Portugal is a popular holiday destination for travellers from across Europe and further afield, the country’s rich history, combined with a savvy travel and tourism industry and spectacular natural attributes make this a great choice of destination at any time of year.
What to do in Portugal
There is a holiday to suit everyone in Portugal – from family fun breaks to cosmopolitan city stays to golfing getaways you are sure to find something on offer that suits your own personal style.
The most popular region of the country for visitors is the Algarve and breaks are easily attainable – offering access to all the best that the area has to offer from manicured fairways to wet and wild water parks, with a range of comfortable accommodations on offer in the area.
Things to Know Before You Go
As part of the European Union, Portugal offers unlimited access to visitors from other EU nations, while those planning to travel from outside the area will want to check visa requirements in advance of departure.
While coastal resorts are used to catering for visitors from a broad spectrum of cultures, if you are travelling to the city or indeed enjoying the hospitality of Portuguese natives you will want to ensure you stick to local customs, some things to note include:
- Dress conservatively for social occasions – in Portugal people make little distinction between business attire and what they wear for going out.
- Table manners are important – even fruit and cheese should be eaten using cutlery, and no one should take their seat at a social meal before being invited to do so by the host.
- Napkins should not be placed in the lap, rather left on the left hand side of the plate until the end of the meal when they can be moved to the right.
- Tipping is not mandatory – in Portugal a tip is only offered after a meal in the event of good service and amounts are minimal, even in exclusive establishments. Round your bill up to the next whole Euro, or, in the event of exceptional attention from staff, a few extra Euros at most.
Top Destinations in Portugal
Visitors to Portugal can choose from a range of destinations – with options available to suit everyone. Consider the following:
- Lisbon – Portugal’s capital city sits astride the river Tagus and is steeped in history, with cobbled streets and castles aplenty. The modern city enjoys a great cafe culture, while it is also home to a wide range of museum and art galleries – making it a great choice of city break destination.
- Algarve – The southernmost region of the country is a holiday favourite, offering stunning beaches and varied entertainments, from family days out to superb sporting facilities, the Algarve truly has is all.
- Azores – off the mainland visitors will find the North Atlantic islands of the Azores, offering an exciting sub tropical holiday destination, with great beaches and beautiful scenery.