Questions About Portugal for Mature Travellers

Odyssey Traveller specialises in educational small group tours for mature travellers who love to learn, whether travelling as a couple or as a solo traveller. We have been running escorted small group tours since 1983, and over that time we have built up a reasonable knowledge bank to answer those burning questions about Portugal that travellers might have, as they make their plans to tour independently, or with us as part of a small group tour. We hope that this list of frequently asked questions and the answers we provide will help you with planning your next holiday.

Read on, but please do not hesitate to contact us via the website, or through email or chat if you have more questions about Portugal or our other tours. If you would like to see the country with us, our Discover Portugal small group tour travels from Lisbon to Porto over 18 days.

Torre de Belém in Lisbon, Portugal

Where is Portugal located?

Officially known as the Portuguese Republic, Portugal is the westernmost country of mainland Europe, located mostly on the Iberian Peninsula. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and shares a border with Spain to the north and east. Its territory also includes the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira but both are considered autonomous regions with their own regional governments.

Portugal covers an area of 92,090 sq km.

How did Portugal become a country?

Portugal is one of the oldest nation states in the world and its territory has been continuously inhabited by humans since prehistoric times. After many invasions, wars and settlements, Portugal was established as a country during the Reconquista, a series of campaigns by Christian states to recapture territory from the Moors. The County of Portugal was founded in 868, named after the region’s major port city Portus Cale, modern Porto. At this time, the Counts of Portugal were vassals of the King of León.

In 1139, following the Battle of Ourique, the Kingdom of Portugal was proclaimed and independence from León was granted under the Treaty of Zamora in 1143. Afonso I, known also as the Conqueror, was the first King of Portugal. Many historians trace Portugal’s national origin to 24 June 1128, which is the date of the Battle of São Mamede when Afonso declared himself Prince of Portugal. However, the Kingdom was not recognised by the Pope until 1179.

By the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal was considered a leading European power along with England, France and Spain. Portugal spearheaded maritime exploration, establishing the first global empire, dominating the spice trade and colonising Brazil in South America, as well as parts of Africa and Asia, and ruling over millions of people. The Portuguese Empire is considered to be one of the largest and longest-lived empires in history, having existed for almost six centuries, from the capture of Ceuta in 1415 to the handover of Portuguese Macau to China in 1999. You can learn more in our article on the history of the Portuguese in Africa.

However, after the 16th century, Portugal’s wealth and power began to decrease and it seemed the glory days of the Empire may have been over. After a succession crisis, Philip II of Spain claimed the Portuguese throne in 1580, and Portugal, while remaining formally a separate kingdom, shared a monarch with Spain in a dynastic union until 1640. This meant the enemies of Spain became the enemies of Portugal, and as a result Portugal’s relations with England deteriorated, contributing to the loss of Hormuz, a strategic trading post in the strait between Iran and Oman, to an English and Persian force in 1622.

When Portugal regained its independence (recognised by Spain in 1668), it was in decline but its fortunes were restored when gold was discovered in Brazil. However, by the early 19th century, the loss of Brazil and the Napoleonic invasion left Portugal impoverished and the people divided between Absolutists and Constitutionalists. The 1910 Portuguese Republican Revolution overthrew the monarchy and installed a republican government in Portugal.

The economy under the republic was weak, and a military coup in 1926 led to a long dictatorship dominated by António de Oliveira Salazar, who was Prime Minister from 1932 to 1968. Under Salazar, all opposition was banned. In 1974 a largely bloodless left-wing military coup, called the Carnation Revolution, ended the dictatorship, restored democracy and led the way for the independence of the overseas territories in Africa and Asia.

Portugal joined the European Economic Community (now the European Union) in 1986 and is now considered a modern Western European state.

Portugal’s position in Europe

A painting of Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer and the first European to reach India by sea

A sea map of Portugal dated 1584

Porto, Portugal

Why is Portugal called Portugal?

As mentioned, Portugal was named after what is now the city of Porto. The city was known as Portus Cale. The origin of Cale is debated: one popular explanation links it to the Latin for ‘warm’, giving ‘warm port’, while others believe it came from the Greek word for beautiful, describing the magnificent Douro River that runs through the city. By the 9th century the name had become Portucale.

