Friends! It’s no secret that I love Portugal. When I traveled with Traverse Journeys on their Taste of Portugal trip, I experienced amazing food, unique wines, and beautiful cities. I also had a few life-changing experiences. I can’t wait to go back, and I have 8 fabulous reasons you should travel to Portugal.

Common Questions About Travel to Portugal

First, I wanted to answer a few questions you may have about Portugal. I had them before I went, too. Skip to the end if you want to find out the itinerary and grab a promo code for the upcoming trip I’m hosting!

What are some Portugal cities?

When it comes to Portugal, Lisbon is the main city that comes to mind. However, there are so many other gorgeous Portugal cities to visit. The top 5 cities in Portugal from largest to smallest are Lisbon (Portugal capital), Porto, Amadora, Braga, and Setubal. Other highlights are Sintra, the Dao Valley, and Tomar.

What is the Portugal language?

The official language of Portugal is Portuguese, which is spoken in 10 different countries, including Brazil. It’s good to know a few Portuguese language basics, which include the following Portuguese words before your journey.

• Ola – Hello
• Adeus – Goodbye (formal)
• Tchau – Bye (informal)
• Obrigada – Thank You (males would say Obrigado)
• De Nada – You’re Welcome
• Perdao – Pardon Me

What is the Portugal population?

There are around 10.2 million people with 66% of those being in the urban areas of the country.

How are the Portugal people?

It’s safe to say that the people of Portugal are kind, and most know a bit of English, which is helpful.

What is the Portugal currency?

The Euro is used in Portugal and throughout much of Europe.

8 Reasons to Travel to Portugal

Now that we have some of the basics out of the way, here are my reasons why many are traveling to Portugal at the moment. It’s a great place to be.

1. The Amazing Portuguese Food

Portugal has some amazing cuisine. While there, you must sample the pastel de nata, which is an egg custard tart that is delicious and found just about everywhere.

If you enjoy seafood, it’s very fresh there because the coastline of Portugal is so vast. Get your tastebuds ready for so many treats.

2. The Fabulous Portuguese Wine

A huge highlight in Portugal is the wineries, and there are many. When visiting the Dao region, you need to sample Port wine and green wine (yes, green – not really in color, but it has an effervescence).

There are so many different tastes to try, and the backdrop of the Portuguese vineyards is the perfect place to sample wines. The countryside is beautiful.

3. The Urban City of Lisbon Portugal

Lisbon is filled with lovely buildings, quaint shops, and tasty cafes. Of course, there is a ton of history there, too. I enjoyed making my way through the cobblestone streets — both on my own and with the group.

If you are wondering what is Lisbon famous for, there are many highlights, including Fado music, urban art, history, blue-tiled buildings, trolleys, red roofs…the list goes on. A must-see is the Carmo Convent, a fascinating 4th-century monastery.

4. The Vast Amount of Street Art

Street art. Graffiti. No matter what you want to call it, it’s everywhere. I wrote an article for Lonely Planet on my change of heart about this art form.

It is an expression that runs deep for the Portuguese people, and you can see it in so many places all over Lisbon and beyond.

5. The Waterside City of Porto Portugal

I visited Porto when I traveled to Portugal, I knew that it was a place I would visit again. It’s on the water, and has so much to do. There is a beautiful bridge you can walk across to get from one side of the river to another.

The city is charming and filled with wandering streets, waterside restaurants, and a few fun things like a cable car and a Ferris wheel. Porto, Portugal, is a highlight for many that travel to Portugal.

6. The Portuguese Buildings Covered in Azulejos

The what? The Portuguese tile. Azul means blue. Although that is the predominant color of the tile, other colors — such as green, red, brown, and yellow — can be found all over the country. The tiles are something memorable about Portugal, and purchasing a new or vintage tile makes a fun souvenir to take home if you choose.

Beyond the tile on the buildings, the streets and sidewalks are filled with stunning patterns of black and gray stonework. Some of it is used to mark addresses, and others are used to make public places even more gorgeous!

7. The Fairytale Land of Sintra

I LOVED Sintra. Truly. So much so, in fact, that I spent an extra day there once my tour ended.

It’s filled with palaces, a quaint historic center, and adorable shops. Sintra, Portugal, is perfect for finding authentic souvenirs, such as vintage tile and original paintings.

8. The Ability to Experience Solo Travel to Portugal

Although I went solo on my tour, I established friendships while soaking in the experience. When I decided to travel to Portugal, I learned so much about myself.

Additionally, joining a group by myself was a way to go alone while having a set itinerary and meeting others.

I was in charge of my free time. That meant I explored to the fullest, took naps, and enjoyed glasses of wine at cafes. If you need downtime, take it, or if you want to be social, you can do that, too.

Save these reasons to travel to Portugal!