Do you want to find a travel partner for Portugal? Connect with travelers from around the world and explore Portugal with new friends! Portugal is one of Europe’s most visited countries because of its mild climate, beautiful landscapes and affordable travel prices. With its many cultural attractions, stunning coastline, and vibrant cities, this country offers unique and unforgettable travel experiences.
Portugal is safe for solo trips and even more fun when you go with your travel buddies and TripMates from JoinMyTrip!
If you’re planning to go to Portugal, you might be thinking… What are the best things to do there? Where are the best Instagram spots? How to get around? What foods should you try? And how much does it cost to travel to Portugal?
For travel advice for digital nomads, you can check out our tips on Remote Working in Portugal.
Portugal’s coastline is home to some of the top surfing spots! Catch some waves in Matosinhos beach, just a short bus or train ride away from Porto city. Go further along the coast to find beaches that are great for beginners or intermediates, like Peniche or Ericeira.
Each region has its own local recipes but the tastiest pastries can be found in Lisbon! The most famous is pasteis de nata, a small custard tart.
This region is a UNESCO World Heritage site where the world-famous Port wine is produced. It’s perfect for a day trip from Porto! You can even take a boat tour on the douro river or drive along the Estrada National Highway 222.
Can you imagine swimming in a volcanic crater? Aside from beaches and natural lava rock pools, the Azores also has thermal pools and incredible views from the hiking trails.
The best one to visit is the TimeOut Market in a historic market hall in Lisbon where you can enjoy traditional Portuguese food that has been carefully selected by local experts.
This cave in the Algarve is one of the most popular places to see in Portugal. However, it is not easy to access, it can only be reached by swimming, by boat or paddling a kayak or stand-up-paddle board.
This romantic villa in Sintra is a magical place to take pictures. The building was inspired by Islamic architecture and has a very symmetric style. You can also explore the nearby ruins of a chapel.
You’ll have to wake up early to catch this one! This beach in Lagos is one of the most beloved spots for tourists and locals alike. Walk down 200 wooden steps to this sandy cove nestled amongst orange-colored cliffs with the ocean waves crashing beside you.
Planning a short trip to Portugal? Check out this 10-day itinerary to the hottest spots in Portugal. Here are a few places you should not miss!
Lisbon - Porto - Aveiro - Coimbra - Sintra - Cascais
The best months of the year to visit Portugal are between April and June, as well as between September and October. Try to skip the high tourist season between July and August. It starts to rain and get very cold between December and March, some resorts close for this period.
Read more tips on the Best Time to Visit Portugal.
Are you curious about the secret spots to visit in Portugal? Here are a few hidden treasures you can find on your trip!
Go to this small island off the coast of Portugal by ferry from Peniche. There you can walk around the island, take a small glass-bottom boat tour, and hike to the fort of são joão Baptista.
The Pena Palace is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 1854, this national monument has a colorful exterior and the interior is decorated with painted walls. It is surrounded by a large park where you can see exotic trees from around the world like sequoias and ginkgo trees.
Explore the ruins of a castle that defended the region in the Moorish era. See the ancient battlements, climb up towers and enjoy the incredible view of the coastline.
This beach is off the beaten path and to get there you need to scramble down a steep slope with lose rocks. Then you are rewarded with a beach that is untouched and rugged, it is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches of the region.
Fly to Portugal and land at one of the five international international airports that can be found in Lisbon (LIS), Porto (OPO), Faro (FAO), Madeira (FNC) and Ponta Delgada (PDL) in the Azores.
Traveling by train can be a little faster than bus but it is often more expensive and has less frequent schedules. Entroncamento is the main railway junction of the country, all trains make a stop here in between destinations. Try to book tickets atleast 5 days in advance to get an early booking discount of 40% with Intercidades trains.
If you’re trying to get to a destination off the beaten path, you may have to take a bus. You can rely on regional bus companies to get you where you need to go or travel with Rede Expressos, the largest intercity bus company.
In the two largest cities of Portugal, Lisbon and Porto, you can travel with the light railway and subway which are modern, comfortable and have airconditiong. As well you can explore theses cities and Sintra by tramway.
Travel from North to South on Portugal’s main roads which are well maintained. In Portugal, everyone drives on the right hand side of the road and tourists can use their foreign license for up to six months
Spot a taxi by their green or beige roofs or wait at a taxi stand in major cities if you want to catch a ride. You can also call an Uber or a ride with Bolt.
Clams cooked in white wine and garlic sauce.
A sweet rice muffin
It is a long-standing tradition in Portugal to preserve seafood, one of the most famous of which is bacalhau, dried and salted codfish. You can also find dried octopus!
Payments
Most Portuguese stores accept credit and debit cards, but it is always handy to have some cash on you just in case. Like most other European Union nations, Portugal uses the Euro as its currency. If you need to withdraw money, there are several cash ATMs located around the country. The term "MB" is used to identify these cash machines.
Tipping
In Portuguese restaurants it is polite to give a tip of about 5 - 10 percent of the total bill.
Wear comfortable shoes
Taking care of your body is important when you travel. Remember to pack good walking shoes because getting a blister or cuts on your feet will ruin your trip.
Don’t forget sunscreen!
Even if it is a cloudy day, you can still get sunburnt. It’s a good idea to wear loose fitting clothes that cover your skin or apply sunscreen with a protection factor higher than 30 every two hours.
Skip the peak tourist season
From mid-May to August, the beaches are packed with families and tourists on summer vacation. If you have the freedom to travel whenever you want then try to plan your trip on dates outside of the peak tourist season.
Since the weather in Portugal is good most of the year, it’s worth going during a quieter period since accommodation will be cheaper and more available and you won’t have trouble getting reservations at restaurants.
This travel guide was written by Kim, an adventurous nomad from South Africa who loves to help digital nomads and travelers find inspiration for their next big adventure!
Find out more about her and see her trips here.
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