For a long time, my husband and I wanted to visit Portugal, but it so happened that we actually got together to get there only after we had business partners in this country.
So, what do you need to organize an independent trip to Portugal.
1. Apply for a visa. This was not relevant for us, since we already had a Schengen visa (Spanish).
If the issue of opening a visa is relevant, then you can do it at the Consulate of Portugal, you first need to buy air tickets, book hotels along the route of your trip, and take out insurance for the entire stay. I will write about how to do all this a little lower.
2. Buy tickets to Portugal. For example, to the capital - the city of Lisbon. How to buy tickets on your own favorable price read my article. 90 percent of the time I use onetwotrip.com to buy tickets now. You can read more about this site in my article.
3. Decide on a travel route. Be sure to plan 4 days for Lisbon, we were there all 2 days and didn’t manage to see the city. Unless they took a ride on a sightseeing bus 🙂 Also, all my friends are delighted with the town of Porto. And very close to Lisbon there is a wonderful town of Sintra. Which is also a must visit.
If you are traveling to Portugal during the high season from June to September, you can combine sightseeing with a vacation on the ocean in the Algarve area (Albufeira - Albufeira, Portimão - Portimao, Lagos - Lagos, Alvor-Alvor) or on lisbon riviera in the towns of Cascais or Estoril.
We spent almost 20 days on the South Coast in the town of Portimão. We liked. But we were there during the off season. And it was quiet, comfortable and peaceful. During the season, I think there are a lot more people here. Portugal is a favorite holiday destination for the British. But there are almost no Russians here at all. Since there is no package tourism from Russia 🙂
Since we were by car, we also looked a little at the neighboring cities, which we also really liked.
This is Albufeira. The photo shows a view from the platform near the elevator to the central beach.
This is the beach of Dona Anna (Praia Dona Anna) in the city of Lagos (Lagos)
This is the beach of the three sisters (Praia dos tres Irmanas in the city of Alvor)
This is the view from the observation deck to the main beach of the city of Portimao - Praia da Rocha. Which are on this moment is the widest of all the beaches we have ever seen.
In general, the south of Portugal is such that if you love nature, and in particular the ocean and rocks, then you can go to a new picturesque beach at least every day.
4. Book hotels. After you have decided on the route and planned the number of days in each place, you need to book hotels. You will need confirmation of all bookings to process your visa. You can book hotels, for example, through the currently best booking site in the world - booking.com Read about how to do this in my article -. Moreover, not always booked hotels need to be paid immediately. In 60 percent of the case, this can be done already on the spot. Be sure to clarify the information on the terms of payment before making a booking.
5. Take out insurance for the entire duration of your trip.
You can do this at any insurance company that deals with travel insurance. The cost of insurance is now about 1 euro per day. You can read about how to get insurance in my article.
For a trip to the Schengen countries, insurance is required.
6. Decide on a way to move around the country. We travel around Portugal by car and we really enjoyed it.
But be prepared for toll roads, expensive gasoline and narrow streets with no parking in cities. And to paid parking, which is also not always easy to find a place. Especially in the summer season :)
8. And of course, take into account the weather.
Now, as I write these lines, November 17th. +18 outside. We most often go in T-shirts, if the wind blows, then we need a light jacket or sweater. Sometimes it rains, in general, November is the rainiest month in Portugal. But there was no rain for a whole day in 20 days. On rainy days, the weather is something like this - it rains for an hour, then there are clouds for a couple of hours, then the sun for a couple of hours, then it rains again, the clouds are sunny 🙂
As for the ocean, its temperature rarely exceeds 23 degrees and it is warmest in August and September. Moreover, its temperature is completely unpredictable 🙂
A few useful things for an independent traveler in Portugal.
1. Surfing is very popular here, and it seems to me here good conditions for teaching and learning. Although there are quite a lot of surfers, and even in the off-season - all in wetsuits.
