Portugal
Portugal fits a great deal into a narrow strip of Atlantic coast. Vintage trams climb Lisbon's hills past tiled façades, port lodges line the Douro opposite Porto, and the terraced vineyards upriver are among Europe's loveliest landscapes. Add Sintra's palaces, the Alentejo's cork-oak plains, the Algarve's cliff-backed coves and Madeira's levada walks, at prices gentler than much of western Europe.
Overview
Portugal is long and narrow, and most first trips run north–south along it. Lisbon and Porto, about three hours apart by fast train, anchor the classic itinerary: a few days in each, with Sintra and the Cascais coast as side trips from the capital and the Douro Valley's vineyards an easy train or road trip inland from Porto. South of the Tagus, the Alentejo's whitewashed hill towns and Roman Évora lead down to the Algarve, where cliffs, coves and golf resorts stretch from Sagres to the Spanish border. Madeira and the Azores, out in the Atlantic, add volcanic landscapes and serious hiking.
Travel is easy and relaxed: trains and coaches are reliable, English is widely spoken, and food and wine are excellent value away from the tourist cores. Lisbon and Porto have grown much busier and pricier over the past decade, with short-term lets reshaping old neighbourhoods, and the Algarve fills with families in July and August. Spring and early autumn bring warm days, wild flowers or the grape harvest, and much smaller crowds. People are courteous rather than effusive. Visitors are often surprised by how cool the Atlantic stays even in summer, and by how quickly the interior empties once you leave the coast.
Map of Portugal
Top 5 highlights
- 1Architecture
Sintra's palaces
Romantic palaces and gardens dot the wooded Serra de Sintra west of Lisbon: the candy-coloured Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle's ramparts and Quinta da Regaleira's initiation well. Book timed tickets and go on a weekday.
- 2Nature
Douro Valley
Steep terraces of vines and olive groves line the Douro around Peso da Régua and Pinhão, in one of the world's oldest demarcated wine regions. Visit quintas for port tastings, ride the riverside railway or take a boat.
- 3Beach
Ponta da Piedade
Near Lagos, golden sandstone cliffs, sea stacks and grottoes form the Algarve's most spectacular stretch of coast. Explore by kayak or small boat, then swim at nearby coves such as Praia do Camilo and Dona Ana.
- 4History
Évora
The Alentejo's walled, UNESCO-listed capital holds a Roman temple, a Gothic cathedral and the eerie Chapel of Bones, lined with thousands of skulls. The surrounding cork-oak country hides megaliths such as the Almendres Cromlech.
- 5Nature
Madeira's levada walks
Narrow irrigation channels contour Madeira's steep, laurel-forested mountains, with footpaths running alongside. Classic walks include the Levada do Caldeirão Verde and the high ridge trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo.
Biggest cities
Lisbon
Hilltop miradouros, Alfama's medieval lanes, fado in small taverns and the monuments of Belém make Lisbon worth at least three days; ride tram 28 early to beat the queues.
Porto
Granite churches clad in blue azulejos, the riverside Ribeira and port cellars across the bridge in Vila Nova de Gaia; a compact, characterful city and the gateway to the Douro Valley.
Braga
Portugal's religious capital has one of its oldest cathedrals and the zigzag Baroque stairway of Bom Jesus do Monte; an easy day trip from Porto or a base for Peneda-Gerês National Park.
Lisbon and Porto figures are metropolitan areas; Braga's is the municipality, the largest outside the two metros.
Holiday regions in Portugal
These areas have their own season and weather — see their guides for sea temperatures, resorts and flights.
When to go to Portugal
Best time: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Average climate in Lisbon
Festivals & events
- Apr–MayMadeira Flower Festival
Funchal celebrates spring with children building a 'Wall of Hope' from flowers, petal carpets in the streets and a Sunday parade of blossom-covered floats, usually in April or May.
- JunFesta de Santo António
Lisbon's patron-saint party peaks on the night of 12–13 June, when Alfama and Mouraria fill with grilled sardines, paper garlands, pop-up bars and dancing, and couples marry in civic mass weddings.
- JunFesta de São João
Porto's riotous midsummer night, 23–24 June, sees crowds tapping each other with plastic hammers, grilling sardines and watching fireworks over the Douro at midnight.
How much does Portugal cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Bacalhau à Brás
Shredded salt cod scrambled with egg, onion and matchstick fries, finished with black olives and parsley; a Lisbon classic and the gentlest introduction to bacalhau.
Pastel de nata
Flaky custard tarts with a scorched top, best eaten warm with cinnamon; the Belém bakery has sold its version, pastéis de Belém, since 1837.
Francesinha
Porto's knife-and-fork sandwich of steak, ham and sausage under melted cheese and a spicy tomato-and-beer sauce, usually served with chips.
Getting around
CP's Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains link Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto and the Algarve, and suburban lines reach Sintra and Cascais. Rede Expressos and FlixBus coaches cover towns the railway misses. Lisbon and Porto have metros and trams, and Uber and Bolt are cheap and widely used. Hire a car for the Alentejo, Douro and western Algarve, but note that some motorways have electronic-only tolls. Madeira and the Azores are about two hours' flight from Lisbon.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF230V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +351
- Time zones
- UTC+0, UTC-1 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Tipping is modest: round up or leave 5–10% for good restaurant service. Bread, olives and cheese brought unasked (the couvert) are charged if eaten.
- Etiquette
- Greet with 'bom dia' or 'boa tarde', and don't open in Spanish: English usually goes down better. Lunch runs from about 1pm to 3pm, and dinner rarely starts before 8pm.
- Main airports
- Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), Lisbon; Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), Porto; Faro Airport (FAO), Faro
Visas & entry for Portugal
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Portugal, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: as a tourist; to visit family or friends; to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events; for short-term studies or training.
The requirements for working in Portugal are different.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Bat Lyssavirus
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Portugal
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 1 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day |
| Tue 1 Dec 2026 | Restoration of Independence Day |
| Tue 8 Dec 2026 | Immaculate Conception |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sun 28 Mar 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| Sun 25 Apr 2027 | Freedom Day |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Thu 27 May 2027 | Corpus Christi |
| Thu 10 Jun 2027 | Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day |
| Tue 5 Oct 2027 | Republic Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Portuguese
| English | Portuguese | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Olá | oh-LAH |
| Thank you | Obrigado / Obrigada | oh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah |
| Please | Por favor | poor fah-VOR |
| Excuse me | Com licença | kong lee-SEN-sah |
| How much is this? | Quanto custa isto? | KWAN-too KOOSH-tah EESH-too |
Know before you go
- Restaurants often bring bread, olives or cheese without asking, and these appear on the bill if touched; simply send them back if you don't want them.
- Some motorways, mostly in the north around Porto, charge electronic-only tolls with no booths, so ask your hire company for a toll transponder rather than risk fines.
- Pickpockets work Lisbon's tram 28 and crowded viewpoints; ride early in the morning, keep bags zipped and in front of you, or simply walk the route instead.
Portugal travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
The best time to visit Portugal is generally Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Peak months are April, May, June, September and October. Average highs in Lisbon range from 15°C to 28°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Portugal cost per day?
Roughly £60 a day on a tight budget, £130 mid-range and £270+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Portugal?
Euro (EUR).
What plug type does Portugal use?
Type C and F sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Portugal?
Traffic drives on the right in Portugal, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Portugal?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Portugal?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Portugal, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Portugal before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Portugal?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Bat Lyssavirus sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
