, including the Joanina Library, part of the university’s complex and into the town’s storied lanes. As you move your way across Coimbra, dare to admire its landscape graced by the meandering waters of the Mondego River.
With the clock ticking away and the warm sun waning into the horizon, it is time to head back to Lisbon. Take one last stroll through this city’s charming streets and enjoy the very last meal of your spring vacation in Portugal. With a glass of wine and a mouthwatering delicacy before you, you will be left to reminisce on your adventure filled with history, nature and beauty!
This 12-day trip through Portugal’s historic villages shows off the ideal balance of a relaxed pace and stunning destinations to remember. With plenty of time to explore each town’s history and culture, you will feel like you have stepped into a world where time moves slower and nature brims with color and life. Each stop along the way takes you to the best spring destinations in Portugal and some of its most picturesque gems. Whether savoring a glass of Dão wine in Viseu or wandering Piodão’s ancient streets, this tour will take you from the popular Lisbon into the off-the-beaten-path charm of rural Portugal!
With the mild weather and lively hues approaching, we at Tourtailors are ready to help you plan your spring vacation in Portugal and make it the most exciting time ever! Let the country’s historic villages be the starting point for an adventure filled with history, beauty and unforgettable moments.