Portugal is another country where lovers of spectacular views of Europe should definitely visit

Great beach holidays, spectacular football, aromatic wines, delicious cuisine - all this is Portugal. In this country, they honor a rich historical heritage, value traditions, do not skimp on comfort and know how to enjoy life. In Portugal, walking along the promenades, enjoying wine, inhaling the smell of eucalyptus and oranges, you can see the real Europe.

How to get there

In total, there are 4 airports in Portugal - in Madeira, Faro, Porto, Lisbon. The capital's air hub is the largest of all. A flight from Moscow here costs 460 euros and takes about 6 hours. A connecting flight in Chisinau will save you money - 220 euros, but the journey will take 9 hours. A flight from St. Petersburg in low season to Lisbon, with a transfer in Athens, costs 70 euros. On the way - 22 hours. In summer with a change in Brussels, the flight will cost 140 euros, on the way - 20 hours.

From Moscow to Faro airport with a change in Brussels can be reached for 155 euros, in time - 22 hours 40 minutes. A flight from St. Petersburg with the same transfer costs 160 euros and lasts almost an hour longer.

From Moscow airport to Madeira flight costs from 170 to 200 euros. It all depends on the season. From St. Petersburg through London, a flight costs 200 euros (in March) - 22 hours and 230 euros (in June) - 28 hours.

There are no direct trains to Russia from Portugal. By car, the road from Moscow will take about 45 hours, and from St. Petersburg - 47 hours. It will be necessary to drive through the following countries - Belarus, Poland, then the road passes through Germany, France, and after Spain there will be the end point of the route - Portugal.

Places to stay in Portugal

Lisbon - the capital of Portugal, is the cultural and spiritual center of the country. Here are world-famous attractions - St. George's Castle, the Cathedral and many others. In the vicinity of the capital is the Lisbon Riviera - fashionable resorts.

Porto is the second most visited city. This city is not inferior to the capital in the number of memorable places and attractions. After the tour you can have a wonderful time on any of the sandy or pebble beaches of the city.

Not far from Porto is the center of Portuguese Catholicism - Braga. All churches and cathedrals in this city are built in Romanesque, Gothic and other styles.

For gastronomic delights, Evora is a great place. Local wines, desserts and cheeses deserve high awards. There are a lot of attractions here - medieval cathedrals, ruins of a Roman temple, buildings of the Neolithic era.

Excursions in the south of Portugal are best to start with Farah, where the most delicious seafood is presented. After relaxing on one of the beaches awarded the Blue Flag, you can go to the port restaurant to taste these delicacies.

You can spend the night in a medieval castle in the cozy and small town of Obidos. Setabul is famous for its ancient architecture and picturesque beaches.

Holidays at sea in Portugal

All beaches in the country are municipal. An umbrella and two sun loungers will cost 10 euros per day. Algarve and the Lisbon Riviera have sandy beaches. Pebble and artificial are in Madeira. The season begins in mid-June and lasts until mid-September.

In Carcavelos, the beach closest to Lisbon is located. In the afternoon, it is a great place for tacking between bars, picnics, surfing and just having a good time. At night, this place turns into a party center, until dawn, there is fun in the sand and in the clubs.

Not far from the capital in the city of Cascais is "Ginshu" - the famous sports beach. There is always a lot of wind and waves in this place, so surfers, kiters and windsurfers are drawn here like a magnet. The entrance here is very convenient, and the coast is wide. The nearby beaches of Riberia and Torre are suitable for a relaxing holiday.

In the town of Ericeira is located the beautiful beach of Ribeira da Ilias. It is also a favorite destination of conquerors of waves. This place is considered the “world surf reserve”.

The south of Portugal is just strewn with beaches. Lagos in the Algarve is one of the most popular resorts. On the island of Tavira there is a coast with clear water and a peaceful atmosphere called “Naked Man Beach” - the oldest nudist beach.

Portugal Holiday Prices 2018: Hostels, Hotels, All Inclusive

The country is dominated by hotels above the average. There is no all-inclusive system. Most of them mainly work on the basis of breakfast. Portugal has a varied and delicious cuisine. The buffet at the hotel does not appeal to tourists, so they prefer to try the delicacies in different places.

