Portugal
Holidays
Portugal is best for...
Couples: Portugal is filled with cosy tavernas, traditional markets, swanky bars and chic boutiques. Why not take a visit to Sintra, a fairy-tale-like historical town, filled with impressive castles, mystical gardens and century-old monasteries hidden amongst the trees, giving you a feel of a whole new world? Or you can simply walk the streets of Porto, famously known as Portugal's most romantic city, and savour world-renowned Porto wine with your partner.
Families: The Algarve region is considered one of the best places in Portugal for families. Along Costa Vicentia, you will be sure to find you will be sure to find an abundance of family-friendly beaches, natural parks, waterparks or horseback rides. Close-by is Rio Formosa Wetlands Natural Park, where you can hop on a boat to observe Portugal's endemic animals.
Night-owls: Why not take a trip to Lisbon, Portugal's nightlife hotspot? Once the sun goes down, Lisbon turns into a nocturnal festival ground, brimming with unique jazz clubs, fado bars, and all sorts of nightclubs adjacent to shops that remain open even in the evenings!
Getting around Portugal
By train: Portugal offers a decent railway network, connecting major cities and towns across the country, providing affordable, comfortable, convenient and scenic ways of exploring.
By bus: While they are slower, buses in Portugal are often cheaper than train fares. They are a great way of visiting and exploring smaller towns and villages not served by the rail network.
By tram: Jumping aboard one of Portugal's old-school style trams is a must-do experience. The vintage replicas rumble through the streets of Lisbon and Porto, providing charming and inexpensive sightseeing tours.
By car hire: Hiring a car in Portugal allows you to explore and roam freely without being bound to the public transport network. Renting a car in Portugal is relatively easy and major rental companies can be found in major towns, cities and international airports.
Fast facts for Portugal
Language: Portuguese. Most people speak English in more touristy areas but make sure to bring a phrasebook or a translation app if you’re going to visit the off-the-beaten-path locations.
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Local time: GMT+1
Fly to:
- Humberto Delgado Airport for visits to Lisbon
- Faro Airport for visits to the Algarve
- Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport for visits to Porto
- Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport for visits to Madeira
Flight time from the UK: It takes around 3 hours of flight from the UK.
Tourist Information: For more information on all Portugal locations, please visit the official tourism website here.
Visa/health: If you are a UK citizen and have a valid passport, you do not need a visa for Portugal holiday visits for up to 90 days. Visit the official UK travels website for restrictions, travel advice, visa requirements and health advice here.
More travel guides: Curious for more? We have a range of travel guides and holiday destinations from all over the world! Here are a few: Cyprus | Greece | Turkey | Canary Islands | Spain
Your Guide to Portugal holidays
- Food & Drinks
- Beaches
- We Love
- At a Glance
Food & Drinks
Dining in Portugal can be a truly great pleasure and experience, evident by the number of dishes and specialities that the Portuguese have to offer. Treat yourself to world-class wine and local dishes around every street corner and you'll realise you're in a true gourmet heaven.
- Portugal's national drink, port, is a fortified wine that can be found in any bar or restaurant. Varieties range from dusty 100-year-old bottles to more affordable vintages.
- Pastéis de nata are Portugal's famous custard tarts, served fresh from the oven with cinnamon and icing sugar sprinkled on top.
- Bacalhau à brás is a national dish that is said to have a different variety for each day of the year. The base meal consists of salted cod and onions mixed with scrambled eggs. It may be served with cream and potatoes, with olive oil, with corn bread among other countless toppings.
Beaches
Visitors from all over the world have flocked to the beaches in the Algarve for many decades. From breathtaking rocky coves to endless stretches of golden sands, they are picture-perfect. You will even come across beaches that should belong in the Caribbean, with clear blue waters and white sands.
- Take a trip to Praia da Marinha, one of Portugal's star beaches. This hidden gem is known for its pristine sands, striking cliffs and the perfect spot for sunbathers.
- Praia da Ilha de Tavira is a truly dreamy beach, filled with powdery white sands. Accessible by ferry, the paradise beach also features chill-out bars and idyllic seafood spots. One of the best off-the-beaten-track beaches in Portugal.
- In Setubal Peninsula, located to the south of Lisbon, you will find Praia do Portinho da Arrabida. Renowned for its greenery in the backdrop and the beautiful beach houses, it is a small paradise where you can enjoy the calm on your own or with your loved ones.
We Love
Set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is like a Latin fairytale of traditions and manners. Be sure to check out the century-old wooden trams that rumble their way through the city and explore the city's rich heritage by strolling through the Baiza district.
- Óbidos is more than an enchanting hilltop village with historical buildings and entangled streets. In July, it hosts Portugal's biggest Medieval Festival. Crowds roam the village in Medieval-era costumes, indulge in traditional food and drinks, as well as attend concerts and shows all day long, including a mock-up jousting match. In mid-October, you can also attend Folio, Portugal's biggest international literature festival, boasting exhibitions, concerts, masterclasses, book presentations, conferences, seminars.
- Just outside of Porto, you will find Arouca UNESCO Global Geopark. Popular among families with children, this park houses the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge, Arouca 516, over the Paiva River, the idyllic wooden walkway Passadiços do Paiva providing a scenic walk along the river, and guided tours.
At a Glance
- The average flight time from the UK to the Algarve is approximately 2 and a half hours.
- Several airlines provide routes from most UK Airports to Faro, the Azores, Porto and Lisbon.
- Portugal offers pleasant climate all year round.
travel advice
Get advice about traveling abroad, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings on the
FCDO website.