This southern European country certainly doesn't lack in natural or architectural beauty. It's no wonder you have a desire to visit Portugal. There's a never-ending number of things to do and see.
Portugal, officially Portuguese Republic, Portuguese República Portuguesa, is a country lying along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. Once continental Europe’s most significant power, Portugal shares commonalities—geographic and cultural—with the countries of both northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Its cold, rocky northern coast and mountainous interior are sparsely settled, scenic, and wild, while the country’s south, the Algarve, is warm and fertile. The rugged Estrela Mountains (Serra da Estrela, or “Star Mountain Range”), which lie between the Tagus and Mondego rivers, contain the highest point of mainland Portugal.
Human beings had lived in Portugal since about 30,000 BC when the world was in the grip of an ice age. The first Portuguese were hunters and fishermen. They also gathered plants for food. They wore leather clothes, and they made stone tools. In about 5,000 BC farming was introduced to Portugal. However, the farmers continued to use stone tools. Bronze was introduced to Portugal about 2,000 BC. About 700 BC
Celtic tribes entered Portugal from the north. They introduced iron to Portugal. Meanwhile, by 800 BC, the Phoenicians from what is now Lebanon had begun trading with the Portuguese. By about 600 BC the Greeks were also trading with Portugal.
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in western Europe.
After the Celts settled in the region, it was found by the Phoenicians. They established a settlement called Ulissipo, which was then conquered by the Greeks and Carthaginians. In 205 BC, the Romans won the Second Punic War against the Carthaginians and occupied the city, calling it Olissipo. Ancient Lisbon was integrated into the Roman province of Lusitania, but when the Roman Empire collapsed, it was invaded by Germanic tribes and was controlled by the Kingdom of the Suebi until 585.
While there are archeological proofs that the area has been inhabited since 30 thousand years ago, the city of Lisbon emerged as one of the most coveted-after cities from the shore of the Atlantic, such as when the Old World used to be configured. As legends maintain, Lisbon was founded by the Greek traveler and hero Ulysses, while returning from the Trojan War, its original name, Ulissipo or Olissipo, meaning "enchanted port." And, since all nations – from Phoenicians, Celts, and Romans to Arabs and even Spaniards – coveted after dominating the city, this was indeed an enchanted place.
In 1580, when the Spanish Habsburgs took over administration of Portugal. For the next 60 years, the city was run by the dual Spanish- Portuguese throne, until the Portuguese Restoration War returned independence to Portugal. The revolution began with a coup organized by the city's nobility and was a significant milestone in the history of Lisbon. Final autonomy was ensured with the 1688 Treaty of Lisbon between the countries of Spain and Portugal.
Despite the coup’s popularity, the following year saw unprecedented chaos. It began where the revolution had begun – in the African colonies. Independence was granted immediately to Guinea-Bissau, followed by rapid decolonization of the Cape Verde islands, São Tomé e Príncipe, Mozambique, and Angola.
The transition wasn’t smooth: civil war racked Angola, and East Timor, freshly liberated in 1975, was promptly invaded by Indonesia. Within Portugal, too, times were turbulent, with almost a million refugees from African colonies flooding into Portugal.
The country was an economic mess, with widespread strikes and a tangle of political ideas and parties. The communists and a radical wing of the MFA launched a revolutionary movement, nationalizing firms and services. Peasant farmers seized land to establish communal farms that failed because of in-fighting and poor management. While revolutionaries held sway in the south, the conservative north was led by Mário Soares and Partido Socialista.
It took a more moderate government, formed in 1975, to unite the country after a coup by radical leftists was crushed. At last, the revolution had ended.
Important People of Portugal
Afonso I, more commonly known as Afonso Henriques, also known as the Conqueror, was the first King of Portugal, declaring his independence from León. He played a significant role in reclaiming the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors and defended Portugal from Castille, which was reluctant to recognize its independence. Conflict with Castille ended with a Peace Treaty, evidence that Afonso I could make peace as well as wage war. Afonso consolidated Portugal's Catholic identity, pledging that he and the nation would serve the Church. Reconquered territories were settled with a Christian population, guarded by members of the military orders. Within less than 20 years of Alfonso I's death, Portugal was defined more or less by its present borders, making Portugal one of the oldest 'nation-states.' Countries such as Spain, France, Italy, and Germany were not unified until much later. Alfonso Henriques left his mark on the map of Europe. The impetus created by his conquest of the Southern Iberian peninsular, and by the process of settling that region, would later continue to drive and to inspire Portuguese imperial expansion, as, subsequently, the Kingdom acquired a vast overseas empire.
