Lisbon, Porto or the Algarve: where to go in Portugal

Lisbon, Porto or the Algarve? When you plan a trip to Portugal from Algeria, the question always comes up. The three destinations are very different: a hilly capital on the Tagus, a historic city above the Douro and, in the far south, a sunny coastline of beaches. Here is how to choose for your trip, with family or as a couple, and how to book your hotel in Portugal in Algerian dinars.

Lisbon: the capital, for a first trip

Lisbon spreads along the Tagus, and its historic centre sits on seven hills: you walk a lot, often uphill. In a few days you can go from the Baixa, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake around Rossio and Commerce squares, to Alfama, the district of old lanes below São Jorge Castle. A little further out, Belém is home to Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. Parque das Nações, built for the 1998 World Exhibition, shows a more modern side of the city, with the Oceanarium.

For a day trip, trains to Sintra leave from Rossio station.

Who is it for? A first trip to Portugal, a family holiday with plenty of sightseeing, or a few days of city life.

To pick your area, read our guide where to stay in Lisbon.

Porto: the old town on the Douro

Portugal's second city, Porto overlooks the Douro estuary. Its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, drops down steep lanes to the Ribeira waterfront. The Dom Luís I bridge, a two-level metal arch, links the city to Vila Nova de Gaia on the opposite bank. To the west, Foz do Douro is where the river meets the Atlantic, with a seafront promenade and beaches.

Who is it for? Couples and travellers who like walking, for two or three days, or as an add-on to Lisbon.

Good to know: from November to February it often rains in Porto. Pack an umbrella and good shoes: the cobbled streets in the centre are steep.

The Algarve: beaches in the south

The Algarve is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, facing the Atlantic. It is one of the sunniest regions in Europe and the country's main beach destination. Faro, its capital, has an international airport just outside the city.

• Albufeira is the region's best-known resort. Its whitewashed old town sits above the beach, while the lower town stays busy late into the night. Around it you will find long beaches, such as Falésia below the cliffs, and large resort hotels with pools.
• Lagos, further west, is calmer than Albufeira. It has a walled old town, the long Meia Praia beach and, close by, the arches and caves of Ponta da Piedade, which you can explore on foot or by boat.

Who is it for? Families, and anyone who wants the beach in summer.

Good to know: the Atlantic stays cool even in summer, around 20 °C in the Algarve. July and August are very crowded; if you can, go in June or September. With children, choose a hotel a little away from central Albufeira, where bars stay open until the early hours.

Lisbon or Porto?

For a first trip to Portugal, start with Lisbon: it is where we offer the most hotels, and its districts suit every kind of traveller. Porto works well for a shorter stay focused on the old town and the river. The two cities are linked by train, in under three hours on the fast train, so you can easily combine them.

Two trip ideas:

• A family week in summer: three or four nights in Lisbon, then the Algarve for the beach.
• A city break in spring or autumn: Lisbon, then two nights in Porto.

Visa and hotel booking

As a rule, Algerian citizens need a Schengen visa for Portugal. Check the current conditions with the consulate or the official website before you travel. A hotel booking is generally part of the application: once your hotel is booked, our team sends you the booking confirmation. We do not handle visa applications. Our guide hotel booking for a Spain visa explains what to know about the hotel part of a Schengen application.

Booking your hotel in Portugal in dinars

On our hotels in Europe page, search for your city (Lisbon, Porto, Albufeira, Lagos or Faro) and your dates: prices and availability are shown live, and cancellation terms appear before you confirm. Send your request; our team confirms availability and the price with the hotel. From Algeria, you pay in dinars, without a bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our office in Telemly. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you once payment is made.

For details on paying without a card, read how to book a hotel without a bank card.

Frequently asked questions

Where to go in Portugal in summer? The Algarve for the beach, in Albufeira or Lagos, booking early.

Lisbon or Porto in November or December? Both can be visited all year round. In winter it often rains in Porto: bring an umbrella and shoes suited to cobblestones.

Do I need a visa for Portugal? As a rule, yes: Algerian citizens need a Schengen visa. Check the current conditions with the consulate or the official website before you travel.

Do you offer package tours to Portugal? On the site, we book your hotel in Portugal, city by city, payable in dinars. For any other request, contact our team.

Can I pay for my hotel in Portugal in Algerian dinars? Yes. From Algeria you pay in dinars by BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our office; from abroad, online by bank card.

See hotels in Lisbon

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.