Lucy Bryson

We all like the idea of summertime in Europe – long, lazy days in the Mediterranean sunshine, whiling away an evening people-watching in local bars – but the reality is often much less romantic, with overtourism, sky-high prices and heatwaves blighting many a Euro Summer fantasy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. To inspire your summer holiday plans this year, we asked writers across Europe to tell us about their favourite alternative summer trip ideas. From Croatia’s quieter island-hopping route to an Estonian spa break, here’s where to head for crowd-free bliss and unsung adventures right across the continent. You’re welcome. RECOMMENDED:🏝️ The best alternative Mediterranean beach breaks🗺️ Europe’s most underrated travel destinations

Welcome to Lisbon, where the views are spectacular and the pastis de nata are sweet. You can do Lisbon in two days if needed, but we’d recommend a long weekend to really soak up all that is great about this incredible city.  The best part? Lisbon is an incredibly walkable city, so you can hit all of its top things to do without having to spend your whole day on public transport. On our list you’ll find Lisbon’s can’t-miss attractions for your first time there, alongside more niche finds that only locals will know (those are thanks to our editorial team at Time Out Lisbon). Enjoy! RECOMMENDED:🏠 The best Airbnbs in Lisbon 🎭 The best attractions in Lisbon 🍷 The best wine tours in Lisbon 🏨 The best hotels in Lisbon This guide is by the editorial team at Time Out Lisbon, and Lisbon-based travel writer Lucy Bryson. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Sure, Lisbon and Porto are great n’ all (no really, they are really great), but Portugal is one of the world’s hottest travel destinations for a reason, and there’s so much more to it then its two main cities. Whether you’re looking for wild parties or wild nature; historic hill towns or sun-scorched beaches; hip bars or rural escapes, you’ll find it in abundance across Portugal’s seven regions – five on the mainland, plus the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores. And then there’s the food, which goes well beyond piri-piri chicken and pastéis de nata (although let’s face it, these should be on your list). Each of the country’s surprisingly diverse regions takes pride in its unique culinary offerings, from super-fresh seafood and slow-cooked stews to cakes, pastries and cheeses. And did we mention the vinho? Across the country, wine is impossibly good and dangerously affordable. There’s a whole lot to discover, so read on for the full lowdown on the best places in Portugal.  RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Portugal🏖 The essential guide to Lisbon🐟 The essential guide to Porto Lucy Bryson is a writer based in Portugal. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. See our editorial guidelines for more. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Fresh, flavourful, abundant and more affordable than many of its European counterparts, the food and drink scene in Portugal is worth travelling for. Having emerged from the shadow of revered foodie destinations like France and Spain, Portugal has stepped up to prove it brings a lot more to the table than pastéis de nata and peri-peri chicken – although by no means should you miss these. For a compact nation (including the islands of Madeira and the Azores), Portugal is home to more than their fair share of Michelin-starred spots. But you don’t need to go haute cuisine to eat well here: family-run tascas and tavernas often offer lipsmackingly good dining at very reasonable prices. And although Portugal might be famous for its fish and seafood, an increasing number of vegan and vegetarian spots – especially in major cities – ensures nobody goes hungry. Feeling spoiled for choice? Read on to discover the 15 best places to eat in Portugal right now, according to Lisbon local Lucy Bryson. RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Portugal🏖 The best beaches in Portugal

For a small country, Portugal punches well above its weight when it comes to food, history, unforgettable places and one-off experiences. We asked Lisbon local Lucy Bryson for her expert tips on the best way to spend ten days exploring the best of Portugal. And although a whistlestop tour of ten days isn’t nearly enough to see everything great the country has to offer, it’s just about enough to get a flavour – and leave you hankering for more. The good news for travellers pressed for time (and budget) is that much of the country is well served by public transport. Trains and buses are largely reliable, comfortable, and affordable. The bad news is that your ten-day adventure will only give you a couple of days each in Lisbon and Porto – two of Europe’s greatest city-break destinations – and you’ll miss out entirely on harder-to-reach inland destinations, not to mention the outlying Portuguese islands of Madeira and the Azores. But what’s a time-strapped traveller to do? You’ll just have to come back again soon. RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Portugal🏖 The best beaches in Portugal