Portugal has always been a popular destination with a rich history and stunning natural beauty, this country on the western-most edge of Europe is always a good choice of sunshine-filled holidays.
By visiting Portugal you’ll experience dramatic landscapes, vibrant cities and stunning natural beauty, with some of the best local delicacies to keep your tummy happy, too. The food, culture and heritage of Portugal makes it a rich and exciting destination and there are so many amazing places to visit.
View my tips for visiting Portugal and get advice for where to go, what to do and how to save money.
About Portugal
Portugal is situated in south-western Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Its only neighbour is Spain, which borders it to the North and East.
Portugal’s name derives from its second largest city and former capital Porto. Portugal is the most westerly nation in Europe with the vast Atlantic Ocean on its western border. The country is home to 10.5 million people and its size is approximately 35,645 square miles.
For such a small country Portugal has left a huge imprint on world affairs and global history. Most of the medieval period saw the fledgling country fight the Reconquista against the Muslim caliphs in the south of Iberia.
Today there are many spectacular ruins and castles to be seen from the period. In the late middle ages the country began the age of discovery and began an empire that stretched all over the world. Present day countries such as Brazil, the Azores and parts of Indonesia. Portuguese explorers were the first Europeans to discover Australia and New Zealand.
Portugal was formally a kingdom but in 1910 the people replaced the monarchy with a republic but only became a fully fledged democracy in 1974. Portugal is a developed nation and ranks 19th in the quality-of-life index. Thanks to its reserved foreign policy Portugal is one of the world’s most globalized and peaceful nations. It is a member of the European Union and entered the single currency in 1999.
Portugal has a diverse landscape and is divided North and South by its largest river the Tagus. The north is home to a mountainous landscape and plateaus whereas the south includes the rolling plains of the Alentejo and Algarve.
Reasons to Visit Portugal
For one thing, the sunshine Portugal is an attraction in itself.
The southern Algarve region boasts long warm summers with lots of sunshine, clear blue skies and low rainfall. It’s a lovely place to visit over the summer, as the high temperatures are softened by cool, fresh sea breezes, meaning the beaches are always pleasant.
There are some fantastic activities for all types of travellers, from budget backpackers to families, including beach sports, golfing and cruise adventures, and with sunshine this good, you’ll be spoilt for choice on activities to fill your day.
Portugal has a real charm, with castles and villages peppered along the coastline – it’s only a quick flight from the UK and other European destinations, and you can be sunning yourself on the beach with a good book in no time.
Weather and Best Time to Visit
Portugal has a subtropical Mediterranean climate with mild winters and very warm summers. Any time of year is wonderful, Portugal is a year-round destination but you’ll find the best deals between November and March. Summer is the most popular time to go but also the most expensive.
Getting to Portugal
Several low cost airlines offer daily flights from a number of European cities to the most popular destinations in Portugal including Porto, Lisbon, Faro, the Algarve and the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira. Book in-advance to secure the best deals, I recommend searching cheap flights on Skyscanner.
Getting Around
Trains are a great way to get around Portugal; Comboios de Portugal operates all trains, and they are generally reliable, with lovely views of the countryside.
For town hopping, Portuguese buses connect almost all of the country’s towns and villages, and you can buy tickets in advance online.
The main roads in Portugal are safe and well maintained, so renting a car is a good option if you’re looking to do a multi-city trip. Car rental is generally cheap, starting at as little as £150 per week, including fuel.
Once you’ve reached a destination, cycling is a popular way to see the sites and bike rental companies can be found all over Portugal.
Some local and international travel companies also offer sightseeing tours and can show you the highlights of the country. I rate G Adventures and Contiki as two of the best companies offering trips in Portugal and Europe.
Accommodation
You can find places to stay for all options throughout the country, whether you are looking for a luxury escape, or are planning a backpacking trip on a tight budget. There are top rated hotels and hostels in the main cities, and in the holiday destinations you can find amazing resorts. Get the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
Best Places to Visit in Portugal
There are so many unmissable destinations, from cities, to beaches and the beautiful countryside.
