planning a trip to
Portugal
Here is what you need to know: Portugal Travel Guide
Portugal is a great destination for any type of travellers.
Not only the weather is amazing almost all year round, but it also offers stunning white sandy beaches, old and historical architectures, rugged coastlines, yummy local dishes and great wines.
And all that while being one of the most affordable country in Europe.
If you like to wander around old street or chill at the beach, Portugal is a destination you should consider.
About
Portugal is a small country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe and is the oldest nation state in this region.
Its territory also includes the Azores and Madeira islands.
Its land cover 92 212 km² (109th biggest country in the world) and inhabits 10.3 million people (90th most populous country on earth).
Portugal was once one of the main maritime empire.
The green symbolizes hope for the future; the red symbolizes the blood of the nation.
The Portuguese coat of arms is a white shield within a red shield, surrounded by yellow straps.
The five blue small shields denote the five Moorish kings who were defeated by the first King of Portugal.
Azulejo’s are s a form of Portuguese painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework.
Azulejos can be found all over Portugal. It can be on a buidling walls on inside it.
Commonly it can be found in churches, palaces, ordinary houses, schools, and nowadays, restaurants, bars, railways or subway stations.
They are an ornamental art form, but also had a specific functional capacity like temperature control in homes.
The Belém Tower also known as the Tower of Saint Vincent is a 16th-century fortification located in Lisbon. It was used as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers and as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon.
It has been built during Portuguese Renaissance, and is a prominent example of the Portuguese architecture.
In 1498, Vasco da Gama was the first European Explorer to reach India. In 1500, Pedro Álvares Cabral discovered Brazil, claiming it for Portugal. In 1510, Afonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa (India), Ormuz (Persian Strait), and Malacca.
The Portuguese sailors sailed eastward until places such as Taiwan, Japan, and the island of Timor.
Several writers also suggested that the Portuguese were the first Europeans to discover Australia and New Zealand.
What to expect?
Language: The official language is Portuguese which is also the main language of Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Angola and Sao Tome and Principe.
Food: Portugal’s food is axe toward seafood. Some of its specialities are Sardines, Portuguese stew, Arroz de tamboril (Rice and fiesh).
Transportation: Only Lisbon and Porto have a metro, the smaller city will only have buses; To get around the main city, long distance buses are the best.
Money: The currency in Portugal is the euro.
Plugs: The plugs in Portugal are type C (Euro). The standard voltage is 220V with a frequency of 50hz.
Safety: Portugal is a safe country, though it isn’t the richest, it is one of the safest in Europe. Going out during daytime or night-time is not a problem as long as you watch for pickpocket.
