Those who dream of Portugal may rightly conjure up images of perfect white beaches, turquoise blue water, craggy slopes, cool metropolises, first-rate wine and cuisine, and a mountainous hinterland to boot — Portugal has everything you could want in just the right dosage. A luxury hotel in Porto, Lisbon, the Algarve, or one of the breathtaking islands off the coast promises to fulfill all your wildest vacation expectations. Whether in an imposing castle on a mountain or at an incredible luxury resort right on the beach, expect state-of-the-art rooms, a paradisiacal panorama from your balcony, fantastically creative cuisine, and super friendly service. On top of that, take advantage of deluxe wellness areas and the great spa services on offer.
Where to stay at a luxury hotel in Portugal? Top locations at a glance
Porto & the Duoro Valley: Indulgence in Portugal’s port city & wine country
© Six Senses Douro Valley You can’t go wrong with a vacation to Porto and the adjacent Douro Valley. The charming port city on the Rio Douro is known for its lavish beauty and idyllic surrounding winelands. Porto is place bursting with history as well as one with its finger on the pulse of all that is new and modern, characterized by a cool pastiche of brightly colored old houses, buildings covered with Portuguese tiles, and postmodern high-rises. Head to Porto’s UNESCO-listed Old Town to marvel at the interesting buildings from the Baroque period. The luxury hotels in Porto are most oft centrally located in the Old Town, placing all the best of Porto at your fingertips — including the famous Avenida dos Aliados, the Baroque church Igreja dos Clérigos, and the Palácio da Bolsa. From the profound comfort of your luxury hotel, the port of the Rio Douro with its famous arched bridge, Ponte Dom Luís, is just a stone’s throw. In a café on the waterfront or in a restaurant over dinner in the evening, join locals and visitors as they get together in large groups and simply enjoy life — something the Portuguese are particularly good at. The port on the Rio Douro is one of the most beautiful places in Porto and can also operate as your ticket into the wonderful Douro Valley, Portugal’s wine region. A luxury hotel in the Douro Valley is the perfect home base for an authentically Portuguese wine-focused holiday.
The Algarve: Beach vacation like never before
© Bela Vista Hotel & Spa - Relais & Chateaux The Algarve is one of the most amazing stretches of land in Europe and one of the most popular destinations in Portugal. A luxury vacation by the sea promises to be totally unforgettable; the dreamlike coasts and beaches of the Algarve are nothing short than legendary. Most of the luxury hotels are situated directly on the coastline, so you can enjoy a fantastic view from your own sprawling suite and jet on over to the beach at any time — whether the beaches in Sagres, the Ponta da Piedade in Lagos, or the Praia Dona Ana Beach, on the Algarve, it’s one dream beach after another. Many of the famous blue-green bays are surrounded by rocks and cliffs, leaving an especially stunning impression everytime. Fronted by the pure magic of the moment where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean and backed by a particularly gentle hinterland, a luxury hotel offers extreme indulgence in all the lavish spa centers, gourmet restaurants, private beaches, and clean design concepts that complement the devastatingly beautiful surrounds. Visitors can look also forward to a wealth of sightseeing opportunity along the coast, for example at the famous Benagil Cave, the iconic Ponta da Piedade, the “end of the world” Cape St Vincent, and unbelievable beaches like the endless Praia da Falésia and Praia da Rocha.
Lisbon: Cultural fun & capital-city flair
© Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa The capital of Portugal, Lisbon is a hub for cultural life and simply an amazing place to visit. A longer vacation in a luxury hotel or a spontaneous weekend trip characterized by style and class is best realized in this pretty place right off the Atlantic Coast. With their high standards of quality, super deluxe rooms, and elegant dining establishments, luxury hotels in Lisbon offer visitors the perfect retreat and promise you’ll start each new day full of enough energy and verve to discover Lisbon’s most beautiful sights, among them the famous Ponte 25 de Abril bridge and the Castelo de Sao Jorge castle. The 1901 elevator Elevador de Santa Justa connects the two districts Baixa and Chiado and emanates a historical charm right in the middle of downtown Lisbon. Another of the city’s landmarks is the Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the middle of the water, accessible via a bridge or from a fun- and sight-filled boat tour. A trip to Lisbon is not complete without the iconic Eléctricos 28 streetcars, integral to the city’s urban landscape. Lovers of things elite will also adore the area just west of Lisbon right on the Estoril coastline, for example in Carcavelos. Here the luxury hotels cut no corners when it comes to providing an unforgettable beachside experience. Some of them even come equipped with full golf courses and spa centers, ensuring you’ll never want to leave the sublime atmosphere of Portugal’s most fabulous waterfront.
Madeira: Island vacation with beautiful beaches & a great arts scene
© Saccharum Madeira is a kind of insider tip in terms of travel to Portugal. The luxury hotels on Madeira, situated north of the Canary Islands and west off the African Coast from Morocco, have secured some of the most beautiful locations on the island. The temptation to never leave the side of the hotel pool will definitely present itself, and there’s no real reason to deny oneself of that, but if you do, head to Calheta Beach, Gabo Girao — home to the highest cliff in Europe —, or the bustling port city of Funchal. The capital of Madeira, Funchal, is considered one of the cleanest and safest cities in Europe; located in the south of the island, it plays host to a suite of art boutiques, some seriously nice weather, as well as authentic restaurants serving up local specialties. The über-romantic luxury hotels that populate Funchal and the rest of the island’s coast are stylish and well equipped, and afford spectacular views of the wide open sea. And the food is something to write home about: begin the day with breakfast of a Papo-seco sandwich on a bread roll with a milky coffee on a big balcony looking over charming gardens, stop for lunch at a local eatery for a Prego steak sandwich, and end it with some sort of Bacalhau or Portuguese Cod Fish dish paired with Madeira wine, of course.
Good to know
Getting there & Getting around: Visitors from elsewhere in Europe or the UK can fly direct to Porto, Lisbon, or the Algarve. If you are traveling to Madeira, you’ll have to first fly to a larger city in Portugal. From Porto and Lisbon, for example, there are flights to Madeira several times a day. As for getting around Portugal, the whole country is surprisingly small; the drive from, for example, Porto to Faro on the Argarve is just about five hours. Renting a car is recommended for trips to and around the Algarve and the Duoro Valley. Everywhere else can really be covered by scenic train or speedy busses.
Discover more Luxury Hotels in other countries:
Image catalog
Hotel The Cliff Bay in Portugal,
Cascade Wellness & Lifestyle Resort in Portugal,
The Vine Hotel in Portugal,
EPIC SANA Lisboa Hotel in Portugal
