Portugal travel guides

“Any sizeable Portuguese town looks like a superstitious bride’s finery – something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.”
Mary McCarthy

Portugal is one of the oldest nations in Europe (the most ancient borders date back to 1143). Ancient populations like Celts, Romans and Moors left their mark on this ancient kingdom of explorers that it is still guarded by hilltop castles and surrounded by dramatic walled towns.

Portugal Travel Information

Portugal capital is Lisbon. This is the largest city of the country and it’s located in the historic region of Estremadura.

Portugal currency is Euro. You can obtain Euro from any currency exchange office or ATM around the country or before you arrive. Contactless payments are accepted widely around the nation but cash is alway welcome if you buy at small shops.

Booking your hotel in advance is essential to avoid last minute scams and stay at your preferred accommodation. I always get the best rates on Booking.com and I booked here all my stays in Portugal.

Portugal plugs are of type F. However, Type C and type E plugs can also be used thanks to their compatibility with type F sockets. If you are travelling from the UK, you’ll need to buy and adapter. I always use an universal adapter so that I don’t need to buy one for every destination I visit.

As you will walk a lot in crowded places, particularly in Lisbon and Porto, I recommend to place your passport and cash in a Invisible Money Belt. My best suggestion is to keep on your wallet only small pieces of cash and hide the rest in the money belt. Indeed, this is very discrete and will ensure you can go around safely and without gaining unwanted attention. Unfortunately, pickpockets are very frequent in Europe!

Why visiting Portugal?

Pretty towns and stunning landscapes unfold like an old poem. They narrate of cobbled roads, medieval alleys, azulejos and castles in the mist. Each of the cities you will visit in Portugal has its own unique character. Lisbon’s labyrinthine alleyways are a magical place in which to lose all sense of direction while follow the smell of char-grilled fish and dance at the sound of the Fado music. While Porto’s has a rich cosmopolitan vibe a vibrant nightlife, the most famous wineries of the entire nation and the most picture-perfect corners.

Outside the big cities, Portugal’s beauty unfolds in all its surprising variety. You will find the cinematic sceneries of the Sintra forests and its fairy-tale castles. You will walk in the footsteps of the Romans in the medieval town of Evora in the heart of the traditional Alentejo region or be blessed by the golden beaches, colourful fishing villages of the Algarve and crystalline waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Portugal is also one of the most underrated gastronomical destinations in Europe. Tourists get delighted by simple earthy dishes and specialities made of fish, char-grilled chicken and crispy wine. A slow-living place where people enjoy dining with a view on the Douro valley accompanied by a plate of traditional bachalau and a glass of fresh green wine on a summer evening of June. Can you imagine yourself?

If so, you can discover the best Portugal travel guides below and plan a fantastic holiday!