Portugal, with its population of ten million and slightly insular reputation, was once regarded as Spain’s less glamorous relative, and not blessed with a great reputation for tourism. It is now a well-visited holiday destination in its own regard. Portugal is made up of three locations – continental Europe, the Azores and the islands of Madeira, and is popular with visitors who flock to the alluring climate and beguiling scenery.

Portugal is the westernmost country of mainland Europe bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and Spain to the north and east. The Azores islands feature some absolutely must-see scenery, and the islands of Madeira are also worth visiting. Inland, the cities of Portugal may not be as much of a tourist trap as Venice or Madrid, but the two largest cities, Lisbon and Porto have their own charm, steeped in history but with a modern feel.


An Algarve beach

The Algarve is probably the most popular area for tourism, and even in some of the busiest resorts you’re never far away from secluded places that make you feel like you’ve discovered somewhere that nobody else has seen. It’s a pretty country, full of picture postcard medieval castles and quaint little villages, with Sintra being the place close to Lord Byron's heart.

Mainland Portugal is divided by the RiverTagus, with a mountainous landscape to the north and rolling plains to the southern areas of the Algarve and Alentejo. The Algarve, which is separated from the Alentejo by mountains, feels like Spain, due to its climate and is a very pleasant place to spend some quality time

Portuguese History

Portugal was once part of the Roman Empire, and this has influenced the culture of the country – the Portuguese language has strong Latin roots. When the Roman Empire fell in around the 5th century, Portugal was occupied by Germanic tribes, followed by the Moors who made it their own in the 8th century.


Monument to the Discoveries - Lisbon

The Christians re-conquered the country during the Reconquista, and it became part of the Kingdom of Galicia until the 12th century, when it began to establish the borders that are in place to this day. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal had its own global empire that covered parts of Africa, Asia and South America, and was one of the world’s most powerful countries, economically and militarily. There was a brief unity with Spain in 1580 that lasted until 1640 when total sovereignty and independence were declared during the Portuguese Restoration War.

Invasions by the French and Spanish, and an earthquake in 1755 destabilised Portugal, and the country lost status as a result. By the 19th century Portugal's economy began to decline and it no longer held its international status as a major global power. The monarchy was overthrown in 1910, thereby creating a new republic that swiftly resulted in a dictatorship. This was deposed in Lisbon in 1974.

Portugal was one of the founding countries of the Euro and the Eurozone. In 1986 it became a member of the European Union, leaving the EFTA (where it was a founding member in 1960) and the United Nations.

Getting There

Lisbon Airport is 7 kilometres north of the city. Special Carris buses take passengers from the airport to the city and also to the main railway stations. There’s also a dedicated ‘Aerobus' that leaves for the city centre every 20 minutes during the day. If you prefer to take a taxi, beware of the 20 per cent surcharge between 9:00pm and 6:00am, on weekends and during holidays.

Faro Airport is 4 kilometres west of the city, with EVA buses providing links from the airport to many parts of the city.

Porto Airport is 20 kilometres from the city, with underground trains, buses and taxis into the city centre.

The main sea ports are Lisbon, Leixoes for Porto and Portimao for the Algarve – these are used by major cruise lines. For the latest visa requirements visit projectvisa.com

Food

The Portuguese cuisine is diverse and has many influences. One favourite delicacy is dry cod, an ingredient that seems to have inspired hundreds of different recipes. Two other popular fish recipes are grilled sardines and a potato-based stew called caldeirada. Typical Portuguese meat dishes are usually made from beef, pork, lamb, or chicken, and include delicacies such as roasted piglet.

Fast food dishes are popular across the country, including francesinha from Porto, a cheese and meat sandwich often served with chips and a beer style sauce, and bifanas (grilled pork) or prego (grilled beef) sandwiches. For anyone with a sweet tooth, the Portuguese owe their traditional pastry recipes to monks from the Middle Ages, who are responsible for a mouth-watering range of different pastries. In general, the Portuguese love their food, and you’ll find good restaurants and ‘eateries’ across the country serving delicious regional specialities as well as international cuisine.

In some restaurants you’re given the option to share a main course or order a ‘meia dose’ which is a half serving of a dish. Tipping in restaurants is optional, usually around five to ten per cent if you’re happy with the service. If you go to one of the more upmarket establishments, the bill may already include a service charge. If you’re eating in a small café or snack bar, just odd change will do.

Money

Different banks offer different rates depending on the denominations you’re buying or selling across the country. Some banks charge 0.5 per cent commission as standard with a minimum charge of around 10 Euros. You can still find banks that don’t charge any commission at all though, on transactions of less than 25 Euros. You’ll also be charged one or two per cent commission for using an ATM with the symbol MB (MultiBanco).

Credit and debit cards are widely used in Portugal, as are traveller’s cheques, best taken in Euros to avoid any extra charges. Banks are mainly open from 8:30am to 3:00pm although in Lisbon some banks stay open until 6:00pm.

For the latest exchange rates visit www.xe.com

Shopping

Like many other countries in Europe, purchases in Portugal are subject to a sales tax. The tax in Portugal is charged at 19 per cent but this is included in the given price of the goods. You can claim back part of this tax if you are visiting from outside of the EU, all you need to do is to ask for a refund cheque from a participating store. These are usually only available on the more expensive purchases though.

