Portugal Travel Guide 

Important Things To Know

Currency

Since 2002, Portugal has been using the Euro.

National Languages

The national languages of Portugal are Portuguese, Mirandese, and Portuguese sign language. 

And you better have your phrase book ready because Portuguese is the language most spoken in the country, with a smaller part of the population speaking English, French, and Spanish.

Time Zone

Portugal observes daylight savings time where the clocks are moved forward by one hour. It should also be noted that the Azores islands have a different time zone to Portugal (UTC -1).

Climate And Weather

Portugal has one of the warmest climates in all of Europe, making it a great place to kick back and soak up the weather. The summers are warm and dry and the winters are mild. 

The country has very little rainfall, with an average yearly rainfall of about 3000 mm. 

One of our favorite things about the weather is that even though the climate is hot, the heat is often accompanied by a sea breeze, making the weather very tolerable and quite pleasant.  

When To Visit Portugal

Our favorite time to visit Portugal is in the springtime (March to May) - especially since the summers in central Portugal can get very hot.

But, if you don’t enjoy large crowds, Autumn (September to October) is also a good option (especially since the weather is still quite warm during this time).

If you want to explore the inland areas (trust us, you should), you can opt to go during the Winter (which still has a relatively warm climate), although many of the beach resorts are closed during this season.

Best Places To Stay In Portugal

Portugal has a variety of options for accommodation, depending on your needs.

• If you are looking for sun and seafood, your best bet will be to head to the Algarve.
  
  
• If you are looking for something tropical and quieter, the Madeira islands may be a more suitable option.
  
  
• Some people who long for the hustle and bustle of the city may opt to stay in Lisbon or Porto.
  
  
• The Alentejo Region boasts a variety of winelands and inland beauty for the more discerning among us.
  
  
• And if you want to experience the waves, you should go over to Peniche, which is a surfing hotspot.