Portugal Travel Information

Portugal shares the Iberian Peninsula with Spain. Its landscape is varied with green mountains in the north, a near-desert landscape in the Alentejo region and excellent beaches in the Algarve on the south coast. The official language of Portugal is Portuguese which is today one of the world's major languages, It is the language with the largest number of speakers in South America, spoken by almost all of Brazil's population. It is also the official language in Angola, Mozambique, and Macau. 

The capital of Portugal, Lisbon is built on seven hills and is situated on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, one of the rare Western European cities that face the ocean. The city stretches along the northern bank of the River Tejo as it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Lisbon's main street, the Avenida da Liberdade, is, a broad boulevard lined with leafy trees, upscale hotels and upmarket shops. The old districts of Mouraria and Alfama retain their charm with their winding alleys and azulejo-covered crumbling walls. To the west, is a hill which rises steeply into Bairro Alto (upper town). Still further west is the rapidly gentrifying former docks of Alcantara. 

Nearby along the coast are beaches and beach resorts with good villas and hotels, marinas and excellent golf courses. These can all be found in Cascais and Estoril.

Porto, a World Heritage city, is well known for Port wine but also for its ancient churches and monuments such as the Cathedral and the Church of São Francisco and also modern buildings such as Casa da Musica. Coimbra is the third largest city in Portugal known for the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese-speaking world. There are many archaeological structures here which date back to the Roman era. The historical University buildings were classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The town of Sintra has been inhabited by man for a very long time with its numerous archaeological remains. The town is surrounded by pleasant woods and an extensive range of green hills offering excellent views of the coastline. 

Evora is a delightful Portuguese city situated in the arid Alentejo region of central Portugal. It was an important trading and religious centre and this is reflected in the many attractions discovered within the city walls. The Diana Temple is regarded as the best preserved Roman structure on the Iberian Peninsula. Alcobaca is a city in the Estremadura Province with its Monastery of Alcobaca, one of the most magnificent gothic monuments in the country. Nearby is the Monastery of Batalha, another gothic building. Serra da Estrela, the highest peak in mainland Portugal, has endless landscapes and glacial lagoons. It has a number of marked hiking trails which cover the whole of the National Park. 

The Algarve is the stunning coastline of southern Portugal. Along the 160 kilometre/100 mile stretch of coastline are beautiful expanses of sand, rugged cliffs and hidden coves. The region is blessed with almost perfect weather. Each of the Algarve resort towns offers its own unique attractions but all provide great value and excellent facilities. Some of the major resorts are Albufeira, Faro, Portimao and Armacao de Pera. Golfing here is a very popular pastime.

In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean off the north coast of Africa is the island of Madeira, a haven of natural beauty. The exotic colours of the flowers together with the blue sea and the emerald green vegetation make it indeed an attractive destination. Springtime temperatures exist all year round and the island offers many open-air activities which include diving, surfing, swimming with Dolphins, whale watching or simply strolling. The city of Funchal is a modern, cosmopolitan city, well known for its many top-class restaurants and stunning hotels. 

Portugal Travel Information

At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Portugal.

Learn about the history and culture of Portugal, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Portugal's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Portugal for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Portugal tours today!