One handy shopping hint is that if you’re going to be in Lisbon, get a Lisboa Shopping Card from a tourist office. This card will get you discounts at more than 200 stores in the city.

The two main shopping cities in Portugal are Lisbon, the capital, and Porto. The upmarket Avenida da Liberdade and the fashionable Chiado district in Lisbon is where you can find high fashion and designer brands as well as more traditional souvenirs such as wicker baskets, lace, pottery and ceramics. For an all-in-one shopping experience, spend some time browsing Centro Colombo, the largest shopping centre on the Iberian Peninsula.

Lisbon's most famous market is the Thieves’ Market or Feira da Ladra, which is open from Monday to Saturday on the Campo de Santa Clara, and a great place to find unusual goods and bric-a-brac.

The main shopping street in Porto is the Rua de Santa Catarina in the city centre is full of fashion, clothes and shoe shops as well as trendy accessories. The very pretty Via Catarina shopping centre, right on the corner of Rua Fernandes Tomar has storefronts inside the shopping centre that have been cleverly made to look just like the shop façades of old Northern Portugal village shops.

The Centro Comercial Peninsular on Rua do Bom Successo is excellent for food shopping. Of course, one of the country’s famous exports is port wine, and if you’re looking for a good selection to choose from, head to Garrafeira do Carmo, where they have a really good selection, some of which is over a century old.

Where to go in Portugal

Portugal is very good at promoting its culture, and to this end, you’ll find that many museums and some tourist attractions are free on certain days of the week, usually Sundays. Lisbon and Porto are probably the best known places in Portugal, for aimless meandering. As well as the usual city life, both cities are well known for their charming neighbourhoods, plazas and old-fashioned trams.

Lisbon

Lisbon has improved since the late 1990s and a visit is recommended. With a little financial help from central government and the European Union, the Portuguese authorities have rejuvenatied the tired old city and worked incredibly hard bringing it up to date by building a new bridge across the River Tagus and pouring investment into the old-fashioned metro system making it efficient and modern. The Parque das Nações, which was the site of the World Expo in 1998 has been redeveloped. The site has now been converted into a fabulous leisure area, complete with a shopping centre, concert halls, bars, restaurants and a walkway along the River Tagus, as well as other attractions.


Torre de Belem - Lisbon

The landmark attraction is the Torre Vasco da Gama, Lisbon's tallest building, and for anyone not suffering from vertigo, has an observation platform. There’s a restaurant, two-thirds of the way up the tower if you get peckish. Other highlights include The Oceanário, which is one of Europe's largest aquariums, and the Atlantic Pavilion (which hosted the 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards). You can travel around the site on a waterside cable car between the tower and oceanarium, which is worth doing for some good views of the park. It’s worth bearing in mind that the park is incredibly busy during the summer months and is a big attraction for local families as well as tourists, especially at weekends. You can buy a three-day pass which will get you into many of the park's attractions at a discounted rate, and also gets you discounts in shops, restaurants and car parks.

Head up to the highest of Lisbon’s seven hills, and you’ll find The Castle of St George. The site has been well loved – it’s been occupied by Romans, Visigoths and the Moors and was Portugal’s royal residence until the 15th century. There are multimedia presentations for tourists inside the castle but you’re also free to wander around the walls, towers and gardens. If you visit at the right time you might even catch a festival. The views from the ramparts are spectacular.

If you prefer a little exploring, the Alfama district of Lisbon is wonderful to wander around. Its narrow lanes lead to steep staircases, past quaint little churches and traditional taverns, and there’s even an old tram that occasionally passes through.

Talking of trams, the Tram 28 is one of Lisbon’s tourist attractions in its own right. The old route carries what you might describe as vintage trams that take you from the city centre at sea level, right up through the city streets towards the Castle of St George at the top of the hill. The views of Lisbon are incredible, with sweeping views back towards the city and out over the River Tagus. One thing to be aware of unfortunately is that the route has become a great place for pickpockets so hide your valuables and keep your bag where you can see it.


River Douro - Porto

Porto

Porto is on the Douro River just a few kilometres away from the place where the river runs into the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal’s northwest. The second largest city in Portugal, it is surrounded by many smaller cities, which means that this welcoming metropolis is the largest in Portugal, home to approximately two million inhabitants.

Porto is in many ways a traditional kind of place, but has done its utmost to keep up with Lisbon and has worked to transform itself into a more modern city. Modern Porto has culture and tourism at its heart, and was given the accolade of the European Capital of Culture in 2001. Football also plays a big part in Porto life, and the city was one of the hosts of the EURO 2004 football championship. It is unquestionably beautiful – the riverfront and port wine cellars on the south bank in Vila Nova di Gaia, or the imposing Ponte D Luís I bridge which spans the river are great for photographic opportuinities. You can also relax in one of the restaurants and bars that populate both sides of the Douro.