2. By the way, Portugal also has its own island of eternal spring, Madeira, so a trip to the continental part of the country can be combined with a visit to the evergreen island.
3. The country is not at all rich, but at the same time not cheap. And can not recover from the crisis in 2008. Big lovers of "all inclusive" in Turkey, most likely, Portugal will not be very understood and not very fond of. But we fell in love with her with all our hearts and already really want to return.
4. If you don't know Portuguese, feel free to speak English. 80 percent of the tourists here are from the UK. And in the South of Portugal there are a lot of emigrants from Russia and Ukraine. Therefore, there are chances that you will be understood even if you speak Russian.
5. If you are on vacation in the south of Portugal, be sure to take a boat ride along the picturesque coastline.
6. Seafood is very popular in Portugal, but meat is also delicious. Choose restaurants where almost all the tables are occupied, and preferably local ones :) Or ask the reception staff of your hotel for recommendations. Well, or refer to the rating of the site tripadvisor.com
7. In Portugal, everyone speaks Portuguese, but you will be perfectly understood if you speak Spanish or English.
That's all for today. Articles with photos of the beaches we love will be a little later.
Have a wonderful and bright independent trip to Portugal!
Got questions? Write in the comments to this article. I will answer with pleasure!
Success and good luck!
The main attraction of Portugal: Wine! (this is written by me, a non-drinker).
If I were a man, I would start this post like this: Countries are like girls. There are those who immediately blow their minds with their crazy views, bright colors and you want to come and conquer, while getting drunk with delight and submitting too. But there comes a moment when all the mysteries are solved, the views are photographed and there is nothing more to do here, it's time to move on ...
Portugal is not like that at all. She modestly lives for herself somewhere near the Atlantic Ocean, so that you come and figs you swim here - only if you surf, otherwise you can die in this water. There are no bright colors and mind blowing beauties.
Started: June 2017, last updated: September 2018.
Portugal is a country that quietly and leisurely draws in and becomes home. And you don’t feel like going anywhere else, because you already know all the best surf spots in this icy ocean and they are really one of the best in the world. Because, waking up after dinner, after a sleepless night of festivities, you go out onto the balcony to the greetings of your personal family of seagulls, who meow and speak your already language .. In general, you drag on trifle after trifle and find that you already live together , you got hooked - that's it.
However, why are there lyrical digressions, because you can’t wait to find out the very best interesting places Portugal and the city of Porto. So let's go. Only these will be my personal soul spots discovered through painstaking searches and experiences, lived through the super moments of my life, and not a list of top attractions that you can find on 100,500 other sites.
Useful information: how to come to Portugal, visa, weather, where to stay
Portugal in my head for a long time was some kind of very distant, it is not clear how to get there, there is no information, but simply because I was not looking for it. It turned out that coming here is very simple and generally inexpensive. I tell you how.
Visa to Portugal: what Schengen to get and how
For a trip to Portugal, of course, the easiest way is to get a Spanish Schengen. Getting it in Moscow (and visa centers in other cities of Russia) is now quite simple, I described my process of obtaining it in detail
Plus Spanish Schengen in case of travel to Portugal that:
- The simplest getting
- quickly give a visa and can give for 1-2-3 years,
- to fly to Portugal, you still have to take tickets to Barcelona (or Madrid), that is, the flight will be in the country of the visa - Spain, and this is very good for the visa history.
Life hacks for obtaining a Schengen visa: Before receiving, I highly recommend that you follow my link and read about my experience and all the detailed information (list of documents and how to get them) about how easy it can be, where to get free hotel and flight reservations, and where it is better to buy insurance:
Life hack with the Portuguese national visa. How to live in Portugal longer than 3 months in half a year? This is possible, for this, when entering Portugal, you must immediately apply for a national Portuguese visa, which is given for 3 months. Thus, you can spend 3 months on a Schengen visa, then stay for 3 months on a national visa and then, without leaving, continue living on an automatically renewed Schengen visa (if its duration allows). As a result, you can live in Portugal for 9 months without leaving Europe.
