Dear Wandering Spirit,
do not hesitate for a second and book a spring break in Portugal! If you are looking for a perfect spring break spot, do not hesitate for a second. Visit Portugal!
Plan a Spring Break in Portugal
This beautiful southwestern European country has something to offer every traveller, of any age and for any pockets. Why should you explore Portugal?
Firstly, you will admire stunning landscapes from the green hills to the vast shores, and from the blooming islands to the buzzing cities. With 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Portugal’s complex history offers diversified architectural styles, influenced by pre-Celtic and Celtic settlers, Greeks, Romans, Arabics and colonization. ⚔️
From Gothic to Baroque up to Modernism, you will experience the artistic genius of the many painters and writers. Portugal is best known for producing creatives like Fernando Pessoa, José Saramago, Luís de Camões and the renown ‘Queen of Fado’, Amália Rodrigues.
What is Typical Portuguese?
Portugal is a land enriched by adventurous seamen and explorers throughout European history. ⛵ It still preserves at modern times a melancholic, longing spirit for some glorious past.
The Portuguese way of life is all encompassed by the word ‘saudade’, which is quite impossible to translate. It is the bittersweet desire for something that has been glorious and will not happen again.
You will breathe this melancholy air in every Portuguese town. Surrounded by solemn Fado songs, when wandering from one bodega to another, you will taste the mild flavour of Portuguese wines and savouring delicious dishes of all kinds.
What should you take back from a Portugal trip? I bought some small handmade ‘sabonetes’ in the antique style of Azulejos tiles. 🧿 A little spending money goes a long way here.
Portugal Travel Itinerary
I explored Portugal for the first time on a spring break in May 2018.
Within a week, I covered three main areas: the capital city of Lisbon, the university town of Coimbra, and the rustic urban oasis of Porto.
I also had time to visit a good friend of mine living in a lovely, quaint village at the windy Portuguese coast. 🌊 Spoiler alert: I took some of the most beautiful pictures of the giant cliffs and the stormy waves crashing over the land in Peniche.
This was my travel itinerary in Portugal:
I highly recommend you visit…
- If you are looking for a trendy, culturally infused city with many bars and beautiful bodegas;
- if you love visiting monuments, and if you crave one of the most beautiful rooftop views in Europe.
- If you are looking for a peaceful spring break with relaxing walks around the ancient city and along the Douro river;
- if you want to try the best Port wines of your life at one of the many tastings in the huge, old wine cellars.
- If you want to discover a hidden gem in Portugal with its stunning city centre and ancient university building.
- If you want to photograph incredible giant waves crashing into the high cliffs of the westernmost mainland points in Europe.
Weather in Portugal
Temperatures in Portugal in May might vary a lot. Just make sure that you always have a jacket with you or a light jumper. If you are planning long walks, you need comfortable shoes but also some sandals if it turns hot and sticky.
Never forget sunglasses, as you will be visiting one of the sunniest countries in Europe. Lisbon is third on the podium with its circa 2,799 hours of sunshine per year. 
Will I be visiting Portugal again? Definitely. I would plan a road trip in the southern Algarve Region and some days on the beautiful Azores islands and Madeira.
What are you waiting for? Book your next spring break in Portugal now.
If you are not sure about the travel costs, check out my Portugal travel budget guide for better orientation.
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