What is the Tourist Attraction of Portugal? 2024
The Tourist Attraction of Portugal – Monday April 29, 2024
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What is the Tourist Attraction of Portugal?
Portugal is one of the safest, lowest-cost, and most exciting places to visit in Europe!
So if you’re planning a Portugal vacation with friends, family, solo, or even backpacking, this complete travel guide to Portugal will make the whole planning process easy.
Come check out all our tips!
Portugal – Where is Portugal
Portugal is in southwestern Europe, bordered by Spain. Also, as part of Portugal, you have the group of islands of Madeira and the Azores.
When you compare Portugal to the United States, it is pretty tiny! The country is just over 57,000 square miles or 92,000 square kilometers, with around 10 million. Most Portuguese live along the coastline of Portugal.
An average direct flight from the United States to Portugal can be around 8 hours, depending on where you fly.
For example, flying from New York can take about 6 ½ hours to Portugal.
Portugal – Best Time to Travel
If you are unsure when to book your Portugal vacation – here’s some information to help you.
The best time to visit Portugal for good weather and lower tourist numbers is in Spring. The months will be warm, the days are sunny without being unbearably hot, and the crowds are calmer during Spring.
So if you’re visiting between March and May, you’re staying at a great time – flights also are not too expensive as it avoids high season.
Flight costs will likely soar as peak season in the summer hits from June to September. The weather gets scorching, and prepare for the tourist attraction of Portugal with wall-to-wall crowds!
During Fall, crowds start to thin, and the weather gets slightly cooler – but still warm enough to enjoy.
Winter in Portugal will be mostly cold and rainy, so perhaps not the best time for your vacation. If you visit during the Christmas holidays, there will be many markets, and Lisbon looks beautiful with the lights.
Booking Flights
For the best deals on flights, use justfly.com and Skyscanner. You can set up automatic searches for flights, and an update will be sent to your email when prices drop.
Portugal – Landmarks & Attractions
Are you looking for the best landmarks and attractions while on your Portugal vacation?
What is the tourist attraction of Portugal, beaches, nature, culture, art, and history? There will never be enough time to see everything this beautiful country offers.
However, we have 6 of our favorite spots to help you plan the perfect travel guide to Portugal if you are short on time.
Pena Palace
The Palace of Pena is a magnificent National monument and a major tourist attraction in Portugal.
Standing on top of the serene mountains of Sintra, this castle features many vibrant colors and unique architecture that will make a great day trip from Lisbon.
Pena Palace Tours
Benagil Caves
The famous sea cave in the Algarve of Portugal is a must-see while on a Portugal vacation.
An impressive rock formation with sandy beaches where you can enjoy fun water activities such as SUP or kayaking; you can only reach the caves by water.
Most visit Benagil while staying in the nearby town of Lagos.
Benagil Caves Tours
Praca do Comercio
You don’t know the real Lisbon until you head down to the iconic square of Praca do Comercio. This square is one of the most beautiful in Europe, with perfect views of the river and the grand arch.
This location is extra special during Christmas with the festivities and lights, making this the perfect place for an evening stroll.
Praca do Comercio Tours
Praia do Camilo
The Algarve is full of some of the most beautiful European beaches, so it isn’t easy to choose just one favorite!
Praia do Camilo is probably the most famous beach with the best picturesque views.
If you have time on your Portugal vacation, try and hit as many beaches as possible!
Praia do Camilo Tours
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| From Lagos: 75-Minute Boat Cruise to Ponta da Piedade | Lagos: Ponta da Piedade Boat Tour with Local Guide |
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| Lagos: Guided Ponta da Piedade Sunset Tour | Lagos: Ponta da Piedade Group Kayaking Tour |
Belem Tower
The most historical monument in Portugal is the Belem Tower. Probably the most iconic building in Lisbon and a popular tourist attraction of Portugal.
Very easy to get to from the center of Lisbon, Belem is a charming neighborhood and home to this medieval tower.
Belem Tower Tours
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| Lisbon in One Day: Full-Day Minivan Historic Tour | Lisbon: Belem Neighborhood Walking Tour |
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| Lisbon: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Welcome Drink | Small-Group Walking Tour of Belém |
Sao Jorge Castle
A classic historic emblem of beautiful Lisbon – Sao Jorge Castle, lies atop the hills of the city center with some of the best views.
This will make an excellent morning activity, and you can even purchase a tour here if you want to learn more about the history of this famous landmark.
Sao Jorge Castle Tours
Like this article? Here are more tour reviews for Portugal
Portugal – Currency
The official currency of Portugal is the Euro. The Portuguese Escudo was the currency before the EurEuro’stroduction in 1999.
Click the links to find the current exchange rate for the Euro to the US dollar, the UK pound, and the Australian dollar.
Portugal – Language & Customs
Portuguese is the official language of the country. However, you will find a lot of locals can speak English too!
