• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Mail
+44 (0)20 7604 4408
Nomadic Thoughts
  • Inspiration
    • Introduction
    • Accommodation
    • Activities & Sports
    • Beaches
    • Culture
    • Deserts
    • Family Holidays
    • Gastronomy
    • Mountains
    • Special Events & Festivals
    • Wildlife
  • Destination
    • Introduction
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Caribbean
    • Central & North America
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • Oceania
    • South America
  • Experience
    • Introduction
    • Adventure
    • City Breaks
    • Cruises
    • Honeymoons
    • Luxury Holidays
    • Sabbaticals
    • Self-Drive Holidays
    • Spa & Treatments
    • Total Escape
    • Train Journeys
  • Expertise
    • Introduction
    • About Us
    • AITO Member
    • Award Winners
    • Consumer Protection
    • Contact Us
    • Jono’s Travel Blog
    • LGBTQ Travellers
    • Make An Appointment
    • Our UK Holiday House – Brecon Beacons, Wales
    • Pre-Departure Info
    • Sustainable Tourism
    • Travelling Solo
    • Travel Presentations
    • Useful Links
    • Welcome
    • What Our Clients Say
    • Where To Go When
    • Why Nomadic Thoughts?
    • World Weather Guide
    • EU General Data Protection and Nomadic Thoughts Compliance
  • Blog
  • Discover
  • Menu Menu

Portugal

Top tip: Watch the sand on the sardines

Geography

Geography


Portugal is situated on the Iberian Peninsula in southwest Europe. It shares a border with Spain to the north and east, and is otherwise surrounded by Atlantic Ocean all along its 800km (500-mile) coastline. Portuguese territory includes the islands of the Azores and Madeira, the former lying around 1,100km (700 miles) west of Lisbon, and the latter situated just north of the Canary Islands and to the west of Morocco.

Outside the major cities, the landscape is more rural and sparsely populated than in many other European countries. Portugal is crossed by several rivers which originate in Spain, flowing west towards the Atlantic, the main rivers being the Minho, Douro, Tagus and Guadiana.

The landscape includes a high plain of intersected by deep valleys. The north of the country is rugged, mountainous and dotted with vineyards. The high northern point of the Serra da Estrela is a popular ski destination, while Serra de São Mamede further south on the Spanish border is a favourite among hikers.

The wide plains of the Alentejo region stretch to the south of Lisbon, and are divided from the Algarve by a range of mountains. The Algarve’s wide sandy beaches and pretty inlets run along the south coast.

Unsurprisingly, given how close it is to northern Africa, Portugal is one of Europe’s warmest countries with average temperatures of 15°C (55°F) in the north and 18°C (64°F) in the south, while the Azores has more rainfall and Madeira is even hotter, away from the coast. It can become rainy and windy during autumn and winter, but spring and summer see temperatures soar as high as 40°C (104°F) inland. The northwest enjoys mild winters with plenty of rainfall, and fairly short summers. The northeast experiences longer winters and hot summers. In the south, summers are hot and consistently sunny except in early spring and autumn. Snow will fall in the north, but melts quickly.


Facts and Figures


Area 92,345 sq km (35,655 sq miles).
Population 10,407,000 (2002).
Capital Lisbon – population 564,657 (2002).
Language Portuguese. English is widely spoken within the business community.
Religion Roman Catholic.
Time GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Highlights

Highlights


Go horse riding and big-game fishing to fully embrace the idyllic coastal settings, or mountain biking for the more active amongst you. Don’t miss a visit to Portugal’s spiritual heart, Braga, a lively little city with an exquisite assortment of baroque churches, a sprawling cathedral and Roman ruins. The Côa Valley Archaeological Park is home to a magnificent collection of rock carvings from the Upper Palaeolithic period (22,000-10,000BC) and shouldn’t be missed. The charming town of Coimbra is home to Portugal’s oldest and most venerated university, while a trip to the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, allows you to enjoy a wine tour around the splendid vineyards or a delightful river cruise. Don’t miss one of Portugal’s traditional festivals, such as Lisbon’s festival of St Anthony (12 and 13 June) or Braga’s festival of St John (23 and 24 June). The Algarve boasts a number of championship golf courses, but you can also have a go at scuba-diving, surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, or diving and at one of the water sports centres dotted along the coast.