I will be able to describe this process in more detail only when I go through it myself, a little later. I can only say that for a national visa you need a rental contract, a certificate of availability of funds from the bank, all kinds of patience and other pieces of paper)
How to get to Portugal from Russia, cheap air tickets
Secondly, of course, you will need a plane ticket. Unless you're hitchhiking, of course. As I already wrote, it will be cheaper to buy a ticket from Russia to Barcelona, for example, and from there to Porto or Lisbon. For example, it's the end of September and I (for once I have such far-reaching plans!) I take a Moscow-Barcelona ticket for 4 thousand rubles and Barcelona-Porto for 2 thousand rubles!
See in advance, but even in 1-2 weeks you can buy inexpensively and even without independent connections.
The advantages of this path:
- It is cheaper to fly to Portugal via Spain than directly from Russia to Portugal,
- you fly into the visa country - Spain, which is good for the visa history.
Search for cheap air tickets need of course
Where to stay in Portugal: apartments, hotels
If in the city that I am flying there are no friends waiting for me with open arms, then first of all I look at the room or apartment. ⇐When registering through my link on this service, you get a bonus for the first booking, so seize the moment, register, the bonus is saved :)
Or in the booking system of hotels, apartments and hostels, if you need to stay for a short time:
Lisbon: what to see, where to go
Lisbon is fun to just walk around. My personal list of interesting places in Lisbon is still quite small, but not poppy either.
Lookouts in Lisbon
- Nossa Senhora do Monte. Viewpoint, where it is beautiful, but too crowded. I keep it on the list only because getting to this site you can see a lot of beautiful streets and graffiti: 38.719193, -9.132789
- Miradouro das Portas do Sol Observation Deck. My favorite view point, where it's more authentic and there are beautiful azulejos and sometimes there are live musicians: goo.gl/maps/HikuYjMeKKT2
- observation deck, very cool place: goo.gl/maps/1M8o6K8G31m
- Cool view from the former abandoned Monsanto restaurant: goo.gl/maps/ZZY1SML5CTM2
LX factory. A small street with all sorts of interesting establishments.
Rda69. A strange place, a kind of community of like-minded people who gather, play and sing, watch films and discuss them, eat vegan food: 38.726710, -9.135859 Guys website: rda69.net
Nearby place with live music: 38.725123, -9.132425
Abandoned Monsanto Restaurant One of the most grandiose abandoned places of my life is a restaurant in Lisbon. Now it has been opened for visits and it is no longer as interesting there as it was during the days of illegal climbing. You can view the report
The abandoned palace of the garbage king. A grandiose place near Lisbon, but you have to manage to get there and climb through. Full report
Others, more popular places: For fans of more familiar entertainment, they say Porto has an excellent oceanarium and early in the morning it is worth a ride on the popular tourist tram number 28, but only early in the morning - then there are a crowd of people and you won’t see anything.
Where to eat in Lisbon, Portuguese cuisine, the best non-touristic places
I am writing here purely Portuguese authentic grandiose places, where there are many tasty food and the Portuguese, and who are not yet in guidebooks and excursions (I will try not to hand over to the Chinese):
- About Batista, the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and it's full of Portuguese and different local food, I didn't even know how varied the Portuguese cuisine in Lisbon was until I got here: goo.gl/maps/BkdyqAB8x8T2
- This is generally a demolition of the brain and an overflow of the abdomen, no matter what diet you are on. You only need to go here if you are very hungry, for 18 euros you can take everything and in any quantity:
Sintra, a city of ancient castles near Lisbon
Algarve. The sea and the best beaches in Portugal!
I have been to many beaches in the world, but the beaches of the Algarve! It is impossible to really swim here for those who are not amateurs. cold water, but this beauty is beyond.
→ You can get to the Algarve by bus from Lisbon, Porto, and apparently any city in Portugal. Sometimes flying by plane is cheaper () than by bus if you find tickets in advance. And you can leave by bus on the same day / hour.