Lisbon is a city of contrasts, a rich mix of fascinating Portuguese history and contemporary culture yet also a busy port and thriving economic centre.
If you’re looking for a city that sparkles, you must visit Lisbon – with museums, art and restaurants a plenty, this is a buzzing city with lots of offer for travellers. Expect a fascinating city in a beautiful location built on seven hills overlooking the River Tagus close to where it meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Porto is another popular city break destination which won’t disappoint. This is one of the most scenic cities in Portugal with so many shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.
Cascais and Estoril
If want to stop for some beach lounging and luxury you should head to Cascais and Estoril. This beautiful part of the country boasts beaches, incredibly blue waters and rugged cliffs to walk along, as well as all the amenities you need to enjoy a beach break.
Luxury hotels are interspersed with more affordable accommodation and the resort is packed with restaurants and bars serving up traditional Portuguese cuisine and chilled cocktails. Hit the beaches for some energetic watersports or stop off at the casinos to try your luck on the felt. This area is located close to Sintra and Lisbon.
Sintra
Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage site set in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains which features a palace and 19th-century Romantic architecture. With its thick forests, pastel coloured villas and the elaborate 19th century Pena Palace, this town looks like something straight out a fairytale. Another popular nearby tourist destination is Cascais, a scenic upmarket town located close to Lisbon.
If you’re after a beach break, the the Algarve could be the place for you. The Algarve has a thriving international community – visit it and you will see why some many tourists fall in love with the area.
Faro has a stunning coastline, with a strong surfing culture to match, and the town of Cidade Velha has beautiful cobbled streets, just waiting to be explored. There’s a whole host of some of the beaches in Europe near Faro, which is the best access point for the whole sunny Algarve region.
Resorts vary for every taste; Albufeira is the biggest in the region, while the best nightlife can be found nearby in Praia da Rocha. Other popular destinations are the charming coastal town Carvoeiro and tourist-friendly historical town Lagos, renowned its summer evening fun.
Located south of the Algarve is the exotic island of Madeira which will offer something different for your Portuguese trip. This island is really beautiful with scenic towns, beaches and so many excursions available.
In Madeira, the tranquil village of Canico offers a traditional village atmosphere with a relaxed pace. The main square is the only bustling part – with plenty of boutiques and fine-dining restaurants. The village is accessed by a steep winding road, offering stunning views, and the area is also good for walking.
In Funchal, the cobbled streets boast bars, cafés, restaurants, museums, and at night, a popular casino. With its tropical gardens and a choice of shops there are many opportunities to relax, whilst active visitors can walk in the surrounding hills. There is a handy cable car that rises from the Old Town of Funchal to Monte village – which provides breathtaking panoramic views.
Azores
I can’t get enough of the Azores, a group of nine islands located some 900 miles off the coast of Lisbon.
The incredibly scenic archipelago is the perfect getaway for adventure travelers, who can go canyoning on steep cliff walls, paraglide over vineyards, and swim with both migrating and native dolphins.
To relax after a day in the wild, you have a ton of great hotel options to choose from, like Sul Villas & Spa on São Miguel and Caldeira Guesthouse & Surfcamp on São Jorge.
Attractions & Activities
Beaches
Every year, tourists flock to Portugal for the beaches. The white sandy beaches of Madeira and the Algarve are a major draw for travellers, with beautiful blue seas and perfect sand. The beaches are great, and there’s a huge range of water sports and beach activities, such as kayaking, jet skiing and volleyball.
Family Fun Ideas
Family-friendly activities in Portugal include water parks and adventure cruises, dolphin and other wildlife parks and bird-watching. Portugal is, of course, also a huge attraction for golfers. Some of the best golf spots in the world can be found in Portugal, especially in the Algarve region.
Sports
Portugal is home to some of the oldest and famous football teams in the world including Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and Porto FC and watching a live game can be an amazing experience. The golf courses around Vilamoura are particularly popular, and watersports fans will find great amusement in the sports on offer in Madeira. If you like fishing, Portugal is the place for you.
