Category: Portugal

Travel Guide and Why Go to Portugal

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Portugal travel guide

Support Portuguese Players in the Champions League

Portugal, like most of Europe, loves its football, and the world’s top club competition, the UEFA Champions League, is coming to its knockout rounds. Sixteen teams remain, and unfortunately none of them are Portuguese, with both Braga and Benfica missing out in the group stage. However, there are a number of Portuguese stars playing on foreign teams that still have a great chance to do something on club football’s biggest stage. Remaining Portuguese players include:

Vitorino Antunes (Defender – AS Roma)
Ricardo Costa (Defender – Valencia)
Miguel Monteiro (Defender – Valencia)
Ricardo Carvalho (Defender – Real Madrid)
Pepe (Defender – Real Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Forward – Real Madrid)
Nani (Midfielder – Manchester United)
Bebe (Forward – Manchester United)
Paulo Ferreira (Defender – Chelsea)
Henrique Hilario (Backup goalkeeper – Chelsea)

So if you’re looking for a team to support, based purely on number of Portuguese players, Real Madrid is your team with the combination of their two strong Portuguese defenders and of course Portugal’s captain, Cristiano Ronaldo. With Ronaldo scoring pretty much at will this season, it’s a good bet that he’ll take them to the later rounds of the tournament. If you’re looking for more of an underdog to support, Valencia has never won a Champions League, and has only reached the final twice, losing both. Hopefully, next season, Porto or Benfica can return to the late stages of the Champions League, which a Portuguese team hasn’t won since 2004.

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Portugal travel guide

A Vacation in Lisbon : Low Cost and A Lot of Fun!

Visiting both Spain and Portugal during a summer vacation is very popular activity among tourists; it is very easy to get from one place to another and you can experience a mixture of what the area has to offer and be amazed by the differences between the two countries.

You can start the vacation in Madrid. Accommodation starts at just €11 a night in Spain’s capital if you choose a bed in a hostel. There are quite a lot of things to do in Madrid and you’ll surely be busy for several days.

Once you’ve decided to travel to Portugal, you can choose one of the ways to get from Madrid to Lisbon . The fastest way to travel between the two capitals is by plane and luckily, flights to Lisbon are not very expensive. As a matter of fact, even during the peak season you can book a one way flight for just €31 (on easyJet).

Don’t worry about accommodation either because cheap Lisbon hotels are not hard to find. And if you want even cheaper accommodation, hostel beds start at €15 per night.

Lisbon is an exciting place to visit; the nightlife is amazing and the architecture is stunning. And let’s not forget the cuisine, which appeals to all taste buds.

And if you want to stick around for a longer time in Portugal, rent a car and drive to the Algarve region. You can soak up the sun on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and , of course, enjoy the stunning scenery and buildings.

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Portugal travel guide

Support Portugal at the World Cup

portugal-1011-home-soccer-jerseyIt’s almost time. The world’s biggest sporting event, the 2010 World Cup, is almost upon us, and it’s time to throw your support behind the boys in red and green, the Portugal national team. Here’s a simple guide to following and supporting the team during June (and hopefully July).

Know the Players:
Portugal has a strong team all around, but by far the biggest star on the side is Cristiano Ronaldo. When Ronaldo plays well, and scores goals, Portugal does well. When he is out of form or injured, as he was during World Cup qualification, things tend to get a lot harder for the team. With defenders like Pepe, Ferreira, Carvalho and Bruno Alves, they shouldn’t allow in too many chances, but Portugal lacks a world-class goalkeeper, and that could be a major problem.
>> Check out the entire Portugal World Cup roster.

Get the gear:
Portugal has brand new home and away jerseys for this World Cup, and there’s no better way to show your support for the team than to get your kit and wear it on match days. The Portugal home kit is red with a green stripe across the chest, and the Portugal away shirt is white with both green and red stripes down the middle. Whether you’re at the match, at the pub, or at home, true supporters will be wearing the kit when the team takes the pitch.

Know your enemies:
Portugal is drawn into World Cup Group G, probably the most difficult of the eight groups. North Korea shouldn’t be a major threat, but 5-time World Cup champions Brazil are ready to make another long run in the tournament, and Ivory Coast are looking to grab the glory on African soil, powered by the Premier League scoring champion, Didier Drogba.

