Visit Portugal
Mild climate, 3000 hours of sunshine per year and 850 kilometers of coastline surrounded by the Atlantic ocean, make Portugal one of the most desirable destinations in Europe and have already earned it 23 tourism oscars. But there are many more reasons to visit it.
1. Gastronomy
2. Wine
3. Climate
4. Culture
Gastronomy
Portuguese cuisine is definitely one of its national treasures. Opening up to the world and increasingly showing signs of cohabiting an area of global influence, it does not fail to honor its tradition simultaneously. It is as diverse as its landscape and it is especially marked by its proximity to the sea.
Because fish and seafood are the essence of Portuguese cuisine, dishes like the Cozido à Portuguesa, Arroz de Cabidela and Bacalhau à Lagareiro are authentic standards of the Portuguese culinary identity. After all, Portuguese fish is the best in the world.
Wine
It is known that the production of wine in Portugal dates back to Roman times. It is also known that these are one of the "house treasures" and that they differ according to the regions in the country where they are produced - and these are only a few of the attractions that the country has to offer.
From the Douro region to the Alentejo, Portugal produces exquisite wine that everyone in the world has already heard of.
Climate
Another alluring feature of Portugal has to do with its prime location: the hours of sunshine it gets throughout the year. The weather in Portugal tends to always be mild, with the exception of some days in summer when it is unbearably hot, even in winter. It is not uncommon for the temperature to rise above 17ºC in January or February. This means that any time is suitable to visit Portugal.
Besides the seasons, the weather is also influenced by the altitude and proximity to the sea. In the north, the climate is generally cooler and humid, while in the regions of Lisbon, the Alentejo and especially the Algarve the summers are long and hot, with temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius. Madeira has a mild subtropical climate throughout the year and the Azores should be visited in the warmer months because their winters tend to be quite windy and wet.
Culture
Portuguese history is one of the richest in Europe. Portugal is now over 800 years old. In such a long life, many people have invaded, fought, and lived in the Portuguese territory. There have been many civilizations throughout history and they all left something behind. That is why Portuguese culture is so rich and diverse. The monuments, traditions, fado, azulejo ceramics: Portugal is all of this and more. Portugal is small in size but great in content and this is why many people have elected it the place to visit in 2019.
People
The Portuguese people are known for their hospitality and their warm, welcoming manner, their taste for bohemian life and for a chat. Moreover, their versatility to learn new languages or at least to make themselves understood is another strong attribute of the Portuguese.
The Portuguese give a humane touch to the landscape, the mountains of the north, the beaches of the Algarve, and the plains of the Alentejo. If you ever go to Portugal, dare to leave Lisbon or Porto and take the first train to the countryside. This is where the true Portuguese spirit lies.
