Holidays in Portugal

Portugal is one of Europe's oldest nations, with a history shaped by ancient civilisations, Moorish influence, and a remarkable Age of Discovery that saw Portuguese explorers chart much of the known world. That history is visible everywhere, from the Moorish castles of the Alentejo to the extraordinary Manueline architecture of Lisbon's Jerónimos Monastery and the UNESCO-listed historic centres of Porto and Sintra.

Culturally, Portugal is a country of quiet pride and genuine warmth. Fado music, the soulful national song form born in Lisbon's Alfama district, is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Festivals and religious celebrations are woven into the fabric of local life throughout the year, and the Portuguese tradition of hospitality means visitors are welcomed with a generosity that is genuinely felt.

Portugal enjoys one of the mildest and sunniest climates in Europe, making it a viable destination for almost any time of year. The Algarve averages over 300 days of sunshine annually, with summer temperatures typically between 28°C and 32°C and warm sea temperatures from June through October.

Lisbon and Porto have a more temperate Atlantic climate, with warm, dry summers and mild, occasionally wet winters. Spring and autumn are outstanding times to visit both cities, with pleasant temperatures and fewer visitors than the summer peak. Madeira lives up to its nickname of the Island of Eternal Spring, with temperatures rarely dropping below 17°C even in winter. The Azores are wetter and more changeable, but mild year-round.

Portuguese food is one of Europe's great undiscovered pleasures. The country's long Atlantic coastline means seafood is a way of life: bacalhau (salted cod) is the national dish, prepared in hundreds of different ways and eaten with genuine pride. Grilled fish, fresh from the harbour, is a staple of coastal restaurants from the Algarve to the Minho.

Beyond seafood, look out for caldo verde (a hearty kale and sausage soup), arroz de pato (duck rice), and the extraordinary charcuterie and cheeses of the Alentejo region. Wash it all down with a glass of vinho verde in the north, a rich Douro red in the wine country, or a perfectly chilled glass of Alentejo white in Lisbon. And whatever you do, don't leave without trying a pastel de nata, the warm, flaky custard tart that has been copied around the world and perfected only here.