Portugal Honeymoon: Romantic Itinerary and Places to Stay

Portugal is made for honeymoons and romantic getaways: sunsets over the Atlantic, castles and palaces to sleep in, wine estates in the Douro, cliff-top hideaways and candlelit fado. Here’s how to plan a romantic trip to Portugal, with the most romantic places to stay.

Quick answer: combine Lisbon (fado, rooftops, sunset sails) with a few nights in the Douro Valley (Six Senses or a wine estate) and finish on the Algarve coast or in Madeira. For unforgettable stays, sleep in a castle at Óbidos, a royal palace at Bussaco, or the legendary Reid’s Palace. May, June and September are ideal.

A romantic two-week itinerary

• Lisbon (3 nights): sunset on a sailing boat, a rooftop bar, fado in Alfama. See Lisbon rooftop bars and fado in Lisbon.
• Sintra (1 night): fairy-tale palaces, misty forests, a palace hotel. See where to stay in Sintra.
• Douro Valley (2–3 nights): vineyards, river views and wine tastings. See Douro Valley hotels.
• Porto (2 nights): port cellars and riverside dinners. See Porto hotels with a view.
• The Algarve or Madeira (4–5 nights): beaches, sunsets and a spa. See the best spa hotels in Portugal.

The most romantic places to stay

Castles and palaces

• Pousada Castelo Óbidos: sleep inside a medieval castle in a walled village. See Óbidos.
• Palace Hotel do Bussaco: a fairy-tale former royal hunting palace in an enchanted forest near Luso.
• Quinta das Lágrimas: a palace in Coimbra whose gardens are linked to Portugal’s great love story, Pedro and Inês.
• Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais: an 18th-century palace with views of the Pena hills.

Wine and countryside

• Six Senses Douro Valley: a manor house in the vines, with a superb spa.
• São Lourenço do Barrocal: an Alentejo estate near Monsaraz, with stargazing.
• L’AND Vineyards: suites with sky-view ceilings to watch the stars from bed.

By the sea

• Vila Joya (Albufeira): an intimate clifftop hotel with a two-Michelin-star restaurant.
• Farol Hotel (Cascais): a design hotel on the rocks by the lighthouse.
• Areias do Seixo Villas (Silver Coast): eco-chic villas among the dunes.
• Belmond Reid’s Palace (Madeira): the legendary clifftop hotel with afternoon tea above the bay.

Romantic things to do

• A sunset sail on the Tagus in Lisbon. See sunset sails.
• A private wine tasting in the Douro or the Alentejo. See Portugal’s wine regions.
• Stargazing at Alqueva. See Monsaraz and Alqueva.
• A boat trip to Benagil and the Algarve’s sea caves. See Algarve boat trips.
• A photo shoot with a local photographer. See photo tours.
• Dinner with a view at sunset almost anywhere on the coast.

Browse romantic experiences.

When to go

May, June and September bring warm weather, long days and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy, while winter is quiet and great for cosy city breaks and spas. See the best time to visit Portugal.

Romantic Sintra

explore Quinta da Regaleira and its grottos, wander the gardens of Monserrate, watch the sunset from Cabo da Roca or the Moorish Castle, and dine in the old town. Stay in a palace at Seteais, at Penha Longa, or in a cosy boutique hotel.

Romantic things to do

• Quinta da Regaleira: the Initiation Well and hidden tunnels. See Regaleira.
• Monserrate’s gardens: exotic, peaceful and quiet. See Monserrate.
• Sunset at Cabo da Roca. See Cabo da Roca.
• The Moorish Castle walls late in the day. See the Moorish Castle.
• A forest walk on the hill trails. See Sintra hikes.
• Dinner by the sea at Azenhas do Mar. See Azenhas do Mar.

Romantic hotels

• Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais: an 18th-century palace. Check prices.
• Penha Longa: a resort in a former monastery estate. Check prices.
• Sintra Boutique Hotel. Check prices.
• Lawrence’s Hotel: a historic inn in the old town. Check prices.
• Quinta das Murtas: a romantic quinta. Check prices.

See where to stay in Sintra.

The romantic Algarve

watch the sunset at Cape St Vincent or Ponta da Piedade, take a catamaran or sunset sail, kayak into the Benagil cave, walk the Seven Hanging Valleys, and stay somewhere special like Vila Vita Parc, Vila Joya or an adults-only hotel.

Romantic things to do

• Sunset at Cape St Vincent: the end of Europe. See Sagres.
• Ponta da Piedade at golden hour. See Ponta da Piedade.
• A catamaran cruise with swimming stops. See catamaran trips.
• Kayak into hidden caves. See kayaking.
• The Seven Hanging Valleys trail at sunrise. See the trail.
• A beach restaurant dinner. See Algarve beach restaurants.
• A wine tasting in the hills. See wine tastings.

Romantic hotels

• Vila Vita Parc: clifftop gardens. Check prices.
• Vila Joya: an intimate hideaway. Check prices.
• Falésia Hotel (adults only). Check prices.
• Rocamar Exclusive (adults only). Check prices.
• Quinta da Lua (adults only), near Tavira. Check prices.

See the best hotels in the Algarve.

Romantic Madeira

watch the sunrise at Pico do Arieiro, take afternoon tea at Reid’s Palace, go dolphin and whale watching, share a Madeira wine tasting, ride the toboggan down from Monte, and see the New Year’s Eve fireworks. Stay at Reid’s, the Savoy Palace or a garden quinta.

Romantic things to do

• Sunrise above the clouds at Pico do Arieiro. See sunrise tours.
• A levada walk through the laurel forest. See levada walks.
• Dolphin watching from Funchal. See dolphin trips.
• A Madeira wine tasting. See the Madeira wine guide.
• The Monte toboggan ride. See the toboggan.
• Sunset at Ponta do Sol or Câmara de Lobos. See Câmara de Lobos.
• New Year’s Eve fireworks. See Madeira New Year’s Eve.

Romantic hotels

• Belmond Reid’s Palace: legendary clifftop elegance. Check prices.
• Savoy Palace: modern luxury in Funchal. Check prices.
• Quinta da Casa Branca: a garden estate. Check prices.
• Estalagem da Ponta do Sol: clifftop design with sunset views. Check prices.

See the best hotels in Madeira.

The best places to propose in Portugal

top proposal spots include a Lisbon viewpoint at sunset, a private sailing trip on the Tagus, the gardens of Sintra, the cliffs of Ponta da Piedade, a Douro quinta among the vines and Jardim do Morro in Porto. Consider booking a photographer to capture the moment.

The best spots

• Lisbon viewpoints: Senhora do Monte or Santa Luzia at sunset. See Lisbon viewpoints.
• A private sail on the Tagus. See sunset sailing.
• Sintra: Regaleira’s gardens or Monserrate’s lawns. See romantic Sintra.
• The Algarve cliffs: Ponta da Piedade or a hidden cove by boat. See the romantic Algarve.
• The Douro Valley: a vineyard terrace at a quinta. See where to stay in the Douro.
• Porto: Jardim do Morro at sunset. See romantic Porto.
• Madeira: sunrise above the clouds. See romantic Madeira.

Practical tips

• Photographer: a local photographer can pose as a tourist. See Lisbon photo shoots.
• Crowds: choose early morning or a weekday for popular spots.
• Weather: have a back-up plan for rain or fog.
• Ring safety: keep it in hand luggage.
• Celebrate: book a special dinner or hotel. See the best luxury hotels.

See also: the best luxury hotels in Portugal, romantic Porto, the romantic Algarve and the best places to propose.

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