Portugal

Located on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal is a beautiful fusion of old and new. With a gorgeous, untouched countryside, beautiful cities and an array of historical sites, this country is a site to behold. Portugal has a great mix of big, lively cities such as Lisbon and Porto, as well as quiet, small cities peppering the countryside, such as the medieval cities of Evora and Coimbra. Beyond the cities, Portugal has much to offer in food, culture and beaches; the warm climate and location are perfect for soaking up the sun at one of the many beaches on the southern shoreline or even just for walking through some of the country’s well-known vineyards and drinking port wine.

Languages: Portuguese
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Government: Unitary Parliamentary Republic

DID YOU KNOW?

• Each region of Portugal has its own traditional dishes made from meat and seafood. So make sure you get a taste of each region!
• Bartholomew Dias, the Portuguese explorer, was the first to sail round the southern tip of Africa, which he named the Cape of Good Hope.
• The month of June holds festivities dedicated to three saints known as Santos Populares.
• The Portuguese shoreline is an impressive 800 kilometres long.

CLIMATE

Due to its geographical location and proximity to northern Africa, Portugal is lucky to have some of the warmest weather in Europe. Portugal’s weather ranges from 15°C in the north and 18°C in the south. Summer temperatures tend to be around 40°C and winters, which are rainy and windy, are around 15°C. The best time to visit this country is in between May and October, when the temperate, Mediterranean summer climate comes out.

• Winter: November–March
• Spring: April–June
• Summer: May–October
• Autumn: September–November

HISTORY

With roots Dating back to the Middle Ages, and strong European and Arabic influences, Portugal has a history as one of the leading countries during the time of colonial expansion. While its past has been shining, Portugal’s modern history has been mired in unfortunate luck. Once at the colonial helm, Portugal quickly lost its massive empire to other countries, such as Britain, France and Spain, due to general competitiveness and poor war campaigns. With the loss of Brazil during the Napoleonic occupation, and a massive earthquake in 1755, the Portuguese empire lost its holdings and was further weakened.

By the 19th century, nearly 2 million people left Portugal for the Americas, and the country entered a period of political and economic tumultuousness. The monarchy ended in 1910 and was followed by a years of corruption until 1986 when Portugal joined the European Union.

Currently, Portugal is working hard to stabilize itself after the economic crisis through cutting spending and raising taxes and working in conjunction with the EU and the IMF (International Monetary Fund).

MUST SEE

COIMBRA
Coimbra is home to Portugal’s oldest and most revered university, and is located in the centre of historic churches and a rich medieval history. This is a great city to see if you want the full Portuguese cultural experience.

BRAGA’S BAROQUE CHURCHES
Considered Portugal’s spiritual heart, this city has many baroque churches, a cathedral and a plethora of Roman ruins. Come for Portugal’s famous Holy Week.

DOURO VALLEY
Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to ancient vineyards and a beautiful river.

FADO MUSIC
Fado is Portugal’s famous traditional music. Considered to be melancholic in nature, it can be heard in various bars and clubs across the cities of Lisbon and Coimbra.