This Is the Most Outdated Advice About Visiting Portugal, According to Locals and Travel Experts

"And I'm not alone in this thinking. "Lisbon and Porto are amazing, but Portugal's soul is often found in the smaller towns and rural regions where life moves much more slowly," Sheree M. Mitchell, a Travel + Leisure A-List Travel Advisor, shared. "We send clients all over the Alentejo, Douro Valley, Minho Region, as well as the Azores and Madeira, where the real local magic happens.""

""From the granite peaks of the north, where the Portuguese Camino winds toward Santiago, to the cork forests and whitewashed villages of the Alentejo, and from the vineyards of the Douro to the volcanic landscapes of the Azores and Madeira, each region has its own pace and personality. Portugal isn't a country to rush. It's one that rewards you for slowing down.""

An estimated 30 million people visited Portugal in 2024, marking a record year for tourism in the nation of just over 10.5 million full-time residents. Lisbon is an important and special city to explore, but Portugal's deeper character often appears in smaller towns and rural regions where life moves more slowly. Regions such as the Alentejo, Douro Valley, Minho, the Azores, and Madeira offer distinct landscapes, local traditions, and unique experiences. The country spans granite northern peaks, cork forests, vineyards, and volcanic islands. Portugal rewards travelers who slow down and spend time in its varied regions rather than rushing through.

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