Portugal Travel Guide

– A Complete Journey Through Europe’s Atlantic Gem

Portugal, a country celebrated for its golden beaches, medieval castles, wine valleys, historic trams, fado music, and dramatic Atlantic landscapes, stands as one of Europe’s most captivating destinations. With a heritage shaped by explorers, seafarers, kings, and poets, Portugal offers every traveller a taste of history, elegance, and timeless beauty. From Lisbon’s colourful streets to Porto’s riverside charm, from the fairytale palaces of Sintra to the sun-washed beaches of Algarve, and from the vineyards of Douro Valley to the serene islands of Madeira and Azores—Portugal is a journey through landscapes, culture, and emotion.

This research-based travel guide outlines Portugal’s major attractions, internal distances, how to reach key cities, visa procedures for Indian travellers, accommodation options, and the best seasons to visit. Crafted in a formal and descriptive style, it serves as a complete resource for planning an extraordinary Portuguese holiday.

Overview of Portugal

Located in southwestern Europe along the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal shares its land border exclusively with Spain. It is one of Europe’s oldest nations, with a legacy of explorers, influential kingdoms, world-renowned wines, and rich maritime history.

Portugal is divided into several regions, the most prominent being:

• Lisbon Region – Lisbon, Cascais, Sintra
• Northern Portugal – Porto, Braga, Guimarães
• Central Portugal – Coimbra, Aveiro, Évora
• Algarve – Faro, Lagos, Albufeira
• Madeira – Funchal and volcanic landscapes
• Azores – Sao Miguel and Atlantic islands

Major Attractions in Portugal

Portugal offers a rich combination of coastal beauty, ancient monuments, vibrant cities, and UNESCO world heritage sites. Below are the country’s essential destinations.

1. Lisbon – Capital of Light and Colour

Lisbon blends old-world charm with cosmopolitan culture. Its cobblestone lanes, pastel-coloured buildings, historic monuments, and riverfront beauty make it one of Europe’s most scenic capitals.

Main Attractions:

• Belém Tower – symbol of Portugal’s maritime history
• Jerónimos Monastery
• Alfama District
• Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio)
• St. George’s Castle
• Tram 28 – historic yellow tram

Distances:

• Lisbon to Sintra – 29 km
• Lisbon to Cascais – 32 km
• Lisbon to Porto – 313 km

2. Porto – Home of Port Wine

Porto, located along the Douro River, is a city of elegant bridges, medieval old towns, wine cellars, and atmospheric alleys. It is the birthplace of the world-famous Port Wine.

Main Attractions:

• Ribeira District
• Dom Luís I Bridge
• Livraria Lello – historic bookstore
• Clérigos Tower
• Port Wine Cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia

Distances:

• Porto to Braga – 55 km
• Porto to Douro Valley – approx. 100 km

3. Sintra – Fairytale Palace Town

Sintra is a magical town filled with palaces, gardens, mystical forests, and hilltop fortresses. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of Portugal’s most striking destinations.

Main Attractions:

• Pena Palace
• Quinta da Regaleira
• Moorish Castle
• Sintra National Palace

Distance:

• Sintra to Lisbon – 29 km

4. Algarve – Portugal’s Southern Paradise

The Algarve region is celebrated for its dramatic cliffs, golden beaches, turquoise water, sea caves, golf resorts, and warm Mediterranean climate.

Main Attractions:

• Benagil Cave
• Ponta da Piedade
• Praia da Marinha
• Faro Old Town
• Lagos Marina

Distances:

• Algarve (Faro) to Lisbon – 278 km
• Faro to Lagos – 90 km

5. Douro Valley – Portugal’s Wine Paradise

Douro Valley is one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions, filled with terraced vineyards, wineries, river cruises, and panoramic landscapes.

Main Attractions:

• Douro River Cruise
• Quinta Vineyards
• Hilltop viewpoints

Distance:

• Douro Valley to Porto – approx. 100 km

6. Madeira & Azores Islands

Portugal’s Atlantic islands offer volcanic landscapes, forest hikes, waterfalls, ocean cliffs, and mild climates throughout the year.