In particular, the Algarve and Lisbon have many English speakers because of their local tourist industry. You won’t find as much English anywhere inland with fewer visitors.
The Portuguese use standard greetings such as ‘Bo ‘dia,’ “o’ tarde,’ a’d ‘Bo ‘noite’ –’ all translating to good morning, good afternoon, and good night.
It might be handy to know ‘ob’igado’ (‘hank you) and ‘co ‘licenca’ (‘excuse me) while visiting Portugal.
Some may kiss you once on the cheek when they are introduced to a new person or say goodbye.
The Portuguese are generally friendly and helpful, so don’t be shy when talking with locals.
Note that it’s typical for the Portuguese to be a little late for gatherings! This may be around 10-15 minutes, so nothing too drastic.
Portugal – Accommodation
For American or European-style hotels, Booking.com has the best variety and deals; if you prefer a private home or apartment accommodation and live like a local, try “Vacation Rental by Owner” or Vrbo.
Portugal – Public & Local Holidays
The important holidays in Portugal are Christmas and New Year – accommodation can get heavily booked this time of year, so pre-booking is essential!
There are many parties and festivities during Christmas; in particular, Lisbon can get lively and look beautiful.
Easter is also another key holiday celebrated in Portugal. Easter is a significant holiday as most Catholics celebrate easter religious rituals.
To experience authentic Portuguese culture, you can visit the official Portugal Day on 10th June.
Celebrated for hundreds of years is Dia de Camões, or Portugal’s independence day has been. Fado, the Portuguese national form of music and song, can be heard echoing throughout the streets on this day as partiers commemorate their shared Portuguese heritage. Expect to experience street parties with food, drinking, and dancing!
The Portugal Carnival! is one of Portugal’s biggest festivals and a yearly tourist attraction. Many attend to celebrate the rich culture. It usually happens at the end of February and involves exotic dances, customs, and parades throughout Lisbon.
Portugal – Cell Phones
If you plan to go on a Portugal vacation and are from outside the EU, it might be good to grab a local SIM card.
The best network providers in Portugal are Vodafone, MEO, and NOS. I recommend going for Vodafone or MEO, as these have the best coverage.
The quickest option is to get the SIM card at the airport. You can also head to one of their stores to get a SIM card, or some big convenience stores may provide these.
Prepaid SIM cards are usually around €10-30 and come with minutes and data.
For long-term plans, you can get a mobile phone contract which works out cheaper in the long run compared to a prepaid SIM card.
You will likely get data included in your roaming plan from the EU, so you won’t have to worry about getting a SIM card! Make sure your phone provider at home includes it before coming to Portugal.
Portugal – Internet Service
I have never experienced too many issues with the internet while in Portugal. The connection is usually medium to strong, and the network has never gone down for me.
Of course, it depends on where you are staying and how many people use the Wi-Fi. If you are staying in a large hotel or another accommodation where everyone is soaking up the internet, it may get a little slow!
Lisbon is the top location for all digital nomads looking for the best internet – you can find plenty of coworking spaces in the city if you need to get some work done. Porto is also an excellent city for fast internet.
You will generally find many public internet places, such as parks, stations, libraries, and airports.
Portugal – Food
One of the best reasons to visit Portugal is simply for the food.
The Portuguese are mostly known for their delicious seafood. The fishing industry is BIG in Portugal.
With most of the population living on the coastline, the popularity of seafood in this country is no surprise.
You can still find many hip vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Lisbon. With veganism becoming more culturally acceptable and the latest trend, you will find many options in downtown Lisbon.
If you are visiting Porto in the north, you may have heard of some dishes that are famous only in this region.
Francesinha
The Francesinha is arguably the most notorious dish of Porto – a sandwich with meat and cheese served in a thick tomato and beer sauce.
The north is also famous for the Porto wine. You cannot visit Portugal without trying this fantastic drink – it is one of the most consumed wines in Europe!
Stumble upon plenty of bakeries (called ‘pastelaria’ in Portugal) and try some of the best pastries of your life!
The more time you have in Portugal, the more foods you can try! But we know some of you will have limited days, so if there are three must-try foods, make sure you include these on your trip.
Pastel de nata
Pastel de nata is a Portuguese dessert all in one. The classic egg custard pastry is perfect for any snack or after-dinner treat. If you want to get one of these sweet delights, go to ‘Pa’teis de Belem’ –’ THE best place to get a pastel nata in Lisbon.
SarSardinha’s
Sardinha’s one of the most adored dishes in Portugal that you can get anywhere. There is no more iconic dish that represents Portuguese culture than the sardines.
Bacalhau
Bacalhau is the national dish of Portugal that people eat for celebrations or holidays. Enjoy this salty, dry cod with potatoes, vegetables, and olives.
Portugal – Airports & Entry
Portugal has three main airports – Lisbon, Faro, and Porto.
Lisbon is the biggest airport as it’s the country’s capital city, with Faro covering the south and Porto in the north.
