PORTUGAL

Portugal

As one of Europe's oldest countries, Portugal is a prized jewel in the travel crown of the Iberian Peninsula. The cultural hotspot awaits!

What you need to know about Portugal

Language: Portuguese is the national language. You will find English is fairly commonplace and understood in the major cities and tourist spots.

Currency: The currency in Albania is the Euro.

Banking: ATMs are found all over the country and all major cards are accepted.

Weather: The weather in Portugal is great! Sunny skies and exotic climate basks the country in warmth in the summer, with the winter months not becoming too frigidly cold.

The iconic trams of Lison with their colours and distinctive style.

The regions of Portugal offer travellers so much variety

Vibrant cities greet international flying visitors. Castles and majestic walled cities dot Portugal's countryside. Then there are the mountains and the magnificent long beaches; the hearty homecooked meals and world-class wine (you'll be surprised by how inexpensive it is when you visit Portugal).

Traveling to Portugal offers a wonderful mix of landscapes and experiences across its regions, from the picture-perfect Algarve to ancient towns that blend old-world beauty with contemporary bustle, to the lush north.

The Algarve's south-facing coast is the country's travel hotspot, with traditional Portuguese cove beaches surrounded by rock stacks and cliffs. If you want to go to the beach, you may select from virtually the whole west coast.

The Alentejo area, with its vast open expanses, olive groves, and vineyards, dominates the country's south. A Mediterranean climate and flower-bedecked whitewashed towns may be found here.

Lisbon is a fascinating spot to spend a few days because to its waterfront position and unique sights that blend a town-that-time-forgot atmosphere with modern vitality. The antique trams that rattle around the streets still service the city's hills and cobblestone lanes. Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Lisbon, is known for its cool mountaintop position, which made it a popular summer retreat for Portugal's royals.

Portugal is full of natural beauty

The undulating hills are green and lush, while the shoreline is colder, making the north of Portugal feel significantly less Mediterranean. The distant towns and villages of Trás-os-Montes are located in the extreme north of the Porto e Norte area, while Peneda-Gerês is Portugal's sole national park, a green setting of forested mountains and flowing streams.

Porto, Portugal's second city, rises from the banks of the Douro River and is incredibly atmospheric, especially around the Ribeira, with its colourful houses along the shoreline.

Outside of the cities, Portugal's grandeur reveals itself in all of its dazzling splendour. Hike among the granite peaks of Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês or explore the unspoiled beauty and mediaeval settlements of the Beiras, which are less well-known. More locations to soak in the beauty may be found throughout the 800-kilometer-long shore.

View stunning end-of-the-world cliffs, surf world-class waves off dune-covered beaches, or relax calmly on sand islands overlooking tranquil blue waters. Dolphin viewing in the luscious Sado Estuary, boating and kayaking along the meandering Rio Guadiana, and spectacular hikes and bike excursions can all be found across the nation.

Portugal festivals mean fun times for all

The Portuguese calendar is jam-packed with festivals. All-night celebrations like Lisbon's Festa de Santo António and Porto's Festa de So Joo allow you to drink, dance, and feast your way through the night. In the hinterlands, there are down-home rural fairs, while rock and world music festivals may be found all along the coast.

Hearing fado's sad music in the Alfama, dancing in Bairro Alto, or hitting the bars in Porto, Coimbra, and Lagos at any time of year is ideal. The polyphonic cante Alentejana in the Alentejo and the pauliteiros (stick dancers) of Miranda do Douro are just a few examples of rural Portugal's long-standing musical traditions.

How to get around

Travelling with a few ideas on how to get around is an essential aspect of any local travel plans. If you're wondering how to get around the country, know that using the bus or rail is both simple and inexpensive. Keep in mind that some stations might be rather far from towns, which is important to know if you're planning an off-the-beaten-path vacation. When it comes to driving, the roads are generally in decent condition, while certain country routes can be somewhat bumpy. In the summer, avoid spending too much time driving through congested tourist areas.