Portugal Travel Information

Language of Portugal  

The official language of Portugal is Portuguese which is today one of the world's major languages, it is the language with the largest number of speakers in South America, spoken by almost all of Brazil's population. It is also the official language in Angola, Mozambique, and Macau. Although it may be mutually intelligible to the Spanish to a wide extent, it is far from identical.

Portuguese Food 

Portuguese cuisine evolved from hearty peasant food drawn from the land, the seafood of the country's abundant coast and the cows, pigs and goats raised on the limited grazing land of its interior. In most places, you will easily find fresh seafood such as lobster, mussels, sardines, oysters and clams. The drink of choice is wine. Red wine is the favourite among the locals, but white wine is also popular. Also, Portugal has a variety of white wine that is actually green (Vinho Verde). Port wine may be an aperitif or dessert.

Fado 

Fado is another expression of what it is to be Portuguese that has also been awarded World Heritage status. You can hear this music and song at night on a Portugal tour in a Fado house or in a traditional neighbourhood. It is a music genre that can be traced back to the 1820s in Lisbon but probably has much earlier origins. Fado music is usually heard in pubs, cafes and restaurants. It can be described by using the Portuguese word “saudade”, which means “longing” and stands for a feeling of loss. The music includes instruments like guitars and mandolins with one Fadista singing poetic lyrics related to the darker elements of love, death and sadness.

Portugal Travel Highlights

Lisbon

The capital of Portugal, Lisbon has experienced a new lease of life in recent years. Built on seven hills and situated on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is one of the rare Western European cities that faces the ocean. It is a popular year-round destination. The city stretches along the northern bank of the river Tejo as it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. In the city centre, Lisbon's main street, the Avenida da Liberdade, is, a broad boulevard lined with leafy trees, upscale hotels and upmarket shops. The old districts of Mouraria and Alfama retain their charm with their winding alleys and azulejo-covered crumbling walls. To the west, is a hill which rises steeply into Bairro Alto (upper town). Still further west is the rapidly gentrifying former docks of Alcantara. 

More information on Lisbon Vacations

Porto

Porto, a World Heritage city, is known for the Port wine which is shipped from here all over the world, but also for a heritage which combines ancient churches and monuments such as the Cathedral and the Church of São Francisco and also modern buildings such as Casa da Musica. Coimbra is the third largest city in Portugal and is known for the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese-speaking world. There are many archaeological structures which date back to the Roman era here. Coimbra was the capital of Portugal from 1131 to 1255 and has evolved into a major cultural centre. The historical University buildings were classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The town of Sintra has been inhabited by man for a very long time. Numerous archaeological remains, including prehistoric and historic, remains, testify to its antiquity. The town is surrounded by pleasant woods and an extensive range of green hills picturesquely situated and offering excellent views of the coastline to be experienced on Portugal trips. It has been called “a garden of earthly paradise".

More information on Porto Vacations

Evora

On a Portugal vacation, Evora is a delightful city that is situated in the heart of the arid Alentejo region of central Portugal. Evora makes for a wonderful visit with its traditional heritage and an unhurried ambience. Historically, Evora was an important trading and religious centre and this is reflected in the many attractions discovered within the city walls. The Roman Temple in Evora here is one of the greatest and best-preserved roman temples in the Iberian Peninsula. That is why it was considered World Heritage by UNESCO in 1986. Built-in Corinthian style in the early 1st century AD, it is located in the historical centre near the Evora Cathedral, The temp[e was built in honour of the roman goddess of the hunt. and was erected as part of the Roman forum to pay tribute to Emperor Augustus.

Madeira

In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean off the north coast of Africa is the island of Madeira, a haven of natural beauty. The exotic colours of the flowers together with the blue sea and the emerald green vegetation make it indeed an attractive destination. The springtime temperature which exists all year round allows for open-air activities which include diving, surfing, swimming with Dolphins, whale watching or simply strolling. The city of Funchal is a modern, cosmopolitan city, well known for its many top-class restaurants and stunning hotels.

Cascais and Estoril

Heading out of Lisbon on a Portugal vacation along the coastal road you will find beaches and beach resorts that combine villas and hotels from the beginning of the 20th century with marinas, terraces and excellent golf courses. These can be found in Cascais and Estoril.

Best places to visit on a Portugal Trip

Monasteries of Portugal

Alcobaca is a city in the Estremadura Province with its Monastery of Alcobaca, one of the most magnificent gothic monuments in the country. In the church are the tombs of Pedro I of Portugal and his murdered mistress Ines de Castro. Nearby is the Monastery of Batalha, another gothic building. 

Serra da Estrela 

Serra da Estrela, the highest peak in mainland Portugal, has endless landscapes and glacial lagoons. It has a number of marked hiking trails which cover the whole of the National Park. 

The Algarve 

The Algarve is the stunning coastline of southern Portugal. Along the 160-kilometre/100-mile stretch of coastline are beautiful expanses of sand, rugged cliffs and hidden coves. The region is blessed with almost perfect weather. Each of the Algarve resort towns offers its own unique attractions but all provide great value and excellent facilities on a Portugal tour. Some of the major resorts are Albufeira, Faro, Portimao and Armacao de Pera. Golfing here is a very popular pastime.

More information on vacations in the Algarve 

"Globetrotting with Goway" blog articles

For some additional reading, the following articles are from our blog “Globetrotting with Goway”….. a great source of information for those people who are, or who want to be, world travellers!

Best Ways to Make the Most of Your Portugal Tour

Explore Lisbon on a Portugal Vacation – One of Europe’s Most Underrated Capitals

Four Perfect Days in Lisbon on a Portugal Vacation

Charming Stops for Your Central Portugal Vacation

Consider a Portugal Vacation for Your Winter Getaway

Portugal: Top Highlights for a 10-Day Vacation

Portugal vs Spain: Which Country is Right for Your Western Europe Trip?

Choosing Your Perfect Snowbird Long Stay

Best Value Cities for Budget Travellers to Add to Their Europe Vacation

Experience Special Musical Venues on Your Europe Trip

Extend your Stay in Europe

Consider an additional stopover to your Portugal vacation at one of Goway's other European destinations. You can choose from a Paris vacation, a London vacation or an Amsterdam vacation. This can be done stopping over en route to or from Portugal.