If you’re heading to the Portuguese islands, you can fly to Madeira or Joao Paulo II airport, the main airport for the Azores.
You will find direct flights from America to Portugal in certain states. New York, Miami, Boston, Chicago, Washington, and San Francisco usually have direct flights.
When flying from another state, check if you have any stops, as this will add extra time to your journey!
TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal is the most common airline to fly from America to Portugal. You can find flights at a pretty reasonable price when flying with TAP.
If you’re a US citizen going to Portugal on vacation and your trip won’t be longer than 90 days, you will not need a visa to enter the country, making life a lot easier!
When traveling from Europe, you will find flights with airlines such as EasyJet or RyanAir at a low price. If you’re coming from Spain you can even get the bus into Portugal – I have often used Flixbus to go between the two countries.
One of the most popular European train lines to ride is Interrail. You can opt for the more scenic route and enjoy the train journey from another European country. Another great option is to travel to Lisbon!
Portugal – Travel Insurance
You never know what can happen in a foreign country. ThaThat’sy it is essential to have travel insurance when things go wrong or your trip gets interrupted by an emergency. The insuremytrip travel insurance site provides coverage from some of the best-rated companies, including licensed agents available 365 days per year.
Their customer reviews are an excellent resource for travelers to get advice about their policies.
Portugal – Getting Around (Public & Other Transport)
There are two main bus stations in Lisbon – Oriente and Sete Rios. You will find regular daily buses going to all major cities and towns in Portugal.
When going from Lisbon to the south or north of Portugal, I often take a bus from Oriente station with no problems.
Popular bus companies in Portugal are Flixbus, Rede Expressos, and Rodonorte. The easiest way to look for bus times is to check online or ask at the station.
The biggest bus stations you can travel to are Lisbon and Setubal. In the south, you have Lagos, Albufeira, and Faro; in the north, you have Porto and Braga.
A great app in Lisbon is Citymapper – I never go a day without using this while in the city! All you have to do is enter your destination, which will calculate the best modes of transportation from your departure point. It tells you exactly which line or station to go to and how much it will cost.
Lisbon also has an excellent metro system that is super cheap. You can hop on the metro from anywhere for just €1.50 or get a daily pass for €6.40 that you can use on any transport.
If you have a full day of exploring Lisbon with many stops, I highly recommend getting the daily pass as it’s cost-effective.
You must purchase the card at the station for €0.50, and you use this to scan every time you get on the train. The self-service machine is straightforward to use and gives English options too!
Portugal – Weather
The hottest months in Portugal are from June to September, with temperatures reaching 104 F or 40 C on some days. Pretty damn hot, right?
The Algarve in the south of Portugal is a notorious beach location for all those searching for the hottest weather.
The further north you go in Portugal, the colder it gets, but not drastically, only a few degrees difference.
Are you not keen on the soaring temperatures and looking for something milder? Spring and Fall are your better options.
April, May, September, and October typically have temperatures around the mid-20s, sometimes 30 degrees celsius or 77 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
November to March is the coldest and wettest month in Portugal. Temperatures can drop to around 10 C (50 F) in the south and 5 C (41 F)in the north.
Portugal doesn’t experience unusual weather conditions – at least, I have never seen anything out of the ordinary here! Sometimes it can get scorched in the south due to the lack of rainfall during the Summer months.
Portugal – History
This wouldn’t be a travel guide to Portugal without mentioning the rich history of this beautiful country.
It’s no surprise that people are always amazed at the history you can experience in Portugal as it is one of Europe’s oldest countries!
The first Portuguese were none other than our beloved fishermen. The industry will always be iconic here, and nothing represents Portugal better than the fisherman!
You can find many fishing villages and towns, especially in the south of Portugal, and explore their colorful buildings. Albufeira and Portimao are fantastic locations to see the history of the fishing world.
See history come alive in the stunning ancient Portuguese buildings. The medieval structure and bright colors are legendary in Portuguese architecture, and you will find these everywhere as you experience the tourist attraction of Portugal.
You can find countless monasteries and churches in the major cities of Portugal that detail the country’s history of their right before your eyes.
If you’re looking for a day trip centered around history, I recommend going to the magical town of Sintra. I can’t explain the serene and calm atmosphere you can experience here – a secret place waiting in Portugal’s hills for you.
The Tourist Attraction of Portugal – Travel Guide April 29, 2024
Dreaming about those pastel de nata (Portuguese Custard Tarts)?
Swimming on the Algarve beaches?
Or stepping into dreamland at Pena Palace?
Come to Portugal and experience one of the best yet most underrated European countries.
Whether you’re getting away for a relaxing break in nature or looking for fun in the cosmopolitan city life, Portugal will give something to everyone.
Follow all our best tips and tricks in our travel guide to Portugal to ensure the best vacation in this Mediterranean paradise.
So get ready to get lost in this charming, cultural country. Portugal is waiting for you! Get packing and planning.