→In the Algarve itself, it is better to rent a scooter or a car, because the territories are huge and you want to go everywhere.
→ In winter it is even somewhat better here than in summer: it is not so hot and there are almost no people.
Soon I will write more information about the Algarve, but for now, just a few photos and my recommendation to come here is a must.
Doro Valley, motorbike trip from Porto
Other interesting places in Portugal
Monsanto Village
Quite a touristy village, but well worth a visit. Located between Lisbon and Porto, closer to the border with Spain. Photos and how to get there you can see
Mysterious village in the misty mountains
I stumbled upon this village by accident and I have no report on it. But the place is really fabulous. And the photo here is just an example: what you can see if you travel through mountainous Portugal. There is a place near the Sierra de Estrella.
Sierra de Estrella and an abandoned radar station in the mountains
The Serra da Estrela Park is located in the area mountain range Serra da Estrela, where the highest point of continental Portugal is located, Mount Torre with a height of 1993 meters. Above Torre in this country is only the Pico volcano, which is located in the Azores. You can get here by bike or car. I have written a detailed report on the place
Abandoned resort in the mountains of Portugal
Surfing in Portugal
Pinish and Baleal for surfing
Surfing in Lisbon and Porto
In Lisbon full of schools and excellent surfing, though in the city and not far from it in summer it is not very pleasant to surf, as there are a lot of people on the beaches. You can go to places like Costa de Caparica and surf there.
To Porto the same situation - in summer the public beaches are full of people, but some schools are taken to more deserted beaches. In fact, I still love to surf in Porto the most. There are good waves here, lessons are cheaper and I like Porto more than other places.
My favorite schools in Porto:
If you're not yet an airbnb user, you can sign up with mine for your first booking.
to be continued…
Portugal is one of the warmest European countries, where the temperature even in winter rarely drops below + 8-10 °C. The most comfortable weather is set from April to June and September-October. Hot July and August are ideal for a holiday on the coast: in the Algarve or on the Lisbon Riviera.
Visa
A tourist visa can be issued at the Visa Application Center in Moscow. How to get a Schengen visa on your own,.
Route
Most trips start from Lisbon, from where it is convenient to travel around the area - to Sintra, Cascais, to Cape Roca. Point number two is Porto, between it and the capital there are many picturesque castles, towns and villages that you can also leisurely explore along the way. Beach lovers should go in the opposite direction - in the Algarve: Faro, Lagos, Sagres and Albufeira. Comprehensive itinerary information can be found at Visitportugal.com. On the road, paper or electronic guides will be convenient: English-language Rough Guides, Lonely Planet and Fodor’s, in Russian - Doring Kindersley and the more budgetary Polyglot. Those who like to dig deeper will surely enjoy José Ermanu's "History of Portugal" in Saraiva, and the patriotic poems of Luis de Camões will delight fans of poetry.
Transport
The fastest way to get to Portugal is by plane: direct flights are operated by TAP Portugal, the flight lasts about 5.5 hours. You can save on tickets if you track the offers of Lufthansa, Easyjet, Vueling.
Buses travel a little slower, but also cost less: the same trip from Lisbon to Porto will cost 18-20 €. Most intercity flights are operated by Rede Expressos, you can buy tickets on their website.
V major cities the system of urban land transport is well developed; the metro operates in Lisbon and Porto. A ticket for one trip on the metro, tram or bus costs 1.4 € and is valid for one hour. If there are many trips, it is more profitable to purchase a travel card: a one-day ticket costs 6 €.
Housing
In Portugal, it will not be difficult to find accommodation for every taste, but from May to September, it is better to book hotels in advance. In the center of Lisbon, you can, for example, stay at the Avenida Palace Hotel, located in a historic building, or the bright design Lisbon Short Stay Baixa apartment. For a relaxing holiday a cozy and atmospheric Mercador hotel will do. Portugal is famous for its excellent hostels and budget hotels, for example, the modern Golden Tram 242 Lisbonne hostel and the small, bright Lisbon Dreams guesthouse are popular in Lisbon.
