Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Portugal Travel
Portugal is one of my favorite countries in the world. And it’s one of the most under-rated. Within the geographically-blessed continent of Europe, Portugal often takes a back seat to the pleasures of Italy, the famous landmarks of France, & Spain’s exciting cities. But Portugal offers much of the same: with more down-to-earth charm & a lower price tag. And with regards to solo female travel, Portugal is the #3 safest country in the entire world!! Which is great if you’re setting out on your first solo adventure ~ or simply if safety is a concern to you. Let’s get more into specifics in this “Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Portugal Travel!”
Portugal is one of the most relaxed & beautiful countries in Europe. And it’s also the third safest country in the world, making it ideal for female travel.
Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Portugal Travel
When I think of Portugal, I think of bright yellow buildings & white cathedrals. And the seven hills of Lisbon ~ a place that reminds me of San Francisco, with its steep hills & breathtaking views. Yet it’s significantly cleaner, with more charm. Then there’s Sintra, about 45-minutes from Lisbon, with its beautiful views & sumptuous palaces. You may want to stay in Sintra awhile, unless you feel like heading to the beach…in which case, the Algarve is where you’ll want to go: Portugal’s famous southern coastline. Or if wine-tasting is more to your liking, head up to Porto, & visit some of its wine cellars or vineyards.
All of this & more awaits you in Portugal!
Portugal was one of my first trips as a young college-age girl. I found it very non-intimidating for female travel!
Map of Portugal
Lisbon
Porto
The Algarve
Madeira
Temple of Diana in Evora
Portugal Travel Overview
- Safety = VERY Safe! In fact, Portugal is the #3 Safest Country in the World! 99%
- Cost = One of the cheapest destinations in Western Europe 40%
- Adventures = Plenty ~ though most are of the more relaxed variety: wine-tasting, beach-combing, castle-gazing, etc. 85%
- How Safe I Felt as a Female Traveler = VERY Safe 99%
Portugal Travel Quick Facts
- Portugal in One Word = Underrated.
- Portugal in One More Word = Bright.
- Wi-Fi = Wi-Fi is available in Lisbon & major cities, but harder to find in more rural & off-the-beaten path places.
- Global Peace Ranking = #3 out of 163 countries (U.S. is #103) = One of the SAFEST countries in the entire world, & the safest country in all of Europe ~ except for Iceland.
- Hotels = Considerably cheaper than most of Western Europe, & generally cheaper than the U.S.
- Must-Do’s = Wander Lisbon’s colorful streets. Listen to Portugal’s signature fado music in Lisbon’s lively Barrio Alto. Marvel at the beautiful yellow Pena Palace in Sintra. Fly out to the Azores. Sip wine & admire the beautiful tile work in Porto. Find the Temple of Diana in Evora. Rent a car & meander your way through the peaceful countryside. Stay in a Portuguese castle, called “Pousadas” ~ such as the stately Pousada Castelo Alvito.
- Is Portugal Good for Solo Travelers = YES!! Portugal is at the top of my list for solo travel ~ in terms of both safety and price. And typically, it’s not overwhelmed with tourists, which is a plus for the independent traveler. The only major issue is that Portuguese is a difficult language to learn, & many locals don’t know English.
- What to Expect as a Female Traveler = Expect bright buildings, a laid-back vibe, & friendly locals who are helpful, even if they don’t fully understand you! You may experience rowdy youngsters in the Barrio Alto (Lisbon’s lively, central bar district) ~ but other than that, Portugal has a very relaxed, non-machismo vibe.
- Would I Go Back = Yes!!! I could see myself retiring here…
Photos of Lisbon, Portugal
I’ll never forget the first moment I set foot in Lisbon. My friend Lea & I disembarked from a train, & literally felt the city vibrating beneath our feet. It felt like there was a stampede going on. We looked at each other in confusion: what the heck was going on??! The year was 2004, & there was a minor little event called Euro Cup taking place (which we knew nothing about)….& the city was absolutely teeming with pandemonium & excitement.
What I Learned: Portugal is pretty much always relaxed ~ except when it comes to football (aka soccer)!! That trip is still one of the best, most serendipitous trips I’ve ever taken, where everything seemed to fall exactly into place….
Literally stumbling into Euro Cup, which was hosted by Portugal in 2004.
Lisbon is a city of many hills, & the views you get from up above are phenomenal.
Bright buildings in Lisbon.
If you don’t feel like walking uphill ~ hop on one of Lisbon’s many cable cars…
Bustling restaurants with sweeping ocean views abound in Lisbon…
Taking a Trip Around Portugal….
Now, let’s leave Lisbon & venture further out: to whimsical Pena Palace in Sintra, then up north to Portugal’s wine capital, Porto. Next, we’ll head down south to Portugal’s glamorous beach resorts in the Algarve, & finally, travel even further afield to the island of Madeira….which has an otherworldly beauty all its own.
Keep in mind while you’re making your Portugal travel plans: something unique to Portugal is their network of pousadas throughout the countryside. Pousadas are historic properties ~ some former monasteries, others were castles or palaces. And the good news is: you can STAY in them now!! I’ll never forget, my friend & I booked one in a remote part of the country. As we drove our rental car up the major hill to reach it: we looked at each other like, “Where are we??!”
The grand property is still one of my most memorable, if slightly haunted, European hotel memories!
Search for a fabulous Portuguese pousada stay here.
South of Lisbon, hilltop Pena Palace in Sintra is a MUST visit.
Everywhere we went, we ogled the exquisite tile work. Save room in your bag to bring some home!
Porto is known for its seaside location, cobble-stoned streets, & world-famous port wine. It’s a charming stop worth at least two days of exploring.
Albufeira is one of the most popular cities in Algarve, which expands across most of Portugal’s southern, coast.
Search for beachfront hotels in Portugal’s popular Algarve region.
Stunning Madeira, an archipelago of four islands, is a 90-minute flight from Lisbon.
Madeira isn’t the only island chain off of Portugal: so are the exotic Azores…
Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Portugal Travel!
Thanks for reading this guide to Portugal! Whether you’re looking for a safe, relaxed place to embark on your first solo travel journey, or traveling with friends & family ~ Portugal is sure to delight.
Ask me any questions in the comments below!
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