Portugal tours & holidays

May, June and September are considered the best months to visit Portugal, as the weather is pleasant and the attractions are less crowded than during the peak months of July and August.

Autumn and winter are typically rainy and windy, but there are still sunny days. If you’re after a beach holiday, keep in mind that the water temperature on Portugal’s north coast will be very cool, even during the summer months.

Portugal is one of Europe’s warmest countries. Yearly temperature averages are about 15°C in the north and 18°C in the south.

After establishing independence from the Moors, Portugal's borders were defined in the late 13th century, sending the country into a global exploration of Africa, Southern India, Brazil and China. After Brazil’s independence was recognised in 1825, the Portuguese focused on the domestic front.

Today, Portugal is a Roman Catholic country with various other visible cultural influences. The Portuguese hold onto traditional family values and are renowned for their appreciation of food and the arts. Three Portuguese cities—Lisbon, Porto and Guimaraes—have been designated European Capitals of Culture.

Pop into a bar in Lisbon, and you may be greeted by the mournful sound of ‘fado’, a Portuguese style of music that’s listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The lyrics often relate back to the sea and a sense of nostalgia, homesickness and longing.

This love of the arts isn’t limited to music either; Lisbon is jammed full of art galleries, and even the pavements all over the country are patterned and decorated in a mosaic style.

Portugal is located on the western side of the Iberian Peninsula. It shares an extensive land border with Spain to the east and north, while the Atlantic Ocean hugs the west and south of the country.

The extensive coastline is known for its dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches, and the area known as the Algarve is particularly popular for holidays. The northern coast is equally beautiful but more influenced by the Atlantic and experiences more rain and wild weather, particularly during the winter.

To the west of Portugal is the island archipelago known as the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal. These islands have been visited by sailors for centuries and are renowned for their dramatic beauty, volcanic peaks, lush landscapes and colourful fishing villages.

It’s unsurprising, given Portugal’s location, that seafood plays a massive role in the Portuguese diet. In fact, the national dish of bacalhau (salted cod) can supposedly be cooked in over 365 ways, one for each day of the year. But it’s not just seafood that’s on the menu – the Portuguese have a varied and, quite frankly, mouth-watering range of dishes as well as a world-class wine industry.

Keep an eye out for some of these while travelling through Portugal:

1. Caldeirada

This stew, which is packed with several different types of fish, is one of Portugal's most popular and enduring dishes. Expect sardines, cod, haddock, tuna, and mackerel doused in white wine and olive oil and served with a chunk of crusty bread.

2. Pasteis de Nata

The Portuguese custard tart is wildly popular all over the world. These gooey little goodies feature flaky pastry and custard filling and can be eaten by the dozen.

3. Carne de Porco á Alentejana

The popular Portuguese version of surf and turf hails from the Alentejo region but can be found served all throughout Portugal. Featuring pork and clams as the hero ingredients, white wine, paprika and coriander add flavour that is difficult to resist.

4. Feijoada

Brazil's national dish was actually invented by the Portuguese and this stew is still a common favourite in Portugal. Featuring beans, pork, beef and vegetables, this hearty stew is typically served with rice, although different regions make this dish with their own unique twists.

5. Entrecosto com Mel

Meat lovers will salivate over these succulent pork ribs marinated in honey, garlic and liquor. Served with a side of chilli sauce, this oven-roasted feast is perfect for a decadent celebration.

6. Francesinha

This is Porto’s sandwich to end all sandwiches. Translating as the ‘Little Frenchie’, it’s the Portuguese adaptation of the classic French toastie and features bread, pork, sausage, bacon and beef, topped with cheese and a fried egg and served with fries on the side.

7. Port

Portugal’s Douro Valley is the third-oldest wine region in the world and the only one capable of producing port wine. Fortified wines are made all over the world, but only wines from the Douro can be labelled as ‘port’. A sweet red wine, usually served for dessert, port has been made in the Douro since the mid-18th century.

1. Porto

Sip on a snifter of port in its city of birth. A colourful, cobbled city, Porto is an intoxicating concoction of harbour history, winding streets and hidden gems

2. The Algarve

There’s a patch of sand for everyone along the dramatic Algarve, whether you’re there to surf, party or simply soak up the sunshine.

3. Lisbon

Live that cosmopolitan life in Portugal’s most exciting city. Architecture, nightlife, seafood and a haunting fado performance await.

4. Coimbra

Home to Portugal’s oldest university and (maybe) the world’s most beautiful library, Coimbra is a cultural experience like no other.

5. The Azores

The Azores have been called "the Hawaii of Europe" due to the rolling green volcanoes that make up a chain of nine islands.

Most restaurants, hotels and larger shops in Portugal’s cities and tourist areas will accept credit cards. Smaller eateries and shops may not, though, so make sure you have some euro on you for smaller purchases or when visiting less frequented areas.

There are ATMs in all cities and most towns in Portugal. However, the smaller villages may not have ATMs, so once again, make sure you have some cash if you plan on heading somewhere more rural.