History

History


During the Middle Ages, Portugal, along with the French, British, Dutch, and Spanish, was hugely influential due to it seafaring abilities. Portugal built up an enormous colonial empire, and had a powerful hold on the slave industry and spice markets, although this was gradually eroded by its European competitors – not to mention defeats at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir in 1578, or the 1755 earthquake, Napoleonic occupation or the loss of colonial Brazil. Furthermore, between the mid-19th and mid-20th centuries, almost 2 million people emigrated from Portugal for North and South America.

The monarchy was abolished in 1910 following a revolution, and the Portuguese First Republic saw saw corruption, bankruptcy, military coups and dictatorships throughout the rest of the twentieth century. Portugal entered the European Union (then the European Community) in 1986, which brought a measure of stability to the country.

The Socialist Party, led by Prime Minister José Sócrates, gained office in 2005 but struggled to encourage economic growth or reduce unemployment. Sócrates’ government resigned in 2011 and was replaced by a centre-right coalition led by Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho.

Portugal has been a European leader in the development of renewable energy in recent years, with approximately 20% of its energy deriving from renewable sources.

Interested in Portugal? Call +44 (0)20 7604 4408 for expert holiday advice

+44 (0)20 7604 4408



Travel News
Thoughts

Destination
Introduction
Africa
Algeria
Botswana
Comoros
Democratic Republic of Congo
Egypt
Ethiopia
Kenya
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mauritius
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Reunion
Rwanda
Seychelles
South Africa
Tanzania
Tunisia
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Asia
Bhutan
Burma (Myanmar)
Cambodia
China
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Japan
Kazakhstan
Laos
Malaysia
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Philippines
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Tibet
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Caribbean
Anguilla
Antigua
Aruba
Bahamas
Barbados
Bonaire
British Virgin Islands
Curacao
Grenada
Jamaica
St Kitts and Nevis
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos
Central & North America
Belize
Canada
Costa Rica
Cuba
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
United States of America
Europe
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Russia
Spain
Sweden
Turkey
Middle East
Iran
Israel
Jordan
Lebanon
Oman
Syria
United Arab Emirates
Yemen
Oceania
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Tahiti
South America
Antarctica
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Peru
Venezuela

For expert, first class holiday advice contact us today:
+44 (0)20 7604 4408
Email us now


  • AFRICA
  • Algeria
  • Botswana
  • Comoros
  • Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Egypt
  • Ethiopia
  • Kenya
  • Libya
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Mauritius
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Reunion
  • Rwanda
  • Seychelles
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
  • ASIA
  • Bhutan
  • Burma (Myanmar)
  • Cambodia
  • China
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Laos
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Nepal
  • Pakistan
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Sri Lanka
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Thailand
  • Tibet
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vietnam
  • CARIBBEAN
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua
  • Aruba
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Bonaire
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Curacao
  • Jamaica
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turks and Caicos
  • OCEANIA
  • Australia
  • Fiji
  • New Zealand
  • Tahiti
  • EUROPE
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Malta
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Turkey
  • NORTH AMERICA
  • Belize
  • Canada
  • Costa Rica
  • Cuba
  • El Salvador
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Mexico
  • Nicaragua
  • Panama
  • United States of America
  • SOUTH AMERICA
  • Antarctica
  • Argentina
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Ecuador
  • Peru
  • Venezuela
  • MIDDLE EAST
  • Iran
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Oman
  • Syria
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Yemen
© Nomadic Thoughts Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Mail
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Contact +44 (0)20 7604 4408
Scroll to top
This site uses cookies: Find out more.