When it comes to yummy delicious foods in Europe, Portugal is at the top of my list. As much as you’ll be going to be exploring castles, catching the sun by the beach, and fascinating over relics of the past, what will really fuel your love for this coastal country is going to be the food. Let’s hop over 5 distinct regions of Portugal and hopefully I can make your stomach growl by the end of it all.
Read more about Europe
- Ultimate Eurotrip Packing Guide
- Travel hacks – Travelling Europe for cheap
- What you need to know about river cruising in Europe
- The best SIM card for a Eurotrip
- How does Travelzoo work and are their travel vouchers worth it?
How to get the best deals in travel
- Hottest deals – Bookmark the travel deals page.
- Car rentals – stop getting ripped off and learn about car rental coupon codes.
- Hotels – Use corporate codes or get Genius 2 tier with Booking.
- Flights – Have you ever heard of the “Everywhere” feature?
- Insurance – Make sure you’re covered and learn more about where to buy the best travel insurance.
Capital of Port Wine
If you’ve ever wondered where the dessert wine, Port, comes from, wonder no more! Port can only be classified as such if it’s produced in a designated area around the city of Porto which is wedged in the Douro river valley. There are tons of opportunities to try this sweet, fortified, and rich palate of Port in restaurants all over Portugal but it’s really only in Porto that you’re able to go directly to famous wineries such as Taylor’s and Croft.
Birthplace of Portuguese Custard Tarts
If there’s one thing that I’d fly all the way out to Portugal for, it’d be for their custard tarts. If you haven’t had one before, you don’t understand how good these pastries are. There’s nothing better than grabbing a seat outside of a café or pasteleria and enjoying a piping-hot pastel de nata (custard tart). The best way to do it though is on your way to the beach town of Cascais, take a pitstop in Belém and go to Pastéis de Belém, the bakery that hand-crafted the very first secret recipe and has continued to operate since 1837.
Seafood Heaven Along the Coast
Being by the Atlantic coast has it’s benefits and it’s in towns like Vilamoura in the Algarve region that features some incredible freshly caught seafood. Just thinking about the prawn, clams, lobster, octopus, sea bass, and tuna is making me salivate.
The Classic Chicken Piri-Piri
Continuing down the coast of the Algarve is another town called Albufeira. It’s a former fishing village but has now transformed into a major vacation destination with its sandy beaches and hopping nightlife. Here, you’ll find a cod prepared in almost an infinite number of ways but if you’re looking for a break from the overwhelming amount of seafood, there’s Portugal’s own roasted chicken in spicy piri-piri sauce.
The Pride of Madeira
One of the most enviable places to be in Europe has to be the island of Madeira of Portugal. While it may not get the same level of buzz as Ibiza, it’s somewhere that tends to attract more of the mature crowd with its wondrous scenery, tropical luxury and its cornucopia of wine and food. If you’re feeling hungry, you’ll want to try espetada in Funchal. It’s a beef kebab on a bay stick which is traditional dish with unmistakable flavor. Think of it as the forefather to Brazilian churrasco with juicy meats infused with spices.
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Travel Resources For Your Next Trip
If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.
Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.
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Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.
Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.
Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).
Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.
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If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.
HI,
Great article, next time you should stop by in Odeceixe. Great place with amazing food and beaches.
New fan of your blog, thanks!
Jens
Thanks Jens! Great recommendation :)