Western Europe's most affordable and authentically charming country — Lisbon's tiled facades and Fado music, Porto's wine caves, the Alentejo's cork forests, and Europe's top surf beaches.
- Capital
- Lisbon
- Population
- 10,749,635
- Area
- 92,391 km²
- Languages
- Portuguese
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- GDP
- $321,440M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Bacalhau
Annual visitors
4,208,000 (2020)
Safety
Very low (0.72/100k)
Avg temp
15.8°C
Religion
Christianity
Coast
Coastal
Travel guide
Portugal is a modern country with strong links to its past and people of a friendly and hospitable nature. It has become an acclaimed international tourist and vacation destination due to its many beautiful beaches and long warm summers, a rich gastronomy, historical and cultural heritage. Its fabulous golf courses, giant surf waves at Nazaré, and religious pilgrimage to Fátima are very popular with visitors. Surprisingly, in winter several ski resorts are open for business in the Serra da Estrela region. Portugal has plenty of prehistoric sites along with remnants from the Roman Empire and the Age of Discovery, when Portuguese explorers found the Cape Route around Africa, and completed the world's first circumnavigation. While Portugal is modern and developed, it maintains much traditional culture with handicrafts, cuisine, music, and dance. Portugal is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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Explore Portugal
Best time to visit
May–October is the best period. June–August is peak beach season on the Algarve. Lisbon and Porto are enjoyable year-round — spring and autumn are ideal. Madeira is warm in winter; Azores best May–October.
Visa
EU/EEA citizens enter freely. US, UK, Canada, Australia and most nationalities get 90 days Schengen visa-free. Portugal's Golden Visa program offers residency for investment.
Highlights
The Alcobaça Monastery is a Roman Catholic Monastery located in the town of Alcobaça, in central Portugal. It was founded by the first Portuguese King, Afonso Henriques, in 1153, and maintained a close association with the Kings of Portugal throughout its history.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (49)
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Major cities
Lisbon
Europe's most soulful capital — pastel-tiled facades, melancholy fado music, and the finest pasteis de nata on earth.
Porto
A city of port wine and romantic bridges — tumbling riverside houses, dramatic churches, and one of Europe's best bookshops.
Algarve
Portugal's southern coast of golden sea stacks, hidden grottos, world-class golf, and fresh seafood.
Madeira
Portugal's Atlantic island of dramatic levada walks, toboggan rides, and the world's original Madeira wine.