If you crave picturesque natural scenery, idyllic weather and miles and miles of coastline, look no further than Portugal. Take a flight to Portugal and visit one of Europe’s most unpretentious, but undeniably beautiful countries. Portugal has enough UNESCO World Heritage Sites to keep any nature-lover happy and enough cultural marvels to render any traveler awestruck. Portugal’s past seeps through in present-day Portugal. Annual folk festivals, quaint fishing towns and the simple savoring of fresh seafood and rich wine uphold the Portuguese way of life.
Find a cheap flight to Portugal and explore medieval towns, windswept coastlines, and romantic hideaways. Relax on the beaches in the Algarve, shop for pottery in Porto, wander the open markets in Lagos, party with the locals in Lisbon, or remain reclusive in one of the luxury resorts in Portimao. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll be grateful you booked a flight to Portugal.
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Summers are hot and dry throughout Portugal, particularly in the Algarve, which experiences very little rain. However refreshing sea breezes make for pleasant conditions. Winters are cold and wet, particularly in the northern and west coast regions. Spring and autumn are good times to visit with cheaper rates at hotels and less crowded beaches, restaurants and golf courses.
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Peak season:
There isn't a bad time to fly to Portugal. The Algarve enjoys good temperatures year-round. Even the average winter temperature is a balmy 57 degrees Fahrenheit. In summer average temperatures are in the high 70s, but in July and August, they can reach 86 degrees. The Azores and Madeira enjoy mild temperatures year-round. Average temperatures range between 66 degrees in winter and 75 degrees in summer. In the north of the country summers can hit the high 70s but winters are cool and rainy.
Off season:
Because of the country's ideal climate and coastal position, it's easy to book Portugal flights year-round. The winters are mild with temperatures of about 57 degrees in the Algarve and 66 degrees on Madeira. The further north you go the greater chance of cold weather and rain, and there is some snowfall mostly in the Serra da Estrela mountains.
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Flights: TAP Air Portugal, the national airline, flies between Faro, Lisbon, Porto, the Azores and Madeira. If you are visiting The Azores, apart from airports in Ponta Delgada, Santa Maria and Angra, there are flights to the other islands and ferry boats between the islands.
Bus: there is a good, cheap bus system which connects the country's biggest cities and towns.
Train: the Alfa Pendular runs from Braga (north of Porto) to Lisbon and on to Faro. In addition, there are intercity and regional trains that offer a decent network throughout the country.
Lisbon also has an underground metro, and a ride in one of the city's ancient funicular railways (elevadores) is a tourist staple.
Taxis are cheap, but renting a car gives you complete freedom. Auto Jardim, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Nationa/Alamo, Rentauto and Sixt are some of the car rental companies that can be found at the major airports.
The following chart gives approximate journey times from Lisbon (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Portugal.
| | Air | Road | Rail |
|---|
| Faro | 0.40 | 3.00 | 4.00 |
|---|
| Porto | 0.45 | 3.30 | 3.00 |
|---|
| Funchal | 1.40 | - | - |
|---|
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- Madeira has a thriving ecotourism industry. There is, for example, a 2,500-acre ecological park above Funchal.
- Pay a visit to windswept Cape St. Vincent in the Algarve to look at the lighthouse. The cape - about 10 miles beyond Sagres (look out for the local brew) - is Europe's most southwestern point, and is where the ancients thought the world ended. It is also the site of the Battle of Cape St. Vincent (between Britain and Spain).
- Listen to some Fado - the Portuguese blues. The more popular forms of Fado are to be heard in cities by the sea, such as Lisbon or Porto.
- Portuguese souvenirs vary with the region. There's no such thing as a catch-all souvenir really. From the Algarve bring back wicker crafts, straw hats and baskets, copper and tin objects, ceramics, and sweets made from figs, almonds and eggs. From The Azores, embroideries and lace, blankets and bedspreads, artificial flowers made with fish scales and blue and white ceramics. From Madeira, as well as embroideries, tapestries and wicker work, a pair of red-rimmed leather boots.
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All visitors must hold tickets and/or documents for their return or onward journey, and at least €74.82 plus €39.90 per day of stay, unless holding proof of paid accommodation. (Equivalent in convertible currency accepted). The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that allows the holder, in principal, to travel freely within the borders of all.
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U.S. citizens do not require a visa for a stay of up to 90 days.
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