Portugal

A sixteenth-century fort on the spot where navigators left and returned. Usually seen together with the Jeronimos Monastery nearby.

A romantic palace in yellow and red standing above the forest. Forty minutes from Lisbon by train, so most come for the day.

Terraces cut in steps along the river, going on for miles. Better taken slowly, by train or boat.

Its early twentieth-century woodwork survives intact, which is why there is a queue. The entry ticket comes off the price of a book.

A tradition of covering churches, stations and ordinary houses in painted tile. Sao Bento station in Porto is the showpiece.

A cave with a round opening in its roof, entered only by boat or kayak. Swimming in is banned after repeated accidents.

Manueline ornament that carves rope and sea creatures into stone. The two are listed together.

Palaces, gardens and misty woodland inscribed as a single cultural landscape. The hills are steep, so most take a bus or tuk-tuk.

The layered old town and its bridges along the Douro. The classic view is from the wine lodges on the opposite bank.

Centuries of dry-stone terracing recognised as a landscape in itself. Port wine comes from here.

Roman columns, a medieval cathedral and a chapel lined with bones, all within one town. An hour and a half from Lisbon by bus.

Hills, trams and the riverfront together. Trains to Sintra and Cascais leave from here.

The riverside old town faces the wine lodges across the water. Smaller and a little cheaper than Lisbon.

Golden cliffs and cave-cut shoreline, the country’s resort belt. In high summer it draws visitors from across Europe.

Known for levada walks that follow old irrigation channels. Mild temperatures all year.

Crater lakes and whale watching are the draw. The weather turns quickly, so leave slack in the plan.

Flowers out and not yet hot, which makes for good walking. The north still gets rain.

Peak season on the Algarve, and very hot inland. Coastal rooms book out early.

Harvest ends in the Douro and the valley colours. The sea is still warm.

Mild, though wet in the north. Quiet enough to make city visits easy.

Up to 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area. The European travel authorisation scheme is being phased in, so check official guidance before you leave.

Cards are widely accepted, though small restaurants may prefer cash. Prices sit below the neighbouring countries.

The paving stones are polished smooth and turn slippery in rain. Shoes with grip are worth packing.

The train is quickest between Lisbon and Porto. Inland Algarve villages are easier by bus or car.

English works in the cities and along the coast. It looks close to Spanish on the page but sounds very different.

The pan-European number reaching police, ambulance and fire, with English available. Wildfire warnings are issued in some regions in summer, so follow local instructions.