Language: Portuguese, but English is widely spoken

Currency: Euro (GBP£1 = approx. 1.45 Euros)

Local time: Same time as UK (GMT)

Area: 91,231 sq. km / 35,456 sq. miles

Length: 560km / 350 miles

Width: 220km / 137 miles

Population: 10,529,255

Capital: Lisbon

Electricity: 220 Volts (2 pin plug)

Visa: A visa is not required for UK or EU citizens

Health: No vaccinations are required for entry in to Portugal. However, it is recommended that all travellers obtain the standard triple typhoid / tetanus / polio inoculation prior to any departure abroad.

Fado: Lisbon has nurtured this poignant style of singing for the last 100 years with its soulful expressions of longing and sorrow – similar to the Blues. It is sung by both men and women and is always accompanied by the guitarra and viola.

Unesco World Heritage towns: Evora, Guimaraes, Sintra & Porto.

 

When to Go?

Portugal has a maritime temperate climate that varies according to elevation and proximity to the ocean. The average temperature ranges from 13 to 24 degrees centigrade in the north and from 16 to 28 in the south. Golf is played all year round – several of the courses are of championship quality, especially in the Lisbon area and the Algarve. Walking in the Alentejo, the driest region of Portugal is particularly good between March and Mid-June due to the interesting birdlife (mating season in March) and the colourful landscape covered with spring flowers.

 

Temperature Chart >

Portugal’s Islands
It is possible to combine mainland Portugal with one of her islands (Madeira or one of the nine islands of the Azores). Please click here for our suggested tailor-made itineraries >