Culture
Portuguese people are polite and gracious, and very honoured to show their country’s natural beauty and breathtaking archaeological attractions. It has very mixed ethnic makeup, but has strong Roman Catholic beliefs. They are much calmer than their Spanish neighbours, and have more traditional and conservative attitudes when it comes to family and socialising.
Bars and cafés in Portugal have late opening hours – particularly inland, where the venues tend to close when all the punters leave! During the day, you’ll see large numbers of people whiling away their time, just chatting in bars and cafés, eating ice cream and enjoying the blissful Portuguese sun.
For culture, Lisbon is the place to come – it’s one of the finest cities in the world for dining out, with great local specialities and seafood restaurants, for a truly cosmopolitan experience. For culture-lovers, the town of Faro has masses to explore, with quaint local shops and fantastic seaside restaurants.
Ilha da Barreta and Ilha da Culatra are only accessible by ferry but definitely worth the trip. The former is a quieter and calmer beach where sunbathing and swimming are the activities of choice, while the latter is a small seaside community with lots going on and plenty of cafes for a cool drink.
Food and Drink
Fish and seafood figure are very popular in Portugal, thanks to its vast stretch of coastline. You can try everything from exotic squid and shellfish, to fish stew, or cataplana, or a simple grilled fish dish. You’ll find sardines everywhere – incorporated into every meal whenever possible.
Lunch hours in Portugal land somewhere between 12pm and 4pm and dinner is served from 8pm until late – after the sun is cool enough to enjoy a hearty meal.
Portugese ‘specialities’ are often the most simple, homely dishes. Piri piri chicken and the numerable (apparently one recipe for each day of the year) salt-cod dishes have unforgettable tastes. For those with a sweet tooth, you are certain to enjoy the pastel de nata (custard tarts) and brilliant selection of tarte de natas (cream pies). In the Alvarge Morgados and Don Rodrigos – almond and fig pastries – are a must-try.
It’s difficult to visit Portugal without trying a Pastel de Nata, a type of creamy custard tart. The best place to eat the tarts is the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém, a tile-decorated bakery where the recipe originated and where they are known as Pasteis de Belém. Here the delicious tarts can be eaten warm, straight from the oven.
Most restaurants will offer bacalhau, (salt cod) which is the Portuguese national dish. A popular version of the dish is Bacalhau à Brás, a type of stir fry of salt cod, onions and thinly chopped fried potatoes mixed with scrambled eggs. The dish, which is usually garnished with black olives, is said to have originated in the Bairro Alto quarter of Lisbon.
Not surprisingly, every dish should be accompanied by a glass of Portuguese wine, whether red, white or rosé.
Delicious Portuguese wines are produced region by region. With different brands from the Alentejo, Douro and Bairrada having such great reputations, it’s no wonder Portugal is one of the world’s top wine producers and exporters!
The rosé and vinho verde (young grapes) wines, sweet-tasting and best served chilled, are perfect to drink on a boiling hot day on your holiday in Portugal. And of course, the famous fortified wines – Port and Madeira – come from Portugal!
Events & Festivals
Almost every village in Portugal has its own festival to celebrate the local saint’s day or the regional harvest, which range from days-long celebrations to quiet local affairs. Most towns have weekly fairs, which are great for tourists, with agricultural shows, food and festivities.
There’s often special music events throughout the year in Portugal, with a thriving jazz scene. Easter week and the Santos Populares festivities are huge in Portugal; during Easter, there are special religious processions in town, as well as local delicacies only eaten at this time of year.
If you’re in Lisbon for the saint’s day fiesta for Santo António, expect street parties and dancing late into the night.
Budget Travel Tips
Summer (June, July and August) are the most expensive times to visit Portugal, prices for flights and hotels during this period are really high. I recommend visiting in April, May, September or October, the weather is still warm, the prices are lower and there are fewer tourists. Hostels are the cheapest places to stay if you are looking to save money.