Portugal is one of the many beautiful countries in Europe. It is frequented by thousands of tourists every year and is comparatively affordable than some of the other European countries.
Before visiting Portugal, there are a few things which you should know. Many of these things might be common knowledge, but many tourists ignore or forget them before planning a trip to Portugal.
Because I want you to have the best experience possible, this post highlights seven important things which you should know before you visit this famous and beautiful country.
The Cities Have Many Hills:
If you’re visiting Portugal, you will very likely be exploring cities like Lisbon. Lisbon is located on a range of hills. That is why it is wise to pack some comfortable footwear. Wearing comfortable shoes will allow you to explore the city with ease, especially since there are many cities having cobblestone streets in Portugal.
Only when you wear the right shoe, can you work for long hours and explore the city. Make sure your break your shoes in in advance and bring them with you in your luggage; buying them at your destination in Portugal is likely to be expensive.
Learn some essential words:
English is fairly well-known in Portugal. In spite of that, it is better to learn some local words. The reason for this is that in the tourist circuit, English is popular, but when you want to interact with locals, you will have to use Portuguese. Due to this very reason, it is better to learn some necessary words of Portuguese.
When you learn some key words and phrases, you’ll be able to easily ask for directions or thank the locals.
Goodbye……….Adeus
Good morning……….Bom dia
Good afternoon……….Boa tarde
Good evening/night……….Boa noite
Please……….Por favor
Thank You……….Obrigado(a)
You’re welcome……….De nada
I’m sorr……….Desculpe
Excuse me/pardon me……….Com licença
You can easily install a Portuguese learning app on your smartphone or use an audio translator. The choice is entirely up to you. When you have a device with translation handy, it is easy to interact with the locals.
Safety:
Portugal is one of the safest countries in Europe. You can easily travel to Portugal along with your family and explore the destinations with ease. However, you have to ensure that at the prime tourist destinations, you are alert against pickpockets and tourist scams.
It is always better to stay alert rather than take things for granted. Stick to the tourist sites or follow good guide books and recommendations and you will not have a problem.
Plenty of Beaches
Portugal has a long coastline and when planning your trip, you may want to make time to explore the beaches.
If you want to move away from the crowd and explore some of the lesser crowded beaches, you can head over to areas like Alentejo and Minho. The number of tourists visiting these beaches is very less. Hence; if you want to move away from the tourists and explore the beaches in their entirety, these areas are the perfect option.
Surfers Paradise
Because of the numerous beaches, Portugal is a great destination if you want to learn surfing. The Nazare Canyon is the world’s most prominent surfing area. You can easily enjoy surfing in this area.
Some of the other destinations which you can visit for surfing include Peniche and Ericeira.
Note: If you are just a beginner when it comes to surfing, it is wise to stay away from Nazare canyon. It is suitable for intermediate surfers. There are plenty of other beaches where you get surfing waves.
Peneda-Gerês National Park
If you want to be close to nature, the Peneda-Gerês National Park in the northern part is the perfect option for you. If you wish to hike or explore some wildlife or check out some of the historic villages, this national park has something for everyone.
Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês flickr photo by frans16611 shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license
You can quickly cover it in a day trip from the city of Porto. If you enjoy camping, it is wise to take a couple of days out for this national park. It will allow you to explore the flora and fauna of Portugal and stay close to nature.
Plenty of Castles:
Portugal has had a tumultuous past. Hence; the number of castles which you find in Portugal is numerous. They are spread all over the country. Some of them which are worth visiting include:
These castles have been standing strong for centuries. They are also a testament to the rich history of Portugal. Whenever you’re near these castles, it is well worth a visit.
These are the main things which you need to know when planning your trip to Portugal. Keep them in mind and you’ll have an incredible experience!
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