You can feel like an aristocrat in hotels located in castles and old houses. The price of a room in them is not much different, but there are definitely more impressions. We recommendPousada de Viseuwith your own spa or the secluded Pousada de Sangresoverlooking the fortress and the bay.
Money
Portugal differs from many European countries in moderate prices. A complex lunch in a city cafe is unlikely to cost more than 15 €, and in small eateries (which are often much tastier) you can eat well for 7-8 €. At the same time, portions in institutions are usually very generous. bottle good wine you can buy for 3-4 €, port - for 10-15 €. Many museums have free admission days or hours, and discounts for children, students, families, and senior citizens. If you are planning an active sightseeing of the capital's attractions, it makes sense to purchase Lisboa Card, which allows you not only to use transport without restrictions, but also to visit most of the city's museums for free. The cost of the card for one day is 18.5 €, for 2 days - 31.5 €. In Lisbon, free sightseeing or thematic tours are held daily, they are not much different from professional ones, and tips for guides can be left at your discretion.
I liked getting to know Portugal on my own - without too much haste and without an exact plan. Have you already been there? Share your impressions in the comments.
Portugal is the least affected European country from mass tourist development and its consequences. Here you will feel the national flavor, not yet strongly affected by globalization, you can enjoy your stay in hotels in old buildings, take a car and ride along the Atlantic coast, exploring the reserved bays.
Holidays in Portugal can be safely recommended to those who like to travel to Europe, who have been to many places and are waiting for new discoveries. Here and architecture, and seascapes, and a gastronomic holiday every day. Portugal is ideal for those who do not like big hotels, resorts, all inclusive and other elements of communism; Portugal is a country for free travelers. And if you prefer to start your travels with a visit to car rental This country is literally waiting for you. Our articles are written by Russian-speaking authors living in Portugal and will help you plan a trip to this country, based on competent opinion, and not on “tourist reviews”.
5 reasons to go on holiday to Portugal
Scenes from Everyday life
and the bustling activity in Portugal's cities are attractions in their own right. Add to this a lot of historical and cultural monuments and you get a real tourist paradise.
For a relaxing holiday The beautiful beaches of the Algarve coast in the south of the country are best suited, they are considered one of the best in Europe and are very popular. Dotted with picturesque fishing villages and quaint towns such as Ashtoi, Faro and Monte Gordo, this region is the backbone of Portugal's tourism industry. On the east coast of Estoril, there are many casinos and luxury hotels - this is an exotic and expensive place.
Lisbon- the capital and most modern city in Portugal, the perfect mixture of antiquity and multinational atmosphere. Ever since Lisbon was named European Capital of Culture in 1994, the city has attracted increased attention. On the former territory Expo exhibition and nearby squares are full of waterfront restaurants, concert halls, outdoor cafes, as well as the Lisbon Oceanarium. In the central part of the city there is a Roman triumphal arch. The boundaries of the city smoothly merge with the coastline and its wooden buildings which only adds to the attractiveness of the city.
Narrow, cobbled streets of Porto- the second largest city in Portugal - leading to the famous vineyards where grapes are grown for port wine, also deserve your attention.
University city of Coimbra in the north of Portugal is very popular with young people, and its charming outdoor cafes are a great place to hang out here in the evening.
How to get to Portugal
There are so few direct flights from Moscow to Lisbon that we will assume that there are none. Enter different dates in the search form, if you suddenly find direct tickets - great. However, it is better to immediately tune in to a ticket with a transfer in some European city. Choose a short transfer, for example, in Zurich, if you are limited in time and want to quickly get to Lisbon. A long parking lot, on the contrary, gives a chance to visit the city you miss, but there is no time to go there on purpose. For example, there are 12-hour connections in Amsterdam. Those who travel around Portugal while driving sometimes fly to Malaga, take automobile and already on it go to Portugal.
