Though there really isn’t a bad time to visit Portugal, summer is easily the perfect season to take in everything the country has to offer.
The weather is impeccable – warm enough for long sunbathing sessions but not scorching hot – the cities are as gorgeous as ever, and the beaches are to die for, not to mention that prices are far better than what you’d pay in most other coastal destinations across Europe.
No wonder so many eyes have turned toward the dreamy sun-kissed country this past year, and by the looks of it, airlines have gotten the message too – Portugal is the Old Continent’s hottest year-round destination.
That’s why more and more of them are introducing new flights connecting some of America’s biggest hubs to Portuguese hotspots, and this summer, you’ll get to fly nonstop to at least five of them.
So, if you’re still planning your Western Iberian getaway, below, you’ll find everything you need to know to make that happen.
Funchal
Once overshadowed by its better-known neighbors, the stunning capital of Madeira is attracting more visitors by the day, which is why Azores Airlines, one of Porugal’s biggest budget-friendly carriers is introducing its first-ever direct flight from Boston to Funchal starting this June.
The route will take roughly 6 hours each way and round-trip tickets will start at just $650- yes, you read that right!
Suffice to say, this will be one of the quickest and cheapest ways to get that ultimate Portuguese summer you’ve been dreaming of for so long, and once you get to see Funchal’s cobblestone streets, historic old town, and gold-sanded beaches, you’ll get just how great of an opportunity this really is.
Lisbon
The list wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Portugal’s incredible capital – after all, chances are that’s where most of you are headed this summer.
And I come bearing good news – TAP Air Portugal is offering flights between Chicago and Lisbon that start at just $542 for a round trip.
Granted, the flight itself takes a little longer, something closer to the 8-hour mark, but the route operates several times a week (as we get closer and closer to peak season, flights will get even more frequent), and you’ll be rewarded with some of the world’s most iconic sights once you land, so the tradeoff feels worth it.
While I have you, I also want to point out that TAP has an amazing “Portugal Stopover” program that allows you to stop in Lisbon or Porto for up to ten days at no extra airfare cost, so if you want to take in as much of the country as possible during your summer trip, this is the perfect opportunity.
Porto
Speaking of Porto, those planning a trip to Portugal’s second-largest city these upcoming months have plenty of great options, too.
The cheapest direct flight, though, is operated by United, and it costs something closer to $830 to get there and back – while the price might be a bit steeper than what we’ve seen so far, the flight itself lasts less than 7-hours and the on-board amenities are amazing, not to mention planes connecting New York and Porto depart almost every day in the summer, so the overall planning and travel experience should be a breeze.
Ponta Delgada
Tired of the same old places you’ve seen hundreds, if not thousands of times on social media?
Why not head off to Ponta Delgada instead?
United offers yet another amazing, reasonably-priced flight connecting New York to the Portuguese city – this time, though, the trip only takes 5 and a half hours and it costs about $675.
What’s more, flights depart every single day so you won’t have to meddle with your schedule at all!
Terceira Lajes
We’re staying in the Azores archipelago, but this time we’re going to Terceira Island, a place known for its dramatic coastline, volcanic caves, and stunning coastal cities.
The New York – Terceira Lajes flight operated by Azores Airlines isn’t just the only direct route connecting the two cities but also one of the quickest and cheapest ways to get from the U.S. to Portugal in general.
The flight lasts less than 6 hours and round-trip tickets start at just $590!
However, this one only operates on Mondays, so keep that in mind when booking your hotel.
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