Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of Brazil, its wealthiest colony, in 1822. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.
🇵🇹 Portugal Tourism Information…
🇵🇹 The Best of Portugal…
Azores
- Islands: Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge, São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira
- Cities: Ponta Delgada
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Madeira
- Islands: Funchal, Porto Santo, Selvagens Islands
- Cities: Manchico, Santa Cruz
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Central Portugal
Beira Alta
- Districts: Guarda, Viseu
- Cities:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Beira Baixa
- Districts: Castelo Branco
- Cities:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Beira Litoral
- Districts: Aveiro, Coimbra
- Cities: Aveiro, Coimbra, Fatima
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Oeste (Estremadura)
- Districts: Leira
- Cities:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Northern Portugal
Douro LItoral
- Districts: Porto, Villa Real
- Cities: Porto
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Minho
- Districts: Braga, Viana do Castelo
- Cities: Braga
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Trás-os-Montes
- Districts: Bragança
- Cities: Bragança
- Other Municipalities: Alfândega da Fé, Carrazeda de Ansiães, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Miranda do Douro, Mirandela, Mogadouro, Moncorvo, Vila Flor, Vimioso, Vinhais
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Southern Portugal
ALgarve
- Districts:
- Cities:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Alentejo
- Districts:
- Cities:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Lisbon
Lisbon – For more detailed information go to our ➾Lisbon web page.
| Here is a list of some of the most interesting and visited places. Cities or areas listed will always have more than just one thing see and do. With the popular cities or areas we list some of the best known, which should go on everyone’s, must see list when they visit. |
The Algarve Faro Lagos Portimão Ria Formosa Silves Aveiro The Azores Braga Cascais Coimbra Douro River Valley Évora Roman Temple ruins Fatima Guimarães Lisbon Alfama District Belém Tower Jerónimos Monastery Monument to the Discoveries Praça do Comércio Rossio Square Sao Jorge Castle Tram 28 25 da Abril Bridge Madeira Obidos Porto Cais da Riberia Palácio da Bolsa Sintra Castle of the Moors Pena Palace |
🇵🇹 Portugal Country Information…
Capital:
Lisbon
Largest City:
Lisbon
Government:
Unitary semi-presidential republic
Currency:
Euro (€)
Area:
total:92,212 km2 (35,609 sq. mi.) ranked (111th)
Climate:
Maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south
Population:
10,833,816 (July 2016 est.) Ranked (83rd)
Language:
Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used)
Ethnic Groups:
Momogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000; since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal
Religion:
Roman Catholic 81%, other Christian 3.3%, other (includes Jewish, Muslim, other) 0.6%, none 6.8%, unspecified 8.3%
Electricity:
230V, 50Hz (European plug C,F )
Telephone Code:
+351
Local Emergency Phone Number:
112
Internet TLD:
.pt
Time Zone:
WET (UTC+1) Summer WEST (UTC-+1) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: Portugal h 2 time zones, including the Azores (UTC-1)
Road Driving Side:
Right
Anthem:
A Portuguesa (Portuguese) “The Portuguese”
President:
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
Prime Minister:
António Costa
🇵🇹 Holidays and Observances in Portugal in 2021
| Date | Name | Type | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Friday | New Year’s Day | National holiday | |
| Feb 14 | Sunday | Valentine’s Day | Observance | |
| Feb 16 | Tuesday | Carnival / Shrove Tuesday | Optional Holiday | |
| Mar 19 | Friday | St. Joseph’s Day | Municipal Holiday | Santarém |
| Mar 19 | Friday | Father’s Day | Observance | |
| Mar 20 | Saturday | March Equinox | Season | |
| Mar 28 | Sunday | Daylight Saving Time starts | Clock change/Daylight Saving Time | |
| Apr 2 | Friday | Good Friday | National holiday | |
| Apr 4 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | National holiday | |
| Apr 20 | Tuesday | Our Lady of Mércoles | Municipal Holiday | Castelo Branco |
| Apr 25 | Sunday | Liberty Day | National holiday | |
| May 1 | Saturday | Labor Day / May Day | National holiday | |
| May 2 | Sunday | Mother’s Day | Observance | |
| May 12 | Wednesday | St. Joana’s Day | Municipal Holiday | Aveiro |
| May 13 | Thursday | Ascension Day | Municipal Holiday | Beja |
| May 22 | Saturday | Leiria Day | Municipal Holiday | Leiria |
| May 23 | Sunday | Portalegre Day | Municipal Holiday | Portalegre |
| May 24 | Monday | Azores Day | Regional Holiday | Azores |
| Jun 3 | Thursday | Corpus Christi | National holiday | |
| Jun 10 | Thursday | Portugal Day | National holiday | |
| Jun 13 | Sunday | St. Anthony’s Day | Municipal Holiday | Lisbon, Vila Real |
| Jun 21 | Monday | June Solstice | Season | |
| Jun 24 | Thursday | St. John’s Day | Municipal Holiday | Braga, Porto |
| Jun 29 | Tuesday | St. Peter’s Day | Municipal Holiday | Évora |
| Jul 4 | Sunday | St. Elizabeth’s Day | Municipal Holiday | Coimbra |
| Aug 15 | Sunday | Assumption of Mary | National holiday | |
| Aug 20 | Friday | Our Lady of Sorrows | Municipal Holiday | Viana do Castelo |
| Aug 22 | Sunday | Our Lady of Graces | Municipal Holiday | Bragança |
| Sep 7 | Tuesday | Faro Day | Municipal Holiday | Faro |
| Sep 15 | Wednesday | Birth of Bocage | Municipal Holiday | Setúbal |
| Sep 21 | Tuesday | St. Matthew’s Day | Municipal Holiday | Viseu |
| Sep 22 | Wednesday | September Equinox | Season | |
| Oct 5 | Tuesday | Republic Implantation | National holiday | |
| Oct 31 | Sunday | Daylight Saving Time ends | Clock change/Daylight Saving Time | |
| Nov 1 | Monday | All Saints’ Day | National holiday | |
| Nov 27 | Saturday | Foral of Sancho I | Municipal Holiday | Guarda |
| Dec 1 | Wednesday | Restoration of Independence | National holiday | |
| Dec 8 | Wednesday | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday | |
| Dec 21 | Tuesday | December Solstice | Season | |
| Dec 24 | Friday | Christmas Eve | Observance | |
| Dec 25 | Saturday | Christmas Day | National holiday | |
| Dec 31 | Friday | New Year’s Eve | Observance |
Travel Facts
US State Dept. Travel Advisory:
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
Passport/Visa Requirements:
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.
