Thank you for visiting the Portugal Travel Guide, the most popular webzine for savvy travellers to Portugal.
Here you will find regular articles about where to go and what to see and do in Europe's south-westernmost country.
We hope you enjoy what you read and wish you a very pleasant stay.
Wine Cruises in the Costa Azul
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- Published: 17 May 2014
- Written by MWH
Every Saturday until the 27th of September, visitors to the Setúbal Peninsula can enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Sado Estuary with local wine and food on board.
Music on the Move
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- Published: 14 May 2014
- Written by MWH
Portuguese railways operator CP has launched a combined music and train travel pass called the MUSICard CP covering some of the biggest summer festivals.
A Family Affair
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- Published: 04 May 2014
- Written by MWH
Lawrence's has a history like no other place in Portugal. Arguably the second-oldest hotel establishment in Europe, and without doubt the most ancient in all the Iberian Peninsula, it is intimate enough for guests to quickly absorb its exquisite 18th-century character.
Fit for a Queen
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- Published: 28 April 2014
- Written by MWH
Enveloped in a Moorish wall, the diminutive whitewashed village of Óbidos was deemed so enchanting that it was gifted to a queen, not once but many times throughout the centuries.
The Village of Sintra
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- Published: 24 April 2014
- Written by MWH
Lying at the east end of a rocky range of mountains just 26 km west of the centre of Lisbon, the fairy-tale setting of Sintra is one of the oldest places in Portugal.
River of Gold
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- Published: 23 April 2014
- Written by MWH
Iberia's third longest river, the majestic Rio Douro, gathers waters from over fifty major tributaries to form the peninsula's largest river basin.
The Town of Amarante
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- Published: 20 January 2014
- Written by MWH
Situated 56 km east of Porto, the pretty town of Amarante is set immaculately along the banks of the River Tâmega.
In the Pink
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- Published: 21 April 2014
- Written by MWH
1942 was a very turbulent year but it did spawn one of the world's most iconic and popular table wines.
Peak Season on Pico
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- Published: 14 January 2014
- Written by MWH
The steep-sided, dormant volcano in the middle of the Atlantic is Portugal's highest point and a major draw for climbers.
Way Out West
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- Published: 29 March 2014
- Written by MWH
Recalling times from days gone by, Aldeia da Cuada on Flores in the Azores is a rare treat on the very western edge of Europe.
Mother of All Parties
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- Published: 27 March 2014
- Written by MWH
Put a note in next year's diary, June is the month when Lisbon explodes into life with dancing in the streets and sardines sizzling on every corner - it is the month of the Santos Populares (Popular Saints).
Beacon of Faith
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- Published: 28 March 2014
- Written by MWH
Over four million people visit a village called Fátima in the centre of Portugal each year where three children saw the Virgin Mary almost a century ago.
A Fish for All Occasions
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- Published: 23 January 2014
- Written by MWH
The versatility of the dried salted cod known as bacalhau has long-established it as the Portuguese national dish.
World's Smallest Guesthouse
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- Published: 27 March 2014
- Written by MWH
Blink and you might easily miss the Portuguez Inn as you stroll down Rua Dom Frei Caetano Brandão in the northern city of Braga - but that's the whole point.
A Seafaring Story
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- Published: 27 March 2014
- Written by MWH
The history of Portugal's ground-breaking association with the seas spanned a hundred years from 1415-1515. Widely labelled as the Age of the Discoveries, this epoch-making period saw Portuguese navigators sail across uncharted seas to break out of the confines of Europe and discover the New World.
Sounds of a Nation
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- Published: 25 March 2014
- Written by MWH
Portugal has a rich musical heritage, flavoured by the meanderings of early medieval troubadours when Europe's south-westernmost country ruled half the world. Today it's the soulful ballads of the fervent fado singers in Lisbon's ancient Alfama and Bairro Alto quarters who continue to entrance visitors from far-away lands.
Best of Belém
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- Published: 15 January 2014
- Written by MWH
Take a stroll down Lisbon's memory lane, in the historic square mile of Belém, where Portugal's fearless adventurers set sail for unknown lands in the 15th century.
All the Fury of Furnas
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- Published: 21 January 2014
- Written by MWH
One of Europe’s best-kept spa secrets is Furnas, a live volcanic showpiece located on the eastern side of São Miguel island in the Azores.
All Quiet in the Atlantic
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- Published: 21 January 2014
- Written by MWH
Ocean hideaways don't get much more idyllic than Porto Santo, a pretty volcanic island off the Moroccan coast near Madeira.
