Portugal Travel Guide
An independent kingdom since 1143, Portugal established its continental frontiers in 1297 and is among the oldest nations in Europe.
Situated on the extreme southwest corner of Europe, in the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal's position on the Atlantic coast soon determined our attraction to the sea. To the north and east we have open borders with neighboring Spain, whose people we usually call nuestros hermanos--"our brothers."
In 1415, the Portuguese set sail on an epic voyage that would make them the first to discover the ocean routes to India, Brazil, China and Japan, and at the same time founded settlements on the east and west coasts of Africa. This year we are commemorating the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Brazil by the navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral with a series of festivities.
The nation's vast monumental, artistic and archeological heritage bears witness to 850 years of encounters with distant cultures, and also to the presence of many ancient peoples in Portugal (including the Celts, Suevians, Visigoths, Romans and Arabs).
The natural advantages of a sunny country with diverse geographic features have turned Portugal into a chosen destination for many holiday makers. It is an ideal place for water sports and golf, offering modern tourism facilities, as well as historic and personalized accommodations, such as turismo de habitação (less expensive lodging in private homes ranging from wonderful farmhouses to manor houses), the privately owned Hotéls de Charme or the government-operated pousadas.
According to figures released by the World Tourism Organization, Portugal ranks 15th worldwide in number of international visitors, reflecting their confidence in choosing Portugal.
For centuries, Portugal has maintained this greatest treasure: a reputation for hospitality that makes the country a haven of congeniality and safety.
Travel to Portugal:
Featured Destinations from Europe
Maynooth : Ireland
Maynooth (Maigh Nuad in Irish) is a town located in County Kildare, Ireland. Two educational institutions -- the National University of Ireland, Maynooth and St Patrick's College -- are located in the town. Despite the lower figures quoted by census results, the true population of the town is anywhere from
Mladá Boleslav : Czech Republic
Mladá Boleslav (German: Jungbunzlau) is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, on the left bank of Jizera river about 50 km northwest of Prague by a poor-quality motorway. Population: 43,399 (2002). Founded in the second half of the 10th century by king Boleslav as a royal
Ustka : Poland
Ustka (Polish: Ustka; German: Stolpmuende), is a town in Middle Pomerania region, north-western Poland with 17,100 inhabitants (2001). Ii is also part of Slupsk County in Pomeranian Voivodship since 1999, previously in Slupsk Voivodship (1975-1998). Popular tourist destination and a fishing port on the south coasts of the Baltic. Monuments: lighthouse from
Napoli (Naples) : Italy
Naples (Italian Napoli, Neapolitan Napule, from Greek ??? ????? - Néa Pólis - meaning "New City") is the largest city in southern Italy and capital of Campania Region. The city has a population of about 1 million, and together with its suburbs, the metropolitan area has 3.7 million inhabitants (Neapolitans).
Pezinok : Slovakia
Pezinok (Hungarian: Bazin, German: Bösing) is a city in southwestern Slovakia. It is roughly 20 km northeast of Bratislava and has an area of around 73 km². Pezinok has a population of 21,865.
Bi?goraj : Poland
Bi?goraj is a town in south-eastern Poland with 27,000 inhabitants (2003). It is located 90 km S of Lublin. It is also the capital of the Bi?goraj county. Situated in the Lublin Voivodship (since 1999), previously in Zamosc Voivodship (1975-1998).
Den Helder: Netherlands
Den Helder: Netherlands
Hiiu County : Estonia
Hiiu County : Estonia Harju County or Harjumaa (Estonian Harju maakond or Harjumaa) is a County or maakond of Estonia on the south coast of the Gulf of Finland. It borders to Lääne County to the southwest, Rapla County and Järva County to the south and Lääne-Viru County to the east.
Rasnov : Romania
Râ?nov (German: Rosenau; Hungarian: Barcarozsnyo) is a town in Bra?ov County, Romania with a population of 16,242. It is located at about 15 km from the city of Bra?ov and about the same distance from Bran, on the road that linked Wallachia and Transylvania. In Râ?nov a citadel was built around the
The Grand Place Grote Market - Market Square
"One of the most beautiful town squares in Europe, if not in the world", is a phrase often heard when visitors in Brussels try to describe the beauty of the central market square. French-speakers refer to it as the 'Grand-Place', whereas in Dutch it is called 'de grote Markt'. The
