If you're planning your first trip to Portugal, I think this was a great itinerary! We visited Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve as our "home-bases" and did some day trips along the way (Sintra, Douro Valley and some medieval villages). Here's all the links I mentioned: 👇 ► Portugal Blog Post: likewhereyouregoing.com/portugal-travel-blog-12-day-itinerary/ ► Daily Drop Pro (flights): www.dailydrop.com/pro?via=aly-smalls ► TOURS: Porto Food Tour: viator.tp.st/mg12u2FT Douro Valley Day Trip: getyourguide.tp.st/STNfAWvy Porto to Lisbon Driver: viator.tp.st/SMLql0Bu Lisbon Tuk Tuk Tour: getyourguide.tp.st/iuCPxACi Sintra Tour Guide: youdeservetours.com/ (tell him Aly Smalls sent you)! Sintra Private Tour (another option): viator.tp.st/K8a8BG8b Sintra Small Group Tour: getyourguide.tp.st/jZBGDQlO Benagil Cave Kayak Tour: getyourguide.tp.st/zX93bt6r ► HOTELS: Porto Hotel: booking.stay22.com/likewhereyouregoing/-oATk6PwrX Obidos Castle Hotel: booking.stay22.com/likewhereyouregoing/ajLJCfrO3v Lisbon Hotel: booking.stay22.com/likewhereyouregoing/cUYeFqaBjf Algarve Hotel: booking.stay22.com/likewhereyouregoing/3jf86GI4Ta ► LUGGAGE: Bric’s 21” Spinner (blue): amzn.to/40BPdSH Monos Carry-on (olive green): shrsl.com/4qvin Cream-colored carry-on: amzn.to/3YGtMNM ► SLING BAGS: Nomad Lane sling (large): nomad-lane.myshopify.com/products/tomodachi-sling?rfsn=8318354.ddb71b&variant=49434243793201 Monos Metro Sling: shrsl.com/4qvip Lululemon Belt Bag: go.shopmy.us/p-9562108
Quick question (I was so sure I asked on one of your other videos but I cannot find it). With the Airalo SIM, do you get an actual phone number? Can you use it to make and receive calls as well as Text messages or it only for WIFI? I'll be in Portugal for 3 months and in the past I went to Vodafone and changed my SIM to theirs so that I could text and receive phone calls, ect (and I most definitely needed it in order to deal with local businesses and communicating with locals). I appreciate you sharing what you know. I couldn't find this information on their website. Cheers ~ Thank you!
@@JenSheahello you! You're ever here... ☺️ Why don't you get a double sim card phone, so that you can use UK Canadian number plus a temporary Portuguese Sim card? If in need of international calls with ur daughter & friends, just use WhatsApp on the PT Sim 5G data. How are things with you anyway?
@@SERGIO-cr6uy Olá Sergio, nice to bump into you, again. ;). Actually my iphone only has one SIM card slot and I travel more like the Frugal Travellers than like our friends at Stay Classy... I'm not wealthy. I actually am trying to sort out how to get all those 2-Factor Authentication Codes I get while I am in Europe, since I'm there for 3 months... and many applications and websites I access send me text messages and I won't have my North American call number on when I am there. I'm well! Happy to get back to the land I love. How are you???
I did a 15 day solo trip to Portugal Sep 18 to Oct 3, 2024. I did not spend enough time in Porto. The Douro Valley was one of my favorite excursions. Kayaking in Ponta da Piedade, Lagos and one of the most famous caves in the world, Algar de Benagil. I am going back this spring and will try to follow your recommendations. Thank you for this video
Thank you, Aly. My father traveled to Portugal last summer and really enjoyed Porto. He liked it so much he’s going back next spring to stay a few months. :-) Lucky him!
Awesome video, Aly Smalls. Looking forward to seeing your next upload from you. I smashed that thumbs up button on your content. Keep up the great work. Your itinerary sounds perfectly balanced! How did you find the local recommendations for food and sights in terms of authenticity, especially in places like Porto and Lisbon?
