Portugal, one of the oldest countries in Europe, is located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula lying between Spain in the north and east, and the Atlantic Ocean in the south and west. The signs of the Portuguese presence around the world are still visible and this is the reason why Portuguese is one of the most spoken languages worldwide and the Portuguese are one of the peoples more open to other civilizations. Portugal has been a Republic since 1911 and its government is a Parliamentary Democracy. A member of the European Union (EU) since 1986, Portugal is a nation in full development that has always kept its best treasure - its ability to welcome people. This makes this country an attractive and safe place.
Despite being a relatively small country (516Km long and 218Km wide), the Portuguese natural heritage is extremely rich and diverse. The average altitude is low (240m), with the highest mountain range being the Serra da Estrela, in central Portugal. In the northwest, there are green fertile valleys and tree-covered mountains while vast areas of high plateaus predominate in the northeast. Along the western coast as far as Lisbon the topography is a mixture of lowlands and bays. Moving south the landscape starts to change to a uniform low relief. In the south lies the popular tourist destination of the Algarve.
The population in mainland Portugal is around 10,000,000 people. Lisbon is the capital with nearly one million inhabitants. Other important cities are Oporto, Braga, Coimbra and Faro.
Places To Visit In Portugal
1. Lisbon
Stretching along the banks of the Tagus River near the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal’s capital and largest city winds upward among seven steep hills, forming an enchanting destination of warm weather, alluring alleys, quaint shops, Gothic cathedrals, impressive bridges and colorful neighborhoods, reverberating in traditional fado music. The city’s oldest district is Alfama, an old Moorish quarter, distinct for its maze of cobblestone streets, rustic architecture and St. George’s Castle. The best way to experience Lisbon is by taking one of the vintage trams such as the well known Tram 28, which winds along historic quarters, gardens and main attractions.
2. Porto
Porto is the charming and fascinating capital of the north, which is famed for the sweet alcoholic drink of Port. This drink is intertwined in the fortunes and history of Porto and is still stored in the vast cellars which line the banks of the Douro River.The port tasting tours are an enjoyable way to become connoisseurs of the drink, which can be savoured in the numerous bars that extend along the scenic river front. Porto offers beautiful churches, historic buildings and leisurely cruises along the river. For longer holidays to Porto there are pretty beaches and interesting day trips, all easily reached by train.Porto is rapidly developing into a respected tourist destination and with the increase of low cost flights it is becoming a popular alternative city break destination.
3. Portimao
Just a little over an hour away from Faro by train is Portimão. This is where I ended up basing myself during my time in the Algarve and where I thoroughly stuffed myself with the most delectable seafood I’ve had in a long time. Out of all the towns I visited in the south, this one felt like it was the most geared towards package holidaymakers. There isn’t much to see in the way of sights but Praia da Rocha, its most popular beach, more than made up for that with its seemingly endless stretch of golden sand.
4. Coimbra
Once the capital of Portugal, this quaint and charming town is a treasure chest of stunning gardens, historical sites, fado music, and dynamic culture. Located near the Mondego River in the centre of Portugal, Coimbra is a city of medieval churches and an intricate maze of cobbled streets that are so stunning; you’ll think you’ve slipped back in time. In fact, many people consider Coimbra to be the most romantic city in the country. The town gets its energy and influence from the University of Coimbra. Founded in 1209, and one of the oldest universities in Europe, you can see the entire city from its courtyard.
5. Algarve
Sea, sun, and sand mark Portugal’s famous Algarve. While the region’s beaches and picturesque villages have made it world renown, the region also has some world-renowned golf courses. The area’s capital, Faro, remains nearly the same as it was in the 18th century, with some of its charming neighborhoods intact.
Lagos and Sagres on the east end of the Algarve date back to Roman times. But it was in the 15th century that Sagres achieved importance with the frequent presence of Prince Henry the Navigator.
