Portugal
Situated on the westernmost coast of Europe, Portugal is full of rich traditions and unique character. In the largest city of Portugal, Lisbon, visitors are transported back in time with its gothic architecture, white-domed cathedrals, and historical sites like the Belem Tower.
The sun-kissed Algarve region in the south boasts stunning coastlines, dramatic cliffs, and a vibrant ecological landscape.
In the north, Porto captivates with its blend of modernity and tradition. Explore its enchanting streets lined with intricate designs, bustling markets, and historic residences.
A trip to Portugal would be incomplete without a visit to the renowned Douro Valley, the world's oldest demarcated wine region. Experience the enchanting beauty of the Douro Valley with its vineyard-covered hills, and iconic rabelo boats sailing along the water.
The Portuguese are very accommodating to families with children. Outside of the cities you’ll find a variety of family friendly activities, such as water parks, beaches, and national parks. It is also one of the safest countries in the world, and a good value for your money if you’re traveling with multiple members of your family.
The Algarve and Lisbon are the best areas to bring young children. Travelers may want to hold off on taking small children to the north, as the activities are very wine-centric. You can, however, catch a ride on tuk-tuks and rabelos in Porto. Lisbon is home to tuk-tuks and historic trams that children will enjoy, and in Aveiro you can go for a moliceiro boat ride. Cascais is a child-friendly area with many hotels that cater to families, and with beaches and fishing villages that are fun to explore for the whole family.
The CP (Comboios de Portugal) is the national train operator in Portugal. It connects most of the large cities and smaller towns, including such popular domestic train routes in Portugal going to Porto, Lisbon, Coimbra, Albufeira, Braga, among others.
Trains offer cafeteria and minibar service, standard class seating (2+2) and first class seating (2+1).
The MiraDouro train runs along the banks of the Douro River.
Train Times:
Lisbon to Porto - 3 hours
Lisbon to Algarve - 3 hours
Portugal's capital, Lisbon, is located along the Tagus River and is famously referred to as the “City of Seven Hills.” It is considered the gateway to the country and is a relatively compact city for its size, which makes it easy to get around, at least when walking downhill.
One of the first sights you will see is the Suspension Bridge and the towering Christ the King Statue. Then there is The Torre de Belem, which served as a point of arrival and departure for Portuguese explorers and as the ceremonial gateway to the city.
Start your exploration by taking a stroll through the historic Bairro Alto district, overlooking the Tagus river. Enjoy live fado music or ascend to Sao Jorge Castle for breathtaking views of the distinctive red rooftops and the sea beyond.
Lisbon remains one of Western Europe’s least expensive places for shopping and gifted goods. Time Out Market is home to some of the city’s best known (and longest-running) market vendors of meat, fish, fruit, and flowers, making it a huge attraction for visitors, day and night. For general shopping, the streets you don’t want to miss are Príncipe Real, Chiado, Campo de Ourique, and Avenida da Liberdade.
The city is within easy reach of beaches nearby. There is a long stretch between the Cascais beaches and the Expo area, where people love to walk, jog, and roller-skate.
Discover a different perspective of Lisbon and sail along the Tagus River. You can start from Belém Tower and move onto Terreiro do Paço or Alfama, passing by the Cristo Rei.
Spend a full day visiting Mafra and Queluz.
Visit the Convent and Royal Palace, Quinta de Sant'Ana winery, Baroque grandeur of the Gardens and the National Palace of Queluz.
Travel north of the city to Sintra, a beautiful hilltop town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Discover the grand mansion’s along the streets of Estoril, a seaside village located along the Portuguese Riviera. Spend some time at Tamariz Beach.
Visit Tomar and Fatima.
Tomar is historically significant when it comes to religion. See the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Templar descent, featuring a wide array of architectural styles. Then, head to the well-kept Synagogue of Tomar to learn about the history of the local Jewish community. Additionally, the Aqueduct of Pegões still stands in Tomar from the 16th century and makes up a great part of the city’s landscape.
Visit Fátima, and see the pilgrimage site’s, the basilica and the statue of the Blessed Virgin.
The town of Óbidos embodies culture and literature and is home to The Castle of Óbidos. The town honors its heritage with festivals throughout the year celebrating its Medieval roots and even has one dedicated to chocolate!
