Portugal is a delightful country to visit—especially for its beaches, Mediterranean cuisine, and indisputable appeal in warm-weather months. But the country can take some effort to tour.
The mainland of the nation, located at European’s most southwestern point, isn’t as well-stocked with speedy rail and road services as other nearby countries are, so visitors with limited time often feel obliged to restrict themselves to exploring the area close to where their flights landed.
In the summer of 2025, though, we’re seeing a proliferation of new direct flights from North America to Portuguese places that aren’t usually so well-served. American travelers, in particular, can use these flights to see corners of the country that might normally take more effort to reach.
• On May 16, United Airlines (united.com) begins shuttling vacationers to Faro, on Portugal’s southern coast, with seasonal service on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The flights make it much easier to access the towering cliffs and secluded sandy coves of the Algarve region than if you flew into a major Portuguese city like Lisbon, a 3-hour train ride away, or Porto, almost 6 hours away by rail. (Read more about things to do in the Algarve in our destination guide.)
Frommer’s Portugal
You’ll never fall into tourist traps when you travel with Frommer’s. Doing so is like having a trusted friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. That’s because our guidebooks, unlike those of many competitors, are written by resident experts—like Paul Ames, a highly respecte…
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Frommer’s Portugal
You’ll never fall into tourist traps when you travel with Frommer’s. Doing so is like having a trusted friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. That’s because our guidebooks, unlike those of many competitors, are written by resident experts—like Paul Ames, a highly respecte…
• On June 7, United’s flights to Funchal, on the spectacular isle of Madeira, will begin flying on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. That will be the schedule through the summer, ending September 23. Here’s your chance to set foot in Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, named for the iconic soccer player and Madeira native. Fair warning: He’s unlikely to greet your plane. (Read more about things to do in Madeira in our destination guide.)
Both of United’s flights to Portugal operate from Newark Liberty International Airport. (You’ll be fine. Probably.)
That’s not the end of Americans’ newly expanded access by air to Portuguese places.
• On June 6, TAP Air Portugal (flytap.com) adds weekly Tuesday flights from San Francisco International Airport to Terceira Island in the Azores, an island group in the Atlantic Ocean that’s popular with European sun-seekers and gay vacationers. Frommer’s named Terceira’s capital, Angra do Heroísmo, one of the 10 best towns to visit in Portugal.
TAP Air Portugal’s Terceira flights end in October.
• TAP Air Portugal has also launched a seasonal route from Boston to Porto that flies Mondays, Wednesday, Saturdays, and Sundays until October 25.