Follow along online:
Here are some links to help you stay up to date with Portugal’s World Cup campaign:
Portugal World Cup Blog
Portugal World Cup on Twitter
Portugal for the World Cup on Facebook

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Portugal travel guide

Early Summer Getaway in Europe

lisbon-sept-28In Europe, the nice weather has already settled in most cities…actually, it almost feels like summer, minus the crowds of tourists. Now it’s the perfect time to plan that Europe getaway: the prices aren’t too high, the crowds of tourists haven’t started to take over the cities and the weather is just perfect for sightseeing… and with a bit of luck you can also catch a lovely tan.

You can Fly cheaply in Europe especially if you know a thing or two about the low-cost carriers on the continent.

Choosing a city to start your European tour is quite hard, especially if you are not sure which part of Europe to start with. If you want to explore Western Europe, you can start in London and then fly south. Flights to Lisbon are easy to find and then you can spend couple of days in Portugal’s capital. Cheap Lisbon hotels are not that hard to find especially during the shoulder season. Then you can take a train to Madrid and then fly to Paris. Spend several days here before deciding whether you want to explore more cities or fly back home.

Price tag? The flight from London to Lisbon on easyJet starts at $90 per person and the flight from Madrid to Paris starts at $26 per person on Ryanair.

Of course this is just an idea for an itinerary. You can also plan to visit Southern Europe and from Madrid hop on a flight to Rome and visit several Italian cities before heading to Athens. Explore the Greek island on ferries (cheap and romantic) before heading back home.

In order to save money check the airlines’ special deals. Ryanair and easyJet are known for their many sales available and booking flights for £6 one way is just a matter of reading the offer at the appropriate time.

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Portugal travel guide

Visiting Portugal in Summer

portugalPortugal doesn’t see as many tourists as it’s neighbor on the Iberian peninsula, Spain. And therein lies part of its charm. Portugal has lots to offer a tourist – the cosmopolitan city of Lisbon with it’s iconic streetcars, the charming colonial town of Sintra, lovely beaches, fresh seafood and fine port – but with fewer crowds.

During the World Cup, Portugal may be an even better place to visit, especially if you’re a fan of the team. Pack your Portugal kits or your Ronaldo World Cup jersey and you’ll blend right in with the local fans (…or at least, not stand out so much).

In between soaking up all the culture, beautiful sights, delicious food and port wine, head to the nearest bar or pub and cheer alongside the locals when their team takes to the field. Plus, if the team wins, it’ll be an unforgettable experience to celebrate in the team’s homeland.

If you plan on rooting for the team in person while they play in South Africa, check out our guide to World Cup South Africa for all the planning information and resources you need, no matter which team you’re cheering for.

Photo by Up Your Ego

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Portugal travel guide

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas … in Lisbon

portugal-treeForget about the busy New York and the traditional Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and ice rink. Skip the Christmas Markets in Vienna as well this year. Instead, head to Portugal for a traditional Christmas.

Why you might ask? After all, Lisbon doesn’t see snow and there aren’t even Christmas markets open at this time of the year. Instead, Lisbon can offer a different way to spend the holidays, especially if you plan to focus on the religious side of the holiday.

Getting to Lisbon

So, what are you waiting for? Look for international airfare into Europe. This time of the year is considered high season so expect the flights to be crowded and the prices quite high. However, the traditional Christmas destinations don’t include Portugal so you will be able to find affordable flights.

It’s a good idea to fly into a major hub, such as London, Paris or Amsterdam. Once on European soil, look for low-cost flights to Lisbon or even plan to get there by other means of transport. The rail network is well developed in Europe and you can get to every corner of the continent quite fast and cheap. Buses, while dreaded by Americans, are preferred by Europeans, especially if time is no concern for them and the budget is on the low side.

Where to stay in Lisbon

Once you have arrived safely in Portugal’s capital, you need a place to stay. Of course, ideally, you should have booked the hotel room before you left home but fear not, you can find places once you arrive in the city.

Cheap Lisbon hotels can be found all over the town, but there are certain neighborhoods that are of particular interest for the tourists. Bairro Alto or the “high town” is where the nightlife can be found while Chiado is the shopping district.

Other choices of accommodation include the Lisbon hostels. The rooms are cheaper than in hotels and the facilities resemble those of cozy small hotels. Of course, make sure to read the reviews carefully since you don’t want to end up in a party hostel if you plan to sleep during the night.

How to celebrate Christmas like the Portuguese do

The Nativity scene is the main focus of the celebrations. Although Christmas trees are common in Portugal as well, the families gather around the Nativity scene. Now, light a yule log in the fireplace.

On Christmas it’s traditional to welcome the souls of the people who have died. Sprinkle bread crumbs and seeds in front of the fireplace as it is believed to bring fruits and grains during the harvest season.