Amália Rodrigues is a Portuguese fadista (fado singer) and actress. Known as the 'Rainha do Fado' ("Queen of Fado"), Rodrigues was instrumental in popularizing fado worldwide and traveled internationally throughout her career. She became one of the most important figures during the genre's revival in the twentieth century and was a leading female fadista during her 50-year recording and stage career. Rodrigues remains an iconic figure and inspiration to other fado and famous music artists such as Madredeus, Dulce Pontes, Mariza, and Cristina Branco. As of 1999, she had sold over 30 million records worldwide. Amália remains the best-selling Portuguese artist in history.
Designate some time to get to know Portugal’s unique history on your next vacation. Click on the link below and we can start planning your vacation to Portugal.
Helpful Information
The climate of Portugal is temperate and influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. In the north, the weather is cold and rainy, while moving south it becomes gradually warmer and sunnier; in the far south, the region of Algarve has a dry and sunny microclimate. In the interior, on the border with Spain, the climate is a bit more continental.
In summer, the Azores High protects Portugal, so it's usually sunny everywhere. However, a few weather fronts can still affect the northern part of the country. In the rest of the year, and especially from November to March, rainfall can occur, especially in the north where it is more frequent and abundant. Therefore, the landscape in the north is green, while it gradually becomes arider towards the south, down to Algarve, which has a relatively dry climate.
The only direct nonstop services from the United States are from New York (Newark) to Lisbon with United Airlines, Lufthansa or TAP. Flight time is around seven hours. From all other cities, you’ll need a connecting flight, either via New York or via a European airport with airlines such as BA, Delta or Air France – in which case you can add four or five hours to your total travel time, depending on the connection. TAP can also arrange onward flights from Lisbon to Porto or Faro.
Transport in Portugal is well-developed and diversified. Portugal has a 68,732 km (42,708 mi) network of roads, of which almost 3,000 km (1,864 mi) are part of a 44 motorways system. Brisa is the largest highway management, the concessionaire. With 89,015 km2, Continental Portugal has four international airports located near Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and Beja. The national railway system service is provided by Comboios de Portugal. The major seaports are located in Leixões, Aveiro, Figueira da Foz, Lisbon, Setúbal, Sines, and Faro.
The main port in Portugal is the Port of Lisbon located where the River Tagus and the Atlantic Ocean meet. It was a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries. There are five major ports in Portugal, including Aveiro, the seaport of Douro, Leixões in the north, Lisbon, Setúbal, and Sines in the south. On a cruise, your ship will dock in Leixoes Port, which is located in the Matosinhos District.
The Port of Setúbal has been recognized as an 'EcoPort' by the European Sea Ports Organisation, recognizing the excellent environmental quality of the port. Portugal's top 5 commodity exports are petroleum, tobacco, olive oil, copper ore, and pig meat, while importable items of the nation are machinery and transport commodities, chemicals, petroleum, textiles, and agricultural products.
One of the best ways to see Lisbon is by water. Take a boat tour and see the famous hills rise above the water to form the city skyline, which is dotted with a mosaic of red roofs and colorful buildings. See all the main sights in one trip as your cruise along the waterway. After your excursion, stroll along the boardwalks and enjoy the river views or do a little people watching. Either way, it's a perfect place to relax at any point in the day.
Driving in Portugal is secure and safe. Roads between major cities are well maintained. There are some four-lane highways, including one that runs the 300+ miles between Lisbon and Porto; otherwise, expect two-lane roads throughout the country and unpaved, bumpy and sometimes single-lane roads in rural areas.
Would you like to learn some interesting facts about the historic trams of Lisbon?
- Trams first appeared in Lisbon in 1873. They were called Carros Americanos and were first built in the United States.
- It was on the 31st of August 1901 that the first electric tram (Eléctricos) departed from Cais Sodré towards Algés.
- Green and red trams are specifically for tourists. The green ones were recently added to the system in May 2015. Inside, the Cobrador had two roles: to validate the ticket and to get rid of the Penduras, people who climbed the tram for a free ride.
- Around Christmas, you might spot the Christmas Tram with Santa on the driver's seat.
