Portugal Travel Guide: a journey to the land of exotic landscape and ancient castles

Explore the enhancing beauty of the landscape, ruins of ancient cities, beaches, and more!

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BAIRROS DE LISBOA EXPLORED

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PORTUGAL UNESCO SITE VISITED

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PORTUGAL NATIONAL PARKS VISITED

Why should you travel to Portugal?

Located on the Iberian Peninsula in Southern Europe, Portugal is a land of scenic landscapes, mesmerizing culture, crystalline beaches, and ancient architecture. Portugal has countless enchanting destinations that every traveler would love to visit. For example Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, or the Algarve.

Through this best travel guide for Portugal, you can find the best time to visit, the things to know before traveling to Portugal, the things you can do in Portugal, and many more interesting facts!

Portugal is an exotic landscape that can leave you spellbound. From its beaches with high tidal waves to the antique castles with several stories, Portugal is a land that offers you endless experiences. Portugal has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and (only) one official National park: Peneda-Gerês National Park. There are several Nature Parks and Protected Regions as well.

You can have a marvelous time at the Palacio Nacional de Sintra, located on the Lisbon coast. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape. Mosteiro dos Jeronimos is another place worth visiting in Portugal. It is a monument that honors Vasco De Gama, the explorer who discovered the sea route to India. Traveling in Portugal is not much of a difficulty. Several train routes connect the main cities and rural areas in Portugal.

Interesting Facts Portugal

Flag of Portugal

Portugal's National Animal

Rooster of Mythical Barcelos, Iberian Wolf

Portugal National Dish

Bacalhau

Currency in Portugal

Euro (€)

Portugal Time Zone

Western European Standard Time or WET (GMT-1)

Santa Cruz, Portugal

Sunset in Porto, Portugal

Lisbon views, Portugal

Madeira coastline, Portugal

Europe Best time to visit: weather and climate

Best time to visit Portugal

Portugal has balmy weather. The best time to visit Portugal is during spring, which is between March and May. You can also travel during the fall season. Apart from these two seasons, you can travel during summer and winter as well. However, you can visit Portugal throughout the year.

Traveling to Portugal depends highly on what you want to explore in the country.

If you are planning to visit the beaches and go surfing, the best time to travel is between November and January.
July and August are the other two months when the tourist destinations would be crowded because of the great beach weather.
If you are someone who likes to travel without any crowds, you can visit Portugal during late spring or early autumn.

Though the summer season is hot and long, there are several carnivals and festivals you can enjoy during these months.

Things to know before you travel to Portugal

Safety in Portugal

Global peace index marks Portugal as a safe country for travelers. However, in some regions, petty theft and pickpocketing occur. In Lisbon, they are pretty high when we compare it with other parts of Portugal. But several scams are happening in Portugal. They include asking for payment for saying fortune, pickpocketing by slipping on you in crowded trains and buses. Others try to approach you asking for signing petitions. They are also known to conduct scams by stealing money. It is essential to take care of your belongings while traveling in Portugal. Whenever you are visiting the beaches, only carry essential items with you. The chances of facing a natural disaster are also pretty low in Portugal. You can avoid traveling through lonely roads at night time to ensure safety.

Visa requirements for Portugal

European Union members (EU/EEA/Swiss citizens) can enter Portugal without a visa. They can either use a valid passport or an identification card for that purpose. It is because Portugal has also been part of the Schengen system since 1995. Travelers from Brazil, New Zealand, Mexico can also visit Portugal without a Visa. Citizens from 100 countries can travel in Schengen countries, including Portugal, without a Visa. A list of countries that require a Portuguese visa can be found through the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal.

Responsible Travel in Portugal

Portugal is a country that emphasizes eco-tourism and sustainability. Lisbon received the European Green City Award in 2020 because of the initiatives taken in preserving the ecology. Several places focus on conserving the ecosystem. Penedes-Gerês National park is one such place that focuses on sustainability. There are other protected areas as well that try to safeguard the wildlife of the country. Portugal has come up with a plan to become the most sustainable tourist destination on the planet by 2027.

