Portugal Travel Guide

Why Visit Portugal?

Portugal is one of the countries you can’t but fall in love with at first sight. Located in Europe, on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal borders Spain on two sides, North and East, and the Atlantic Ocean on the other two sides.

The relatively low cost of living in Portugal makes this country extremely attractive to expats seeking for retirement abroad. Many of them buy properties for renovation and turn them into wonderful and welcoming homes. I lived for one winter in Algarve and I loved it. That’s when I got the idea to start Violeta’s Travel Blog.

Tourists from all over the world come to Portugal to visit the magnificent castles in Sintra, to experience the breathtaking Lisbon sunsets, to enjoy a game of golf, beach time, surfing and sun tanning in the Algarve, to tour the wineries on Douro Valley, and to marvel at Porto’s churches and buildings covered in the iconic blue tiles known as azulejos.

Famous Portugal Landmarks

The best things to see in Portugal include but aren’t limited to:

 Basic Facts about Portugal 

Location:

Southwestern Europe, on the Iberian Peninsula. The Atlantic archipelagos of Madeira and Azores Islands also belong to Portugal.

Language:

Portuguese

Currency:

Euro

Population:

According the Instituto Nacional de Estatistica, as of 2021 Portugal counted 10.34 million people

Capital City:

Lisbon

Important cities:

Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Amadora, Braga, Funchal, Coimbra, Setubal, Almada, Ahualva-Cacem, Queluz, Rio Tinto, Barreiro, Aveiro, Viseu, Odivelas, Leiria, Matosinhos, Guimaraes, and Faro.

 

 

Surface area:

92,212 sq km

Timezone:

Mainland Portugal: Western European Standard Time (GMT)

Azores: GMT -1

Driving side:

Right

Power Plugs & Standard Voltage in Portugal:

Portugal uses the same electricity standards as other countries in Europe. The standard voltage supply is 230 V, at  frequency of 50 Hz.

There are two electricity plug types that work in Portugal: Type C and Type F. These two types aren’t exactly interchangeable. The type C plug, however, has slightly thinner prongs than type F, so it will fit both C and F power outlets.

Frequent travelers may want to buy a universal travel plug adapter link this one, here.

 

Portugal travel articles

 

Palaces of Sintra, Portugal: A Perfect Day Trip from Lisbon

Palaces of Sintra, Portugal: A Perfect Day Trip from Lisbon

If Lisbon is on your bucket list, chances are you already know how the palaces of Sintra look. Pena Palace is surely a memorable one, with its vividly colored walls and fairy tale-like appearance. Even people who only have 4 days to spend in Lisbon set aside one day...

Basic Portuguese Phrases for Travel

Basic Portuguese Phrases for Travel

Learning a few basic Portuguese phrases for travel can take you a long way when it comes to interacting with locals and making the most out of your Portugal trips. Even a simple obrigada or obrigado can put a smile on your interlocutor's face. That's "thank you" in...

Belem District, Lisbon: Torre de Bélem, Museums & Other Landmarks

Belem District, Lisbon: Torre de Bélem, Museums & Other Landmarks

Belém is part of Lisbon, Portugal. The fact that Belem district is not in the city center doesn't make it less beautiful. Besides, this westernmost neighborhood of Lisbon is extremely important from history standpoint. Belem played a significant role in the Age of...

Pastel de Nata Cooking Class near Lisbon

Pastel de Nata Cooking Class near Lisbon

Local food is always a good reason to travel the world. When it comes to Portugal, one of the stars of the local cuisine is the bite-sized egg custard tart known as Pastel de Nata. You could even learn directly the plural form of this Portuguese noun, which is Pasteis...

Lisbon Metro System: Map, Cards, Fares and Directions

Lisbon Metro System: Map, Cards, Fares and Directions

This Lisbon metro system guide will help you navigate the city using nothing but this underground public transport. The subway system, known as Metropolitano de Lisboa or Metro Lisboa, is the fastest way to get from the airport to Alfama, Baixa, Oriente, Cais do Sodre...

Miradouros de Lisboa: Where To Watch Sunsets in Lisbon for Free

Miradouros de Lisboa: Where To Watch Sunsets in Lisbon for Free

Miradouros is a generic term for viewpoints on top of the hills. The best way to enjoy scenic sunsets in Lisbon is to seek for the nearest miradouro and get there about one hour before the sun goes down. This is a surefire recipe for awesome photos for your Instagram....

Rossio Square: A Tourist Guide to Praça Dom Pedro IV in Lisbon

Rossio Square: A Tourist Guide to Praça Dom Pedro IV in Lisbon

Rossio Square is the place you're going to cross at least twice a day regardless of your Lisbon itineraries. Even though the official name of this place is King Pedro IV Square (or Praça Dom Pedro IV, in Portuguese), everybody knows it and refers to it as Rossio, or...

Thank You in Portuguese

Thank You in Portuguese

Learning how to say thank you in Portuguese is one of the best ways to put a smile on everyone's face in Algarve, Lisbon, Porto or in any other place in Portugal. Even better, learning how to respond to thank you in Portuguese would provide you with a great ice...

Carmo Convent: Why Visit Lisbon’s Convento do Carmo Ruins?

Carmo Convent: Why Visit Lisbon’s Convento do Carmo Ruins?

As you stand in Rossio Square and you look toward the hill where Castelo de Sao Jorge is, you may notice a beautiful ruin that stands out from the ocean of orange roofs. That's what's left of Carmo Convent, a Gothic style monastery from the 14th century. Any 4-day...

4 Days in Lisbon: Itineraries for First Time Visitors

4 Days in Lisbon: Itineraries for First Time Visitors

Spending 4 days in Lisbon isn't enough to visit all beautiful nooks and crannies of this city on the European shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Nevertheless, a well-thought 4-days Lisbon itinerary can be a great way to get acquainted to the vibrant Portuguese culture and...

10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Óbidos, Portugal

10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Óbidos, Portugal

Portugal is one of the countries I've had the privilege to live in for a while. I loved my life in the Algarve, and I'd go back there any time. This article, however, isn't about Sagres or Pera, but about Obidos, Portugal, a beautiful town full of history and charm....

A Detailed Travel Guide To Algarve, Portugal

A Detailed Travel Guide To Algarve, Portugal

Algarve, Portugal, is arguably the best beach vacation destination in Europe. If you leave aside Greece and the islands, there aren't too many places in Europe where you can enjoy a mild, warm climate even in the winter. While the Atlantic Ocean is too cold to be...

Sagres, Portugal, the Westernmost Side of the Algarve

Sagres, Portugal, the Westernmost Side of the Algarve

Sagres Portugal is totally different than many other resorts in the Algarve. The majestic cliffs, the strong winds, the waves of the ocean and the solitary lighthouse by Cabo San Vicente make Sagres look like the end of the world. Sagres is a surfers' paradise, one of...

The Moorish Castle of Silves, Portugal

The Moorish Castle of Silves, Portugal

Silves is a city in the Algarve region of Portugal. It is located in the southern part of the country, along the Atlantic coast. The city has a rich history, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Bronze Age. Nowadays, this area is known for its...

Pera, Portugal – Beautiful Beaches & Scenic Natural Reserve

Pera, Portugal – Beautiful Beaches & Scenic Natural Reserve

Pera is one of the quiet villages in Algarve, Portugal, where time unfolds at a slower pace, allowing you to enjoy life, relax, and forget about the mundane. Pera was my home for a few months. That turned out to be one of the most amazing winters I've ever lived....

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