Visit the Fortaleza de Sagres (a fortress built in the 15th century) and thought to be the site of Prince Henry’s “School of Navigation”. By the same token visit Cape of São Vicente, one of the most westerly points of the European continent after Cabo da Roca. It was also a sacred place to the Romans who called it Promontorium Sacrum.
6. Sintra
Sintra is like something straight out of a fairytale. It’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Portugal with its historic castles, quirky mansions and a whole heap of idyllic gardens to get lost in for days. It’s a great spot for hiking but if you don’t have long here, we recommend renting a rickshaw for the day; it’s a pretty epic way to see all the sights including Pena Palace, The Castle of The Moors and the often overlooked Montserrat Palace, all of which are just jaw-droppingly pretty.
To save money on eating out, grab some olives and other nibbles before you go and enjoy a slap-up picnic in the lush forests… alfresco dining at its finest! To swerve the crowds, set off early and avoid weekends if you can.
7. Obidos
Located on a hilltop in the Centro Region of western Portugal, Obidos is encircled by an old fortified wall. Besides the wall, the magnificent medieval castle and historic center of Obidos make up the city’s main attraction and can easily be walked. A labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets leads visitors along busy squares, inviting cafes, quaint shops and whitewashed houses spruced with colorful flowers. The castle with its commanding edifice, huge gates, towers and battlements, is now a luxurious hotel but a marvel to behold nevertheless.
8. Madeira
Out of all the stops I made while in Portugal, Madeira was the one I was surprised by the most. I knew it was an island, but had no idea how much it would feel more like a tropical island somewhere in the Caribbean than southern Europe. Its capital Funchal is quite cosmopolitan for island standards yet take a drive about 30 minutes to the north and you will find yourself in the middle of a UNESCO-protected laurel forest.
9. Cascais
Cascais is around 1 hour west of Lisbon, perched overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Take a stop at this coastal town to explore its historic centre, the idyllic Guincho Beach and discover the rugged coastline around Boca do Inferno. For some tasty Portuguese grub, head over to Melody for authentic regional dishes that will blow your mind!
10. Evora
Evora may be a small town in the Alentejo plains region of southern Portugal, but it packs huge tourist appeal. With a history dating back more than 2,000 years, Evora was once a flourishing city under Roman rule. Today, Evora is the capital of the Alentejo region, regarded for its well-preserved Old Town, which shelters more than 4,000 historic structures including the old Roman walls and temples. Another highlight is the 13th century Cathedral of Evora, one of Portugal’s most important Gothic structures. Not far outside the city is Europe’s largest complex of prehistoric megaliths that are also worth a look.
Interesting Facts About Portugal
- The official name of Portugal is the Portuguese Republic.
- The cork tree is native to Portugal. Because of the various uses of its bark, the country the largest producer of cork products in the world.
- Half of the “New World” once belonged to Portugal. In 1494, the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed which gave Portugal the eastern half of the New World, including Brazil, Africa, and Asia. The Portuguese Empire was the first global empire in history, as well as one of the longest lasting, spanning almost six centuries.
- Portugal is the oldest country in Europe. It has had the same defined borders since 1139. It’s no surprise that Portuguese is the official language of 9 countries with over 236 million people speaking it around the world.
- The oldest bookstore in the world is in Portugal’s capital of Lisbon. Bertrand Bookshop was established in 1732. The original store was destroyed in an earthquake in 1755 and rebuilt in its current location in 1773.
- Portugal has the longest bridge in Europe. The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon is 10.5 miles (17 kilometers) long.
- Portugal and England have the oldest diplomatic alliance in the world. The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance was signed in 1373 and is still enforced today.
- Portugal is one of the world’s top surf spots. The country has a coastline that spans 497 miles (800 kilometers) and is said to have 364 days of surf.
- Lisbon was struck by one of the most powerful earthquakes in European history on November 1, 1755. The quake registered at 9.0 on the Richter Scale and was followed by a tsunami and fires that left the city in ruins. 275,000 residents were killed and 85% of the buildings were destroyed.
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