Portuguese here, great video 👍 Here's some extra ideas. Gerês national park, Estrela mountains, Ponte de Lima or Amarante up north. Then Setúbal, Tróia and Arrabida beaches, Vila Nova de Mil Fontes,Tavira and Évora down south. Got all that?😅 Enjoy your travels and Felicidades!
You covered so many beautiful spots in Portugal! Great itinerary indeed! I've recently visited porto for the first time (regardless I've been living in Lisbon it's been 6 years) It was such a blast honestly
This was such an excellent travel video Aly!! I’ve only been to Portugal once, back in 2019. To this day, it remains one of my all time favorite travel destinations. I visited seven different cities while there but the highlight for me was definitely Lagos. The rock formations were stunning and the streets were so picturesque. Lisbon was great too. I want to go back but take my two sisters with me next time and we will definitely use your itinerary and guide suggestions. I flew into Lisbon and missed Porto completely. I won’t make that mistake again. You have the BEST travel content on the entire internet in my opinion! ♥️
Portugal is my favourite country! Aly, you did a great job with some of the pronunciations… it’s not easy when you are a native English speaker, especially from North America. I’ve been learning European Portuguese since my first long-stay trip, in 2016-2017. I’ll be back for another long-stay in mid-December. December in Portugal is magical… especially Lisboa and at Óbidos!! I lived near Peniche for 3 months and my Portuguese classes were right outside the walls of Óbidos, so I got to spent a lot of time there and it truly is Special. I have only been during the winter months (from Ottawa so, that’s why!)… and it’s not quite as tourist heavy then. There were many times I felt like I had Óbidos to myself. Also when I drove down to the Algarve from Peniche, (the drive is easy!), places like Lagos had plenty of people but it was not overwhelming and I was always able to enjoy my visits. Thank you for highlighting this wonderful country. I enjoyed your presentation!
Hi, I'm from Ottawa too. What months did you visit? What type of clothing did you wear? I'm going in January to San Miguel, in Ponta Delgada, in the Azores.
@@Carolinagirl589 Hi Carolina, I was on the mainland. I was there for December, January and February. (And I'm going again this year, for the same 3 months). I'm afraid I can't speak for the islands, I haven't been yet so I honestly don't know what the weather is like. There are some great videos available on UA-cam though. I was perfectly comfortable with my light packable down and I had a wind-breaker I would wear over that, if it was rainy. Portugal mainland has many microclimates, so you have to be pretty adaptable. Have light footwear (NO HEELS) and have some that are waterproof because it will rain once in a while. I have photos of me sitting on the beach, in January, with a t-shirt on... but you'll see the Portuguese people well bundled up. If you are from Ottawa, you'll be able to relate to how bloody cold and damp it is here and so for me, winter in Portugal was almost balmy. I spend a lot of my winters in NJ and it's generally 10-15 degrees warmer there than Ottawa... but still winter. Most of Portugal never sees snow of any kind unless you are in Northern Portugal, in the mountains. I have watched videos from Ponta Delgada and it is beautiful. Much more green, much more wild and much more quiet. Enjoy!