What is Portugal’s language?

Portuguese is the official language of Portugal and the first language of almost all of its people. It is an Indo-European Romance language, and within Portugal there are several regional dialects.

Portuguese is also the sole official language of Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe and Portuguese speakers can also be found in parts of India, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea and Macau.

With around 250 million native speakers, Portuguese is usually ranked among the ten most spoken first languages in the world, and it has more native speakers than any other European language except Spanish and English.

What is Portugal known for?

A lot may come to mind when you think of Portugal, from sandy beaches to medieval castles, but here are a few of the things Portugal is famous for.

• Port Wine – As well as being one of the oldest countries in the world, Portugal is also home to one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions, the Douro, and has some fantastic wines on offer. Port, the popular dessert wine, is the country’s national drink and has been made from grapes grown in the Douro Valley, upriver from Porto, for more than 300 years. Like champagne in France, only fortified wine made from grapes grown in the demarcated Douro region can be called port.
• Football – The Portuguese love their football and take it very seriously. Portugal is considered to be one of the world’s top football teams and won the UEFA European Championship in 2016. Famous Portuguese footballers include the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, Luís Figo and Rui Costa. The top three football teams in Portugal are known as ‘The Big Three’ and include Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto and Benfica.
• Beaches – with more than 800 km of mainland coastline, it is no surprise that Portugal is home to some of the world’s best beaches. From sheltered bays, surfing spots and lively, people-packed coves, there is a beach to suit all your holiday needs in Portugal.
• Music – Portugal is known for a particular style of music called fado, a form of singing that originated in Lisbon in the early 19th century. It is an expressive, melancholic style of music and is often played in pubs and restaurants. In 2011, it was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• The Vasco da Gama Bridge – named after the famous Portuguese explorer, the Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon is 12.3 km long and was the longest bridge in Europe when it opened in 1998.
• Cork – Portugal is the top cork producer in the world, producing around half of the world’s cork, and its cork oak forests make up about a third of the global total.

Porto wine cellar, Portugal

The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon

Lisbon, Portugal

Beaches in Portugal

What is the food like in Portugal?

Portugal is known for its delicious cuisine and is a great destination for any food lover. Famous for its array of seafood and hearty cooking, as well as its olives, cherries and cheese, Portugal is a place where you are unlikely to go hungry. Here are some typical Portuguese dishes to give you a sense of the country’s cuisine.

• Pastel de nata – these egg custard tarts are the quintessential Portuguese sweet treat. The tarts are crispy and flaky on the outside and sweet and creamy on the inside, and adored by Portuguese and foreigners alike. Pastéis de nata (the plural of pastel de nata) have been made in Portugal for centuries. According to the usual story, they were created by monks at the Jerónimos Monastery, who were looking for a way to use up leftover egg yolk after using the egg white to starch their clothing. The most famous place to try pastel de nata is Pastéis de Belém in Lisbon, a patisserie that opened in 1837 with the recipe from the monastery, which had closed in 1834.
• Caldo Verde – caldo verde is the ultimate Portuguese comfort food. A kale soup, the recipe is simple with just five ingredients: potato, onion, olive oil, kale and chouriço (Portuguese smoked sausage). Despite its simplicity, this soup is hearty and bursting with flavour, in part due to the high quality of Portuguese olive oil.
• Cataplana de marisco – originating in the Algarve, cataplana is a seafood stew named after the copper pan it is cooked in, which opens and closes like a clam. Inside the cataplana you can expect to find onions, garlic, tomatoes, clams, whole prawns and fresh fish.
• Bacalhau – bacalhau is dried and salted cod and you are likely to find it in just about every Portuguese restaurant. It is a staple of the Portuguese diet and eaten in a whole variety of ways. You might find it baked with cream and potatoes (bacalhau com natas) or boiled and served with vegetables and sliced hard-boiled eggs (bacalhau com todos).

What is the weather like in Portugal?

Given its expansive coastline, the climate of Portugal is temperate influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. In the north the climate is cooler, with higher levels of rainfall, while the south is warmer and sunnier. Generally you can expect long, hot summers and wetter winters. The closeness to the ocean means that Portugal receives refreshing coastal breezes throughout the warmer months.

