Portugal by car How to organize a trip to Portugal on your own

Portugal is popular tourist country with amazing natural landscapes. However, it is not always possible for tourists who come on a package tour to appreciate the natural beauties of this country. Therefore, traveling around the country on your own or rented car is becoming increasingly popular. Portugal by car is perceived in a completely different way, opening up as if from the inside, moreover, traveling by car along your own route is much more convenient.

Visa application

If you are traveling to Portugal as a tourist, you should apply for a Schengen visa category C. This visa can be single, double or multiple entry. The validity of this category of visa can be 1 month, 6 months, 12 months or 5 years. In each of these cases, the period of stay in the country should not exceed 90 days from the date of first entry. Most often, travelers are issued visas for a period of 1 month or 6 months.

What are the customs rules

According to the rules of entry into Portugal, travelers who are 17 years of age or older are allowed to import duty-free into the country:

• cigarettes - 200 pieces, or cigars - 50 pieces, or tobacco - 250 g;
• strong alcoholic drinks (with an alcohol content of more than 22%) - 1 l;
• wine (with an alcohol content of less than 22%) - 2 liters;
• coffee - 500 g;
• tea - 200 g;
• perfume - 50 ml;
• toilet water - 250 ml.

Goods for personal use imported into Portugal must not exceed 175 euros (185 US dollars) per person.

Features of the road

The first thing to know foreign traveler, is that most Portuguese roads, as well as some bridges, are tolled. Wherein average speed traffic on motorways is 100 kilometers per hour, while free roads passing through populated areas, limit the speed to 50 kilometers per hour. Tolls are traditionally calculated based on the distance between entry and exit points on the motorway. In order to pay the fare, there are special lanes of the corresponding color at the toll highway terminals: green - only for users of the Portuguese payment system ViaVerde, orange - for paying through the operator in cash or by card, red - for paying in cash or by card through the machine. In the latter case, you need to be careful, because when paying in cash, the machine does not give change.

Parking in Portugal is also paid, the average cost for 1 hour of use is 1 euro (1.05 US dollars).

In addition, travelers by car should be aware that in case of staying in the country for more than 90 days, it is necessary to obtain a local license.

Features of tourist routes in Portugal

When compiling your own route in Portugal for traveling, we recommend using the advice of experienced autotourists:

• find out in advance about the features and cost of renting a car and the nuances of payment, take into account the cost of gasoline and road use fees;
• do not try to see all the sights in one day - better plan to visit 3-4 points and take your time walking around the city;
• during the trip, spend more time contemplating the picturesque landscapes and visiting palaces and castles;
• going to Portugal by car, take care of booking a hotel or hostel with parking;
• drive no more than 150-200 km a day;
• do not forget to set aside time for lunch - for this, you can pre-select interesting places to visit on the Internet or stop at any local colorful restaurant you like;
• if you choose hotels on the highway for an overnight stay, instead of hotels in settlements, you can save a lot;
• for travelers who want to come to Portugal by car on their own, there is an opportunity to stay instead of a hotel in one of the car campings.

By car in Porto

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal after the capital. There are no picturesque landscapes in the city, but you can fully enjoy the city architecture and museums. The unique attraction of the city is the Cathedral of Porto, built in the XII century. The cathedral has retained its original appearance, as it has never been rebuilt. Be sure to visit the Ribeira quarter, which is included in the List world heritage UNESCO - in it, many residential buildings were built 300 years ago. Travelers by car should definitely cross the Ponti di Don Luis bridge, designed by Theophilus Seyrig, who was a student of the famous Gustave Eiffel. It is no coincidence that the elements of the bridge are very reminiscent of the world-famous creation of his teacher - the Eiffel Tower. By the way, there is a bridge in Porto, which was built according to the project of the Eiffel himself - the Ponti Di Dona Maria Pia Bridge.