Portuguese is the commonly spoken language and the first language of most of the population. The Portuguese have adopted the use of other foreign languages, mainly English, French, and Spanish. Portuguese is the country's official language, while English is the second most common language.
Portugal uses the euro currency. Notes come in seven different denominations: 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 euros. There are eight coins: 2 and 1 euros, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, 1 cents.
Visitors from the USA
If buying euros in advance, whatever you do, don’t overdo it. In almost every case, euros you can get abroad from an ATM will be cheaper than those you can get back in the States. If buying in advance, get enough to give you a comfortable cushion and get you through a day’s worth of emergency expenses.
The Portuguese are typically gentle, friendly and modest. The family is central to the Portuguese way of life, and takes precedence over all other relationships, including in business.
The Portuguese are also concerned with appearances and with respectability. Being smartly dressed, whatever the occasion, is seen as a mark of integrity, especially amongst the older generation.
Portugal is a nation of fish-eaters, with sardines, mackerel, and the famous bacalhau reliably on menus in all types of restaurants. The Portuguese adore their sweets and pastries, and a visit to a pasteleria will reveal all sorts of imaginatively named delights.
Portugal has many celebrations to mark various saints’ days, as well as several annual holidays. Additionally, towns and cities across the country usually have a summer festival, often including bullfights or bull runs through the city.
The most predominant religion in Portugal is Christianity, mainly Catholicism. Portugal has no official religion, though, in the past, the Catholic Church was the state religion.
The Batalha Monastery is one of the most significant religious buildings in Portugal. King João accredited this gothic monastery in gratitude for the 1385 victory in the battle of Aljubarrota, and the grand designs took over a hundred years to construct. The leading portal has a myriad of carved arches and magnificent stone statues, which covers most of the western wall. The lower figures represent the Apostles, above them are angels, and at the pinnacle is a statue of Christ. You can visit the main church for free, and revel in its high vaulted ceilings and original stained glass windows. However, you must attend the paid sections to experience the real magic of the monastery.
Architecture
Portugal's architecture made its artistic statement. It developed its style, like all aspects of Portuguese culture noted in the history of the country, and many people that have settled and influenced the current Portuguese territory. These settlers include Romans and Suebians, among other related Germanic peoples, Visigoths, and Arabs. Influence from the main European artistic centers, such as Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassicism, are also present. Among the primary local manifestations of Portuguese architecture are the Manueline, the exuberant Portuguese version of late Gothic, and the Pombaline style that developed after the Great Lisbon earthquake of 1755.
Tiles (called Azulejos) are everywhere in Portugal. They decorate walls of churches and monasteries, palaces, ordinary houses, park seats, fountains, shops, and train stations. Azulejos date back to the 13th century, and the word Azulejo stems from Arabic roots, meaning 'small polished stone.' King Manuel I was astonished by the Alhambra in Granada (Spain) and decided to have his Palace in Sintra decorated with the same vibrant ceramic tiles. When visiting a church or cathedral in Portugal, many are decorated in Azulejos, depicting a style that started during the 16th century. Birds and leaves were frequently symbols used as decoration, possibly inspired by Asian fabrics. Famous sites known for their Azulejo art include the Sao Bento Railway Station in Porto, and the Buçaco Palace.
I'd love to help you plan your trip to see Portugal's beautiful architecture, so be sure to click the link below when you're ready to start planning.
Cities of Portugal
Over the past few years, Lisbon has emerged as a top must-see city. And there's a good reason for that!
This seaside city is bustling with excitement and boasts a wide selection of activities and attractions for every type of traveler. Wander through the streets of Lisbon and discover quaint cafes and bustling markets or let the sound of traditional Fado music or the sweet smell of pastries be your guide.
Did you know that Lisbon is known as the architectural and cultural pearl of Western Europe, and one of the oldest towns in the world? The original capital of the Country was Guimarães. In the mid 13th century, Lisbon became the capital of Portugal.
Perched atop seven hills, Lisbon is a vibrant seaside town bursting with history and tradition.
Lisbon has a very mild climate for Europe. It is sunny throughout the year, with an annual average of 2900-3300 hours of sunshine.
Hop aboard an iconic yellow tram and breeze through the hills as you explore the different neighborhoods that make Lisbon so unique. Be sure to make a stop in Bairro Alto, the bohemian area known for quirky bars, live music, and vivid street art.