Lisbon
Lisbon is the starting point of a trip to Portugal. Stop there for a couple of days on your way there and back. Although, there are lovers who come to Lisbon for the entire trip, and from there they travel around the country.
When is the best time to go to Portugal. bathing season
In most parts of the country, the tourist season lasts March to October, this is probably the best time to visit Portugal in terms of weather conditions. Hotel prices in Lisbon are quite high all year round, so that whenever you come here, the prices will be about the same. In other cities of the country, hotels offer discounts from November to February. If you want to visit the beaches of the Algarve, when there are no crowds of tourists, come in winter. In this region, the sun shines for at least 3,000 hours a year, so there is never a strong cold here, even in the so-called winter, from November to February.
Officially the swimming season starts on June 15 and ends on September 15. However, our people are already swimming with might and main on the May holidays. Here you need to understand one subtlety: the beaches of Portugal are not on the sea, but on the very ocean, with all the consequences. So if a warm and calm sea is critical for relaxation, it is better to choose another country, for example,. Portugal, on the other hand, is ideal for those who love the sea, but are not obsessed with swimming.
Where to stay. The best hotels in Portugal
One of the main tourist attractions of traveling in Portugal is to stay in historic buildings converted into hotels. Here, for example, opened in Cascais in 2012, it is a prominent representative of historical design pousadas. Pouzada is located in a fortress that served as an outpost in the 16th century to defend the entrance to the mouth of the Tagus and protect Lisbon from attack from the sea. Below is an overview of the most interesting places in Portugal, use it when planning your route:
Routes in Portugal
The main route of the first trip to Portugal is to get to the westernmost point of Europe, to the cape of Cabo da Roca. In order to get there, it is not at all necessary to rent a car, you can simply buy a ticket from any tourist office in Lisbon. This route is detailed here:
However, even for this rather simple route, it is more comfortable to rent a car. Traffic in Portugal is right-handed, the intensity is low, only those who are on two wheels should be afraid. The traffic police in Portugal are lenient towards tourists, but it is better to try not to abuse this kindness. Take advantage of our comparison of car rental prices from different providers:
After the car is booked, you can plan the route. We have two good pre-made itineraries to travel in Portugal with a rental car, used by hundreds of SmartTrip readers every season:
Madeira
Somehow it so happened that this island with a unique nature, located in the Atlantic Ocean, for some reason is considered a "resort for wealthy pensioners." First, if you combine a trip to continental Portugal with beach holiday in Madeira (which in itself is a great idea), then the budget of the trip will not be cosmic at all: Lisbon-Funchal tickets cost standard money. And it’s not at all necessary to be a pensioner: there are enough bars and nightlife in Lisbon, and in Madeira you need to enjoy the silence and unique flora; staying in Madeira is like being in a big botanical garden.
Portugal is a popular tourist country with stunning natural landscapes. However, it is not always possible for tourists who come on a tour to appreciate natural beauty this country. Therefore, traveling around the country on your own or rented car is becoming increasingly popular. Portugal by car is perceived in a completely different way, opening up as if from the inside, moreover, traveling by car along your own route is much more convenient.
Visa application
If you are traveling to Portugal as a tourist, you should apply for a Schengen visa category C. This visa can be single, double or multiple entry. The validity of this category of visa can be 1 month, 6 months, 12 months or 5 years. In each of these cases, the period of stay in the country should not exceed 90 days from the date of first entry. Most often, travelers are issued visas for a period of 1 month or 6 months.
What are the customs rules
According to the rules of entry into Portugal, travelers who are 17 years of age or older are allowed to import duty-free into the country:
- cigarettes - 200 pieces, or cigars - 50 pieces, or tobacco - 250 g;
- strong alcoholic drinks(with an alcohol content of more than 22%) - 1 l;
- wine (with an alcohol content of less than 22%) - 2 liters;
- coffee - 500 g;
- tea - 200 g;
- perfume - 50 ml;
- toilet water - 250 ml.
