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PORTUGAL DESTINATION GUIDE

As the world leader in travel experiences since 1947, we connect you to the real Portugal in a way like no other. Catching a warm breeze from the north of Africa and neighboured by Spain, Portugal is equal parts unique and woven with influence. With much of its border touching the Atlantic Ocean, on your trips to Portugal you will be welcomed into hilly lands with sweeping water vistas, peppered with windmills, grapevines and compelling cities. From the far north city of Porto, known for fortified wine and historic sites, to the southern shores of the Algarve where dramatic cliffs lead to unspoiled beaches, Portugal is a country in which you’ll want to see it all. Travel with Trafalgar and you will hear sentimental stories through the guitar sounds of fado, uncover depths of faith in the Church of Saint Lawrence and the revered town of Fátima, and be dazzled by the romance and preserved beauty of Lisbon. Step from museums to monuments with many pastel de nata tarts in between, finding antique shops and alleyways with impossible beauty. Travel with us and unlock the infinite possibilities thanks to our exclusive Trafalgar Highlights.
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5 million happy guests and counting

Overall Rating

4.6

Out of 5

Based on 91,705 independent reviews

"Portugal is a little rectangle located by the Atlantic ocean where you will find a big diversity of landscapes, picturesque towns and villages, people, and... Oh! Its amazing food and wines!"

Alexandre, Travel Director
Portugal at a glance
Welcome to Portugal's hilly coastal lands, peppered with windmills, grapevines, historic relics and compelling cities. Join your expert Trafalgar Travel Director to be dazzled by Algarve's dramatic cliffs and unspoiled beaches, and Lisbon's romance and preserved beauty.
Currency
Euro
Winter avg
11°C
Summer avg
24°C
Time Zone
GMT+1
Capital City
Lisbon
Language
Portuguese
Good morning
Bom Dia
Good evening
Boa noite
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Our top 5 things to do in Portugal

From the soul-stirring sounds of fado music to the gold altar of the Church of Saint Lawrence, we’ll guide you through the most incredible things this country has to offer. 

Take in the colours of the romantic Portuguese capital Lisbon

Feel the sheer delight of the colourful city of Lisbon, set over tram-lined hills beside the intersection of the Tagus River and Atlantic Ocean. Intricate hand-painted tiles, flower-filled balconies and numerous antique stores dazzle between alfresco dining and monument hoping.
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Enjoy the sounds of fado

Experience a pleasant rush of emotion in the talented guitar sounds of traditional fado. Telling stories of days gone by when lonely sailors and poor families, a sentimental fado will move you to your core and connect you with Portuguese culture.
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Stroll through the historic centre of Porto

Be compelled to Portugal’s north by the city of Porto that dates back to the year 300 BC. When not busy sampling fermented grapes here in the home of port wine, peruse the elaborate bookstore of Livraria Lello and soak up art nouveau architecture and ice cream at the beloved Majestic Café.
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Go inside the Church of Saint Lawrence in Algarve

A symbol of Portuguese faith and opulent Baroque design, find breathtaking delight in the Church of Saint Lawrence. Though the exterior appears as an unremarkable landmark, the interior’s intricate blue and white tiles and sparkling gold altar make it one of the essential things to do in Portugal.
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Visit the religious landmarks of Fátima

Declared the altar of the world for the Catholic religion, Fátima is a pilgrimage site of great importance, where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1917. Beyond the religious structures of the Sanctuary of Fátima, find joy in the town’s limestone caves and nature reserves.
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Best museums in Portugal

Portugal tours with Trafalgar unravel the best of the country’s many museums, from the masterful art of Gulbenkian to Porto’s art deco Serralves Museum.
LISBON

Gulbenkian Museum

Step inside Lisbon’s Calouste Gulbenkian Museum and enter a world of masterful art housed in a remarkable building that brings the outdoors indoors. Admire statues framed by floor to ceiling windows with foliage-covered views before moving to the garden to contemplate the collection by a pond.
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PORTO

Serralves Museum

Dive into the world of contemporary masterpieces within the art deco walls of Serralves Museum. Found in a striking peach building less than 10-minutes from the heart of Porto, you will quickly understand why this is the most visited museum in the country.
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LISBON

Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga

Peel back layers of creative talent and history at Portugal’s national museum of ancient art. Allocate a few hours to strolling these well-dressed halls, found in Lisbon’s historically significant Palácio Alvor-Pombal building featuring an iconic pink and yellow facade.
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Best food in Portugal

Savour every bite as we journey through Portugal’s culinary best, sampling moreish custard tarts and fresh seafood until our hearts are content. Here are just some of the Portuguese foods that will entice our trip.

Pastel de Nata

A delicious pastry tart of baked custard and cinnamon, the pastel de nata is best served fresh from the oven in its hometown of Belém. First made by Catholic Monks in the late 17th century, each bite is a taste of culture and history.
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Bacalhau

A simple preparation of dried and salted codfish, bacalhau is known as a national obsession. Though there’s an accurate Portuguese saying that says there is a different variety of Bacalhau for every day of the year, the most traditional accompaniments are potato and wine.
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Cataplana

Often referred to as the Portuguese paella, Cataplana is a fragrant dish featuring pork and clam or mixed seafood with a side of rice. Flavoured by piri-piri sauce, wine and garlic, it is best sampled in the Algarve straight from a copper pot.
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What to pack for Portugal

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A Portuguese phrase book

Though many travellers can manage a few words next-door when visiting Spain, Portuguese basics are not as widely known. Pack a Portuguese phrase book so you can attempt conversations and courtesies to the praise of locals.

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A sun hat

Enjoying over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, Portugal’s warm and sunny climate calls for an oversized hat. It’s also the perfect way to complete your outfit for a day at the beach or taking guided walks of the cities.

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An appetite for seafood

Visiting an alfresco cafe for an abundant seafood meal is a daily – sometimes twice daily – occurrence on a Portugal trip. With reasonable price tags, pack an appetite for seafood and prepare to indulge.

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A camera with a wide lens

Known for its remarkable countryside and beautiful beaches, a wide-angle lens will see you perfectly capturing the landscapes of Portugal.

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Euros

Little markets and hole in the wall cafes may not accept card as payment. Carry euros on hand so that you never get stuck or miss out on a unique souvenir.

Other things to know before you go

Depending on your nationality, you'll need a valid passport and may also need visas to enter. Please check this well in advance of your trip departure date here. Some countries also require passports to have 3-6 months left on them before the given expiry date, so be sure to double check this before booking your travels.

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Our Europe & Britain destinations

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