Portugal: An Overview

Introduction

Portugal is not, as those unfamiliar with it sometimes imagine, a smaller copy of its neighbour, Spain, having its own language, identity, traditions and landscapes. Despite its popularity as a holiday destination, it remains one of the most unspoiled parts of Europe, with welcoming people, a generally relaxed pace of life and much to offer visitors of all ages and interests.

Many British people have already bought a second home in Portugal. Traditionally, the Algarve has been the most popular location, but the market for foreign investors is now expanding into more northerly regions, such as the Costa Verde and the Silver Coast, where prices tend to be lower, with the exception of Lisbon, Porto and some other fashionable areas.

Geography

At 92,000km2, the Republic of Portugal is slightly larger than Scotland. It is situated on the western edge of continental Europe, in the southwestern part of the Iberian Peninsula, sharing borders to the north and east with Spain. Portuguese territory also includes the Atlantic Ocean islands of Madeira, Porto Santo and the Azores.

Portugal’s northern regions are mainly wild and rugged, while the south is largely composed of undulating plains. To the south and west lie the Atlantic and the many fine beaches for which the country is famous.

The three largest rivers are the Tagus, Douro, and Minho. The Tagus runs from Spain through central Portugal, forming a natural division between north and south.

Climate and weather

Mainland Portugal has a temperate Atlantic climate, with hot summers lasting well into September. However, there are considerable regional variations, and the highest temperatures occur only in the south. Inland areas tend to have hotter summers and cooler winters than coastal ones.

In the north, winters are cool and wet, and summers are showery. Annual rainfall is around 1,400mm, compared to about 500mm in the south. The Algarve’s climate resembles that of the Mediterranean, temperatures only seldom falling below freezing. Higher mountains, such as the Serra da Estrela, can experience significant snowfall.

Madeira and the Azores enjoy a year-round temperate climate, with significantly more rainfall than the rest of the country.

History

Portugal is one of Europe’s oldest countries. During the 15th and 16th centuries, it was a world power, famous for its seafarers and colonisers, including Vasco da Gama, who reached India in 1498, and Pedro Cabral, who discovered Brazil in 1500. Portuguese explorers also discovered the sea route to India via the Cape of Good Hope and reached the Far East, China and Japan.

In 1580, Portugal lost its independence to Spain, regaining it in 1640. Lisbon’s destruction by an earthquake (1755), French occupation during the Napoleonic Wars and Brazil’s independence (1822) all had a detrimental effect on the country’s wealth and standing.

Following the overthrow of the monarchy (1908), Portugal became a republic (1910). A founder member of NATO, it joined the EC (now the EU) in 1986.

Portuguese culture

Portugal’s lifestyles are as diverse as its geography. In and around Lisbon, and on the Algarve, there is a sophisticated atmosphere, but many smaller rural towns and countryside areas have changed little over the past century. Traditional folk music (fado) is an important part of contemporary life, as are the numerous religious festivals held in summer.

The Portuguese are generally friendly and helpful, particularly to those who attempt to speak their language. However, differences between north and south are noticeable. The inhabitants of northern Portugal are predominantly Celtic and Germanic in origin. To the south of the River Tagus, where the Moorish and Roman civilisations were most established, people tend to be darker-skinned and their way of life is more typically Mediterranean.

Politics and government

Portugal was a dictatorship for much of the 20th century. In 1974, a bloodless coup paved the way for democracy and the independence of the former Portuguese colonies.

The country is now governed by a directly elected president, appointed by universal suffrage for a five-year term. As head of state, the president appoints a prime minister and council of ministers. A unicameral assembly is responsible for legislation.

The Azores and Madeira have had autonomous governments since 1976.

Following elections in January 2006, Anibal Cavaco Silva, a former prime minister, became president. He pledged to continue the development of Portugal’s infrastructure and economy, and to promote confidence and credibility. Other priorities include tackling rising unemployment, social exclusion and poverty.

Healthcare

Portugal’s national health service was founded in the late 1970s but poor facilities and long waiting lists tended to be the norm. Considerable improvements in both care and facilities have been made over the last few years, though hospital services are still limited in some rural areas. Private healthcare co-exists with public provision.

An agreement with the UK entitles holders of British passports to free in-patient care in standard wards of Portuguese state-run hospitals. Secondary examinations, X-rays and tests may have to be paid for. A nominal fee is charged for medical treatment at health centres, and there may be a charge for prescribed medicines. All dental treatment must be paid for.

There are many English-speaking doctors in resorts and major cities.