Goods for personal use imported into Portugal must not exceed 175 euros (185 US dollars) per person.
Features of the road
The first thing a foreign traveler needs to know is that most of the Portuguese roads, as well as some bridges, are tolls. Wherein average speed traffic on highways is 100 kilometers per hour, while free roads passing through settlements limit the speed to 50 kilometers per hour. Tolls are traditionally calculated based on the distance between entry and exit points on the motorway. In order to pay for the fare, there are special lanes at the toll highway terminals of the corresponding color: green - only for users of the Portuguese payment system ViaVerde, orange - for paying through the operator in cash or by card, red - for paying in cash or by card through the machine. In the latter case, you need to be careful, because when paying in cash, the machine does not give change.
Parking in Portugal is also paid, the average cost for 1 hour of use is 1 euro (1.05 US dollars).
In addition, travelers by car should be aware that in case of staying in the country for more than 90 days, it is necessary to obtain a local license.
Features of tourist routes in Portugal
When compiling your own route in Portugal for traveling, we recommend using the advice of experienced autotourists:
- find out in advance about the features and cost of renting a car and the nuances of payment, take into account the cost of gasoline and road use fees;
- do not try to see all the sights in one day - better plan to visit 3-4 points and take your time walking around the city;
- during the trip, spend more time contemplating the picturesque landscapes and visiting palaces and castles;
- going to Portugal by car, take care of booking a hotel or hostel with parking;
- drive no more than 150-200 km a day;
- do not forget to set aside time for lunch - for this you can choose interesting places to visit on the Internet or stop at any local colorful restaurant you like;
- if you choose hotels on the highway for an overnight stay, instead of hotels in settlements, you can save a lot;
- for travelers who want to come to Portugal by car on their own, there is an opportunity to stay instead of a hotel in one of the car campings.
By car in Porto
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal after the capital. There are no picturesque landscapes in the city, but you can fully enjoy the city architecture and museums. The unique attraction of the city is Cathedral Porto, built in the XII century. The cathedral has retained its original appearance, as it has never been rebuilt. Be sure to visit the Ribeira quarter, which is included in the List world heritage UNESCO - in it, many residential buildings were built 300 years ago. Travelers by car should definitely cross the Ponti di Don Luis bridge, designed by Theophilus Seyrig, who was a student of the famous Gustave Eiffel. It is no coincidence that the elements of the bridge are very reminiscent of the world-famous creation of his teacher - the Eiffel Tower. By the way, there is a bridge in Porto, which was built according to the project of the Eiffel himself - the Ponti Di Dona Maria Pia Bridge.
By car in Faro
The city of Faro is worthy of attention primarily due to the Ria Formosa Natural Landscape Park located here. The park is a 60-kilometer lagoon along the coast. The total city area of the lagoon is 18,400 hectares. As a tourist center, Faro is not the most popular city in Portugal, however, here is one of the the best beaches countries of Praia da Faro. The beach is quite large, but it is crowded here only at the height of the summer season.
Connoisseurs of architectural monuments can visit various castles, cathedrals, churches and monasteries in this city. To do this, go to the old central quarter. Not far from the city there is another attraction - the Eshtoy Palace, built in the Rococo style.
By car in Portimão
Most a nice place in Portimão - this is its coast. Go to the Praia de Rocha beach - there is an observation deck that offers stunning views of the city and the seascape. Architecture lovers can stroll through the city center and visit the Church of the Virgin Mary, the Chapel of St. Jose, Alvor Castle or the Jesuit Monastery.
Driving to Sagres
The small town of Sagres is known for the fact that it was here that Prince Henry the Navigator founded a school of navigation in the 15th century. There is every reason to believe that the world-famous navigators Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco da Gama studied at this school. In addition, in this city it is worth visiting Cape San Vicente, which in the past was considered the edge of the world. One of the largest lighthouses in the world is located on the cape, the lighting range of which reaches 90 km.