@@Carolinagirl589 hi I am Portuguese, living in Lisbon Area, the weather in Portugal considering the entire country is between ( normally ) from 8 to 38 celcius degrees ( 43 to 100 fahrenheit }, STILL cold in the winter from December to March and then april to November normally good weather... NOW take in consideration that there are lets say 3 block, the north ( more cooler and rainy) the center ( mild to hot weather more so at least ) and the south witch can be cold in some areas (interior excluding the ALGARVE region normally the area with best weather all the year, where most retirees from all over go, and the Portuguese spend their vacations if they dont go abroad, in the winter, but generally hot in the summer, can be hot hot specifically more to the interior. Now to be specifique, so Portugal has a long coast facing the atlantic ( sea that normally is very cold, many beatifull beaches , in the summer burning hot outside the water, many tourists they are surprised has they are not infromed that the atlantic sea in the northen hemisfer is cold, although in the summer is bearable and you will go to it because burning hot days, but its hawai or maldives kind of water temperatures...but ,pristine beaches, superb shoud I say in nature specially the south west coast... BUT beacause the sea is cold always in the WEST costal line like 20 kms or miles to the interior you have a good breeze in the hot summers, but going to the interior , being north , central or south it will always be quite hot. Sometimes you can have winds, depending on the day , its not always but its not uncommon, because of the clash of big area of cold sea, and the Hot area of land of the iberian peninsula, so this is the picture. Now you know!! any question just ask
Thanks for the tips and sharing your 1st visit to Lisbon, Portugal, hope you like it and enjoy your trip. Last year in June, I visit Lisbon, Portugal for the 1st time, stay 2 to 3 days, it's awesome, including the weather, sunny to partly cloudy skies although it's hot in the afternoon. Unfortunately you miss out going to Arco da Rua Augusta, Praca do Comercio, I went there last year in June, it's awesome although it's hot in the afternoon, sunny and clear skies. Never been to Porto, but I would like to visit there 1 day next year in June.
Great video. I am going on a month long trip to Portugal next Spring. I am staying a week in Porto and LIsbon and 2 weeks in the Algarve. My bases in the Algarve are Carvoeiro and Tavira.
That white top enlights you smile 😉 Not really what I think but... Anyway, I'll give you real compliment, that video was very interesting to watch, you're good at what you do. Well done 👍
Hello thank you so much to cover all wonderful places of Portugal ❤ Im planning to visit all those places in Portugal along with my husband and a toddler who is 2.8yrs old. My question is Would it be safe to take the toddler to the Algarve's Seco and Benagil caves?? And all such coastal parts of Algarve?? Its a big question to me😮
Aly. Can you advise someone that wants to travel but doesn't have anyone to join them. So Solo. I would like to do what you just did but wonder the costs and how to's for just one? Can you suggest or advise. Thank you.
Aly, Can you tell me the cost of your trip? I am looking at the places you went and not sure about anything least of all how much I need to save to do this. I just am clueless. Thanks so much.
We went during big wave season. It was great no tourists. Did the same route as you did all the exact same things. The only draw back in winter the water adventures were mostly not running from big waves. We did tuk tuk tours in Porto and Lisbon with Get your Guide it was the best well spent money. We usually fly to London direct flight from Tampa. We spend a day in London and the next day take the first flight to Pisa and then flew out to Porto. We also went to the big food court place it was way over rated and to expensive. If anyone goes to Sintra I would not spend so much time at the castle and spend more time in the garden and use a tuk tuk as much as possible.
If or when you go back to Portugal, I suggest visiting Guimarães in the north. It’s is so interesting, it s the birthplace of the first king of Portugal and the castle (ruins of) is still there to visit. I also recommend checking out the beaches at both Cascais (north of Lisbon and Costa da Caparica (south of Lisbon).
If you're planning your first trip to Portugal, I think this was a great itinerary! We visited Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve as our "home-bases" and did some day trips along the way (Sintra, Douro Valley and some medieval villages). Here's all the links I mentioned: 👇
► Portugal Blog Post: likewhereyouregoing.com/portugal-travel-blog-12-day-itinerary/
► Daily Drop Pro (flights): www.dailydrop.com/pro?via=aly-smalls
► TOURS:
Porto Food Tour: viator.tp.st/mg12u2FT
Douro Valley Day Trip: getyourguide.tp.st/STNfAWvy
Porto to Lisbon Driver: viator.tp.st/SMLql0Bu
Lisbon Tuk Tuk Tour: getyourguide.tp.st/iuCPxACi
Sintra Tour Guide: youdeservetours.com/ (tell him Aly Smalls sent you)!