Sightseeing

Scattered with medieval towns, historic castles and palaces, Portugal is home to no fewer than 12 World Heritage sites, including the old quarter of Porto, Evora and its Roman ruins, the 12th-century castle and town of Tomar and the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, a 16th-century monastery.

The country’s rich archaeological heritage dates from prehistoric times through the eras of Roman and Moorish invasion. Notable sites include the prehistoric cave paintings at Escoral, the Roman township of Conimbriga and the typical Moorish architecture of such southern towns as Olhao and Tavira.

Lisbon, Portugal’s capital since 1147, offers 21st-century shopping, dining and nightlife side by side with a wealth of history. Its ancient districts of Alfama, Castelo and Mouraria have changed little for centuries.

Natural beauty

Portugal\'s scenic diversity adds to its attractions as a holiday destination. From sandy beaches to high mountains, from vast, arid plains to lush green fields, it offers something for all tastes. Visitors with a particular interest can choose from a variety of themed routes, including the Port Wine Route, centred on Douro.

Portugal is home to a number of natural parks and nature reserves, which protect its landscapes, wildlife, monuments and ways of life.

The Douro Valley, now a World Heritage Site, is one of Portugal’s scenic highlights, with some 200km of breathtaking panoramas extending from the city of Porto to the Spanish border. In the valley’s upper reaches, vineyards can be seen on every hillside.

Shopping

Most towns have shopping centres catering for everyday needs. Many also have daily fruit and vegetable markets offering excellent value. Most places of more than a few houses also have a supermarket, though, as in the UK, these vary considerably in size and range of products stocked, most of which will be Portuguese. However, larger towns will have an international hypermarket, such as Lidl or Intermarche, stocking a wider selection, including imported items.

Independent local shops selling local goods and crafts are common throughout Portugal. Popular buys include leather goods, copper, ceramics, handcrafted silver and gold, embroidery and tapestry, woodcarving, cork products, china and glassware.

Lisbon, the capital city, offers a sophisticated range of retail outlets, some selling designer names.

Eating out and nightlife

Eating out

Portugal provides a wide variety of dining options. Quality and value are generally excellent. Typical Portuguese dishes include sopa de marisco (shellfish soup cooked in wine), caldeirada (fish stew cooked with onions and tomatoes) and carne de porco á Alentejana (pieces of fried pork in a sauce of clams stewed with tomato and onions). Desserts include Madeira pudding and nuvens (egg custard).

Portuguese wines have come a long way in the last few years, and Portuguese brandy is also popular. There are no licensing hours.

Nightlife

Larger towns offer every kind of entertainment, including clubs, theatres, cinemas, shows, folk dancing and concerts. The traditional fado can be heard in many restaurants. Gambling is permitted and several resorts have casinos.

Sport and leisure

Portugal’s range of sports and leisure activities is as varied as its terrain. Golf and tennis have been established for many years and in the south the mild climate means that both can be enjoyed all year. Golfers are particularly well catered for, with a choice of more than 60 courses, many offering excellent facilities and tuition for all abilities. Traditionally, most of Portugal\'s best courses have been in the Algarve and the Estoril Coast, but more are now being built on the west coast and in the north of the country.

According to area, other activities include surfing, windsurfing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, fishing, sailing, swimming, mountain biking, rambling, riding, hunting, bird-watching and even skiing. Health spas are burgeoning on the Algarve.

National holidays

In addition to New Year’s Day, Good Friday and Christmas Day, Portugal’s national holidays are:

• Liberation Day (25 April)
• Labour Day (1 May)
• Feast of Corpus Christi (early June)
• Portugal Day (10 June)
• Feast of the Assumption (15 August)
• Republic Day (5 October)
• All Saints’ Day (1 November)
• Independence Day (1 December)
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception (8 December)

As in the UK, on national holidays visitors may find information offices closed, museums open for shorter hours and public transport running a limited service.

Getting there

Portugal has three mainland international airports, at Lisbon, Faro in the south and Porto in the north. Because of the Algarve’s popularity as a holiday destination, Faro is the best served, but all offer a good choice of flights and operators.

As well as BA and TAP, the Portuguese national airline, more than a dozen operators provide services to Portugal, including EasyJet (Lisbon and Faro), Jet2 (Faro), Virgin Express (Lisbon), Ryanair (Porto), BMI Baby (Faro), Excel (Faro), MyTravel (Faro).

Flights are available from a number of UK national and regional airports, including Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Stansted.

Average flight time is around three hours.