Main Attractions:

• Cabo Girão (Madeira)
• Sete Cidades (Azores)
• Natural lava pools & tropical gardens

Distances:

• Lisbon to Madeira – 973 km (flight)
• Lisbon to Azores – 1,452 km (flight)

How to Reach Portugal from India

Portugal is well connected through major international airports:

• Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) – Primary gateway
• Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO)
• Faro Airport (FAO) – Algarve region

From Kolkata

• Kolkata → Delhi → Lisbon
• Kolkata → Mumbai → Lisbon
• Kolkata → Doha / Dubai → Lisbon
• Kolkata → Istanbul → Lisbon

From Delhi

• Delhi → Lisbon (one-stop routing via Middle East)
• Delhi → Madrid → Lisbon/Porto
• Delhi → Paris / Frankfurt → Lisbon (short connecting flight)

Average flight duration: 10–14 hours depending on stopovers.

Portugal Visa Guide for Indian Travellers

Portugal is a Schengen member country. Indian citizens must apply for a Schengen Tourist Visa (Category C) for tourism.

Documents Required

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
• Visa application form
• Recent photographs
• Round-trip flight reservation
• Hotel booking or accommodation proof
• Travel medical insurance (€30,000 minimum coverage)
• 6-month bank statements
• Income tax returns
• Employment / Business documents
• Detailed travel itinerary

Where to Apply – Portugal Visa Office (VFS Global)

Portugal Visa Application Centre – New Delhi
VFS Global Portugal Visa Centre, International Trade Tower, Nehru Place, New Delhi

Other VFS Centres for Portugal Visa: Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh.

Processing Time

• Standard: 10–15 working days
• Peak season: up to 30 days

Transportation System in Portugal

Portugal’s transportation network is efficient, modern, and comfortable, offering seamless travel across cities and regions.

Railways (CP – Comboios de Portugal)

• Lisbon → Porto (approx. 2.5 hours)
• Lisbon → Faro (approx. 3 hours)
• Porto → Braga (approx. 45 minutes)

Metros & Trams

• Lisbon Metro – citywide connections
• Porto Metro – extensive suburban network
• Iconic Lisbon Trams (including Tram 28)

Buses & Ferries

• Intercity buses connecting all major towns
• Ferries on the Tagus River (Lisbon)

Accommodation Options in Portugal

Portugal offers diverse and comfortable lodging options across all major cities. Contact numbers are not provided, as requested.

Lisbon

• Boutique hotels in Alfama & Baixa
• Modern city hotels
• Waterfront luxury properties

Porto

• Riverside hotels in Ribeira
• Wine-themed boutique stays
• Classic European properties

Algarve

• Beachfront resorts
• Cliffside boutique hotels
• Family-friendly holiday villages

Sintra & Cascais

• Palace-style heritage stays
• Garden-view hotels
• Coastal luxury resorts

Best Time to Visit Portugal

1. Spring (March–May)

Mild temperatures, blooming landscapes, ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

2. Summer (June–September)

Perfect for beaches, water activities, island travel, and coastal tours.

3. Autumn (October–November)

Calm weather, beautiful vineyards, fewer crowds, excellent photography conditions.

4. Winter (December–February)

Best for city tours, Christmas markets, Madeira Island festivities.

Suggested 10-Day Portugal Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon – City tour
Day 2: Alfama, Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery
Day 3: Day trip to Sintra & Cascais
Day 4: Lisbon to Porto – Ribeira & Wine Cellars
Day 5: Porto – Douro Valley Day Tour
Day 6: Travel to Algarve – Explore Lagos Beaches
Day 7: Algarve Cliffs & Caves Tour
Day 8: Faro Old Town – Return to Lisbon
Day 9: Évora or Coimbra Day Trip
Day 10: Departure from Lisbon

Conclusion

Portugal promises a rich blend of history, culture, ocean views, and warm hospitality. Whether starting from Kolkata or Delhi, travellers will find excellent connectivity and world-class infrastructure. From Lisbon’s sunlit streets to Porto’s riverside charm, from Sintra’s palace landscapes to Algarve’s dramatic coastlines, Portugal offers an unforgettable travel experience filled with elegance, adventure, and serenity.