By car in Faro

The city of Faro is worthy of attention primarily due to the natural landscape park Ria Formosa. The park is a 60-kilometer lagoon along sea ​​coast. General city the area of ​​the lagoon is 18,400 ha. How tourist centre Faro is not the most popular city in Portugal, however, one of the best beaches in the country, Praia da Faro, is located here. The beach is quite large, but it is crowded here only at the height of the summer season.

Connoisseurs architectural monuments can visit various castles, cathedrals, churches and monasteries in this city. To do this, go to the old central quarter. Not far from the city there is another attraction - the Eshtoy Palace, built in the Rococo style.

By car in Portimão

The most beautiful place in Portimão is its coast. Go to the Praia de Rocha beach - there is an observation deck that offers stunning views of the city and seascape. Architecture lovers can stroll through the city center and visit the Church of the Virgin Mary, the Chapel of St. Jose, Alvor Castle or the Jesuit Monastery.

Driving to Sagres

The small town of Sagres is known for the fact that it was here that Prince Henry the Navigator founded a school of navigation in the 15th century. There is every reason to believe that it was at this school that the world studied famous sailors Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco da Gama. In addition, in this city it is worth visiting Cape San Vicente, which in the past was considered the edge of the world. One of the largest lighthouses in the world is located on the cape, the lighting range of which reaches 90 km.

Driving to Lagos

5 km from Portimão and 45 km from the city of Faro is the small town of Lagos (Lagos). This resort town great for family vacation. The main thing to see here is the ocean, beaches and rocks. On the cape of Ponta da Piedade there is an observation deck and a lighthouse. By the way, near the lighthouse for auto travelers is provided free parking. Leaving the car in the parking lot, you can take a boat trip through the grottoes and water caves. There are several beaches in this city, but the most impressive of them, which should definitely be visited by car tourists, is Marinha Beach.

Driving to Madeira

The only way to get to Madeira by car is by ferry from Porto Santo (once a day). The cost of ferry tickets depends on the month, class, and whether you are a resident of the island. Buying tickets for a group of two to four people, you can get significant discounts. The average cost of tickets for one person with a car is shown in the table:

Ferry connections between mainland There is no Portugal and Madeira Island, but the car can be delivered by a cargo ship, and you can use the plane yourself. In addition, you can rent a car directly on the island.

When traveling by car on the island of Madeira, the main thing to see is nature. The island is dominated by a mountainous landscape, so the roads here are quite winding. Go by car to the viewing platforms. For example, Eira do Serrado is located at an altitude of 1,053 meters, Pico dos Barcelos - at an altitude of 355 meters. The first platform offers a view of the Valley of the Nuns (Curral das Freiras) - this name appeared in the 16th century, when pirates attacked the nearby monastery of Santa Clara, and the nuns were forced to hide in this valley. The second site is closer to the ocean, and from here the sea vessels are better seen.

Driving to Lisbon

Perhaps the most important sight to see in the vicinity of Lisbon is the statue of Jesus Christ. To get here, you need to cross the Tagus River on the April 25 Bridge. And the bridge itself is also worth seeing. It is absolutely identical to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, as they were built by the same American construction company. So, on the other side of the Tagus River, at its confluence with Atlantic Ocean, the town of Almada is located. Here, at an altitude of 113 above sea level, a monument rises, which was built in 1959 as a token of gratitude for the non-participation of Portugal in World War II. The statue of Christ can be seen from anywhere in Lisbon.



Walking through the city center, be sure to look at the Commerce Square. Here, the Arc de Triomphe of Augusta Street immediately catches the eye, which you can climb for 2.5 euros (2.65 US dollars). From the observation deck opens beautiful view to the bay, picturesque streets, castles and monasteries, to visit and explore which you can spend all the remaining time.

Traveling by car in Sintra

Sintra is one of the most beautiful cities Portugal. It is said that the beauty of this city surpasses even Lisbon. On the first day of your stay in the town, you can leisurely visit two places: the Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors. Near the palace there is a large park, the entrance ticket to which can be purchased separately without buying a ticket to the palace. Another attraction is the Castle of the Moors. This fortress was built in the IX-X centuries. You can enter the castle by long staircase walking through the forest.