Where are the best places to visit in Portugal?

With an abundance of history, great food, natural wonders and incredible architecture, there is so much to explore in Portugal. Here are some of the most enchanting places to see:

• Lisbon – the country’s capital is a dynamic city full of cobbled laneways, tree-lined squares and riverfront esplanades. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from some phenomenal lookout points and be sure to visit the striking Torre de Belém, built in the 16th century to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbour, the neo-Gothic and quirky Elevador de Santa Justa, Lisbon’s only vertical street lift, opened in 1902, and the Sé, Lisbon’s fortified Romanesque cathedral on the edge of the historic Alfama district. A trip to Lisbon is sure to be a travel experience like no other given its rich history and culture; our guide to things to do in Lisbon covers the main sights. Discover more about the city, nicknamed ‘the Queen of the Sea’, in our articles on the golden years of Lisbon and Lisbon’s history.
• Sintra – Sintra, an easy day trip from Lisbon, was once where the kings and queens of Portugal came to relax and they built the amazing Palácio Nacional de Sintra here among the verdant forests and fresh water springs. The Cultural Landscape of Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the hills above the town are home to a Moorish castle and the Pena Palace. Sintra is like something out of a fairy tale and so it should come as no surprise that Hans Christian Andersen, the world famous author of children’s fairy tales, stayed in Sintra during his visit to Portugal in 1866.
• Cascais – A bustling, cosmopolitan former fishing town, Cascais became a fashionable holiday destination in the 1870s, after King Luís I made the town’s citadel his summer residence. Today, you can enjoy Cascais’ three sandy bays, spellbinding sunsets and the restored Palácio da Cidadela de Cascais.
• Évora – Évora, in the Alentejo region, is one of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns. Featuring Roman, medieval and 17th-century walls, there is a wealth of history to take in, including over 20 churches and monasteries, the Templo Romano and Évora’s aqueduct. The town is set on a hill above the Alentejo plain and surrounded by rustic wineries.
• Lagos – Set on one of the Algarve’s largest bays, Lagos was the region’s capital from the late 16th to the mid-18th century. Today the port town appeals to people of all ages with fabulous beaches, an attractive old town, excellent restaurants and plenty of water activities on offer.

Pastel de nata

The Jerónimos Monastery, where the monks are said to have created the pastel de nata

The Algarve coastline

Castelo dos Mouros, Sintra, Portugal

Lisbon’s Terreiro do Paço (Praça do Comércio), a main square in the capital of Portugal

What is Portugal’s currency?

Portugal uses the euro (EUR). It adopted the euro in 1999, and euro notes and coins replaced the Portuguese escudo in 2002. The word ‘escudo’ means ‘shield’ in Portuguese. Everyday prices change, so check a current guide to costs and exchange rates before you travel.

Do you need a visa to visit Portugal?

It depends. Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, a group of European countries that have largely abolished passport checks at their shared borders. Travellers from a number of countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada, have been able to visit the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, with a valid passport. Entry rules change, and the EU’s Entry/Exit System now registers non-EU travellers at the border and the ETIAS travel authorisation is due to follow, so check the current rules with your government’s travel advice before you book.

The Pena National Palace in São Pedro de Penaferrim, Sintra, Portugal

The yellow Bica funicular, one of Lisbon’s famous street railways

The Azores, off the coast of Portugal

Seeing Portugal on our Discover Portugal tour

Our Discover Portugal tour travels from Lisbon to Porto over 18 days, led by an Odyssey Program Leader. Days 1 to 4 are in Lisbon, with the Jerónimos Monastery and Tower of Belém, the Alfama, an evening of Fado and a day trip to Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais. Then come Évora (Days 5 and 6), Óbidos with Nazaré and Alcobaça (Days 7 to 9), Batalha, Fátima and Tomar’s Convent of Christ (Days 10 and 11), and Coimbra’s university (Day 12). Days 14 to 18 are in Porto, with Livraria Lello, a port cellar tasting and a Douro Valley train trip and river cruise. The tour is rated Level 2 (Moderate), in small groups of up to 16.