US Embassy/ Consulate:
[44] 20 7499-9000; Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US (mailing postcode), SW8 5DB (driving/GPS postcode), United Kingdom; SCSLondon@state.gov; https://uk.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code:
44
Local Emergency Phone:
112, 999
Internet TLD:
.uk
Vaccinations:
See WHO recommendations at http://www.who.int
Climate
Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one half of the days are overcast
Currency (Code)
British pounds (GBP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s):
230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G
Major Languages:
English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, Cornish
Religions:
Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, none 25.7%
Time Zone
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
London (includes the Tower of London, British Museum, Parliament, Trafalgar Square); Windsor Castle; Stonehenge; Roman Baths & Georgian City of Bath; York Minster & historic Yorkshire; Chester Zoo; Cotswolds & Lake District; Hadrian’s Wall; Edinburgh; Cardiff
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, tennis, netball, field hockey
Cultural Practices
It is considered rude to wave one’s hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.
Tipping Guidelines
It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare, or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.
Government
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II
Government:
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Capital:
London
Largest City:
London
Legislature:
London
Judiciary:
London
Ambassador to US:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Michael Tatham
US Ambassador:
Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV
Geography
Area:
Total: 243,61km world rank 80th, land: 241,930km, water: 1,680km
Natural Resources:
Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
People & Society
Population:
64,430,428 (July 2016 est.) world rank 23rd England 84%, Scotland 8%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 3%
Population Growth:
0.51% (2018 est.)
Ethnic Groups:
White 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)
Urbanization:
Urban population: 83.7% of total population (2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Economy
Economic Overview:
Leading trading power and financial center; third-largest economy in Europe after Germany and France; large coal, natural gas, and oil resources; banking, insurance, and business services, drive GDP growth
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
$2.92 trillion (2017 est.)
GDP per capita
$44,300 (2017 est.)
Exports:
$441.2 billion (2017 est.)
partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5% (2017)
Travel Facts
US State Dept. Travel Advisory:
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
Passport/Visa Requirements:
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.
US Embassy/ Consulate:
[44] 20 7499-9000; Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US (mailing postcode), SW8 5DB (driving/GPS postcode), United Kingdom; SCSLondon@state.gov; https://uk.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code:
44
Local Emergency Phone:
112, 999
Internet TLD:
.uk
Vaccinations:
See WHO recommendations at http://www.who.int
Climate
Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one half of the days are overcast
Currency (Code)
British pounds (GBP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s):
230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G
Major Languages:
English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, Cornish
Religions:
Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, none 25.7%
Time Zone
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
London (includes the Tower of London, British Museum, Parliament, Trafalgar Square); Windsor Castle; Stonehenge; Roman Baths & Georgian City of Bath; York Minster & historic Yorkshire; Chester Zoo; Cotswolds & Lake District; Hadrian’s Wall; Edinburgh; Cardiff
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, tennis, netball, field hockey
Cultural Practices
It is considered rude to wave one’s hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.
Tipping Guidelines
It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare, or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.
Government
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II
Government:
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Capital:
London
Largest City:
London
Legislature:
London
Judiciary:
London
Ambassador to US:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Michael Tatham
US Ambassador:
Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV
Geography
Area:
Total: 243,61km world rank 80th, land: 241,930km, water: 1,680km
Natural Resources:
Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
People & Society
Population:
64,430,428 (July 2016 est.) world rank 23rd England 84%, Scotland 8%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 3%
Population Growth:
0.51% (2018 est.)
Ethnic Groups:
White 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)
Urbanization:
Urban population: 83.7% of total population (2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Economy
Economic Overview:
Leading trading power and financial center; third-largest economy in Europe after Germany and France; large coal, natural gas, and oil resources; banking, insurance, and business services, drive GDP growth
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
$2.92 trillion (2017 est.)
GDP per capita
$44,300 (2017 est.)
Exports:
$441.2 billion (2017 est.)
partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5% (2017)
Imports:
$615.9 billion (2017 est.)
partners: Germany 13.7%, US 9.5%, China 9.3%, Netherlands 8%, France 5.4%, Belgium 5% (2017)