Children should set their shoes to receive the gifts from infant Jesus in them. It’s an old tradition, still alive in Portugal. In some other European countries, children set their shoes on the night of St. Nicholas as he is believed to put the presents in the shoes but only for those children who have been good during the year.

Prepare the Christmas feast, consisting of dried codfish served with boiled potatoes. The meal is eaten right after the Christmas Eve Mass which takes place at midnight. And don’t forget to make “rabanadas” as well. It is white bread, soaked in eggs and wine. Then it’s dipped in sugar and fried until it takes a candy-like crust.

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Portugal travel guide

Portugal – warm European winter destination

portugal-lisbonPortugal is one of the warmest countries in Europe and is a preferred winter getaway for the Europeans who want to escape their homeland’s colder climates. Winters are rainy and a bit cold but temperatures never fall below 5C near the sea (although they can get bit under freezing inland).

As any Europe travel guide will tell you, Portugal is one of the best value destinations on the entire continent. Airline tickets to Europe are easy to find year round and Portugal makes no exception. A lot of low-cost carriers fly here, including during winter. If you fly from outside Europe, it’s a good idea to fly into a major hub first, such as London and then catch a low cost flight to Portugal.

Alentejo region – ideal for winter vacation

Portugal offers outstanding landscape diversity, with green mountains in the North to near-desert landscape in the Alentejo region and incredible beaches in the Algarve region.

Alentejo region is an excellent choice for vacation year-round. The soft hills which make up this agricultural region change colors along the year, allowing for some incredible sunsets. Evora is the regional capital and is a culturally rich town. The easiest way to check out the sites is by walking although if you prefer a more romantic approach, don’t be shy to take a horse carriage ride. There are some Roman ruins to check out, the creepy Bone Chapel (decorated with real human bones) and the old aqueduct is also a very interesting sight to see.

Neolithic ruins are spread all over the countryside near Evora, including cave painting and stunning megalithic monuments. Tours can be arranged at the tourist office in the city.

Lisbon – charming, fascinating and warm

When it comes to accommodation, the network of Europe hostels is very well developed in Portugal. More and more budget travelers have discovered that hostels aren’t just for backpackers or dorm-dwellers. Hostels are suitable for families and couples as well, thanks to the private rooms available. If you plan to visit the capital, Lisbon, staying in a hostel is an excellent way to save money.

The charming city entices the visitors with its bleached limestone buildings, culture, laid-back atmosphere and intimate alleys. It is a place popular among tourists year round and with good reasons. There are plenty of things to do and visit in the capital. For a quick and interesting tour of the major sites, take tram 28. The ride costs only €1.40 and you get to see many of the capital’s charming neighborhoods.

Don’t miss taking a photo of the Ponte Vasco da Gama, the longest bridge in Europe (and ninth longest in the world).

Photo credit

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Portugal travel guide

Portugal and Spain: Touring South Western Europe on a low budget

lisbon-sept-28The two countries, Portugal and Spain, share the Iberian Peninsula and although they don’t share the language, it’s easy to mix both of them in your travel itinerary. Lisbon , Portugal’s capital, is famous for its nightlife, architecture and gambling industry, while Madrid , Spain’s capital, is best known for its cultural heritable, being also a nightlife hotspot.

Point of entry

Both countries are served by large airports and there are numerous deals available into both countries. Finding a cheap flight to Lisbon is especially easy during fall, when the hype of summer is already behind us. The airport is located within the city which makes it easy (and cheap) to get to the hotel or hostel. Although the airport is large, you might find it cheaper to fly into a major European hub and take a connecting flight to Lisbon.

Flights to Madrid are easier to find since the city is one of the major gateways into the continent. The airport is a primary hub for Iberia , so there are quite a lot of possibilities to find good deals from the carrier.

However, you might be able to find great deals into either city. Regardless of your choice, there are numerous ways to get from Madrid to Lisbon (or the other way around) and you might find that a low-cost flight is cheaper than taking the bus.

>>Madrid to Lisbon, one way flight in October from €40 per person

Places to stay

Just like finding the best airfare option, it’s also important to find accommodation which suites your budget. Lisbon hotel rooms come in many sizes and prices but with some research you’ll be able to find good deals even at the hotels located in the city center. Remember that fall is shoulder season in Portugal so the prices are lower than during summer (although the crowds might still exist if the weather continues to be nice).

>>hotel room rates from €25 per night

On the other hand, hostels in Lisbon are affordable and they cater for all types of traveler. Since Lisbon is a party city, make sure to read the reviews before you decide which hostel to book. You really don’t want to stay in a party area if you plan to get your sleep at night.

