One of the most exotic places that you should see at least once in your life is the Iberian Peninsula, specifically the country located at the extreme west of the Iberian area. Portugal, home to rugged and scenic landscapes coupled with rolling stretches of the Mediterranean landscape. With more than 10.5 million inhabitants, Portugal is one of the countries with the most beautiful landscapes, refreshing beaches, quaint villages, and humble and kind people.
Additionally, Portugal has some beautiful islands like Madeira, known as the Garden Island due to its beautiful vegetation. Keep reading and learn more about the fantastic ways to enjoy your trip to the Iberian country!
How to get there
When we plan a trip to a new destination, we want to make sure that the beginning of our trip is as comfortable and easy as possible. Here we will show you the three best airports in Portugal.
There is the Humberto Delgado Airport or Lisbon Airport, located in the capital of the country. It is the main international airport in Portugal, and it has several shops and restaurants. The airport is accessible by train, metro, bus, cars, so you can get there by several major highways.
Our next recommendation is the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport or Porto Airport. It is the second busiest airport in the country and you can get there by car, bus or metro. There are shops, restaurants, cafés, a VIP lounge, and even Wi-Fi.
Finally, you can get to Portugal through the Faro Airport. It has been operating since 1965 and, although it is a small airport, it handled 9 million passengers in 2019. As well as the other airports mentioned above, this is easily accessible by road; however, we suggest you plan your trip from the airport to your hotel in advance.
Visa Information
All the citizens that want to enter Portugal need a valid passport. Some citizens also need a valid visa; however, there are some exceptions. If you are an European citizen and you are staying for less than 90 days, so you can enter the country without a visa. There are also other countries included (that are not European), which you can check online or in a consulate.
Best time to visit the country
If you are thinking of planning your trip according to the season with the most pleasant climate, then we recommend visiting Portugal in spring (March-May). During these months, you could expect mild and warm weather, perfect for outdoor activities, with temperatures ranging from 10° to 18°, rising as summer begins. One of the activities that you can do during this season is to attend festivals such as Freedom Day, Holy Week, and the Festival de Sintra.
The second best time to visit Portugal is during fall (September and October) when the temperatures are around 23°C. The sun will still shine but the rains will start at the end of the season, so go prepared for that. Among the best things to do during this season are go sightseeing, hiking and even go take a bath on the beach.
Safety
Overall, Portugal is a very safe destination to visit. It is considered one of the safest destinations in Europe. However, wherever we travel, it is important to remember some safety tips, since we are in a foreign country and discovering new places. The recommendations that we will give are mainly for tourists since they are usually the target of some thieves. That is why you should never let your guard down.
You need to be careful with your belongings in attractions, crowded places, and public transportation. Try to carry your bag close to your body and your wallet and money in the front pockets. Finally, try to avoid calling attention when using jewelry, it will be better just to use the basic.
Budget
Each trip we do, it is necessary to plan it to avoid any problem and not stay without money in the middle of the trip, or without being able to visit that place that we want so much. So, you should know that you could spend around €100 ($118.20) per day, including standard accommodation, transportation, food, and entertainment. This means that the budget for a week is around €698 ($825.06) and for two weeks €1,395 ($1,629).
Let’s see the things that you can pay with €100 ($118.20) per day:
- Hotel or Hostel: €45 ($53.19)
- Food: €30 ($35.46)
- Local transportation (taxis, buses, subway): €19 ($22.46)
- Entertainment (shows, movie tickets): €13 ($15.37)
Let’s break down some more specific food and drinks prices:
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: €10 ($11.82) – Fish grill with vegetables and cheese.
- Mid-range restaurant: €15 ($17.73) – Three-course meal.
- Soft Drink: €1.32 ($1.56) – 0.33-liter bottle.
- Beer: €2 ($2.36) – 0.5-liter draught.
Currency
The official currency in Portugal is the Euro. One Euro is equivalent to 1.18 USD. You cannot use dollars in Portugal, so if you have dollars at the moment you arrive in the country, you could exchange them at the airport. However, it is a better idea to get the cash in Portugal by using an ATM, also called a cash machine or cashpoint. Besides payments in cash, credit cards are also commonly used in the country. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted but, be careful. The cards that are accepted need to have a four-digit PIN.