Another interesting object worthy of attention travelers - Montserrati Palace, located 4 km from the city. The palace has Botanical Garden with 2 thousand plant species from all over the world.

Another monument is Quinta de Regaleira, architectural structure in neo-gothic style. On the territory of this palace and park complex everywhere you can find various mysterious signs and symbols of the Templars and Freemasons.

If you like to study history not only through acquaintance with castles and palaces, you can visit the News Museum. Here you will get to know the history of Portugal through media coverage.

And finally, while in Sintra, one cannot help but visit one of the most significant places not only in Portugal, but also in the entire continent - Cape Roca. This is the most extreme point Eurasia in the West, where a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean opens.

How to rent a house in Portugal

When traveling in Portugal, you need to stop somewhere. If you are not satisfied with the option with parking lots and hotels, you can rent housing. When traveling, it is better to consider options daily rent housing. Ads can be found on the Internet on forums, on popular sites for daily rent of real estate, or you can ask around from local residents.

Driving to Portugal: Video

I want to dedicate my second story to the beautiful sunny country- Portugal. I went there with my husband in August 2014. The country is very beautiful and colorful!

I do not know when I would have gathered there myself. Because for some reason this country was not on the list of desired trips in the next few years. But fate decreed that my good friend was offered a hand and heart by her young man, a Portuguese.

My husband and I were invited to the wedding, and then everything started to spin) We began to plan a new individual trip. Overall plan was like this - fly to Lisbon on the eve of the wedding, take a walk at the wedding, then leave for five days to Porto by train, and then return and settle for the remaining days (6 days) in Lisbon, take a good look at it and its surroundings.

We arrived in Lisbon around 10pm. Since the suitcase was light and we were still full of strength and energy, we decided to save money and went to the hotel by metro. We got on the subway easily. But then the adventure began) we booked apartments in the Alfama district - one of the most colorful areas Lisbon. The area is really very interesting and beautiful. Of course, it’s inconvenient to walk there - all the time it’s descents, then ascents. Such a relief is typical in principle for the whole of Lisbon, but especially for this area. Therefore, it must be said separately here that for a trip to Portugal it is especially important to choose the right shoes - no wedges, platforms, and even more so heels. Only sports and very comfortable shoes! In the other one, you can not only get very tired, but also get injured, because all the roads in Lisbon are tiled, not very even and quite a lot.

So) When we got to Alfama, it was already dark. The streets in Alfama are very small and confusing, and what is more important, they are so short that even the locals do not know a lot of streets. Here our apartments were just on a street that no one knows)) Another difficulty was that few Portuguese speak English. But here it helped us that even though they do not know English, they are very positive and always ready to help. We stuck to a walking young couple, they were local residents, as I understood, but did not know our street. And they decided to look for it with us, we wandered along Alfama together, and they periodically asked passers-by in Portuguese about our street. After wandering for about 15 minutes together with our Portuguese assistants, we still found it) the couple continued their walk, and we began to solve a new quest - how to get into the apartment). While we were looking, I called the owner (as we agreed by e-mail), but there was no answer. I called a few more times, but no one answered. And here we are at night (it was already 12 o'clock) standing under the door of our apartment and thinking where we can spend the night. This happened to us for the first time, and we were at a loss. In Portugal, by the way, it’s cool at night, it’s better to take warm clothes with you, in the evening the weather changes dramatically - it’s all the ocean). We did not stay long, the owner soon called back, he forgot the phone somewhere according to his chaotic explanation and reassured us, saying that he was coming to us. Soon he arrived, we settled in, and life got better)

Alfama is definitely worth a visit, where you can feel the real spirit of Portugal. Alfama is fado coming from every cafe in the evening, extraordinary architecture, azulejos, trams that can hardly fit on the street ...

