Portugal Regional Information

12-06-2024

In this article, we cover the “basics” you need to know before traveling/cycling to Portugal. Among other topics, you’ll learn about the various ways to travel to Portugal, things to see and do, and more…

For general travel tips, we recommend you check:

How to get there: Air, train & bus service to Portugal
Portugal has a well-connected transportation system, making getting there by bus, train, and airplane reasonably easy. Our trips start from Obidos, Lisbon, or Porto, all well-accessed cities. For flying internationally, the best airports are Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto and Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) in Lisbon.

To learn more about travel to/from Lisbon or Porto, do make sure to check the following articles:

Getting to Portugal: Lisbon and Porto

If you wish to travel by train with your bike, make sure to take a look at the following articles from us:

When is the best time to travel to Portugal?
Summer season is the busiest for Portuguese cities, particularly from June to August, with a high influx of tourists due to the warm weather, festivals, and vacation season in many European countries. On the other hand, spring and fall may be the best times to visit the beautiful country. During these seasons, the weather is milder and the tourist crowds are thinner, which makes it the perfect environment for sightseeing and enjoying outdoor activities like biking!

The Terrain
Portugal has a very varied terrain. The highest point in the country is found in the Serra da Estrela range, in the mountainous northern region, where you can take your next bike adventure with us in the famous Douro Valley: known for its terraced vineyards along the Douro River, offering breathtaking landscapes and excellent wine-tasting experiences.

On the other hand, in central Portugal, you can find rolling plains, river valleys, and hilly regions. Our most extensive package in the area takes you along the western “silver coast”, through gorgeous beaches, lagoons and sand dunes. In general, the landscape in Portugal changes from being rough and high in the north to being flatter closer to the seaside in the south.

What is there to do and see in Portugal?
Portugal generally provides a wide range of activities and sights that showcase its colourful culture, rich history, breathtaking natural scenery, and delectable cuisine. Speaking of its abundance of historical and cultural sites scattered throughout the country, you can find medieval castles, lavish palaces, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and unique towns and villages, each with its own character and style. When it comes to its natural scenery, Portugal offers beaches, national Parks, mountainous views and terraced vineyards. Lastly, for those who are hungry, Portugal’s amazing cuisine is known for its use of fresh ingredients, seafood, meats, and a variety of spices. Some popular dishes include Bacalhau à Brás, Pastéis de Nata, and Polvo à Lagareiro, all which you should not miss!

Portugal’s Weather and Climate
Portugal enjoys hot, dry summers and warm, rainy winters due to its Mediterranean climate. While inland places can have more dramatic weather, with hotter summers and colder winters, coastal areas, like Lisbon and Porto, have pleasant temperatures year-round. Even in the cooler seasons, the southern Algarve has the warmest, sunniest weather, making it the perfect place to enjoy beach activities. On the other hand, more rain falls in the northern areas, especially in the winter, such as the Douro Valley and Minho.

Temperature and rainfall in Lisbon (Central-south)

Temperature and rainfall in Porto (north)

Local produce/Shopping
With diverse culinary heritage and local produce, here are some of our recommendations from Portugal:

Gastronomy: Food
Some local produce and specialties are:

Olive Oil
Fresh seafood: Sardines, cod, Octopus, Clams
Cheese: from creamy to spicy
Fruits: lemons, oranges, figs, cherries
Piri-Piri Sauce: spicy sauce perfect for seafood
Ginjinha: cherry liqueur

Gastronomy: Favourite dishes

Bacalhau à Brá: Salty cod dish loved by locals
Pastéis de Nata: famous custard tart with a crispy crust, creamy filling
Caldo Verde: traditional soup served during holiday seasons
Sardinhas Assadas: grilled sardines popular in summers
Arroz de Marisco: a seafood rice dish, similar to a risotto

Gastronomy: Wine

Port wines
Vinho Verde
Douro Red Wine
Alentejo Red Wine
Madeira Wine
Dão Red Wine

List of Links:

Tourism:
Lisbon: https://www.visitlisboa.com/en
Porto: https://visitporto.travel/en-GB
Obidos: https://www.obidosportugaltourism.com/

Airports:
Lisbon: https://www.lisbonairport.pt/en/lis/home
Porto: https://www.portoairport.pt/en/opo/home
Trains: https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en

Buses:
https://www.rede-expressos.pt/en
https://www.rodonorte.pt/en/
http://eva-bus.com/index.php?lang=uk

Taxis:
https://www.taxifarefinder.com/?country_code=pt

Car rentals:
Avis https://www.avis.com/en/locations/pt
Enterprise https://www.enterprise.pt/en/home.html
Europcar https://www.europcar.com/en/car-rental/locations/portugal
Hertz https://www.hertz.com/p/car-rental/portugal

List of Markets:
We’ve organized some notable markets by location, date and time. If you happen to be in the area, stop by to check out the local produce! You never know what you’ll find...

Lisbon: