If you plan to visit Portugal, then you have made an excellent choice because it is just a stunning country with a bit of everything; from cities to sandy beaches, from historical castles to religious monasteries, from bustling modern cities to mountainous villages with cobblestone streets. Portuguese culture is very interesting, and all you have to do to discover it is to book your airfare or train and arrive in the country. On a visit to Portugal, you will find that the Portuguese people are friendly, accommodating if you don’t speak Portuguese and very welcoming. A trip to Portugal lays out unlimited opportunities for sightseeing, as well as trying Portuguese food, drinks and socialising. So Many millions of tourists visit Portugal every year so while the path to the country is not an untrodden one. The traveller will have the chance to meet other travellers and local Portuguese people alike. Depending on your itinerary you can discover the enchanting culture and uncover things you didn’t know about Portugal. This is possible by walking alone in the hilltops of small towns and villages or at large social events that attract millions of people every year. Like the annual cultural festivals, medieval festivals and music festivals in the summer months. Although some people like the improvisation of doing things at the last minute, there is something to be said for planning a bit. At least it is good to have an idea of what you can find at your destination. If you arrive in Lisbon, you can have a tour in the capital city and its neighbourhoods like Alfama. Or you can go to listen to fado music in the bars of cities like Evora, Cascais, or Porto. You can walk the beaches of faro in the Algarve or the Azores islands archipelago or tick off the long list of Unesco world heritage sites. Whatever you decide here are some pointers to help you decide. Find out the ideal amount of time you need to visit Lisbon. Portugal is a very stunning bright and colorful atmosphere. Photo Source: Unsplash
What To Monuments And Attractions Can You Find In Portugal?
Palace Of The Regaleira In Sintra
Once in the city of Sintra, you can find the Palace of the Regaleira which has been Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is located in the historic centre of Sintra, and the palace is built in a 4-hectare park which was created by Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro and Luigi Manini in the early 20th century. By visiting it, you will be able to observe the many references to Freemasonry and Templars and discover all the secrets of construction.
The Sanctuary Of Bom Jesus Do Monte In Braga
The Sanctuary of the Bom Jesus do Monte is a religious and tourist site in the city of Braga in northern Portugal. Here you can admire a stunning baroque-inspired church built in the 18th century. You can climb the stairs to the top or take a hydraulic funicular both allow visitors access to a spectacular landscape view offered by this construction. Here is a short list of some of the most beautiful Portuguese monuments that should not be missed:
Belem Tower in Lisbon,*
Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon,*
Sanctuary of Bom Jesus Do Monte in Braga,
National Palace of Pena in Sintra,*
Palace of the Regaleira in Sintra,
Convent of Christ in Tomar,
Alcobaça Monastery *
Guimaraes Castle,*
Monastery of Batalha, *
Pont Dom Luis
National Museum of Azulejo in Lisbon,
Château d’Obidos *
At least seven of these buildings are on the Portuguese nominated 7 wonders of Portugal list (*). A selection made to highlight the country's historic monuments and attract the attention of visitors. To visit all these beautiful monuments of Portugal, do not hesitate to take advantage of the free first Sundays of each month or discounts for students or under 26 years. Finally, the Lisboa Card will allow you to enjoy several visits and free transportation. A little travel tip to maximise your itinerary and save money on your trip. No matter where you visit in Portugal, you will certainly find something to discover the history of Portugal and its culture. cities like Aveiro nicknamed the little Venice of Portugal, will disorient you for sure. Photo Source: Unsplash
Which Are The Most Beautiful Cities In Portugal?
When preparing to visit Portugal, It’s a good idea to have an idea of exciting cities to visit which can serve as your base for day trip and exploration. Of course, when you are short of time you don’t want to waste time, we all know about the capital city of Lisbon, it is often a favourite destination for weekend travellers, and it is easy to arrive here as Several airlines offer more than reasonable rates to reach this colourful, bustling capital city. But what about other cities in Portugal?. Let’s take a look at the most beautiful cities in the country from a cultural and tourist point of view. Porto is good for lovers of big cities and serves as an alternative to Lisbon, or one more destination on the route. Known for its wine of the same name, Porto will introduce you to the wines of the country in a very stunning bright and colourful atmosphere. For more peace, try cities like Aveiro nicknamed the little Venice of Portugal, will disorient you for sure. Viana Do Castelo is very close to the sea and will be perfect for a relaxing holiday. If you like history go to Sintra, Obidos or Monsaraz. Between old castles, royal palaces and archaeological traces of prehistory. Let’s not forget the white sand beaches of Faro, anywhere you go you will not be disappointed. Portugal is a country offering incredible landscapes, If you are dedicated, you can discover them all by crossing the country from north to south. Go for it! Find out how to easily learn Portuguese London here. Porto will introduce you to the wines of the country in a very stunning bright and colorful atmosphere. Photo Source: Unsplash
How Much Does It Cost To Stay In Portugal?