All Along the Algarve
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- Published: 15 January 2014
- Written by MWH
It's easy to see why the Algarve has become such a popular holiday destination over the past 30 years or so.
House of Pointed Stones
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- Published: 24 March 2014
- Written by MWH
One of Lisbon's architectural treasures, the Casa dos Bicos or House of the Pointed Stones, stands just off the city's main square, Praça do Comércio.
A Rare View of the Oceans
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- Published: 24 January 2014
- Written by MWH
Lisbon’s state-of-the-art Oceanário is not only the city's top attraction but also the largest of its kind in Europe.
The Village of Santana
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- Published: 29 January 2014
- Written by MWH
Named after St Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary, Santana is a village of hedgerows and flowers on the north coast of Madeira Island.
The Timeless Taste of Madeira
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- Published: 15 January 2014
- Written by MWH
When William Shakespeare mentioned Madeira wine in his late sixteenth century play 'Henry IV, Part 1', it seems he was already very well aware of its intoxicating virtues.
Lisbon's 177-Year-Old Secret
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- Published: 24 January 2014
- Written by MWH
The highly regarded and much celebrated Pastel de Belém celebrates its 177th birthday this year and its ingredients still remain a closely guarded secret.
Madeira on My Mind
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- Published: 16 January 2014
- Written by MWH
Once visited, never forgotten. It’s little wonder that the enchanting island of Madeira attracts more repeat visitors than any other part of the country. Blessed with a spectacular volcanic landscape and subtropical climate, it was discovered by Portuguese navigators in the 15th century.
The Pride of the North
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- Published: 27 January 2014
- Written by MWH
Rich from centuries of trade, the ancient city of Porto is as much a cosmopolitan centre as it is a place steeped in the historical events of the past. The city is best-known for its striking bridges and the much-celebrated Port wine.
Animal Magic
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- Published: 28 January 2014
- Written by MWH
Set in sprawling gardens in the Sete Rios district of the capital, Lisbon Zoo has been operating for over a hundred years.
Portuguese Water Dogs Invade the White House
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- Published: 08 January 2014
- Written by MWH
The Obama family have two of the best pets known to man living with them in the White House - Bo and Sunny - both Portuguese water dogs.
The Resort of Albufeira
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- Published: 12 January 2014
- Written by MWH
Since the 1970s, the picturesque fishing town of Albufeira in the central coastal region has been the undisputed tourist capital of the Algarve, in winter as well as summer.
Portugal's 7 Natural Wonders
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- Published: 15 January 2014
- Written by MWH
When the Portuguese voted for their seven favourite ‘natural wonders’, the outcome was a genuine showcase of the country’s most magnificent landscapes.
Eavesdropping on Évora
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- Published: 15 January 2014
- Written by MWH
Keep your ear close to the ground and listen very carefully; the ancient city of Évora in the heart of Portugal's picturesque Alentejo region might just be ready to whisper a few of its secrets...
The Town of Aveiro
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- Published: 15 January 2014
- Written by MWH
Known as the Venice of Portugal, Aveiro is surrounded by salt-flats, beaches and lagoons and dominated by the Central Canal running through the centre of town.
The Ancient City of Braga
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- Published: 15 January 2014
- Written by MWH
The ancient city of Braga has always been an important centre for culture, commerce and religion. The Romans dedicated it to their Emperor and called it Bracara Augusta, making it their Galician head-quarters in 216 BC.
The Lost Village of Luz
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- Published: 15 January 2014
- Written by MWH
It's the eeriest of feelings passing over a village completely submerged by water.
Feeling Good in Faro
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- Published: 15 January 2014
- Written by MWH
Faro, the sunshine capital of the Algarve, has metamorphosed into a major tourism hub in recent years, and not just in the high season.
A Piece of History
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- Published: 16 January 2014
- Written by MWH
In the extreme south-western corner of Portugal lies a piece of history that changed the world, none other than Henry the Navigator's Rosa dos Ventos.
The Many Faces of Conimbriga
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- Published: 17 January 2014
- Written by MWH
Conimbriga is the most extensive Roman site so far discovered in Portugal but its story is a chequered one.
Rock of Ages
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- Published: 21 January 2014
- Written by MWH
An extremely rare concentration of rock etchings and settlement sites in the Douro Valley region represents some of the world's earliest evidence of recurrent human occupation.
The Town of Abrantes
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- Published: 21 January 2014
- Written by MWH
Well sited above the River Tagus and always of strategic importance over the centuries, Abrantes provides an excellent base from which to explore the lower central region of Portugal.