So France, Spain and the UK are all on your travel bucket list – but what about Portugal? This small country set on the Atlantic Coast has more to offer than you can possibly imagine. And it’s still quite undiscovered by the tourist masses – making it the perfect spot for your next holiday. But if you’re still unsure whether Portugal is worth your (well-deserved) holiday, check out some of the best things this country can offer you:
1. The history
Portugal is one of Europe’s oldest countries, with its official borders set in the 11th century! All of this history is still there for you to experience and explore. From ancient castles to incredible monuments, beautiful architecture and practically intact old towns, there’s no shortage of history for you to discover in this small country.
2. The climate
Portugal has arguably the best climate Europe. With mild winters and incredibly warm summers, temperatures won’t drop much below 5ºC in the peak of the cold season and can get as high as 45ºC in the hot summer months. But the best part of it all is that, no matter which season you choose to take your holiday and visit Portugal, you are guaranteed sunny weather year-round.
3. Incredible wine and liquor
This small country is known for many specialties around the world and one of them is definitely its wine. From the infamous wine cellars in Oporto to the luscious vineyards in the Alentejo region, there are plenty of different wines you can try in Portugal. And the country also produces a number liquors such as Madeira wine, moscatel and more – what better place to taste them than in their country of origin?
4. The best waves
Always wanted to learn to surf? Portugal has some of the best waves for that! With a long coastline facing the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll be spoilt for choice for beautiful beaches that offer up some fantastic waves to surf. And if you consider yourself a bit of an expert, you can try the mightier waves in Nazaré – that’s where Garrett MacNamara and Andrew Cotton set world records for the largest waves ever surfed.
5. Fado
This melancholy song is protected as a UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage and it is one of the most beautiful and unique performances you will witness. With a Portuguese guitar accompanying the poetic verses of a singer, Fado is all you need to make your evening that much more special.
6. The seafood
There are many advantages to having such a vast coastline as Portugal and one of them is definitely the incredibly fresh fish and seafood the country has access to. From mussels to sardines, clams, shrimp, and bass – whatever restaurant you choose – if it’s near the coastline, you know you’ll be served only the freshest seafood in town.
7. Beautiful beaches
Portugal’s long coastline is also filled with some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors – some offer gorgeous white sand, others are rocky and rugged, but all of them will leave you completely breathless at the sight of them.
8. Delicious traditional delicacies
Portugal is really all about the food. Besides great wine and fresh seafood, the country is also very well known for its delicious pastries. The most famous of these are the Pasteis de Belém, but you can walk into any pastelaria (or pastry shop) and delight your taste buds with all kinds of delicacies any time.
