Pass The Passport

Places / Europe

Portugal

Visited

At a glance

Region
Southern Europe
Capital
Lisbon
Population
10.8 million (2025)
Area
92,090 km²
Languages
Portuguese
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Drives on the
right
Calling code
+351
Visited: Portugal

Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.

Before you go

Overview

The Portuguese Republic is a country located at the Iberian Peninsula in Southwest of Europe. It is the westernmost point of Europe.

The country recorded a population of 10.28 million in 2019 and covers an area of 92,212 km2.

Its capital city is Lisbon. Its landmarks are Sao Jorge Castle, Tagus Estuary and Ponte Bridge.

Other major cities are Porto, Coimbra and Braga.

The port city of Porto.

History

Portugal was proclaimed a Republic in 1910. The new constitution formed in 1911 separated the church from the state.

The country fought in the First World War on the allied side.

It participated in the formation of NATO in 1949 and joined the United Nations in 1955.

It then granted its African colonies independence between 1974 and 1975.

Food & culture

The country is primarily a Roman Catholic country. It has influences from Celtic, Lusitanian, Phoenician, Jewish and German culture.

The main crops grown in the country are cereals, rice, grapes, potatoes, tomatoes and olives.

The common dishes are grilled fish, sardines, pork sandwiches, clams, seafood bread stew, Caldo Verde, codfish, bifanas and francesinha sandwich.

Wildlife

Common wildlife animals are the wild pig, wild goat, deer and lynx.

Festivals & events

The main celebrated events include Carnaval, Holy Week, Fatima Pilgrimage, Sintra Festival, Cascais Festival and National Agriculture Fair.

Things to see

Belem Tower that has existed since the 16th century was used for embarkation and disembarkation for the Portuguese explorers.

There is also Park and National Palace of Pena of the Romanticist that is built at Sintra.

Other must-see places in Portugal are Jeronimos Monastery, Castle de S. Jorge, Praca do Come and National Azulejo Museum.

Interesting facts

It is the oldest nation; its land borders were defined in 1139 CE.

It has the oldest bookstore that still operates today. It is in Livraria Bertrand and it was founded in 1732 in Lisbon.

It is the leading world’s producer of cork.

The national language is Portuguese.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

Famous hikes in Portugal

Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

Distance
About 12 km return
Time
4 to 5 hours
Best time
April to October

How to do it: A spectacular ridge path between Madeira's highest peaks, often above the clouds. Check the trail is open before you go, as sections close after storms, and expect a small trail fee for visitors.

Run a marathon in Portugal

Lisbon Marathon

Lisbon · usually October

Starts across the river in Cascais and runs along the coast into the city, finishing near the Praça do Comércio.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal

3 of 16 visited. See every site I've been to.

My photos from Portugal

From 4 trips, newest first, so you can see which places each set of photos came from.

March 2024 Madeira

Santana, Funchal, Porto Moniz, Câmara de Lobos, Seixal

Whole trip gallery
  • A man and a woman in sunglasses taking a selfie above crashing waves and sea stacks.
  • A man standing beside a stone summit pillar in the mist.
  • A man and a woman taking a selfie with jagged mountains and cloud behind.
  • A smiling man and a woman in hoods taking a selfie on a red mountain path in the mist.
  • A man standing at the bottom of a tall waterfall in a lush green gorge.
  • A dish of grilled limpets in their shells topped with butter and a lemon wedge.
  • Fresh fish of various colours laid out on ice at a market stall with price labels.
  • Smiling man in sunglasses and a blue T-shirt in front of crashing turquoise waves and a rocky islet.
  • Turquoise waves crashing over black volcanic rocks along a rugged coastline.
  • Elevated view over a coastal village and a small rocky islet in a grey-blue ocean.
  • Man in a blue fleece standing in front of steep green mountain ridges and a misty valley.
  • Looking down a sheer sea cliff to small coastal fields and a shimmering blue ocean.

June 2017 Portugal Guns N Roses

Lisbon, Passeio Marítimo de Algés

Whole trip gallery
  • The ornate white Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon behind manicured gardens
  • The ornate white stone facade of the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon.
  • A red heritage tram in Praça do Comércio, Lisbon.
  • Portugal
  • Portugal

May 2015 Porto

Porto

Whole trip gallery
  • Porto's riverside old town tumbling down to the Douro under a blue sky

October 2013 Azores

Ponta Delgada

Whole trip gallery
  • A man standing by a fence next to steaming volcanic hot springs.
  • The twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades on São Miguel in the Azores.
  • Dolphins swimming under the surface of the deep blue Atlantic off the Azores.

Plan your trip to Portugal

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Neighbours

Bucket List goals in Portugal

None on the list yet. Got a suggestion? Email Dan.