The prettiest area of Porto probably runs along the Douro River downstream from the Ponte D Luís I Bridge. On the north bank is Porto’s riverfront, bursting with lively bars and restaurants, and along the south bank you can investigate the wares of the Cais da Vila Nova di Gaia. The major port wine producing companies all have their famous cellars here and are only too pleased to let visitors have a tasting – hoping they will buy afterwards! There are many places along the river that offer cruises and one of the most popular tours takes in all six bridges that cross the Douro.

The Casa da Musica opened in 2005 and cost over 109 million Euro –the architecture has raised many an eyebrow because of its daring modernity. It is a popular venue and is likely to become as iconic as the Ponte D Luís I bridge. The acoustics are renowned for their excellence, and the main concert hall already has a reputation as one of the best in the world. There’s always a lot going on there, the music venue was designed to appeal to everyone and to this end neither the audience or the musical genre are exclusive.

Porto’s cathedral dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, but parts of the current building were rebuilt in a Baroque style at a later date. Although it looks like something of a fortress from the outside, the inside of the cathedral is very attractive, and is home to 14th-century images of the Nossa Senhora da Vandoma, as well as a gothic cloister, a silver altar, the São Vincente Chapel and an impressive collection of religious sculptures.

After all the sightseeing, you might want to visit the famous Cafe Majestic, the epitome of 1920s European cafe culture. It has been open since 1921 and is the last café of its kind in the city. The décor, although slightly touristy, is something to behold but if you’re looking for the old fashioned refined atmosphere and service that made it the city's favourite more than 80 years ago, it’s definitely worth a visit.


Queluz National Palace - Sintra

Sintra

Sintra is close to Lisbon, and is historically known for being close to the heart of Lord Byron, the famous English poet who described it as the most beautiful city in the world. It is now designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and remains a sweet, idyllic town. Wander through the delightful Monserrate Gardens, and visit the three National Palaces – Palácio da Vila, Palácio da Pena and Palácio de Queluz. The Sintra Mountain Range is one of the largest parks in the Lisbon area and attracts plenty of attention from tourists.

Cabo de São Vicente

The cliffs of Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St. Vincent) rise nearly vertically from the Atlantic to a height of 75 meters, and lay right at the most southwesterly point of mainland Europe. Laying near some spectacularly rugged beaches, the nearby coastline offers some stunning views. There are over 20 beaches here – from pretty sandy coves to sweeping expanses of sand. The cliffs are around 6km from the village of Sagres, and have long been a landmark for ships traveling to and from the Mediterranean.

Braga

If there was to be a city that could claim to be at the spiritual heart of Portugal, it would be Braga. Braga is a lively, yet small city that’s home to an assortment of baroque churches, a cathedral and some Roman ruins. The city is well known for hosting a series of traditional religious festivals throughout the year, including Portugal's Holy Week.

Knights Templar Castle

You’ll find the Knights Templar castle in Tomar, and is definitely worth investigating for its intriguing medieval relics. The Convent of the Order of Christ which lies at the heart of the castle complex is one of Portugal's most important artistic and historical structures.

Sea and Sand

Possibly not as popular as Spain for its beach resorts, Portugal draws the type of holidaymaker that simply wants to soak up some continental sunshine and perhaps partake of the occasional beer while doing so.


The beach at Albufeira

For this reason, resorts like Vilamoura have been designed to appeal to tourists, with a selection of inviting sandy beaches, up-market hotels and rather nice apartments. The tourist-friendly haven also offers visitors a selection of good eating places, with no shortage of shops, clubs and bars. Vilamoura also gives you the chance to have a bit more of an active break if that takes your fancy, and you might like to try sailing the Atlantic waters or taking part in a few water sports. It’s busy – after all it’s one of Europe's largest resorts – but there’s plenty to keep you entertained while you’re there.
Another lively resort is Albufeira. Originally a sleepy Algarvian fishing village, it has now fully morphed into a luxurious international resort complete with beaches, a massive choice of places to eat and drink and lots of family friendly entertainment. There are options for several different day trips out from the resort too, so you’re unlikely to find yourself with nothing to do.

Slightly less ‘in your face’ yet still vibrant, is the lovely western Algarve resort of Alvor. Built around a pretty fishing village, the resort is popular for its wide sandy beaches, has a reputation for great seafood and a perfect location overlooking the Bay of Lagos. If it’s all a little too sedate for you, you can head over to Praia da Rocha for some nightlife.

Also quite relaxed is the lovely Porto Santo, a resort island probably best known for its 9 kilometre stretch of soft golden sand. The resort used to be a well kept secret but has been getting steadily more popular over the past 40 years. It’s part of the Madeira archipelago, and has a gorgeous natural landscape, the hilly north giving way to delightful sandy beaches in the south.

For information about the weather in Portugal visit www.worldweather.org

Portugal may not be as brash or as talked-about as its next door neighbour, but the country’s illustrious heritage, important past and impressive present make it somewhere that’s certainly not worth overlooking.

Top Atlantico are the leading Destination Management Company in Portugal so when you are ready to book your hotel, car hire, villa rental or tour packages in these delightfully diverse destinations go to their website at http://www.tadmc.com/TA_DMC_PT.html and have a wonderful holiday.