Vacation Rentals in Portugal
World > Europe > Portugal
Travel destination Portugal.
You can choose from 569 vacation rentals and holiday rentals.
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Destination
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(5)
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(274)
Albufeira (154), Carvoeiro (23), Castro Marim (3), Faro (11), Lagos (13), Loule (29), Olhao (3), Portimao (10), Sao Bras de Alportel (5), Silves (8), Tavira (9), Vila do Bispo (6)
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(12)
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(222)
Afife (6), Almoçageme (1), Alvarães (1), Amarante (1), Apúlia (1), Arcos de Valdevez (1), Aroeira (1), Barcelos (3), Barril (2), Beiral do Lima (1), Bombarral (1), Braga (2), Caldas Da Rainha (2), Caminha (4), Carvoeira (1), Cascais (5), Cepães (1), Colares (10), Cornes (2), Costa de Caparica (2), Ericeira (7), Esposende (5), Estoril (3), Estremoz (3), Évora Monte (2), Figueira Da Foz (2), Folhada (1), Fornos (1), Fragoso (1), Galamares (2), Goncalo (1), Guimarães (1), Horta da Vilariça (6), Janas (1), Lavra (1), Leiria (2), Lisbon (12), Lourinhã (3), Luzim (1), Magoito (1), Marco de Canavezes (1), Marinhas (2), Mindelo (1), Montemor-o-Novo (8), Moreira do Lima (2), Nazare (7), Nelas (2), Obidos (7), Odemira (6), Oliveira de Frades (1), Pataias (2), Pedrógão Pequeno (1), Peniche (4), Ponte do Lima (8), PORTO CÔVO (2), Praia da Areia Branca (2), Praia das Macas (3), Praia De Esmoriz (2), Sao Jacinto (1), Sao Martinho do Porto (3), Seixal (2), Seixas (2), Serra Do Bouro (1), Sesimbra (4), Setubal (4), Sintra (6), Soengas (1), Torres Novas (2), Torres Vedras (2), Viana do Castelo (9), Vieira Do Minho (6), Vila do Conde (5), Vila Nova da Cerveira (1), Vila Nova De Milfontes (4), Vila Praia de Ancora (1), Vilar de Mouros (2), Zambujal (1)
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(31)
Arco de São Jorge (1), Calheta (2), Camacha (1), Caniço (5), Funchal (5), Ponta Delgada (1), Ponta do Sol (1), Santana (2), Santo da Serra (3), São Vicente (1), Tabua (4)
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Overview of Portugal |
| Size |
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92,391 sq km (32,367 sq mi) |
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| Population |
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10.1 milion |
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| Language |
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Portuguese, English is widely spoken within the business community. |
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| Time Zone |
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Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT in the summer). |
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| Electricity |
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220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin European plugs are standard. |
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| Clothing |
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Light- to medium weights and rainwear are advised. |
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| Religion |
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97% Roman Catholic, 2% Protestant, 1% other. |
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| Currency |
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Euro(EUR)
Currency Converter |
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Location of Portugal
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Portugal occupies the southwest part of the Iberian Peninsula and shares borders in
the north and the east with Spain, while to the south and west lies the Atlantic Ocean.
The country is divided into various provinces, including the Atlantic islands of Madeira
and the Azores; the latter lying some 1220km (760 miles) due west of Lisbon. The Douro,
Guadiana and Tagus rivers flow across the border from Spain. North Portugal is mountainous,
the highest part being the Serra da Estrela, a popular area for skiing. South of Lisbon
stretch the vast plains of the Alentejo region. A range of mountains divides the Alentejo
from the Algarve, which runs along the south coast, and is one of the most popular resort
areas with wide sandy beaches and attractive bays.
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Climate in Portugal
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Portugal's climate varies with latitude and is influenced by the Atlantic. The southern
coast has a near-Mediterranean climate, but more rain can be expected in the northern
part of the country. The northwest has mild winters with high levels of rainfall and
fairly short summers. The northeast has longer winters and hot summers. In the south,
summers (March to October) are warm with very little rain except in early spring and
autumn. High temperatures are moderated by a permanent breeze in Estoril (July to August).
The favorite times are May-June and late September-October, when the weather isn't too
hot for touring (though it can be a bit cool for lying on the beach). Days will be warm
with very little rain, and nights definitely require a sweater. In the summer, it can
be hot on the beach, and winters are wet, often foggy, windy and really quite uncomfortable
on the coast. If you're going then, plan to spend most of your time inland. |
Best Time to Travel to Portugal
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Peak tourist season is roughly from mid-June to September, except in the Algarve
where it really only quiets down in the dead of winter. Carnaval and Easter are two
holidays celebrated with gusto all over the country and are worth going out of your way for. |
Attractions in Portugal
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Portugal abounds with romarias (religious pilgrimages), festas (festivals) and feiras (fairs)
which bring whole towns to a standstill. At the core of many are religious processions. The
further north you go, the more traditional and less touristy these celebrations get.
Carnaval is one of the biggest events, featuring partying, parading and painted faces about
six weeks before Easter. There are vast and colourful processions during Braga's Easter or
Holy Week Festival. The Festa de São João in June is biggest in Porto where everyone dances
through the streets, amicably hitting each other over the head with leeks. The Feira de São
Martinho (Golegã, November) showcases all manner of horses, riding contests and bullfights.
Water sports such as swimming, surfing, snorkelling, windsurfing and big-game fishing are
all popular. The Beiras is popular for a whole range of outdoor activities, including
canyoning and kayaking. Southern Portugal is dense with championship-standard golf courses.
Other activities include mountain biking, hiking and pony trekking. |
Society in Portugal
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The Portuguese way of life is leisurely, and old-fashioned politeness is essential. Warm,
Latin hospitality is the norm. The country has a deeply individual national character,
although each province has its own traditions and folklore. Casual wear is widely acceptable,
although beachwear should not be worn in towns. In restaurants, it is usual to smoke only
at the end of the meal. Smoking is prohibited in cinemas, theatres and on buses.
Tipping: Generally 10-15%. Taxi drivers are tipped 10%. |
Food in Portugal
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Seafood is popular, especially in Lisbon, but can be expensive. Soup is a main dish.
Typical Portuguese dishes include sopa de marisco (shellfish soup cooked and served with wine),
caldo verde (green soup made with finely shredded green kale leaves in broth) and bacalhau
(dried cod, cooked in over 100 different ways). Caldeirada is a fish stew with as many as
nine kinds of fish, cooked with onions and tomatoes. Also typical is carne de porco á Alentejana,
in which bits of fried pork are covered with a sauce of clams stewed with tomato and onions.
Puddings include arroz doce (rice pudding), Madeira pudding and nuvens (egg custard).
Portugal’s sweet pastries (available in most cafes) are also worth a try. Table service is normal.
Portuguese table wines are good value. There are 47 wine-producing regions, the most popular
regional names are Dão for red wines and Bucelas and Colares for white wines. Sparkling rosé
wines are mostly produced for export. Mateus Rosé is a famous lightweight rosé. Portuguese
brandies are also good; the best are produced around Oporto, where Port wines originate.
There are no licensing hours. |
Visa for Portugal
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None required for EU nationals. Nationals of Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the USA can stay
for 90 days visa-free. Everyone else needs a visa. |
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