Port tasting is not to be missed across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia © barmalini / Getty Images 13. MyWay provides service getting you through the airport – and sometimes off the plane (as not all planes in Portugal connect to the jetway, requiring access via stairs).

If you’ve had enough of lounging on one of the Algarve’s postcard-pretty beaches, a hike along part – or, if you’re really brave, all – of the 300km Via Algarviana is the best way to appreciate the magnificent landscapes of this region. You can also explore the islands of the eastern Algarve via inexpensive ferries from Faro, Olhão and Tavira. You’ll find a wide mix of programming, featuring both grand symphony orchestras as well as jazz groups and the occasional rock icon. Lonely Planet's Experience Portugal travel guide reveals exciting new ways to explore this iconic destination with one-of-a-kind adventures at every turn.No matter where you roam in Portugal, you’re never far from the beach or a sparkling inland lake or river. Although it's very tourist-centric, travelers flock to Ribeira for a reason – notably its knockout views of the river. Cloistered nuns and monks (hence the name "conventual") created these concoctions, making use of extra egg yolks (the whites were exported and used in winemaking) and newly imported sugar from Brazil in the 15th century, and they were initially for the monastery residents’ consumption.

In more tourist-oriented establishments, a tip is more common – usually around 10% – and may even be added as a service charge.Like a setting from a fairy tale, this historic hillside township is sprinkled with stone-walled taverns and lorded over by a multicolored palace. Inviting beaches and great weather are the just beginning of a long list of the region’s many charms. The country also has many free museums and inexpensive attractions, from medieval architecture to cutting-edge contemporary art. Lonely Planet's Experience Portugal is an essential travel guide for all explorers looking to immerse themselves in the Portuguese way of life. Amid the wilder shores of the western Algarve, Praia de Odeceixe hits all the right notes, and the scenic headland-backed beach draws both families and surfers.

Springtime brings a blanket of wildflowers across the country, as well as some major religious holidays like Holy Week. Porto began its life as a sleepy fishing village on the bank of the Douro River on the site of the modern-day neighborhood of Ribeira.

Other good places to hunt for street art are around Travessa de Cedofeita, along graffiti-emblazoned Rua da Madeira, and on Rua das Flores in Ribeira. About 30 minutes northeast, you can gape at the Gothic grandeur of Santa Maria da Vitória, yet another monastic masterpiece. Hiking here is not only about enjoying panoramic views and spotting wildlife; stepping onto the trail can also take you back in time to traditional stone villages and along ancient routes once used by the Romans.