The Algarve, the southernmost region of Portugal, features stunning coastlines, holiday resorts, and beautiful beaches. Notable vacation destinations in the area include Albufeira, Lagos, Portimao, and Faro.
Albufeira
Albufeira, is the largest resort town in the Algarve.
Highlight’s include:
Praia da Falésia Beach
Praia dos Pescadores Beach
Sao Rafael Beach
Coelha Beach
Igreja de Sao Sebastiao Church
Portimao
Portimao is a busy port city and where most cruise ships dock. The town features peaceful squares, small shops, cafes, local market’s, restaurants and of course....beaches. Portimao's most popular beach is Praia da Rocha.
To the west of Praia da Rocha, you'll find equally stunning beaches, including:
Praia do Vau, Praia dos Três Castelos, Carvoeiro, and Praia João de Arens.
In Old Town, visit the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição and the Museu de Portimão.
Head inland to Silves, the former Moorish capital, which is home to Castelo de Silves. Spend time in the market town of Monchique and see Mount Fóia.
Visit the Quinta dos Vales estate for a winery tour.
Board a boat and see the quaint fishing village of Ferragudo, which is located on the eastern shore of Portimão. From the boat, see the coastal town of Carvoeiro, with beautiful beaches, steep cliffs and the remarkable Algar Seco rock formations.
Faro
Faro, the capital of Algarve, is full of cobblestone squares, green parks, cafes and restaurants. At night, the city comes alive with a large student population that head to the bar’s and main plaza.
Visit Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, and explore the many islands located nearby.
Ludo, a part of the natural park, is a great spot for walking, running, or cycling. You will also be able to spot many wild birds, including flamingos.
Ponta da Piedade, a one-hour drive from Faro, has unique rock formations and grottos. It is a popular spot to watch the sunset, and many companies offer boat tours for those wishing to see it from the water.
Take a ferry to visit nearby islands such as Ilha Do Farol, Tavira Island, and Culatra Island.
Lagos
Lagos is famous for its stunning cliffs and walled old town.
One of the most well known beaches, Praia do Camilo, is a must visit spot.
Visit Saint Anthony Church and the Governor's Castle.
Take a hike from Praia da Luz to Ponta da Piedade. This hike is the final section of the Fisherman's Trail, a coastal route that starts in Porto Covo. During the hike, you will see some of the most spectacular views. Don't forget to stop at Praia do Porto de Mós, Lagos's second largest beach, before reaching Ponta da Piedade.
Visit Cape St. Vincent, located at the most southwestern tip of continental Europe. Portugal's great explorers based their expeditions here during the Golden Age of Discovery.
Porto is located on the banks of River Douro and is known for its beautiful monument’s, culture, people, and port wine.
Highlight’s include:
Ribeira Square
Porto Cathedral
Beaux-Arts
São Bento railway station
Town Hall
Dom Luís I Bridge
Monastery of Serra do Pilar
Nova Sintra Park
Praia dos Ingleses Beach
Matosinhos Beach
Batalha Palace
Santa Catarina Street
Liberdade Square
Clerigos Church and Tower
Visit the Lello Bookstore, known as one of the world's most breathtaking bookshops. It's no secret that this enchanting spot inspired the magic of the Harry Potter series.
Top shopping streets in Porto include Rua das Flores, Rua de Santa Catarina, and Rua dos Clérigos. Mercado do Bolhão is the most emblematic market of the city of Porto and one of the most famous in Portugal. If you fancy a cocktail or taking a walk-through Porto’s animated nightlife scene, the narrow, cobbled streets of Ribeira district are dotted with small bars and eateries serving classic Portuguese fare. It is also lined with colorful 18th-century townhouses and runs along the scenic Douro River.
Explore the Port Wine Caves of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Take a tour of the renowned cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia and discover the fascinating history of Port wine. Don't miss the exquisite tasting experience at Taylor’s Port Lodge.
Discover the Duoro Valley and see the village of Amarante, the Church of Sao Goncalo Monastery, Regua, and Pinhao.
Visit local wineries in between.
Discover Aveiro, a town where the old and the modern are combined.
Aveiro has been called the “Venice of Portugal” for its colorful streets, canals, and gondola-like boats.