Portugal is a wonderful climate and wonderful nature, swimming in the ocean, walking through the medieval quarters of modern cities, tasty food and quality wine.

To get to know this country, several travel options are possible: a beach holiday in the Algarve, a trip to cities and fortresses as part of a group or on your own by car, and a vacation trip to the island of Madeira. These notes will tell about the journey through the cities of Portugal as part of a group.

There are pros and cons to a group trip compared to a private car tour. The main advantages are: lower costs compared to individual costs, the opportunity to get from a good guide, a huge amount of quality and interesting information knowledge of the language is not required. And the main disadvantage is the inability to be in the place you like for as long as you want. The main requirement for those who choose a group tour is discipline and tolerance. For those who choose a car, it is best to use the stories of Igor Pitovsky on www.ayda.ru. You can also recommend the reports of Yulia Ilyina and Anna Kozenkova on www.ayda.ru.

Information

It seems to me that the months of May-June and September-October are best suited for traveling in Portugal. Then this beautiful country can be seen in all its splendor. In addition, it is not too hot at this time. The flight time on the route Moscow - Lisbon is 3.5 hours.

When arriving in Portugal, you must set the clock back 3 hours.

Passport control takes quite a long time, at least an hour, or even an hour and a half. The Portuguese border guards are polite but very slow. After the flight, this is a little annoying, but perhaps this is the last thing that can cause unpleasant emotions.

The airport is located 10-15 minutes from Lisbon. You can take a taxi for 5-6 euros. But a bus is waiting for us and delivers in 25 minutes to the city of Estoril, where we are accommodated in the Saboia - 3 * hotel.

The cities of Estoril and Cascais are located along the coast and are resorts where wealthy people go in anticipation of the hot summer. You can get there from Lisbon in 30 minutes by a comfortable train, reaching the Cais de Shudre station.

Estoril and Cascais have sandy beaches. So, if you came to Lisbon in the summer, then after exploring the city in Estoril, you can come to swim and dine in Cascais overlooking the ocean.

Anyway, I swam on April 29th. It feels like the water temperature in the Baltics at the end of June.

Surrounded in Estoril beautiful park the largest casino in the country is located. But the most remarkable thing is the walk along the sea along the promenade towards the city of Cascais.

Cascais is one of the most popular resort towns near Lisbon with several good beaches, a large marina and promenade for walking.

Our first excursion took place in the city of Evora, which is located 120 km. from Lisbon. The roads are excellent, the guide tells a lot of interesting things, time flies by. Évora is a small pretty city, the streets of which are pleasant to wander, getting into the past, then into the present. 2 - 2 and a half hours are enough to see the sights of the city. Most interesting objects for inspection: the remains of the Roman temple of Diana, a park with a monument to Vasco de Gama, in which peacocks walk, a Cathedral built in the early gothic style and of course the Chapel of Relics, the inner walls of which are lined with several thousand skulls.

I will talk more about Portuguese cuisine, but I will note that in Evora we ate a local dish - the meat of a black pig.

After visiting Estoril and Cascais, we moved along the Atlantic coast and after a while stopped at observation deck overlooking the ocean. But that was only a prelude. Then, along the serpentine, we climbed up to the westernmost point of Europe - Cape Roca. Cabo da Roca is located at an altitude of 140 meters above sea level. Waves beat against the rocky shore below and America is located 5000 km away. Crowds of tourists wander around the rocks, who, like me, strive to capture themselves against the backdrop of magnificent views. There are at least a hundred rockers near the lighthouse, for whom Cape Roca is a favorite hangout place.

The next city to visit is Sintra, the residence of the Portuguese kings. The city is located 40 km from Lisbon. You can get there both by car and by train. To explore Sintra, in a good way, you need a whole day. Unfortunately, we did not manage to see everything, partly because of the huge number of tourists and, of course, lack of time.