Interesting facts about the culture
Portugal could be a small country, but it has a fascinating culture and history. Let’s start by talking about the language. The official language is Portuguese, and the regional is Mirandese. As a tourist, it is good to know some useful phrases in Portuguese. You will give a good impression and it is always useful to be able to communicate on some occasions. Some words and phrases are Sim/Não (Yes/No), Por favor (Please), Obrigado (Thank you), and Fala inlgês? (Do you speak English?). An interesting fact is that 236 million people worldwide are Portuguese speakers.
One important thing to know about a new destination is traditional food. In Portugal, there is something called cataplana de marisco, which is a seafood dish. It is a mixture of onions, garlic, tomatoes, and clams. There is also the grilled sardines (sardinhas assadas). You can find it at summer festivals.
People in Portugal are traditional, conservative, and believe in the importance of family and religion. Remember to be always respectful of the people and culture of a foreign country. And enjoy your trip!
What to do in Portugal
Portugal has many places that represent the history of the country. These places have a unique architecture that is evident in the towns, historical castles, museums, and more. Here we will show you some of the most famous places in the country, those places that no tourist can miss.
The best places to visit:
- Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Lisbon: This is a church and monastery defined by the Manueline architecture. The beautiful decoration outside and the exuberant cloister inside will delight you.
- Oceanário de Lisboa, Lisbon: If you are attracted to animals, this is the place for you. Here you will see four different ecosystems (from the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Antarctic oceans).
- Convento do Cristo, Tomar: This convent was founded in 1160. It is a mysterious place full of history that you cannot miss.
There are many different activities to do in Portugal, and the best and most exciting ones are outdoor activities. Let’s take a look at the best outdoor activities in Portugal:
The best activities:
- Horseback riding: The best place to do this activity is from Lisbon to Costa de Caparica. You can enjoy the stunning landscapes in the capital and then enjoy traditional Portuguese dishes.
- Sailing in the Algarve: This is an excellent activity to do with your group of friends or family. In this experience, you will see rock formations, caves, and white sandy beaches.
- Hiking in Rota Vincentina: The views in this place are stunning, from the crystalline ocean to the lighthouse that has been there for centuries.
How to get around in Portugal
Since Portugal is a small country, you can manage perfectly traveling by train or bus. The train system is efficient; you can get to almost any city from the capital, where there are four train stations. Using the bus is a simple and cheap way to travel, especially to rural places where trains do not arrive. There is a website called Rede-Expressos that can help you to find the bus routes.
Finally, if you prefer to travel on your own, you can rent a car in most of the cities in Portugal. This is the best option if you want to get the maximum from your visit. However, it will be expensive and you will need to get an International Driving Permit to Drive in Portugal.
How to stay connected in Portugal
Staying connected while traveling has never been so important since in these times the internet helps us to communicate, share photos and videos on our social networks, receive and send work emails, and more. So to be able to use your phone in Portugal you have different options, some better than others.
First, you can use data roaming. This is an expensive but easy way to have data on your phone while being abroad because you do not have to buy another SIM card. Second, you can rent a Pocket Wi-Fi, which is a device that lets you stay connected wherever you go, and you can keep it in your pocket. Third, you can depend on public hotspots in restaurants or cafes. It is cheap but a limited option.
Finally, you can buy a local or international SIM card. The local providers are MEO, NOS, and Vodafone. One international provider is SimOptions, which has excellent packages full of data and other unlimited services.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I rent a car?
You can rent a car in Portugal; it is expensive but an easy way to get around. If not, you can easily travel by train.
Which airports can I fly to?
The main airports are the Humberto Delgado Airport, the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, and the Faro Airport.
What are the most popular types of hotels?
The most popular accommodation types are hotels, hostels, and resorts.
How much does a holiday cost?
You can spend around €100 ($118.20), including standard accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment.
What are the best things to do?
If you are traveling to Portugal, you have to visit historic places and do some outdoor activities such as horseback riding and kayaking.