Sintra Private Tour (another option): viator.tp.st/K8a8BG8b
Sintra Small Group Tour: getyourguide.tp.st/jZBGDQlO
Benagil Cave Kayak Tour: getyourguide.tp.st/zX93bt6r
► HOTELS:
Porto Hotel: booking.stay22.com/likewhereyouregoing/-oATk6PwrX
Obidos Castle Hotel: booking.stay22.com/likewhereyouregoing/ajLJCfrO3v
Lisbon Hotel: booking.stay22.com/likewhereyouregoing/cUYeFqaBjf
Algarve Hotel: booking.stay22.com/likewhereyouregoing/3jf86GI4Ta
► LUGGAGE:
Bric’s 21” Spinner (blue): amzn.to/40BPdSH
Monos Carry-on (olive green): shrsl.com/4qvin
Cream-colored carry-on: amzn.to/3YGtMNM
► SLING BAGS:
Nomad Lane sling (large): nomad-lane.myshopify.com/products/tomodachi-sling?rfsn=8318354.ddb71b&variant=49434243793201
Monos Metro Sling: shrsl.com/4qvip
Lululemon Belt Bag: go.shopmy.us/p-9562108
Quick question (I was so sure I asked on one of your other videos but I cannot find it).
With the Airalo SIM, do you get an actual phone number? Can you use it to make and receive calls as well as Text messages or it only for WIFI? I'll be in Portugal for 3 months and in the past I went to Vodafone and changed my SIM to theirs so that I could text and receive phone calls, ect (and I most definitely needed it in order to deal with local businesses and communicating with locals).
I appreciate you sharing what you know. I couldn't find this information on their website.
Cheers ~ Thank you!
@@JenSheahello you! You're ever here... ☺️ Why don't you get a double sim card phone, so that you can use UK Canadian number plus a temporary Portuguese Sim card?
If in need of international calls with ur daughter & friends, just use WhatsApp on the PT Sim 5G data.
How are things with you anyway?
@@SERGIO-cr6uy Olá Sergio, nice to bump into you, again. ;). Actually my iphone only has one SIM card slot and I travel more like the Frugal Travellers than like our friends at Stay Classy... I'm not wealthy.
I actually am trying to sort out how to get all those 2-Factor Authentication Codes I get while I am in Europe, since I'm there for 3 months... and many applications and websites I access send me text messages and I won't have my North American call number on when I am there.
I'm well! Happy to get back to the land I love. How are you???
Aww I love that you went with your mom! 💞I wonder if you were able to convince Chris to come on and do a video gracing us with his beautiful voice.
I did a 15 day solo trip to Portugal Sep 18 to Oct 3, 2024. I did not spend enough time in Porto. The Douro Valley was one of my favorite excursions. Kayaking in Ponta da Piedade, Lagos and one of the most famous caves in the world, Algar de Benagil. I am going back this spring and will try to follow your recommendations. Thank you for this video
This is the best review of Portugal on UA-cam! Thank you for this!
Thank you for sharing! I’ve only been to Portugal but would love to visit again 🎉❤
Thank you, Aly. My father traveled to Portugal last summer and really enjoyed Porto. He liked it so much he’s going back next spring to stay a few months. :-) Lucky him!
Thanks Aly. I must recreate your trip. Thanks for the recommendations.
OMG: what an awesome trip Ally!!! Thanks for all the recommendations and links.
We leave for Portugal this month. Thank you for all the info. It was very informative. We are flying to Faro and staying in Algarve for 10 days.
Awesome video, Aly Smalls. Looking forward to seeing your next upload from you. I smashed that thumbs up button on your content. Keep up the great work. Your itinerary sounds perfectly balanced! How did you find the local recommendations for food and sights in terms of authenticity, especially in places like Porto and Lisbon?
Portuguese here, great video 👍 Here's some extra ideas. Gerês national park, Estrela mountains, Ponte de Lima or Amarante up north. Then Setúbal, Tróia and Arrabida beaches, Vila Nova de Mil Fontes,Tavira and Évora down south. Got all that?😅 Enjoy your travels and Felicidades!
Amazing…. I never knew that I wanted to visit Portugal. Now after watching this video it moved up to the top of my list.