The city of Sintra consists of a lower part and an upper part. In the lower part there are gardens where you can find plants of the rarest species, state palace, narrow streets with 2 - 3-storey houses and souvenir shops, as well as small cozy cafes. And in the upper part of the city are the Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors. From there, a magnificent panorama of Sintra and its environs opens up. The upper part can be reached by taxi or on foot for about an hour, making an excellent walk.

For vacationers in Sintra, a special park de Marandes has been created where, while enjoying a walk, you can have a bite to eat under the arches of trees at special parking lots. If you are in Portugal for more than two days, be sure to visit Sintra.

Lisbon

The capital of Portugal is the city of Lisbon. It takes three full days to see it.

Story

Lisbon was known to the Phoenicians, who called it Alis-Ubbo, which means "magic haven". In the Middle Ages, the city was a powerful fortress, the Arabs tried to capture it. In 1147 the city was conquered from the Arabs by Afonso Henriques I.

After 100 years, the city becomes the capital of Portugal. At the time of the great discoveries, Lisbon was considered the richest city in Europe; he amazed his contemporaries with luxury and magnificence.

However, in 1775, an unprecedented earthquake for Europe occurs here. It destroyed most cities and claimed about 40 thousand lives. It seemed that the beauty and glory of Lisbon had faded forever. But there was a man of amazing abilities and energy - the Marquis of Pombal, who managed to rebuild Lisbon and in many ways restore its former brilliance.

Lisbon is a very beautiful city! ancient houses, narrow streets, black and white pavements. Black and white stones are laid by hand according to a certain pattern, the whole city is paved with them, while the patterns are different everywhere. In the light of the sun, Lisbon changes, it is very difficult to perceive it holistically, it simply amazes with its diversity and inconsistency, dazzles with matte pastels of houses and bright red tiled roofs. A web of steep and narrow medieval streets can lead you to a dead end, or it can lead you to quiet idyllic corners where canaries sing and water murmurs, where you simply forget about the noisy bustle of a large port city.

Conventionally, there are several particularly attractive areas in Lisbon:
Castle of St. George and quarters of Alfama;
sq. Commerce, pl. Rossio and others
Beleni district
Nations Park (aka EXPO-98).

Castle of St. George - a fortress, conquered by King Afonso Enriques from the Moors, rises with its mighty walls above the city. The fortress is located on a hill in the east of the city and is especially clearly visible from the central part of the city from the Praça de Figueira square, where a monument to King Joan 1 is erected.

You can get to the fortress on foot through the old, Moorish district of Lisbon Alfama, all the while climbing up the steep picturesque streets that take us to a completely different era.

You can stop at the medieval Cathedral, which was built on the site of a former mosque as a symbol of the victory of Christianity over the Moors.

Antique trams run in the Alfama area - both locals and tourists ride them. Route 28 is especially popular, climbing the streets of Alfama, between numerous churches and beautiful old houses, the entire facades of which are lined with colored azulejo tiles. From the observation deck of the fortress of Sao Jorge opens one of the best views to Lisbon.

Commerce Square (Praça do Comercio) is the triumphant entrance to Lisbon. It was here that the very first harbor of Lisbon was located. In the center of the square is a monument to King José and a triumphal arch. From here begins the central pedestrian street Rua Augusta.

Bypassing triumphal arch and walking along the central pedestrian street Augusta, we get to Rossio Square, where heretics were once burned and bullfights were held (the palace of the Inquisition was on the site of today's National Drama Theater before the fire). Boutiques, shops and cafes are located on Augusta Street.

We move up and turn left as we go to the openwork metal tower of the Santa Justa lift, which offers a magnificent view of the city. The Santa Justa lift allows you to go up to the Bairro Alto area. After walking just a few meters, we find ourselves at one of the state buildings, which is guarded by guardsmen with sabers. At 18:00, the changing of the guard ceremony takes place here with the lowering of the flag, a trumpeter, etc. Curious spectacle.

Belen area

The main objects of inspection include: the monastery of Gironimos, the Belen tower, the monument to the Discoverers. Ideally, you can add the Presidential Palace, Maritime Museum and the Carriage Museum.

