Portugal has become one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. People have a lot to say about the country but the question that often arises is, Is Portugal worth visiting? Why? I feel that the answer to this is a rather personal one because while Portugal is awesome, I’m pretty sure there are parts of it that may not appeal to you. That’s the case with every country.
In order to make the decision easier, I’ve decided to lay out the pros and cons. That way you can make the decision for yourself based on facts rather than opinions.
Now if you want my opinion, I’ll tell you that I love Portugal because the culture reminds me a lot of home. Goa was after all a Portuguese colony so we can taste the similarities in the food. Even the bread feels familiar at times. Don’t even get me started on the architectural similarities. Portugal for me was an echo of the sounds of Goa. That’s why I loved it.
But let’s get back to all the reasons why you should (or shouldn’t) consider it as a holiday destination.
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Table of Contents
Is Portugal Worth Visiting? – The Pros
I always like to start off with all the good things about a country so I’m going to do that with Portugal too.
1. The Weather
Located at the south of Europe, Portugal has one of the warmest climates on the continent. This has always been one of the reasons why Portugal is famous. For many people in Europe (and beyond) this is the perfect escape from the colder weather in the north which makes it an awesome vacation spot in the colder months of the year.
I do have to make a note here because despite the fact that everyone thinks that Portugal is warm, it does depend on which part of Portugal you are in. One year we had single digit temperatures (Celsius) in May and one year we were cold in summer (we were in Serra de Estrella). The north of Portugal is colder while the south is warmer. The coast in the north can be cold in summer because of the frigid sea breeze but in the same moment the sun will roast you alive. It’s such a paradox.
The mountains in Serra de Estrella are cold and even have snow. So there’s a world of a difference depending on which location you choose.
2. Insanely Good Food
I personally think that one of the things that Portugal excels at is its food. The most popular dish is the pasteis de nata which is pictured above. Its a savory pastry tart filled with custard filling. But if you ask me is Portugal worth visiting for the food, I would say it depends. Portugal has an awesome food scene in the cities.
Things that should be on your list are the grilled sardines and fish, the bifana, the francesinha and the bacalhau (cod fish) in different forms but its important to note that food changes from place to place. In the north where vegetables are more scarce, food is generally meat based which for me was sometimes a little hard even though I eat almost everything.
The bigger cities on the other hand have more vegetarian dishes available. Seafood is popular along the coast. Cod fish or bacalhau is available everywhere. The pastries and the coffee are heavenly. So is Portugal really worth visiting for the food? I would say yes.
3. Gorgeous Beaches
The beaches in Portugal are pure gold. It doesn’t really matter where you go. It holds true for almost all parts of the country. If you love the beach and the water then Portugal is definitely worth visiting. The beaches are different in their own ways and let me tell you about them. The Algarve for example is known for its warm water which means this is perfect for swimming. It does however attract a lot of tourists which makes it crowded and expensive in the peak season.
The beaches in Cascais are so convenient because they are close to Lisbon and easily accessible. Lisbon has its own strip of sand and even though its small, it is still popular. Nazare is known for its waves and is popular with advanced surfers. Ericiera also has its beaches and they don’t have as large waves as Nazare but they are also great for learning and for surfing.
Like Cascais, Espinho is another convenient beach that is absolutely gorgeous. It is a quick day trip from Porto. The wind is cold here but the beach is absolutely gorgeous with great facilities. The beaches near Viana do Castelo are also very pretty. I’m going to stop here because I’ll keep naming beaches in Portugal and this post will never end. Suffice to say, the beaches are one of the reasons why Portugal is totally worth visiting.
4. Relatively Cheaper (Though That Is Changing)
I was not really sure whether to add this in because cheap is relative and I known that the locals are suffering from the rise in prices. A lot of people say that Portugal is cheap. This is very subjective because we’ve seen the prices rise year on year and the difference is pretty staggering especially in the big cities like Lisbon and Porto.
When I talk about the prices I’m especially talking about the price of accommodation. If you move out of the main tourist zones you will find that the accommodation prices drop. It is good for you and also good for the country because if helps combat over tourism. Plus you get to experience authentic Portuguese living, see the countryside and learn about the culture of the country.
5. Well Connected Airports
Lisbon and Porto have the countries busiest airports. These are connected to most of the airports in Europe and to the main hubs across the world. This makes entering and exiting Portugal easier. So is Portugal worth visiting because of the ease in connectivity? Yes it is!
6. Lots Of Music And Culture
Portuguese music makes my heart sing. This could be because I grew up listening to it. The fados have become increasingly popular and people head to to restaurants and shows to hear them. In my experience you can also hear them sung spontaneously in the villages and smaller towns. In Braga every Sunday people gather outside to sing and dance. People play their instruments and its a community event.
