Portugal

One of Europe’s oldest nations, Portugal has medieval castles, cobbled villages, captivating cities and golden beaches.

The location of this fascinating country, on the Atlantic Ocean, has influenced many aspects of its culture.

Situated at the mouth of the Tagus river, Lisbon is the most westerly capital of a mainland European country. Nearby, the lovely towns of Cascais, Sintra and Estoril are relaxing and interesting places to visit.

Located along the Douro river estuary in Northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European centres. One of Portugal’s internationally famous exports, port wine, is named after Porto, as the packaging, transport and export of the fortified wine traditionally occurred here. The Douro valley has long been devoted to vineyards and has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The area of Alentejo covers almost a third of the country. Its capital, Evora has a well preserved old town centre, still partially enclosed by medieval walls. Coimbra is a riverfront city with a fascinating history.

Portugal’s southernmost region, the Algarve, is known for its sunny Mediterranean climate and its beach and golf resorts. The region’s capital is the city of Faro – this is an area of historical and cultural importance as well as being a strong tourist centre.