Next time you are in Lisbon, be sure to make time for a day trip. Right outside of the city is Sintra, a storybook town with palaces, botanical gardens, and panoramic ocean views. If you'd rather spend time on the beach, then head to Cascais or Estoril. These neighboring fishing towns are situated along one of the most beautiful coastlines in Portugal. With trains leaving every 20 minutes to each location, there's no reason not to go!
Are you ready to learn some fun facts about Aveiro?
- Aveiro is known for bold Art Nouveau buildings, human-made canals, and ornate vessels.
- Costa Nova Beach in Aveiro is a must for seafood lovers; crabs, goose barnacles, shrimp, and whelks from the lagoon can be prepared for you on the Cais dos Pescadores. The town of Aveiro is often heralded by tourists as being the Venice of Portugal.
- The cityscape is crisscrossed by canals that you can navigate on painted gondola-style boats known as Moliceiros. The Romans were the first to recognize Aveiro as a harbor. The harbor is the best-sheltered harbor on the Iberian Peninsula western side. Aveiro's prized monument is the Moistero de Jesus, built between the 15th and 17th centuries.
Let's learn a little about the city of Porto!
- Portugal got its name for the city of Porto (Portus Cale) before Lisbon was the capital of Portugal. The city is nicknamed Invicta because Porto was never conquered, and even survived a siege.
- The most typical dish in Porto is the Francesinha (Frency). It is composed of meat and sausages, cheese, and beer-tomato sauce. Porto's most famous export is Port wine.
- Porto, the home to one of the three biggest football teams in Portugal, Futebol Clube do Porto (FCP). Porto also hosts one of Europe's largest street festivals, St John's Festival.
In northern Portugal, Porto and Douro are two complementary destinations, both with the charm and delight of romantic locations. Porto is an ancient city that passed its name to Portugal as well as Port wine. Porto and Douro are located by the mouth of the Douro River and are classified as World Heritage Sites since 1996. Tourists admire the typical housing and granite monuments.
Taking the tram towards the beaches or riding along the river is quite romantic. Take a stroll around the Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves with its luscious park, or the new Casa da Música and the praised Metro do Porto. Visit the Museu do the Douro, where you will see objects about the region while enjoying a drink.
The Douro River is a historically significant river of the Iberian Peninsula, creating a magnificent waterway for cruise ships. Douro River cruises run from Porto, Portugal to Vega de Terron, Spain. Most cruises are round trips from Porto. The most eminent structure on the river, the Dom Luis I Bridge, stretches to 951 feet long.
You get a variety of Portugal and Spain on Douro River Cruises, meaning excellent Paella from Spain and Port wines from Portugal, along with Flamenco dancers and Portuguese pingo (like espresso).
The Experience
Must See Sights
Benagil Cave, also referred to as Algar de Benagil, is probably the most famous of all the sea caves in Algarve, Portugal. You'll see many beautiful villages and stunning sea caves. The dome is impressive with its colorful rings and a blue opening at the top. To get to Benagil Cave, you'll need to either kayak, take a small boat tour, or swim but beware, the ocean is rough, and even the best swimmers should take caution.
Experience the magical island of São Miguel with the waterfalls of the Azores being one of the most enchanting features. To reach the waterfall, you'll follow the PRC29SMI trail, which takes you along an old power plant pipeline. It requires climbing stairs, so shoes are a must. A little trip for anyone who decides to visit this trail, make sure you go up to the top of the waterfall. You'll pass a small lookout point on your right so that you can see the waterfall from above. Continue on that path, and you'll reach the serene water before the drop.
The Palacio da Pena is one of the most beautiful places in Sintra as well as one of the seven wonders of Portugal. It shares an array of Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, Neo-Islamic, and Neo-Renaissance architectural styles and a prime example of 19th-century Romanticism. Initially, it was a monastery donated to the Order of Saint Jerome by Manuel I. It was reduced to ruins after the Lisbon Earthquake. In the restoration of 1994, the original colors were restored outside the Palace. These colors included old rose for the old monastery and ocher for the New Palace. The work of the Pena Palace ended in the mid-1860s, although later interior decoration campaigns were carried out.
Lisbon is a city with a rich history that goes back centuries, and it's also showcased through an array of monuments. Take a walk along the water, and you'll find the Monument to the Discovers, which was constructed to honor the explorers of the Portuguese Discovery Age.
