Travel in Portugal

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PORTUGAL

Official language: Portuguese
Currency: Euro (€)
Time zone: UTC+0 (summer time UTC+1)
Documents: Identity card or passport for EU citizens
Driving: Right-hand drive
Electrical sockets: Type C and F
Weather: Atlantic climate in the north, Mediterranean in the south. Mild winters, hot summers.

ROADS AND VEHICLES

Road network: Excellent. Modern motorways (A1, A2, etc.).

Tolls: Many motorway sections are electronically tolled. You can:
Rent a car with a Via Verde device
Register your license plate at portugaltolls.com

Speed limits:

50 km/h in the city
90/100 km/h outside the city
120 km/h on the highway

Parking: Paid parking in historic centers. Use apps like ePark.

ITINERARY FROM NORTH TO SOUTH

PORTO AND THE NORTH

Cities to visit:

Porto: Ribeira, Dom Luís I Bridge, Cathedral, Port Wine Cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Guimarães: Cradle of the Portuguese nation.
Braga: Bom Jesus do Monte and Sé de Braga.

Culture:
Closely linked to religious tradition and the medieval past.
Music: Northern fado, lesser-known but authentic.

Cuisine:
Francesinha: a sandwich filled with meat and cheese, covered in sauce.
Bacalhau à Bras, Polvo à lagareiro, Tripas à la Porto.
Wine: Vinho Verde, Port.

CENTER (COIMBRA, AVEIRO, SERRA DA ESTRELA)

Must see:

Coimbra: Ancient University, Joanina Library, medieval neighborhoods.
Aveiro: “The Venice of Portugal”, moliceiros, salinas.
Serra da Estrela: Highest mountain in mainland Portugal. Excellent for trekking and snow in winter.

Typical food:
Leitão da Bairrada (roast suckling pig)
Ovos moles from Aveiro
Mountain cheeses and honey

LISBON AND SURROUNDINGS

Cities and places:

Lisbon: Alfama, Bairro Alto, Belém (Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Pastéis de Belém), tram 28.
Sintra: Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira.
Cascais and Estoril: Coastal beauty and beach life.

Culture:
Fado (especially in the Alfama district)
Manueline architecture and azulejo tiles

Food:
Brás cod, sardines
Pastéis de nata
Tejo wines and Ginja (cherry) liqueur

ALENTEJO

Cities and villages:

Évora: Roman temple, Chapel of Bones.
Monsaraz, Marvão, Elvas: Historic fortified villages.

Landscape:

Golden hills, olive groves, vineyards, silence.
Food and wine: Alentejo pork, açorda, migás
Alentejo wines: robust, intense reds

ALGARVE (SOUTH)

Must-see places:

Lagos: Ponta da Piedade, spectacular beaches.
Faro, Albufeira, Tavira, Sagres (cliffs and history of sailors)
Praia da Marinha, Benagil Cave

Climate:

Ideal from May to October. Almost no rain in summer.

Cuisine:
Marisco cataplana, seafood rice
Seafood, fresh fish
Local white and rosé wines

PORTUGUESE ISLANDS

Madeira

Capital: Funchal
Volcanic landscapes, levadas (trails between canals), Pico Ruivo

Gastronomy: Espetada (beef skewers), cacti, poncha
Subtropical climate, eternal spring

Azores

9 islands in the Atlantic, each different

São Miguel: Lagoa das Sete Cidades, Furnas (food cooked in volcanic steam)
Lush nature, cetaceans, trekking
Wilder and more authentic, ideal for ecotourism

PRACTICAL TIPS

When to go: May–June or September–October (fewer tourists and perfect weather)
Car rental: Recommended for Alentejo, Algarve, islands. In Lisbon/Porto, it’s best to use public transport.
Safety: A very safe country, even for solo travelers.

Useful apps:
CP (trains)
Moovit or Carris (urban transportation)
Via Verde, ePark, Zomato, Bolt/Uber