How to travel to Portugal?
From Brussels, there are always direct flights to Lisbon, Faro and Porto. Because the country varies greatly from region to region, it’s recommended to rent a car and set off as a couple to discover all the beauty it has to offer. Head south from Lisbon towards the Algarve, or travel north to Coimbra, Aveiro—the “Venice of Portugal”—and Porto, a gem of culture and gastronomy.
Want to go to the Azores? Count on a flight time of four to five hours from Brussels. Madeira is just a bit further and can be reached in six hours from Brussels. On both island groups, it’s recommended to rent a car. This is often possible on-site, through a local rental company.
Advantages of a honeymoon in Portugal
Portugal has something for everyone. Want to go shopping in a city? Then head to Porto or Lisbon. Prefer reading a book on the beach? The Algarve has plenty of beautiful spots. Looking for adventure? The interior offers stunning nature for hiking, cycling and so much more!
The sun shines here an average of 300 days a year! For guaranteed sunshine, head to the Algarve.
Portugal is a very safe country. You can walk the streets at night without any issues.
The Portuguese lifestyle is very easy going—being “late” is the most normal thing in the world here. You can truly take your time and enjoy every moment.
Portuguese cuisine features lots of fresh fish and delicious herbs. Vegetarian or vegan? You’ll find plenty of options in the cities!
Attention!
Just so you know...
If you leave the tourist areas, it’s best to keep some cash on hand. Not everywhere inland has ATMs available, and Visa or Mastercard aren’t accepted everywhere. Most bank cards are issued there through MB, the Multibanco System, and when payment is cash-only you’ll see phrases on the door such as “Não temos Multibanco” or “Multibanco fora de serviço”.
If you’re booking an extra-long honeymoon in Portugal, keep in mind that the administrative pace here can sometimes be slow, meaning requests for documents such as a visa may take longer.
If you travel in winter, be aware that many holiday homes aren’t heated and are poorly insulated.
The chance that you’ll return with a feeling of saudade or melancholy after such an incredible trip... is guaranteed!
Best time to travel for your honeymoon in Portugal
Across all of Portugal, the climate is exceptionally pleasant, which is why the country is an ideal holiday destination for many. Little rainfall, mild winters: even then, it’s still 18°C in the Algarve. In the height of summer, temperatures inland can rise to 35 or even 40°C! Along the coast, the sea breeze makes it perfectly enjoyable to soak up the sun. For your honeymoon, spring (even from February onwards) as well as early autumn are the best times to come. During September and October, the sea water is also pleasantly warm. Expect a feels-like temperature of 23 to 25°C in areas such as the Algarve and Lisbon.
The archipelago of Madeira has a mild subtropical climate, so you can enjoy very pleasant temperatures here all year round. The best travel period is between April and November, when the average temperature is 22 to 26°C. Later in the year it’s still warm (between 16 and 20°C), but you’re more likely to get rain.
In the Azores, you’ll find the same subtropical climate, meaning you can enjoy warm temperatures all year round on, in and by the sea. Great for water sports enthusiasts!
The best activities for a honeymoon in Portugal
Lisbon
Cruise on the Tagus
Board a cruise on the Tagus in Lisbon during a romantic evening and immerse yourself in the golden-red glamour of the sunset. Choose between a sailboat, a traditional Tagus boat or a catamaran to enjoy a glass of wine and the setting sun.
Alfama - Baixa Chiado - Bairro Alto
Head into Lisbon and discover the historical traces of a rich past. Explore the city on the famous yellow tram 28, which takes you through narrow streets and up and down the hills. Stroll through the atmospheric Bairro Alto district, where fado music echoes from every local bar, and don’t forget to take the historic Santa Justa lift (45 meters high) to discover Baixa Chiado. Afterwards, wander through the streets of the old Alfama district and admire the city from one of the many miradouros (viewpoints). So be sure to pack good walking shoes. Lisbon was built on 7 hills!
Belém
Take the tram towards Belém and visit the famous Belém Tower, the monastery and the MAAT museum. Afterwards, enjoy the original pastéis de Belém... and you can debate for hours whether or not they’re better than pastéis de nata!
Cascais
Take the train from Lisbon towards Cascais and visit this small seaside town—think of it as the Knokke of Portugal. The sandy beaches, marina and luxurious hotels make for an unforgettable experience.