The best part? You can join in and laugh too. It was a lot of fun. Our kids joined in and laughed. They were very young back then but it reminded them of home too so it was just comfortable. These have remained some of my favorite memories of the country so yes! Portugal is definitely worth visiting for the music and the culture.
7. Gorgeous Architecture
Portuguese architecture is pretty unique. You’ll see the azulejos (Portuguese blue tiles) in many locations all across the country. But aside from this, the iconic colorful buildings line the streets. Beautiful churches are seen at almost every corner. You’ll find parks where the greenery brings a respite from the hot summer sun. Almost every park has a spot for children to play at.
There are plenty of museums, forts, castles and palaces all over the country. Each tells a story from a different time in the past of the country. And it is an old country with a lot of history tied to it.
8. Plenty Of Things To Do
No matter where you go in Portugal, you will find that you will never run out of things to do. The main cities like Lisbon and Porto have loads of activities. But that’s also true for places that aren’t particular tourist spots. There are loads of national parks to explore, beaches, plenty of nightlife, adventure parks and more.
9. The Big Cities Are Very Walkable
When you head to the bigger cities, you will find that they are very pedestrian friendly with loads of options when it comes to public transport. Smaller cities are also walkable but you may find that the public transport system is not quite as well developed as the bigger cities. They are very pretty and so worth visiting.
10. Most People Speak English In The Big Cities
People often worry about heading to Portugal because they don’t speak Portuguese. That should not deter you. The Portuguese are some of the most friendliest people on earth. In the cities you will find English spoken frequently.
This is especially true in Porto and Lisbon. I would like to mention that if you move away from the cities and head off the beaten path, you will find that you need Portuguese. People will try to help you but learning a few words and phrases in Portuguese will take you far.
Is Portugal Worth Visiting? The Cons
1. Frequent Heat Waves And Wildfires
People used to head to Portugal in summer because of the glorious weather. Lately due to climate change, Portugal has suffered year after year with heat waves. The temperatures soar to the high 30s and sometimes even 40s (Celsius). Wildfires are very common and its important to pay attention to your surroundings and keep an eye on sites like Fogos which gives you an alert when there is a fire near you.
These are definitely some factors you should consider. When we traveled in summer, despite having lived in India for most of our life, we found the temperatures were too hot to handle. We stayed indoors in the peak afternoon heat and made the most of the cooler hours. It isn’t impossible to enjoy yourself but be aware before you make the trip.
2. Rise In The Cost Of Living
Due to its popularity, Portugal has become increasingly more expensive. The cost of living has increased drastically due to this and there has not been a corresponding rise in the income for the locals which has made things difficult for the community. Please be mindful of this while you travel.
3. Cities Like Lisbon Can Be Expensive
Like all capital cities, Lisbon has become expensive. We’ve found this true for most of the tourist bound cities as well. I’m talking about more expensive accommodation, restaurants, activities etc.
I would recommend checking and rechecking prices before you make your itinerary because the costs are constantly influx. This holds true even if you’ve traveled to Portugal recently. In fact when asked if Portugal is worth visiting, this is always one of the points I bring up.
One way to combat it is to book the accommodation in Lisbon and in Porto in advance. I mean months in advance. Even things like parking if you are driving in can get expensive. Sometimes I feel that it gets to us because we are four people traveling versus two. It is what it is and you probably know the struggle as well as I do.
So is Portugal worth visiting? It probably is if you can afford it! That’s a question only you can answer.
4. The Crowds Are Crazy In Peak Season
As it is with all the most popular tourist destination in the world, Portugal also gets crowded in the peak season. The question however is, is Portugal worth visiting despite the crowds? I find that it is because I’ve seen most of the important tourist sites in the city and moved on to exploring the countryside. I prefer the smaller cities which are quieter and more laid back.
That being said, even when we visited with the crowds, we found that we loved Portugal. The trick is to have a balance.
The true answer to the question ‘Is Portugal worth visiting?‘ is a personal one. Almost everyone I’ve met has always said that they’ve loved Portugal. I love it too but my ties to the country are stronger than most. Portugal for me is a feeling of relaxation, of being closer to home without flying back.
Is Portugal worth visiting? Do you love sun, food and nature? Do you love music and a quieter pace of life? If the answer is yes then you should book your trip and go. Portugal is beautiful and its people are amazing. It is definitely worth seeing at least once!
Other Posts That You Will Like
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- Boticas National Park – Quaint, Quiet and Relaxing
- 4 fun days in Lisbon – The itinerary you didn’t know you needed
- What to pack for Lisbon in summer
- Is Aveiro worth adding to your itinerary?
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