Ancient hotels are the best hotels that correspond to the level of 4 or 5 stars. A lot (more than 50) of “pause” - ancient fortresses and castles, which with the help of reconstruction turned into beautiful hotels. Local cuisine is fed to tourists in regional “trainings”, which are houses or estates.

Budget accommodation for tourists is also available in Portugal. Here are the best hostels in Europe. In prestigious world rankings, they always occupy leading positions. A decent level of service, cleanliness, hospitality always delight guests. In the Algarve, Porto, Lisbon, the cost of a bed in a dormitory room costs from 10 euros / night.

A room in a two-star hotel costs from 30 euros / day, higher class - from 45 euros / day.

Food

Portuguese variety of fish, vegetables and meat dishes delight tourists. But still, the main direction is fish cooking. Chefs in the country are able to cook thousands of dishes from trout, perch, mackerel, sardines. They can cook cod alone in more than 300 ways and dozens of options - swordfish.

Local residents and tourists liked the puff dish of fish, seafood or meat, which is served in a skillet called cataplanu. Caldo Verde's first course, a green soup made from sausage, potatoes, onions and cabbage, is also popular. Meat-eaters will like "cusida-a-portuguese" - different types of meat in combination with seafood.

“Francesinha” - local fast food, which consists simultaneously of meat, ham, sausage, sprinkled with melted cheese and sauce. Pasteish cakes are considered the best dessert. They are appetizingly sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

In Madeira, the cuisine is different from continental. This difference lies in an even greater abundance of seafood, fish and the widespread use of local spices, fruits.

Portuguese wines are famous for their exquisite taste throughout the world. There are a lot of them in the country - white, red, green. Everyone knows the calling card of Portugal - the local port. Aperitif - use white port, for dessert - red port.

Attractions and entertainment

The history of Portugal is very rich. Confirmation of this is the many attractions throughout the country - an incredible number of monasteries, cathedrals, churches, majestic castles, powerful fortresses.

The Castle of St. George in Lisbon inspires awe. More elegant and less formidable are the palaces Mafra and Kelush.

The most popular and largest casino in Europe - Estoril is located in this country. His reputation overshadowed even the brilliant Monte Carlo.

The city of monumental buildings is Porto. In its vicinity is the famous Guimaraes castle. Here is a beautiful well-kept Botanical garden. Wine tasting is available at the Museum of Port Wine.

The Church of Christ at Calvary and the residence of the archbishop are located in the religious center - Braga.Beautiful monasteries and the oldest university can be seen in Coimbra. Nearby is the site of the appearance of the Virgin Mary - Fatima. This place is revered by pilgrims for over 100 years.

Magnificent views of the capital of Portugal can be enjoyed by taking a ride on the Gloria funicular. Lisbon has a wonderful zoo, as well as an aquarium, which brings together inhabitants from all the oceans of the globe. This is the only oceanarium of this scale in the world.

In Sintra, there is Cape Roca - the most western cape in the world. Here you can see "where the earth ends." On Mount Piku Ruyu, in Medeira, tourists have the opportunity to tickle their nerves. In the Algarve, there are many attractions and water parks.

Amazing beauty that can be seen in the underwater world, attracts divers from all over the world. Madeira is the most popular place for diving - wrecks, underwater caves, reefs, underwater rocks.

Reviews about holidays in Portugal

Portugal is a wonderful country for tourism and recreation. Tourists note that it is safe here at any time of the day, but do not lose your vigilance. It is better not to leave things unattended on the beach or in the car. There are no dangerous diseases in the country, therefore, special vaccinations are not required. Cars in Portugal are stolen very rarely. Here, even in large cities, without harm to health, you can drink tap water.

On average a couple of times a year in Portugal there are earthquakes. Because of the great fire hazard, bonfires in forest belts, parks, and beaches are prohibited. Smoking in the country is allowed only in specially designated places. For violation - a fine within 70 euros.