Top 8 Advice For Everyone Planning A Trip In Portugal This Summer

Portugal is a wonderful place filled with great people, lovely food and exciting culture. Post-pandemic, Portugal will certainly be at the top of many people’s wishlists for places to visit. The weather is great all year round, too, especially in the summer months.

If you’re starting to think about visiting or even moving to Portugal, there is plenty to look forward to. In this article, let’s discuss all the top advice for everyone planning to visit Portugal this summer. Read on for everything you need to know about the country, the best places to visit, and how to make sure your stay is legal. 

Vacation Or Residency?

If you are planning a trip to Portugal, you may be considering short or long-term visits. As it is such a wonderful country, the appeal is certainly there for both! For vacations, you have a selection of ways to stay and visit Portugal. With multiple international airports, coastal resorts, AirBnBs and guesthouses, there are plenty of options. Depending on what you are after, Portugal can be a budget or expensive destination. 

If you are planning to work in Portugal or take some of your business there, you may consider residency. Of course, this would require visas, which will be discussed shortly. Portugal is a very welcoming place, though, so if you are looking to move abroad, it could be the perfect location for you.

Getting A Visa

To move to Portugal, you will need to apply for a Visa, just like you would for most other companies. However, this is one of the easier countries to do so. With programs like the InvestGoldenVisa, you can start to move your business to Portugal and earn citizenship. Through this program, investors can bring their work to Portugal and, in an average of just 8 months, earn Portuguese citizenship. You will then have access to all 26 EU / Schengen Area countries at all times with your new Portuguese passport.

If you are from a non-EU member state, you may also need a visa to enter Portugal for a short-term vacation. This is a simple application process involving providing specific documents and an application form to the Portuguese embassy. You’ll need to show your travel itinerary, photos, and prove you can afford to pay for your time in Portugal. This is all done through the Schengen Visa program. 

Best Places To Visit

So, whether you’re working, staying, or vacationing in Portugal, there are some amazing towns and cities to visit. The capital, Lisbon, is the largest city in Portugal, with its extended administrative limits housing over 2 million citizens. If you’re looking for coastal sunshine, excellent food, great drinks, and plenty of history, Lisbon could be the place for you.

There are also plenty of other spots worth considering. Porto is a smaller city in wine country, where you can enjoy a more peaceful life with relaxing wine trips and beautiful scenery. The Faro district is another top choice. On the southern coast, you will find beaches, resorts, and plenty of tourist activity. Or, if you don’t fancy a city break, there are plenty of hillside settlements and towns, like Sintra, where the royal palaces are found.

Travel To And In Portugal

Getting to Portugal is just as easy as anywhere else. With international airports in Lisbon, Faro, Madeira and more, you’ll be able to fly straight to your chosen destination from many places. If you are travelling from the US, you can fly to 10s of Portuguese airports with just one layover, and most of the major airports fly direct to the US.

As Portugal is not a massive country, it is relatively easy to get around. Hiring a car a good option, as the roads are great and make travel a breeze. Public transport in Portugal is also cheap, with trams, trains, busses and ferries all serving the Portuguese public for low fees. 

Portugal Weather

The weather in Portugal is nice almost all year round. In the winter months, you can expect temperatures ranging from 55-65F, while in the Summer, temperatures average at a little shy of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. A really nice place to be, then, especially if you love the sunshine! As far as rain goes, the winter months do provide a bit of rain, but Portugal still sees more sun than much of the rest of Europe during this time.

Is Portugal Expensive?

Portugal is, despite its rich history and amazing cities, one of the cheaper destinations of Western Europe. Food and transport prices remain super low, making Portugal an attractive destination for many holidaymakers.

If considering the switch to Portuguese living, the prices for real estate vary. As with any other country, popular destinations and holiday spots drive real estate prices higher. It is, despite the cheap cost of living, a relatively expensive place to buy a home compared with some of its neighbouring countries.

Best Food In Portugal

Portugal is a country known for its great food. Due to its many coastal regions, fresh fish is on the menu almost daily, with its national dish being Bacalhau, a dried and salted Cod dish. But, the Portuguese also love their meats, with cured pork being another national staple.

On a daily basis, you can expect to find fish and meat dishes with plenty of sides. Often, when dining in Portugal, you will receive a selection of starters while you peruse the menu. Things like olives, bread, and other small plates are common.

Portugal Culture

Portuguese people have a strong sense of tradition and culture, though their lives have been moulded by many different cultures over the years including Catholic, Celtic and Germanic. They are family-oriented people with a great appreciation of the arts. When visiting Portugal you can expect music, drama, dance, and theatre to all be part of your regular cultural trips. Galleries and museums are an absolute must-visit in Portugal since they house some of the finest art in the world.

As you can see, Portugal is a wonderful place to visit. Whether you are planning a short trip or a long-term stay, you’ll love the place and the people. The weather and the wonderful food really make it perfect, too.