We are planning to go in October for a cruise that leave October 19th. Very interesting itinerary and helpful links - thanks so much
You covered so many beautiful spots in Portugal! Great itinerary indeed! I've recently visited porto for the first time (regardless I've been living in Lisbon it's been 6 years) It was such a blast honestly
This is such a great view of your trip ❤❤❤
We loved Portugal! Would go back in a heartbeat!
This was such an excellent travel video Aly!! I’ve only been to Portugal once, back in 2019. To this day, it remains one of my all time favorite travel destinations. I visited seven different cities while there but the highlight for me was definitely Lagos. The rock formations were stunning and the streets were so picturesque. Lisbon was great too. I want to go back but take my two sisters with me next time and we will definitely use your itinerary and guide suggestions. I flew into Lisbon and missed Porto completely. I won’t make that mistake again. You have the BEST travel content on the entire internet in my opinion! ♥️
Headed there this March! Excited to explore, thx for the awesome recommendations!
Great video. I was looking at going to Portugal & you just made it easier for me. Txs
Outstanding. Love trip. The specifics on sights restaurants and hotels are so helpful
The scenery was amazing! You already got me planning for next summer. Great videos and thanks for the links and detail. 🛫
Thank sister for sharing, heading to Portugal in February for 2 weeks.
Love this! What a great video! Thanks for sharing your itinerary, tips and suggestions, Aly. This will be quite helpful in my Portugal trip planning.
Portugal is my favourite country! Aly, you did a great job with some of the pronunciations… it’s not easy when you are a native English speaker, especially from North America. I’ve been learning European Portuguese since my first long-stay trip, in 2016-2017. I’ll be back for another long-stay in mid-December. December in Portugal is magical… especially Lisboa and at Óbidos!!
I lived near Peniche for 3 months and my Portuguese classes were right outside the walls of Óbidos, so I got to spent a lot of time there and it truly is Special.
I have only been during the winter months (from Ottawa so, that’s why!)… and it’s not quite as tourist heavy then. There were many times I felt like I had Óbidos to myself. Also when I drove down to the Algarve from Peniche, (the drive is easy!), places like Lagos had plenty of people but it was not overwhelming and I was always able to enjoy my visits.
Thank you for highlighting this wonderful country. I enjoyed your presentation!
Hi, I'm from Ottawa too. What months did you visit? What type of clothing did you wear? I'm going in January to San Miguel, in Ponta Delgada, in the Azores.
@@Carolinagirl589 Hi Carolina,
I was on the mainland. I was there for December, January and February. (And I'm going again this year, for the same 3 months). I'm afraid I can't speak for the islands, I haven't been yet so I honestly don't know what the weather is like. There are some great videos available on UA-cam though.
I was perfectly comfortable with my light packable down and I had a wind-breaker I would wear over that, if it was rainy. Portugal mainland has many microclimates, so you have to be pretty adaptable. Have light footwear (NO HEELS) and have some that are waterproof because it will rain once in a while. I have photos of me sitting on the beach, in January, with a t-shirt on... but you'll see the Portuguese people well bundled up. If you are from Ottawa, you'll be able to relate to how bloody cold and damp it is here and so for me, winter in Portugal was almost balmy. I spend a lot of my winters in NJ and it's generally 10-15 degrees warmer there than Ottawa... but still winter. Most of Portugal never sees snow of any kind unless you are in Northern Portugal, in the mountains.
I have watched videos from Ponta Delgada and it is beautiful. Much more green, much more wild and much more quiet. Enjoy!
@@Carolinagirl589 hi I am Portuguese, living in Lisbon Area, the weather in Portugal considering the entire country is between ( normally ) from 8 to 38 celcius degrees ( 43 to 100 fahrenheit }, STILL cold in the winter from December to March and then april to November normally good weather... NOW take in consideration that there are lets say 3 block, the north ( more cooler and rainy) the center ( mild to hot weather more so at least ) and the south witch can be cold in some areas (interior excluding the ALGARVE region normally the area with best weather all the year, where most retirees from all over go, and the Portuguese spend their vacations if they dont go abroad, in the winter, but generally hot in the summer, can be hot hot specifically more to the interior.