Every day hundreds of flights land in Lisbon, Porto or Faro bringing millions of tourists every year. Many for the first time and many who return as often as their schedule will allow. But what prices should tourists expect when they arrive?
Accommodation Costs
Once there, several housing solutions are available to you. Hotels, sleeping in homestays, camping, just to name a few. Everything will depend on your budget and the way you travel.
For a hotel room expect to pay anywhere from €30 for a comfortable room in a basic hotel. A luxury hotel, will upwards of €100.
Hostels can save you a lot of money and start from around €8 for a bed in a dormitory.
Camping can cost as little as €3 for a pitch for your tent.
Guesthouses and home stays from €35
The prices of guest houses can vary completely depending on the services offered and their location. Here is a selection of some guest houses to give you an idea.
Chalet Saudade in Sintra 60 € / night
Your GuestHouse in Porto 50 € / night
The Chiado feeling in Lisbon 34 € / night
Food Costs
You can save money by buying food in markets and supermarkets, or you can eat out in local restaurants and cafes. Whatever you decide its important to prepare your budget.
Supermarket shopping, you can get by with around €50 for a week.
The restaurants, meanwhile, serve menus from € 12 - € 13+. Of course, you will pay more for fancy restaurants, and it also depends on what you order.
Fast food can be found from €5
Transport Costs
Transport is an essential aspect of your budget and depending on where you are coming from it may be a significant part. But traveling in Europe is cheap and so are flights with budget airlines. Ryanair for example often sells tickets for less than €50 return from most capital cities in major European countries. In the off-season, prices can sometimes drop even lower to around €30 per round trip. Buses can also save you money, and with the Eurolines bus company, the price of a one-way ticket is on average € 60 to € 100. If you want to move around in Portugal to explore other cities, it is possible to use the TGV which is still more expensive than the regional train or the option of the bus, but it can save you some time. If you want to save why not take the regional train and read a book while you wait with prices from around €18 for the Lisbon-Porto route. You can really enjoy Portugal and travel around more. To reach the suburban cities, expect to pay around €10 by bus. Improve yourself with a Portuguese lessons here on Superprof.
Cost Of Activities And Sightseeing
Tourist activities can easily go up to € 20 per person per day depending on what it is that you want to do. However, you can just partake of free activities should you want to save money. Going to museums on the first Sunday of the month, for example, is free. Speaking with local can help you learn some useful travel tips to save money and maximise your activities. Are you ready to book your trip to Portugal and start exploring this awe inspiring country? Let’s go!
What You Need to Know Before Visiting Rio “Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience.” - Francis Bacon Every year, Rio de Janeiro becomes more touristy. In 2018, the city welcomed 1.5 million tourists just during the Rio carnival, 400,000 more than the previous year. If […]
What You Need to Know Before Travelling to Porto “Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.” - Paulo Coelho While Spain and Portugal share the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal covers a much smaller part of it than its larger neighbour. However, as any travel guide will tell you, there are plenty of […]
Our Advice for Spending Time in Brazil “There are moments in South America, in Brazil, where you look out, and there are literally thirty, forty thousand people jumping up and down at the same time.” - Mike McCready Since Brazil is 35 times the size of the UK, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes […]
Interesting Facts About Portugal Portugal is a land to make you dream. The Portuguese language, fado, saudade, port wine… a whole identity centred around Portuguese language and culture. Many consider it the most welcoming country in the world. From Rio de Janeiro in Brasil to the Alentejo region of Portugal, from the Azores Islands to […]
A Guide to Learning Portuguese Oh, Portugal! It's renowned for its cooking, beautiful landscapes, and musical language! Sometimes confused with Spanish, the Portuguese language remains one of the key languages of the European Union, and is currently spoken by more than 230 million speakers in countries such as Brazil, Mozambique, and Equatorial Guinea. Despite its […]
Language Learning Tips for Portuguese Beginners Portuguese, in all of its versions, is spoken by more than 200 million people around the world, making them the 7th most spoken language globally in terms of native speakers. It is behind Mandarin, Hindi, English, Spanish, Arabic, and Malay. Portuguese uses the Latin alphabet, just as many other European languages […]
Loading...