Sintra
Do you have a free day in Lisbon? Hop on the train to Sintra and visit this fairytale town. Take the bus or a TukTuk up into the mountains to the many palaces. Pena Palace is the most famous and definitely worth a visit, but Quinta da Regaleira is also a dream.
Tip from the editors: we also visited the slightly smaller Monserrate Palace and completely fell in love with it!
Porto
In Porto, you can taste port wine in the many port lodges and enjoy some sunshine on a terrace. You can also wander through the streets of the old city centre and Ribeira. Head to the Dom Luís I Bridge or Jardim do Morro to enjoy a romantic sunset.
Serra de Estrela
During your honeymoon in Portugal, be sure to rent a car and head inland for a few days. For example, towards Serra da Estrela, a large natural park and mountain range. Climb to 2,000 meters above sea level on a mountain hike and enjoy breathtaking views.
Algarve
Ilha Deserta - Faro
A hidden gem that’s lesser known—and that we fell in love with: Ilha Deserta. Take the boat from Faro in the morning and spend a day on this small island. It almost feels like arriving in the Maldives. Walk along the azure-blue water, collect beautiful shells and enjoy the peace all around you. Tip: there is only one (fully ecological!) restaurant on the island, serving delicious food. Prices aren’t high, but in high season it can fill up. So bring snacks and water before heading to this gem, or book in time.
Praia do Camilo and Ponta da Piedade
Praia do Camilo is one of the Algarve’s best-known beaches. Located near Lagos, it’s easy to spend a full day here enjoying the bright sun. Afterwards, you can drive on to Ponta da Piedade for stunning sunset views.
Benagil Cave
Benagil Cave is one of the most popular spots in the Algarve to swim or kayak to. During your honeymoon in Portugal, you may prefer to avoid the crowds on Benagil beach. If you’d like to kayak or swim, this is the place to start. Tip from the editors: drive towards Carvoeiro and take a boat trip towards Benagil. The caves you encounter along the way are sometimes even more beautiful!
Praia de Marinha
Another well-known beach is Praia de Marinha. Enjoy a wide sandy beach surrounded by stunning rock formations. Can you spot the heart?
Nazaré
This surfer hotspot is well worth visiting during the winter months because of its high waves and surf competitions. The highest wave ever surfed here is 24.4 meters. In summer, Nazaré becomes a quiet seaside town where you can enjoy sun and beach.
Azores - Sete Cidades
Because the Azores consist of nine islands, they’re very popular with island-hoppers. As newlyweds, the hike to the crater of Sete Cidades on São Miguel comes highly recommended. The famous twin lakes (Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul) can be admired here in all their glory—one blue, the other green.
Whale watching in the Azores
In summer, you can spot dolphins and whales in the Azores. For this, book a boat trip from Ponta Delgada, which is the best departure point. With a bit of luck, you’ll spot a few of the no fewer than 24 whale species!
Madeira
Funchal
If you’re sensitive to natural beauty, then Madeira’s capital, Funchal, is an ideal destination for you. In the Madeira Botanical Gardens you’ll find orchids and azaleas in stunning colours. A cable car takes you from Funchal to this unforgettable place in the higher-lying Monte.
Porto Moniz
In the northwest, don’t forget to visit the small village of Porto Moniz, because a world-famous experience awaits you here. The natural lava pools of Porto Moniz rank among The Guardian’s top 10 most beautiful seawater swimming pools in Europe. For centuries they have been pounded by the powerful ocean waves and naturally warmed by the sun, resulting in an annual average temperature of around 20°C.
The most beautiful hotels for your honeymoon in Portugal
Hotel Portobay Liberdade
On Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon, you’ll stay at Hotel Portobay Liberdade. This luxurious palace on the boulevard is set in a majestic townhouse and offers all kinds of high-end facilities.
Villa Foz Hotel & Spa
Villa Foz Hotel & Spa is located on the beach in Porto. Here you can enjoy stunning sunsets, classic and luxurious rooms, and a restaurant awarded a Michelin star.
Riu Madeira
In Madeira, you’ll find Riu Madeira, a luxurious all-inclusive hotel that has just been renovated. Set among majestic cliffs, the hotel offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and immerses you every day in a sun-drenched total experience.
I’m going on a honeymoon to Portugal and I’m bringing
Portugal is an EU member state, so you can travel visa-free with either a passport or an ID card. It’s one hour earlier than in Belgium and the Netherlands. In the Azores, it’s two hours earlier. No vaccinations are recommended for Portugal. Do make sure you have some cash on you when you head outside the big cities.
Have fun!
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