This year couples can enjoy Valentine's Day on a Friday, which is ideal for a romantic getaway or, at least, dinner followed by a night away from home.
This is no regular Friday: 14th February is reserved for sweethearts and, in 2025, falls next to the weekend, deserving a different kind of celebration. Why not combine your Valentine’s dinner with a night in a wonderful hotel and remember this Friday evening forever.
At Pestana hotels and Pousadas de Portugal there are one-night stays with dinner from €120, or you can extend the experience by adding another night or two, transforming the moment into a romantic getaway.
About an hour from Lisbon, Pousada Castelo Alcácer do Sal is an enchanting place, with rooms located within the restored walls, atop a hill, overlooking the River Sado. Enjoy a walk along the surprisingly romantic estuary and try the rice and fish dishes so characteristic of this region in the pousada’s restaurant.
Also around an hour from Lisbon, and close to the town of Sintra, there’s a hotel that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day. Don’t be fooled by the Pestana Sintra Golf name because you don’t have to be a golf aficionado to enjoy spending time at this modern establishment. In fact, such is the quality of the hotel’s services that it can be considered a haven for couples: between the massage rooms, Turkish baths and heated swimming pool, it’s an invitation to flirt to your heart’s content.
Heading north, the Douro is stunning at any time of year. Just a few minutes from the centre of Porto, the Pestana Douro Riverside promises seclusion that any couple will appreciate – at least for a weekend. Here, Valentine’s Day dinner overlooks the Douro landscape in a sophisticated setting. Alternatively, you can spoil your partner with a quiet dinner in your room, taking in the city lights.
If you really want to surprise your better half on Valentine’s evening, there’s nothing like a warm evening in a tropical setting. In Madeira, there’s the historic Pestana Vila Lido on the seafront, where, even in the chillier months, it may be warm enough to swim. Another great choice is the Pestana CR7 Funchal, which combines the gastronomic wonders of Madeiran cuisine with a modern and relaxed atmosphere, where the pink infinity pool is an absolute icon.
Whether it’s a few minutes from home, a few miles by car or a plane journey further afield, there are plenty of options to surprise someone on Valentine’s Day. Love and a hotel breakfast is undoubtedly better than love and a hut.