Now to be specifique, so Portugal has a long coast facing the atlantic ( sea that normally is very cold, many beatifull beaches , in the summer burning hot outside the water, many tourists they are surprised has they are not infromed that the atlantic sea in the northen hemisfer is cold, although in the summer is bearable and you will go to it because burning hot days, but its hawai or maldives kind of water temperatures...but ,pristine beaches, superb shoud I say in nature specially the south west coast...
BUT beacause the sea is cold always in the WEST costal line like 20 kms or miles to the interior you have a good breeze in the hot summers, but going to the interior , being north , central or south it will always be quite hot.
Sometimes you can have winds, depending on the day , its not always but its not uncommon, because of the clash of big area of cold sea, and the Hot area of land of the iberian peninsula, so this is the picture. Now you know!! any question just ask
Your videos are awesome and extremely informative!!! I appreciate all the links. Thank you for sharing!❤
We're going in June. Can't wait!
Thanks for the tips and sharing your 1st visit to Lisbon, Portugal, hope you like it and enjoy your trip. Last year in June, I visit Lisbon, Portugal for the 1st time, stay 2 to 3 days, it's awesome, including the weather, sunny to partly cloudy skies although it's hot in the afternoon. Unfortunately you miss out going to Arco da Rua Augusta, Praca do Comercio, I went there last year in June, it's awesome although it's hot in the afternoon, sunny and clear skies. Never been to Porto, but I would like to visit there 1 day next year in June.
Great video. I am going on a month long trip to Portugal next Spring. I am staying a week in Porto and LIsbon and 2 weeks in the Algarve. My bases in the Algarve are Carvoeiro and Tavira.
That's going to be incredible!
That white top enlights you smile 😉
Not really what I think but...
Anyway, I'll give you real compliment, that video was very interesting to watch, you're good at what you do.
Well done 👍
Awesome video! Next time use the train to move around the country. Taking a plane just for 300km between Lisbon and Algarve seems a bit excessive!
Great video!
I loved Portugal. I was suppose to go to Porto from Lisbon but the trains were on strike :( I'll get there one day.
Extremely helpful! May!
I think May would be SO nice!!
Hello thank you so much to cover all wonderful places of Portugal ❤
Im planning to visit all those places in Portugal along with my husband and a toddler who is 2.8yrs old. My question is Would it be safe to take the toddler to the Algarve's Seco and Benagil caves?? And all such coastal parts of Algarve?? Its a big question to me😮
Aly. Can you advise someone that wants to travel but doesn't have anyone to join them. So Solo. I would like to do what you just did but wonder the costs and how to's for just one? Can you suggest or advise. Thank you.
Ally, were you concerned about pick-pocketers and security in general?
Aly, Can you tell me the cost of your trip? I am looking at the places you went and not sure about anything least of all how much I need to save to do this. I just am clueless. Thanks so much.
Lets goooooo
We went during big wave season. It was great no tourists. Did the same route as you did all the exact same things. The only draw back in winter the water adventures were mostly not running from big waves. We did tuk tuk tours in Porto and Lisbon with Get your Guide it was the best well spent money. We usually fly to London direct flight from Tampa. We spend a day in London and the next day take the first flight to Pisa and then flew out to Porto.
We also went to the big food court place it was way over rated and to expensive. If anyone goes to Sintra I would not spend so much time at the castle and spend more time in the garden and use a tuk tuk as much as possible.
great tips, planning to visit Portugal in November 2025
awesome!
Next time add Évora to your itinerary
definitely!
If or when you go back to Portugal, I suggest visiting Guimarães in the north. It’s is so interesting, it s the birthplace of the first king of Portugal and the castle (ruins of) is still there to visit. I also recommend checking out the beaches at both Cascais (north of Lisbon and Costa da Caparica (south of Lisbon).
Sounds amazing 🥰