Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and one of the most captivating cities that I have ever visited. Sitting along the shores of the Tagus River, Lisbon is divided into several districts, each with its own individual appeal. For those seeking to travel to a cost-effective European city with an amazing climate, friendly people and with a rich gastronomy, Lisbon should be on your next itinerary.

Located approximately 30 minutes west of Lisbon, Sintra is a small, picturesque village surrounded by a mountainous national park called Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais. Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on one side, the park is best known for its scattered castles and estates which are the main reasons tourists flock to this small town.

Situated in the Alentejo countryside, 70 miles from Lisbon, Évora’s historical walled town is a great spot for those seeking a break from the big city. Évora is best known for its well-preserved monuments dating back to different historical periods, but in my memory, it will always be remembered for its delicious and one of a kind orange juice!

Portugal's Alentejo region is simply stunning! Amongst its cork and olive plantations, there are well-known wine routes, quaint medieval towns and hidden megalithic complexes. If you are interested in exploring the countryside of Portugal, this is a must region to visit - just rent a car and go on driving.

Óbidos is one of the most well-known places to visit in Portugal. The medieval town is famous for its narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and prominent fortifications which are easily observed from most of the modern town that surrounds it. These extremely high walls are the town’s highlight, offering visitors postcard-worthy views as almost all of its length is open for walking.

The drive from the walled town of Óbidos to the city of Coimbra is normally about 1 hour and 20 minutes. A great aspect of this drive is the several stops that visitors can make along the way. So what is there to see between these two towns?

Once the Capital of Portugal, Coimbra is one of the country’s oldest cities, known for housing one of the world's first universities and for its distinctive partition between an upper and lower town. The Upper Town contains the city’s old quarter filled with historical churches and narrow streets while the Lower Town houses Coimbra’s busy commercial district.

When researching about Porto, I discovered that the city is a getaway to numerous sights in Northern Portugal including coastal towns, gorgeous river valleys and mountainous villages. Located north of Porto, the Minho region is one of the most beautiful areas we visited in Portugal.

Our trip to Vale do Douro was one of our most memorable in Portugal. The valley is the birthplace of port wine, attracting visitors who relish spending the night in the region’s numerous Quintas. We spent just a day in the Douro region, exploring its stunning scenery while stopping at a few towns and a winery.

When researching about Porto, I discovered that the city is a getaway to numerous sights in Northern Portugal including coastal towns, gorgeous river valleys and mountainous villages. Located north of Porto, the Minho region is one of the most beautiful areas we visited in Portugal.