When the sun is shining, it seems as though all of Porto descends on Foz do Douro for a bit of beach time followed by drinks at terrace cafes overlooking the ocean. On steamy summer days, you can cool off in the chilly water. At other times of the year, you can join locals on runs, bike rides or saunters along the seaside promenade, which runs for 2.5km (1.6 miles) up to Matosinhos, Porto’s biggest city beach. For a shorter walk, you can stroll out along a jetty to the 19th-century Felgueiras Lighthouse, which has dramatic views over the wave-battered shore. Bike it from Porto or hop on vintage tram 1 to arrive in old-fashioned style.

Lisbon and Porto get all the love, but there's so much more to Portugal than its captivating historic cities.Planning tip: Don’t feel limited to these popular drawcards. Keep a lookout as you wander the city as azulejos are scattered all over, and discovery is part of the fun. 9. Follow Porto's street art trail Often rainy and chilly, the shortest month of the year is a welcome interlude between the busy holiday season and upcoming spring events. On the weekend before Shrove Tuesday, some Carnaval parades take over the streets, but the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations happen outside of Lisbon in nearby towns like Sesimbra and Torres Vedras.

Many restaurants in Portugal offer good-value lunch specials. Always ask if there's a menu do dia (fixed menu) or prato do dia (daily special). Even high-end restaurants typically have lower-priced lunch menus. Less than an hour by train from the capital Lisbon, Sintra feels like another world. It's a great day trip away from the city hubbub. Like a setting from a fairy tale, this historic hillside township is sprinkled with stone-walled taverns and lorded over by a multicolored palace.Portugal’s famous port lodges are located in Porto’s cross-river sister city Vila Nova de Gaia. Gaia, as it’s more commonly called, is easily reached via a stroll or metro ride across the iconic Ponte de Dom Luís I, which was built by a disciple of Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). Tour and taste Porto’s eponymous tipple at vintage cellars such as Ramos Pinto, Graham’s or Taylor’s, with the latter offering stellar views of the Douro River from its rooftop terrace.

Festivals aside, it’s not easy to pin down the best month to visit Portugal. That really depends on what you’re after: outdoor activities in the south? Go in winter when the crowds and prices are thinnest, and the weather is pleasant but not hot. Beach days with plenty of time in the surf? Visit in summer when the water temperatures are warmest. A mix of urban exploring and hiking adventures in the wilderness in the north? Opt for the shoulder season when it’s not so rainy, and the cities aren’t yet filled with tourists. Lisbon and Porto have their own urbano (suburban) train networks. Lisbon’s network extends to Sintra, Cascais, Setúbal and up the lower Tejo valley.Practical information on money, getting around, unique and local ways to stay, and responsible travel Typically the rainiest month of the year, November in Lisbon is cold rather than freezing, but life moves indoors. One of the largest tech industry events in Europe takes over the city at the beginning of the month, and after hours, nightlife hotspots get crowded. To experience it for yourself, head to a casa de fado in Lisbon. Popular options include Parreirinha de Alfama or A Baiuca in Alfama and Adega Machado or Café Luso in Bairro Alto. Whichever you choose, all offer a chance to see a live performance, and some even pair the music with a traditional Portuguese dinner.

Long nights and cooler days can’t dampen the Christmas spirit, with holiday markets, roasted chestnuts and colorfully decorated squares. Days are mostly pleasant in the south but brisk at night, while the north sees cold, rainy days and nights. Key events: Feira do Março in Aveiro and Feira dos Enchidos in Monchique. April brings springtime blooms With famously gorgeous weather and almost 300 days of sunshine a year, the best time to visit Lisbon is whenever your heart desires. The crowds come in summer, lured by scorching sunshine and big events, but fall and spring have a gentler magic, and even the winter has its own quiet charm.

Planning tip: Pre-booking is required, although admission is free for kids under 8, with scheduled starry observations happening during the day or at night. 10. Road trip on Estrada Nacional 2 A host of small private bus operators, most amalgamated into regional companies, run a dense network of services across the country. Among the largest are Rede Expressos and Rodonorte. Southern Portugal has a new bus network called Vamus Algarve, with service reaching just about every part of the Algarve. Lisboetas get busy making plans for a busy holiday season during the winter months. For travelers, it’s the low season and a time of year when not much is happening, which can feel like bliss after the summertime crowds. Expect many holiday-themed events, street markets and festive menus at restaurants. Accommodation prices are at their lowest too, and crowds thin out dramatically – even at the top sights. January