The Monument to the Discoveries, or Padrão dos Descobrimentos in Portuguese, is a monument constructed in 1939 in honor of the Portuguese Discoveries of the golden XV and XVI centuries. It is also known as Monument to Navigators and designed by the Portuguese architect José Angelo Cottinelli Telmo.
Each side of this monument features 33 heroes of the Portuguese Discoveries, and the sculpture of Infante D. Henriques (Henry the Navigator) is found on the edge of the caravel. He was the most significant person in the Discoveries. You can climb up to the 6th floor, by stairs or elevator. Try to reach the highest point of this monument to enjoy one of the favorite views over Belém and Tagus River.
Bucket List/Things to do
- Discover Lisbon's Rua Nova do Carvalho
- Swing by the Alfama district for some seriously good vibes
- Check out the Tour de Belem
- Taste some of the best pastel de nata in the world
- Take a day trip to Sintra
- Glide through the canals in Aveiro
- Check out the entire city of Porto
- Taste real Port at Taylor's Port Wine
- Explore Jeronimos Monastery
- Ride a tuk-tuk
- Walk the city walls of Obidos
- Explore the gardens of Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra
- Ride Lisbon tram nr. 28, Nazaré funicular, Porto gondola, and take the kids for a boat ride
- Visit the caves Grutas de Mira de Aire
- Get lost in the most beautiful forest of Portugal – Mata Nacional do Buçaco
- Admire Portuguese azulejos
- Visit a real-life Disney castle – Pena Palace
- Bom Jesus do Monte
- Amarante
- Pena Palace
- Monserrate Palace
- Castle of the Moors
- Poço da Alagoinha on Flores Island
- Belém Tower
- Igreja de Sao Francisco
- Praça do Giraldo
- Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina
- Lagos Castle
- Ponta de Piedade
- Ceramic Tiles: Azulejos
- Cork Accessories
- Port Wine
- Olive Oil
- Portuguese Desserts
- Canned sardines
- Portuguese cheese
- Silver and Gold Jewellery
- Ceramics
- Fado Merchandise
- Ginjinha
- Embroidery
- Barcelos rooste
Let's starting planning your trip to Portugal and make it a unique vacation to your liking. Click on the link below when you are ready.
Food and Drink
There's no better city than Lisbon to enjoy authentic Portuguese food.
Filled with new-wave and traditional Portuguese cuisine and bustling street markets, Lisbon is a food-lovers dream. Fresh, local seafood is very much part of the cuisine and can be enjoyed at any of the city's picturesque restaurants.
- Bacalhau
- Cozido a portuguesa
- Sardines
- Bifana
- Arroz de marisco
- Chicken piri piri
- Whole crab
- Pasteis de Nata
One of the favorite parts of vacation is having the liberty to experience life like a local.
An unspoken ritual in daily life includes stopping for an afternoon coffee and pastry at the local cafe.
No trip to Portugal would be complete without trying a pastéis de nata. These custard tarts are a must when you visit this country. These deliciously soft and flaky pastries can be savored at any time of day.
Monks and nuns originally baked many of Portugal's best cakes. In fact, the original recipe for Pastéis de Nata came from the monks at the Jerónimos Monastery in Belem, Lisbon.
Pastel de Nata looks like a cross between a custard tart and a cake. The outside is crispy and flaky, while the inside is creamy and sweet. To order this in Lisbon, request "u pastel de nata." A few bakeries claim to have the best, including Pastéis de Belém, home of the original custard tart recipe, Manteigaria, and Confeitaria Nacional, Lisbon's oldest pastry shop. The best way to settle this controversy is to try them all for yourself!
Want to try one of these tasty pastries? I'd love to help you plan your trip, so be sure to click the link below when you're ready to start planning.
- Super Bock
- Sagres
- Portuguese Wine
- Licor Beirão
- Ginjinha
- Portuguese Sangria
- Big Boss
- Sharish
- Aguardente
- Almond liqueur
- Moscatel
How would you like to take a romantic getaway to wine country of Portugal? Check out our amazing sample itinerary for a wine vacation!
Would you like an idea of what a vacation to Portugal could look like for you? Take a look at our amazing sample itinerary!
I'd love to assist you in planning your vacation to Portugal, so be sure to click on the button below when you're ready to start planning!
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