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14 things to know before going to Portugal

Famous arch at the Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal

Many years ago, as a young backpacker, I made plenty of mistakes when traveling around Portugal – from trying to see everything on one trip to indulging in free appetizers that weren’t really free. 

Since becoming both an honorary Lisboeta (Lisbon resident) and Tripeiro (Porto dweller), I have learned some essentials about the country. From the best methods for getting around to wardrobe essentials. Here are the key tips to help you make the most out of your trip to Portugal.

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Don’t try to see it all in one trip

Portugal is a small country – roughly the size of the state of Indiana in North America and slightly larger than Scotland. But there’s a lot to see here, from hilltop villages in the Alentejo to remote Unesco World Heritage sites, not to mention over 100 beaches in the Algarve. A rookie mistake is trying to see all of Portugal during one visit. Even if you have a few weeks to spare, you won’t be able to visit everything in this diverse country. Instead, pick one or two regions and focus your trip there, allowing yourself time to see both highlights as well as local markets, vineyards and other less-visited attractions. 

Combine some time in a city like Lisbon (pictured) or Porto with day trips to nearby regions © TomasSereda / Getty Images

Decide where to go

The mountains, the seaside, cobblestone-lined city streets? Portugal has plenty of options when it comes to travel. With a week at your disposal, you can combine a bit of urban adventure with scenic getaways nearby. If you have Lisbon in mind, you can spend several days there, along with day trips to Cascais, Sintra and the beach-dotted Setúbal Peninsula, or spend a couple of days in Évora or on the lovely Alentejo coastline. 

A great northern itinerary combines Porto with some vineyard visits along the picturesque Douro River. Beach lovers might skip city life altogether and spend their time in the Algarve, checking out cliff-backed beaches, hidden coves and sleepy fishing villages. If you have something more active in mind, plan a hiking outing in the mountains of the Serra da Estrela, which you can pair with time spent exploring craggy villages like Manteigas and Linhares, as well as the university town of Coimbra

Book your accommodation well in advance 

Portugal’s growing popularity means some of the best places to stay get booked up months in advance. This is…

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