With a country divided into 18 districts and 2 autonomous regions - Azores and Madeira - there is much to be explored, be it the natural parks or the Costa Vicentina. But with a 943 km long coastline that invites us to discover the best of Portugal's coast, there is much to discover and much not to miss.

So, take the opportunity to make a gastronomic itinerary and at the same time discover some of the best cities to visit along the Portugal’s coast. 

Amália immortalised the city in her song, "Havemos de ir a Viana". But Viana do Castelo is still very much alive in the traditions it preserves every year. Be it in the Senhora d'Agonia Pilgrimage, the berlin balls from Casa Natário or a photograph taken by a centenary camera during your visit to Monte de Santa Luzia. To get to know the true essence of Portugal's coast, start here. 

Start by visiting Viana do Castelo's city centre, a true postcard of the best that Portugal's coast has to offer. While you are in the centre, visit the Decorative Arts Museum and the Costume Museum, which tells the story of the Minho traditions. If you smell the sea, don't be surprised and follow it: see the Sea Port and the Fishing Port, visit all the Riverside Area and the Marginal. And of course, don't forget to discover the Gil Eannes Hospital Ship. There is also the Castle of Santiago da Barra, the Eiffel Bridge, and the Church of Senhora d'Agonia.

There's no way around it and not practically making a gastronomic itinerary while investigating how to organize a road trip in Portugal. In Viana do Castelo it won't be much different: here you will find Tasquinha da Praça, Camelo, Tasquinha da Linda or Maria Petisca.

In our journey along the Portugal’s coast, Aveiro is one of the unavoidable cities of our coastline. With a landscape marked by the Aveiro ria, it is crossed by a network of canals where you can take a ride on the moliceiros boats while you taste the characteristic "ovos moles”. But this city is also made of architecture, having a group of buildings in "Art Nouveau" style which are worth visiting.

There is nothing like starting your tour at the Aveiro Museum, housed in the Convent of Jesus, and you can't miss a boat trip along the Ria, which will take you through the saltpans. Also discover the Natural Reserve of Dunas de São Jacinto, about 15 minutes away, with its almost wild beaches. And of course, the striped houses that mark Costa Nova.

Just a few kilometres from Lisbon, we discover the town of the blue-blooded families and of all the European aristocracy who chose the Portugal’s coast as a destination for their seasons. So, don't be surprised by the countless palaces and houses with unique architecture, scattered a little throughout the woods. Sintra was classified as a World Heritage Site under the 'Cultural Landscape' category on December 6, 1995, during the 19th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Berlin.

If you are the kind of tourist who loves visiting historical monuments, then Sintra is the ideal destination for you. Car hire in Lisbon and visit the Paço de Sintra, the Pena or Monserrate National Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, the Sintra National Palace, the Moorish Castle or Seteais Palace. We could go on, but the best thing is to venture out. As you are in the middle of the Portugal’s coast, there are many beaches to discover, such as Azenhas do Mar or São Julião beach, without forgetting to visit Cabo da Roca. From here to the beginning of the Costa Vicentina is a hop.

If you visit this town, you can't miss the traditional sweets, like the "travesseiro de Sintra", mainly from "Casa da Piriquita", founded in 1862. Don't forget to try a "queijada de Sintra", from Gregório's pastry shop. For a full meal, there is nothing like visiting Tascantiga, the restaurant of the Pena Palace, Villa Craft Beer & Bread, or the Casa das Minas.

Almost at the end of our journey along Portugal’s coast we find the city that is the capital of the Algarve. Faro is a city with a lot of historical, natural, and cultural heritage. Here we find the largest nature reserve in the Algarve, the Ria Formosa Natural Park, which must be crossed to reach the sea. Here you will discover some of the most famous beaches, such as Ilha da Culatra.

Explore the Historic Centre of Faro, which is divided into three quarters: Vila Adentro, in the old walls which are more than 2000 years old, Mouraria and Bairro Ribeirinho. Discover the beautiful Arco da Vila, with the Porta Árabe inside, the only horseshoe arch in its original location in the whole of the Algarve. Visit the Cathedral and climb the Tower to discover one of the best panoramic views of the city. There is also the Faro Municipal Museum located in a former convent and the Belmarço Palace, and of course a visit to Faro Marina is a must.