Vaccinations & anti-Malaria tablets for Portugal

It is essential to get regular vaccines recommended by the WHO and CDC to remain safe. Some of the vaccines that you can take are for Measles, Chicken Pox, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Flu, Polio, etc. You can get Hepatitis A as there are chances for outbreaks to happen. You can take the Hepatitis B vaccine if you are a traveler who has not taken a vaccine for the same. Hepatitis B vaccine is necessary for travelers of all age groups. Rabies vaccination is another one you can take if you are planning to take part in any outdoor activities. It is also essential if your visit to Portugal includes travel to remote regions. It is because there are chances of getting bitten by bats in those areas. There is no risk of Malaria in Portugal. Always check a travel consultant if vaccines are necessary for your situation.

Spoken languages in Portugal

Portuguese is the official language of Portugal. However, around 30% of Portuguese people can speak and write in English, and some others can communicate well in French as well. In tourist destinations, travel guides, and others in the tourism industry, can speak in English without much difficulty. You can learn a few Portuguese words. Portuguese people love when you try to converse in your language. In most public transports and other places, you can find signboards in English. However, you can always use Google translator or Google Lens facilities in case of any emergencies.

Top Things to Do in Portugal

Lisbon City Trip

Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal. You can travel to Lisbon to get immersed in a world of historic castles, museums, nightclubs, and sandy beaches. The Castle of St. George, The Belem Tower, and the Jardim Botanico are some of the few places you can explore in Lisbon.

It would take from three to ten days to explore the place at leisure. The best time to visit Lisbon is between May and August. Lisbon offers a wide variety of cuisines for your tastebuds. The music in the city is also mesmerizing. Across the charismatic landscape of Lisbon, there are seven hills. They are yet another attraction of the region.

The enchanting town of Sintra

Sintra is a town listed under UNESCO. Located within the pine-covered hills of Serra de Sintra, Sintra is an enchanting town.

There are the ruins of Moor's castle, other fantastic villas, and palaces as well. Sintra offers a scenic view and the best time to visit is during July and September. Some of the places you can travel to during your Portugal trip in Sintra are The National Palace of Pena, Montserrat Palace, and other such ancient monuments.

Cristo do Rei & Ponte 25 de Abril

With a statue of Christ blessing the city, Cristo do Rei is a monument in Lisbon. It has got similarities with Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. At Cristo do Rei, you can get an astonishing view of Lisbon by climbing the 80m high viewing platform.

The Ponte 25 de Abril is a suspension bridge over the River Tagus. It is yet another spot in Lisbon that can mesmerize you. Ponte 25 de Abri has similarities with the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Rely on Public Transport while traveling in Lisbon

Hop on Tram 28 and explore the streets of Alfama

Alfama is an ancient town with several historic buildings like Se Cathedral, the Pantea Nacional, the Igreja de Santo Antonio, and the Castle de Sao Jorge. You can get completely immersed in the antique streets and alleys of Alfama. Hop on the iconic (yellow) Tram 28 to explore Lisbon from this famous tram, which passes through several tourist destinations (or Bairros de Lisboa), including Alfama, Mouraria, Estrela, Baixa, and Graca. Tram 28 can get quite crowded as it is a popular thing to do in Lisbon.

City Trip Porto

Porto is a place that suits best for holidays and vacations. It is a city with great nightlife and has several ancient buildings. Porto is famous for the production of port wine. The Douro River in Porto is excellent for boat rides. The city also has the ruins of the Ribeira district, which was an ancient town in Portugal. There are other destinations as well in Porto that are worth visiting.

The Algarve and Portugal's beautiful beaches

Algarve is a paradise for every traveler. Around four million people visit Algarve every year. It has several golden beaches, cliffs, mountains, and other tourist attractions as well. Beaches extend from Praia da Luz to Armacao de Pera in Algarve. There are thermal springs and miles of limestone caves as well in the Algarve.

There are a plethora of beautiful beaches in Portugal. Located in mainland Portugal, the Azores, and Madeira Islands, these beaches offer spectacular views. They are the best places to click a picture. Praia de Crochê, Praia de Marina, Praia da Nazaré are a few popular beaches worth visiting in Portugal. Get ready to explore the beautiful landscape of Portugal. For any clarifications, you can always come back to this best travel guide for Portugal.