Stunning beaches, crystal blue water, world class architecture, great wine and food, friendly people and affordability – if that sounds like a perfect vacation, I have a place for you to visit – Portugal! Not many countries can offer all of this, and more, in one package and without breaking your budget. Portugal’s weather just puts an additional glow on the country’s perfect mixture of attractions. Read on to discover 11 top reasons to visit Portugal.
11 Top Reasons to Visit Portugal
1. Portuguese tiles – azulejos
2. Diversity of attractions
3. Portugal’s weather
4. Affordability
5. Port wine
6. Fado – the soul of Portuguese music
7. Portuguese food
8. Portuguese architecture
9. Ease to reach and navigate
10. High standard of living and services
11. Low crime rate
I traveled to Portugal twice so far. My first trip was a 24 hour stopover in Lisbon. I was sold on the spot. I fell in love with its colorful tiled houses, outdoor cafes, fado music and the city’s local vibe despite being a popular tourist destination. My second trip was a week long and I was happy to discover that the whole country is lively, colorful, and one of a kind, just like Lisbon. Every day of my visit brought something new and fascinating. So what am I so excited about? These are my top 11 reasons to visit Portugal.
1. Portuguese tiles – azulejos
When I think about Portugal, tiles immediately come to mind. They are the soul of the country. Azulejo is a form of painted tin glazed ceramic tilework. You will find them in the interior and exterior of churches, palaces, ordinary houses, schools, restaurants, bars and even railway or subway stations.
Traditionally they are blue and white, but other colors can often be seen. They are not only used as an ornamental art form, but also to control temperature in Portuguese homes. They make the country cheerful and inviting.
2. Diversity of attractions
One of the most important reasons to visit Portugal is that it offers a huge variety of attractions. You will find there calm sandy beaches, waves for surfing, dramatics cliffs, wineries, centuries old history and culture, stunning architecture, and a fado scene for music lover.
Check my One Week Itinerary in Portugal to learn in more details what the country has to offer.
Venture out off the beaten path and discover little towns and villages bursting with character and colors. Meet the locals at the corner cafes and just smile at them. They will return your smile for sure or even better talk to them if possible.
3. Portugal’s weather
The majority of travelers picture their holidays in sunny and warm places. Portugal can definitely deliver on that. With plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures all year round, it is one of the warmest European countries. Summers can be hot, but the cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean tend to tamp down the heat.
The western parts of the country have a more maritime climate with cooler, dry summers. The southern region, the stunning Algarve, had a more Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild winter.
Outdoor cafes were open there when I visited in December! Expats have been moving to the Algarve for decades for the abundance of sunshine, the top-class seafood. and the slower pace of life.
4. Affordability
Other then its attractiveness, the most important reasons to visit Portugal is its affordability. You will definitely get your moneys worth there. I am talking about hotels, food, attractions, transportation, etc.
If you travel off-season, like I did, you can rent a beautifully remodeled apartment in a center of Lisbon’s famous old districts Alfama for less than $60 per night. A two-room apartment with a sea view in Albufeira in the beautiful Algarve will cost you under $30 per night.
A delicious dinner with appetizers, drinks and desserts will cost about $40 for two, which is less than half of what you pay in the USA for a similar meal.
You can park your car by Portugal’s most popular attractions for less than a dollar per hour versus $20 and up in major US cities. Portugal remains one of the most inexpensive countries in Europe for visitors and ex-pats alike.
5. Port wine
Ok, this when it becomes personal, I love port wine!
Port wine is as Portuguese as it could be. Made for centuries in the rugged region of northwest Portugal’s Douro Valley, it is a fortified wine, which means blended with a small amount of a distilled spirit, usually brandy.
It’s rather sweet and comes in a variety of styles. Its name ”port” comes from the coastal city of Porto, strategically located at the mouth of the Douro River. This where for centuries, merchant ships loaded with casks of Port began their journey up the coastline to England.