Driving to Lagos
5 km from Portimão and 45 km from the city of Faro is the small town of Lagos (Lagos). This resort town great for family holidays. The main thing to see here is the ocean, beaches and rocks. On the cape of Ponta da Piedade there is an observation deck and a lighthouse. By the way, free parking is provided for car travelers near the lighthouse. Leaving the car in the parking lot, you can take a boat trip through the grottoes and water caves. There are several beaches in this city, but the most impressive of them, which should definitely be visited by car tourists, is Marinha Beach.
Driving to Madeira
The only way to get to Madeira by car is by ferry from Porto Santo (once a day). The cost of ferry tickets depends on the month, class, and whether you are a resident of the island. Buying tickets for a group of two to four people, you can get significant discounts. average cost tickets for one person with a car is indicated in the table:
There are no ferry connections between the mainland of Portugal and Madeira, but you can bring the car by cargo ship, and use the plane yourself. In addition, you can rent a car directly on the island.
When traveling by car on the island of Madeira, the main thing to see is nature. The island is dominated by a mountainous landscape, so the roads here are quite winding. Go by car to the viewing platforms. For example, Eira do Serrado is located at an altitude of 1,053 meters, Pico dos Barcelos - at an altitude of 355 meters. The first platform overlooks the Valley of the Nuns (Curral das Freiras) - this name appeared in the 16th century, when pirates attacked the nearby monastery of St. Clara, and the nuns were forced to hide in this valley. The second site is closer to the ocean, and from here the sea vessels are better seen.
Driving to Lisbon
Perhaps the most important sight to see in the vicinity of Lisbon is the statue of Jesus Christ. To get here, you need to cross the Tagus River on the April 25 Bridge. And the bridge itself is also worth seeing. It is absolutely identical to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, as they were built by the same American construction firm. So, on the other side of the Tagus River, at its confluence with Atlantic Ocean, the town of Almada is located. Here, at an altitude of 113 above sea level, a monument rises, which was built in 1959 as a token of gratitude for the non-participation of Portugal in World War II. The statue of Christ can be seen from anywhere in Lisbon. 
Walking through the city center, be sure to look at the Commerce Square. Here, the Arc de Triomphe of Augusta Street immediately catches the eye, which you can climb for 2.5 euros (2.65 US dollars). From the observation deck opens beautiful view to the bay, picturesque streets, castles and monasteries, to visit and explore which you can spend all the remaining time.
Traveling by car in Sintra
Sintra is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. It is said that the beauty of this city surpasses even Lisbon. On the first day of your stay in the town, you can leisurely visit two places: the Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors. Near the palace there is a large park, the entrance ticket to which can be purchased separately without buying a ticket to the palace. Another attraction is the Castle of the Moors. This fortress was built in the IX-X centuries. You can get to the castle by a long staircase going through the forest.
An equally interesting object worthy of the attention of travelers is Montserrati Palace, located 4 km from the city. The palace has a botanical garden with 2,000 species of plants from around the world.
Another monument is Quinta de Regaleira, an architectural building in neo-Gothic style. On the territory of this palace and park complex, you can find various mysterious signs and symbols of the Templars and Masons everywhere.
If you like to study history not only through acquaintance with castles and palaces, you can visit the News Museum. Here you will get to know the history of Portugal through media coverage.
And finally, while in Sintra, one cannot help but visit one of the most significant places not only in Portugal, but also in the entire continent - Cape Roca. This is the most extreme point Eurasia in the West, where opens beautiful view to the Atlantic Ocean.
How to rent a house in Portugal
When traveling in Portugal, you need to stop somewhere. If you are not satisfied with the option with parking lots and hotels, you can rent housing. When traveling, it is better to consider options for daily rental housing. Ads can be found on the Internet on forums, on popular sites for daily rent of real estate, or you can ask around from local residents.
Driving to Portugal: Video