Things to Do in Portugal

Portugal packs an extraordinary amount into a small country: tiled cities, terraced wine valleys, some of Europe’s best surf and a coastline of cliffs and fishing towns — all at prices well below most of western Europe.

Our placements are based in Porto, the northern city on the Douro whose historic centre is UNESCO-listed and whose riverfront is one of the most photographed in Europe.

The best things to do in Portugal

1. Porto’s Ribeira and the Douro riverfront

The old quarter tumbles down to the river in a stack of coloured houses, crossed by the double-deck Dom Luís I bridge — walk the upper deck at sunset. Below, the quayside is where Porto eats and drinks in the evening.

2. Port cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia

Across the bridge, the port lodges — Taylor’s, Graham’s, Sandeman and others — offer cellar tours and tastings explaining how the wine comes downriver from the Douro to age. The terraces here have the classic view back across to Ribeira.

3. Porto’s landmarks

São Bento station, whose entrance hall is lined with 20,000 azulejo tiles; Livraria Lello, the neo-Gothic bookshop with the crimson staircase; the Clérigos tower for the rooftop view; and the Serralves museum and gardens for contemporary art.

4. The Douro Valley

Terraced vineyards carved into steep hillsides above the river, and one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions. Go by train along the riverbank — one of Europe’s most scenic rail lines — or by boat from Porto. Quinta visits with tastings are the point.

5. Braga, Guimarães and the north

Braga has Portugal’s most dramatic religious site, the zigzag baroque stairway of Bom Jesus do Monte. Guimarães, the birthplace of the nation, has a medieval centre. Both are under an hour by train, and Peneda-Gerês national park lies beyond for hiking and waterfalls.

6. Atlantic beaches and surf

Matosinhos, at the end of the Porto metro, is where the city surfs and eats grilled fish. Further north and south, Espinho, Viana do Castelo and the beaches of the Costa Verde offer big Atlantic swell — and Nazaré, home of the world’s biggest waves, is a few hours south.

When to visit Portugal

May to September is warm and dry, with July and August busiest and hottest. Spring and autumn are excellent — mild, green and quiet. Porto’s winters are wetter and cooler than the Algarve’s but rarely cold, and the city is atmospheric in the rain. The São João festival on 23 June is Porto’s biggest night of the year.

Getting around

Porto’s metro is cheap and reaches the airport and the coast. Regional trains cover Braga, Guimarães and the Douro line inexpensively, and the Alfa Pendular reaches Lisbon in under three hours. Within the old town, expect to walk — and to climb; Porto is built on hills.

Seeing Portugal as a volunteer

Porto placements leave weekends free for the Douro, the north and the coast. Our Portugal placements are based in Porto, include accommodation, meals, airport pickup and 24/7 in-country support, and leave evenings and weekends free — which is exactly when most of this list gets ticked off. See volunteer programs in Portugal for live prices and dates, or read our complete guide to volunteering in Portugal for costs, visas and safety.

Portugal travel FAQs

Is Portugal cheap for volunteers?

It is among the most affordable countries in western Europe. Local restaurants, transport and coffee cost noticeably less than in Spain, France or the UK, and your placement covers accommodation and meals.

Do I need Portuguese?

English is widely spoken in Porto, especially by younger people, so you will manage easily. A few Portuguese phrases are appreciated and open doors in smaller towns.

How do I visit the Douro Valley?

The train from Porto along the river to Pinhão is the scenic and inexpensive option, taking around two hours. Boat cruises and organised quinta tours are the alternatives if you want tastings included.

What is the weather like in Porto?

Milder and wetter than southern Portugal — Atlantic rather than Mediterranean. Summers are warm rather than scorching, and winters are cool and damp but rarely freezing.

Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)