6. Fado – the soul of Portuguese music
Fado, translated as destiny or fate, is a soul of Portuguese music. It can be traced from the 1820s. The mournful tunes originate from the sorrow felt due to the separation of dangerous Portuguese sea voyages around the globe.
Fado has its historical roots within the district of Alfama in Lisbon where the families of sailors lived. The best Fado restaurants and venues are still located within this district. This also where you will find the Fado Museum.
I attended a fado show during my first visit to Portugal. It was not only music to my years but also a culinary delight. Watch this excellent movie about Fado, with actual performances, and narrative about Fado’s roots and its meaning to the people of Portugal.
7. Portuguese food
For foodies, one of the most important reasons to visit Portugal would be its delicious and fresh food. With a strong Mediterranean influence, the country is famous for its seafood. It also reflects its colonial past with a wide variety of spices.
Olive oil is one of the bases of Portuguese cuisine, which is used both for cooking and flavoring meals. Garlic is widely used, as are herbs, such as bay leaf and parsley. Here are the top Portuguese dishes you should try.
I did not have a bad meal during my week’s visit to Portugal. Everything was delicious and fresh, and… did I mention cheap?! Eating in Portugal is not just about taking care of your hunger, it is an experience.
8. Portuguese architecture
Portugal has 22 sites classified as World Heritage, including monuments, historic city centers, landscapes, and intangible heritage. Prior to Sintra’s classification, there was no such category as Cultural Landscape.
Unesco created it specifically for this area where the mountains and nature parks are dotted with palaces and farms bursting with history and culture. So pleasing to the eyes, it feels like a fairy tale land, straight from the children’s books.
Castles in Portugal were crucial components of the military throughout its history. The Portuguese learned the art of building fortifications from the Romans and the Moors. Today these structures add to the charm of the country: The Ten Most Beautiful Castles in Portugal.
Learn more: The Best Examples of Architecture in Lisbon and Portugal
9. Ease to reach and navigate
If you think of reasons to visit Portugal, you should know that reaching the country is very easy. Many major airlines fly to Lisbon and Porto. It is not a large country so you can get almost everywhere from other parts of Europe by car, train, or bus.
Regional trains are often cheaper and some lines very scenic, but it’s almost always quicker to go by bus – especially on shorter or less obvious routes. Still, driving is the best way to explore Portugal, and its off the beaten path corners. Roads are well kept and do not get as congested as in other parts of Europe.
10. High standard of living and services
Portugal is a developed country with a high income, advanced economy, and a high living standard. The Portuguese healthcare system incorporates both public and private healthcare services and the standard of Portugal’s healthcare is high.
The country also ranks highly in every indicator under the tourist service infrastructure category, and especially in ATMs, car rental companies, and the quality of tourism infrastructure.
Additionally, it has high scores in other tourism categories, including safety and security and international openness, making the country an all-around comfortable place to visit.
11. Low crime rate
Portugal is very tolerant and religiously and politically united, which contributes to the fact that it boasts one of the world’s lowest crime rates. It is one of the most peaceful countries in the world. Low cost of living, transparent tax rules, climate, and friendly people make Portugal a great place to live.
A violent crime occurs very rarely, however, small crimes like pickpocketing do exists in large cities like Lisbon and Porto. Despite the fact that Portugal is generally safe, travelers should exercise appropriate care and commons sense.
If you looking for a completely different but also captivating European experience, check out 10 Top Reasons to Visit Iceland.
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Great pictures and commentary.
Thank you! Beautiful country, great memories.
Great post! So nice to hear that kind of comments about my country.
Next time, when this pandemic ends, you have to visit the Azores Islands. Another paradise in Portugal.
You can see some photos in my blog. 🙂
Stay safe.
Thank you. I know about Azores and they are on the top of my to do list. Do you live there?
Great to know that! 😀
Yes, I’m from São Miguel island. 🙂