Introduction

Most people visiting the country will be heading for the perennially sunny climes and golden beaches of the Algarve and its Mediterranean Coast in the south. More exclusive than the Spanish Costas yet less elitist than the French Riviera, the region is undeniably one of Europe’s top coastal areas. But it is a mistake to think that this is all there is to this incredible country.

Head off the fairways of the Algarve and into the interior of Portugal and you’ll be rewarded with a picturesque countryside, similar to that of rural Greece or Spain. Or make your way to one of the former seats of colonial power – the fine capital city of Lisbon or picturesque Porto.

Portugal was once one of the richest countries in the world. You can see the evidence of this faded majesty in its larger towns and cities as well as the ruins that litter the countryside. Head north and inland to discover a hidden Portugal, surprisingly green and verdant, and sparsely populated with tiny hill towns and valley villages.

Portugal more than most of Europe has managed to preserve its traditional culture and you’ll find the people live the way they have done for centuries. Celebrations and festivals are observed with an enthusiasm that has nothing to do with tourism and more to do with a genuine joie de vivre (joy of living).

But if Portugal benefits from its history and geography it is the people that truly make it one of the best touring destinations on the continent. Polite to a fault, you’ll always find a warm welcome no matter how far off the tourist track you might wander. Cultural and language boundaries are crossed effortlessly by genuine hospitality.

A narrow strip along the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal manages to cram in an amazing diversity of art, architecture and culture and all under an incredibly clear azure sky.

Lisbon

The capital of Portugal has changed hands many times over the past couple of millennia, and the architecture traces this development: the Greeks, Romans and Moors have all left their influence on this fabulous city.

Top sights include the beautiful Jerónimos Monastery with its perfectly serene cloisters and the winding old streets of the Alfama district. As well as this rich history Lisbon remains a modern and vivacious city rather than a monument to a past age. The nightlife is loud and late (the clubs only kicking into action after midnight), and the daytimes are busy and bustling. Perhaps not a city to come to for relaxation but one that is definitely worth exploring.

Porto (Oporto in English)

The largest city in the north of the country; Porto is renowned for the famous port wineries of the Vila Nova de Gaia on the south side of the River Douro that have been producing port here for 300 years.

All of the wineries happily welcome visitors, and will let you sample some of the produce before you buy. Don’t leave the town without taking in some of the fantastic baroque and Gothic architecture, most notably the 12th-century Convent of Santa Clara.

Algarve

The best known, hyped, developed, and visited area in the country, the Algarve is what most people will think of as definitive “Portugal”.

Beaches, watersports, package tours and extremely late nights typify this series of resorts, scattered along Portugal’s South Coast. Different from the Spanish “Costas” in that it’s not quite so thoroughly developed, the Algarve is popular with everyone from partygoers, to families and retired couples seeking a quieter coastal resort.

Braga

The third largest settlement in Portugal is Braga, in the far north. Braga is known as the “Portuguese Rome” because of the 300 churches dotted around the city, although ironically the city was a Celtic town before the Romans occupied the region.

The Empire eventually established its regional capital here in around 250BC. It is undoubtedly one of Portugal’s most architecturally rich cities with every corner of the town hiding some magnificent building from any of several great periods of architecture. Make sure that you visit the Igreja de Bom Jesus do Monte, with its impressive baroque stairway up the mountainside.

Sintra

Just to the north-west of Lisbon lies Sintra, an astoundingly beautiful historical town much beloved of English Romantic poets such as Lord Byron who visited it as part of his grand European tour.

The town is centred around the three palaces, Palácio da Vila, Palácio de Queluz and the magnificent Palácio da Pena. All three are national monuments, famed for the richness of their treasures they have on display inside. The town is surrounded by picturesque countryside and woodlands, with walks that take you past other palaces and churches from various times in Portugal’s history.

Golf

Many people come to this incredibly beautiful country and spend the entire time on the golf course. Mind you, who can really blame them?

Portugal is one of the world’s favourite holiday-cum-golfing destinations with the varied undulating terrain and fantastic weather having led to a proliferation of golf courses. In the Algarve alone there are literally hundreds of miles of fairway for holiday golfers to head for. Estoril near Lisbon is the most famous of the country’s championship courses, and the course often hosts international competitions with European Tour professional players.

Weather

The climate in Portugal is temperate, with elevation dictating the main variations in weather. The country’s highest temperatures occur only in the comparatively low southern regions, where summers extend from March through October.

The Algarve on the southern extreme of the country enjoys a Mediterranean climate and, while summer is undoubtedly the peak tourist season, visitors come all year round to enjoy the golf and perennially warm weather.

The higher North of the country is a lot wetter than the other areas with an average 140 centimetres (56 inches) of rain annually. This has resulted in a more lush landscape but winters can be cold as well as damp and not good for visitors. Snowfall is common in the mountains of the north and central regions.

Average Weather Guide:

Temperature in Degrees Centigrade

Rainfall in Millimetres

The tables above are intended as guidelines only.