>>hostel bed rates from €7.50 per night

Hostels in Madrid are somewhat similar to those in Lisbon. Madrid is also a very well known city for its night life and it also has the largest number of bars per capita on the entire continent. So if you plan to get your sleep during the night, you’d better search carefully and decided where to stay.

>>hostel bed rates from €5.15 per night

Both the hostels in Madrid and those in Lisbon offer dorms and private rooms, so they cater for every need. There are small hostels, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, which are perfect for couples and families. And there are also large hostels, ideal for those who like to be sociable and don’t exactly plan to get their sleep at night.

Photo credit: McPig on Flickr

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Portugal travel guide

Flights to Portugal are Cheap in Fall

portugalPortugal is a charming European country, which fascinates the traveler with its cities, culture, countryside and beaches. Having one of the warmest climates on the entire continent, Portugal offers tourists the possibility to spend a beach vacation in September and even October, when most of the continent is starting to shiver and curse the rain.

Airports in Portugal

The majority of travelers arrive in Portugal on a flight. Thankfully, due to the number of direct and indirect flights available, it’s easy to find cheap tickets from both Europe and Northern America.

The country’s main airport is located in the capital of Lisbon. It is one of Europe’s largest airports and is served by many carriers. As a result, cheap international flights are just as common as if you were flying into Paris, London or other major European hub. And the Europe airline tickets are often dirt cheap as the airport is served by a variety of low-cost carriers including: Aer Lingus, bmibaby, Blue Air and EasyJet.

Tips on finding the cheapest ticket

September in Portugal is still a month when travelers can enjoy the beach activities. It’s not scorching hot anymore and many prefer to push their vacation plans in September in order to save some money.

Direct flights to Portugal from the United States are available. One choice is to fly from New York and you can opt for United Airlines, Continental Airlines or TAP Portugal. In mid-September a round-trip flight starts at $648 per person. Cheaper flights are available on Iberia but you are required to make a stop-over in Madrid (Spain). By early October the indirect flights are still cheap but the direct flights can be quite expensive (starting at $708 per person).

Although we often hear that it’s cheaper to fly into a larger European hub, such as Paris or London first and then choose another way to travel to Portugal, this is not always the case. For example, in mid-September, a round trip ticket from London to Lisbon starts at $167 while a direct round trip flight from New York to London starts at $600. Total cost: $767 which means you are better off choosing the direct flight from the US to Portugal. However, this tactics might work when you have time to book the flights quite far in advance and allow for longer stays in London or Paris, for example.

The cheapest option however would be to fly into Madrid and then catch low-cost flight to Lisbon. In mid-September a round trip ticket from New York to Madrid starts at $582 while a low-cost round trip flight between Madrid and Lisbon starts at $56. Total cost: $638.

Photo credit: pjf@cpan on Flickr

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Accommodation Portugal

Traveller’s House – Lisbon, Portugal – Trekker’s Hostel Highlights

Opened on October 6, 2006, Traveller’s is located in the middle of Rua Augusta, the main tourist street in Lisbon, in an area called Baixa, known for being the most central and historical. Walking distance from the ferry and a short bus trip (#91) from the airport, its location makes it the ideal hostel to swing by during your stay in Lisbon.

Along with the ideal location, Traveller’s House also offers daily activities for a small fee, such as wine tasting, happy hour, bar crawl, piri piri chicken (spicy Portuguese marinade) and petiscos (Portuguese Tapas/snacks). Breakfast is included, and at €18-22 a night you might expect this to be cold cereal and watered down juice, but that is far from the truth. In the dining area you sit down at a comfy table with a placemat, utensils and all the condiments you would need. Then the house mom comes up and asks how you would like your eggs. A very pleasant, and delicious surprise, especially if you have enjoyed the bar crawl the night before.

The dorm rooms are super comfortable with large bunk beds and fantastic storage. In the large built-in lockers under the beds there are also individual safes for you to store your passports and money. The showers have superb water pressure, always an important factor after a long day of touring, and the wood accents throughout the house gives it a warm homely feel. The common room comes complete with huge bean bags and a comfy couch. There is free internet and a small TV room, both of which are super comfortable and perfect for vegging out and recovering. The staff completes this perfect package with their enthusiasm, knowledge of local info and generally making you feel like you are part of the family.

Traveller’s House
Rua Augusta, 89, 1st floor
1100-048 Lisbon
Portugal
Official Traveller’s House website

More Traveller’s House photos