Highlight’s Include:
Cathedral of Aveiro
Costa Nova Beach
Aveiro Museum
The former capital of Portugal, Coimbra, is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, as well as the Joanina Library. The Mondego River flows through this historic city giving it a scenic riverwalk. At the Santa Cruz Monastery, you will find the burial site of the first two kings of Portugal.
Wine plays a significant role in shaping Portugal's identity, with many grape varieties unique to its landscape. Portugal has hundreds of indigenous grape varieties, offering a wide range of flavors to discover. To experience a truly Portuguese taste, consider bringing home a bottle of Vinho Verde from Minho or a sweet port from the Douro Valley.
Portugal is a major exporter of cork, supplying 50% of the world's cork production. The world's largest cork forest in Alentejo provides cork for various products, including wine bottle stoppers and items like purses, wallets, yoga mats, and shoes.
Azulejos, are decorative tiles found throughout Portugal, and are used both indoors and outdoors, adding a touch of Portugal's charm to any setting.
According to Portuguese cardiologists, consuming canned sardines three times a week can reduce the risk of heart attacks. These fish are not only a delicacy but also carry religious significance and are offered all over the region.
Culinary
Bacalhau: A salt-cured codfish that has been dried under the sun. One of the more appetizing dishes is called bacalhau com natas (cod and cream), which is a rich and creamy potato baked dish. Pasteis de bacalhau is an appetizer where the cod is battered and fried into croquettes.
Pasteis de nata: Pastéis de nata are a traditional Portuguese pastry that can best be described as a kind of egg tart. They look a bit like little nests, with a thick outer layer of crispy pastry dough and a filling of rich yellow custard.
Caldo verde: This dish originated in the northern Minho region of Portugal and is made with a basic potato and onion puree with collard greens. There are many variations to this recipe, for example, the addition of red or white beans, ham hocks, or meat bones to flavor the broth.
Francesinha sandwich: A sandwich from Porto composed of two slices of bread brimming with wet-cured ham, linguiça (pork sausage), steak, or roast meat. It is then topped with melted cheese and a thick tomato and beer sauce.
Chicken piri-piri: A spicy dish with roots originating in both Africa and Portugal. The chicken is coated with a savory, aromatic sauce, which is a blend of spices such as garlic, lemon, and bay leaves. Its robust spice levels are derived from chili peppers, known as piri-piri in Swahili.
Polvo à lagareiro: This is one of the most common ways you will find octopus prepared in Portugal: grilled and drizzled with olive oil, seasoned with garlic, and accompanied by roasted potatoes.
Porco preto: Also known as black pork, there is no style of pork more highly regarded in Portugal. This dish gets its name from the gray to black (and sometimes red) hue of the native Iberian pig’s skin. These pigs thrive in the Alentejo countryside, where they gorge themselves on acorns from the area’s cork oak trees, which impart a nutty flavor to the meat.
Cozido: A traditional Portuguese dish composed of various meats such as bacon, ribs, chicken, chouriço (sausage), and morcela (blood sausage), boiled together with vegetables such as cabbage, potatoes, and carrots.
Portuguese is the official language, but English and Spanish are widely spoken.
The local currency in Portugal is the euro (EUR). Debit and major credit cards are widely accepted.
In Portugal, the standard voltage is 220-230 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. The plugs in Portugal are types C and F, which have two small round pins. We suggest a multi-adaptor with different plug configurations.
The country code for Portugal is +351.
It’s generally safe to drink tap water in urban and touristic areas. However, before Portugal joined the European Union, there were issues with the water infrastructure, and as a result, many people still prefer bottled water. This is especially true in Lisbon and in the south, where the water can be very hard or high in mineral content.
Portugal features a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The coastal Algarve region in the south has milder temperatures compared to inland areas. The optimal times to visit Portugal are spring and autumn, offering pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Summer is peak season, ideal for enjoying the ocean but pricing the highest. Winter presents lower airfares and accommodation costs, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers.
Movies with Scenes filmed in Portugal include:
The night train to Lisbon
Amalia
Capitaes de Abril
Love Actually
Our beloved month of August
Eccentricities of a Blonde-haird girl
Anthony Bourdain, No Reservations, season 8, episode 4
BBC Getaway, series 4,8, and 10
A Ferreirinha
