Embarking on this VFR adventure across Portugal, the Cessna 172 pilot will experience a breathtaking variety of landscapes. Departing Lisbon (LPPT), the flight heads west for a quick hop to Cascais (LPCS), offering views of the Tagus River estuary and the iconic Belém Tower. Heading southward, the aircraft crosses the rolling plains of Alentejo, where golden fields stretch endlessly toward Beja (LPBJ) and Évora (LPEV), a UNESCO World Heritage city with its ancient Roman temple. As the journey continues to Faro (LPFR), the Algarve’s turquoise waters and dramatic limestone cliffs come into view, followed by a coastal hop to Portimão (LPPM) with its stunning beaches.

Turning inland, the route climbs toward the rugged terrain near the Spanish border, reaching Chaves (LPCH) and Bragança (LPBG), where medieval castles sit atop green valleys. Following the Douro River, vineyards cover the hills as the pilot approaches Ovar (LPOV) and Porto (LPPR), home to the world-famous Port wine cellars. The journey south reveals the forested hills of Viseu (LPVZ), the fertile Santarém plains (LPSR), and the striking Douro Valley near Vila Real (LPVR).

The adventure then takes a dramatic turn as the pilot flies southwest along Portugal’s Atlantic coast to Monte Gordo (LPMG), where golden beaches stretch into Spain. The biggest highlight awaits—a 250NM oceanic crossing to the Azores (Ponta Delgada - LPPD), where volcanic landscapes, lush craters, and sapphire blue lakes create a surreal scene. A short hop to Flores (LPFL), the westernmost point of Europe, showcases cascading waterfalls and cliffs dropping into the Atlantic. The final leg back to Lisbon (LPPT) offers a reflective journey over the vast ocean, completing a spectacular round-trip tour of Portugal’s most stunning VFR scenery.