The monastery of Gironimos, the most impressive architectural structure in Lisbon, was built in the early 16th century, in honor of the opening of the route to India by Vasco da Gama. It is made in all the splendor of the Manueline style. The spacious courtyard of the monastery, flooded with sun, is decorated with beautiful fountains and exquisite stone carvings - all pillars, balconies and walls are covered with fragments from the Bible or statues of saints. In one of the halls there is a historical kaleidoscope illustrating the history of the monastery from the date of its foundation in 1500, in parallel with the history of Portugal and world history. In the marble pantheon of the monastery, you can see the sarcophagi of Vasco da Gama and Manuel I.

Monastery of Jeronimos, included in the list of UNESCO monuments. In front of the monastery are gardens leading to the Monument to the Discoverers. This monument was built in our days and is a tribute of contemporaries to their great past. In front of the monument is a square on which a map of the world is engraved directly on the stones, indicating the places and dates that were discovered by the Portuguese, mainly in the 15th - 16th centuries. Not far from the monastery, on the banks of the Tagus River, is the Belem Tower, built in 1515 to guard the harbor of Lisbon. Once upon a time, caravels departed from here on distant voyages. In honor of this event, sea regattas are organized on the Tagus River.

The tower is another masterpiece in the Manueline style. It is hard to imagine that this openwork white castle on the water served simultaneously as a guard fortress, customs and a prison.

You can climb the tower - it offers wonderful views, especially of the April 25th bridge and the entire Belen area.

Along Belem street you can walk to Presidential Palace, the residence of the President of the Republic and visit the former royal arena, which houses the collection of the Carriage Museum.

Tram number 15 runs from the Belen district to the center. At each stop there is a sign indicating where the transport should go. The most famous museum in Lisbon is the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. The collection covers exhibits ranging from the Egyptian, Ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. This is followed by a magnificent exhibition of Islamic art; Chinese and Japanese halls and, finally, European art.

The April 25 Bridge, 2300 meters long, an outstanding achievement of modern engineering art, was built in 1966. It connects Lisbon to the opposite bank of the Tagus River. On the high bank of the river, on a massive pedestal, there is a statue of Christ the King with with outstretched arms. He seems to embrace and bless the inhabitants of the city. Exactly the same statue exists in Rio de Janeiro. In 1988, another bridge was built for the World Expo 98 - Vasco da Gama Bridge, which is considered the longest in Europe. Its length is 17 kilometers. The end of this bridge is not visible. The bridge surrealistically goes beyond the horizon, merging with the silver-gray surface of the water. The Park of Nations (Expo 98) is the youngest area of ​​Lisbon.

Shopping is possible in the center of Vasco da Gama. Shops here cater for all tastes, from inexpensive C&A to boutiques. But mostly people come here to take a walk among the spacious alleys, fountains, and most importantly visit the Oceanarium, which is home to 450 species of flora and fauna from different seas. The park also serves as a venue for cultural events. Various exhibitions and concerts are held in modern pavilions, and, finally, the park is simply conducive to a pleasant pastime in restaurants and in the commercial area.

A funicular runs over the entire territory of the Expo. It offers a breathtaking view of the entire Expocentre, especially the Vasco da Gama bridge.

One of the evenings in Lisbon we attended a folklore evening with fado. Fado is traditional Portuguese music. The word itself means "destiny". Lyrical, slightly sad songs are performed to the accompaniment of a 12-string guitar. The main thing in fado is not the voice, but the spiritual breakthrough, so familiar to the Russian heart.

From Lisbon we moved north towards the city of Quimbra.

For some reason, we did not stop by the city of Mafra, which is located 20 km from Sintra. The guide notes that the city lies in a crevice between the hills and its main dominant is a majestic monastery with an area of ​​40,000 m2. But on the other hand, having traveled further north, we visited the city of Obidos. Obidos is a medieval walled city built in the 12th century. It is a picturesque complex of whitewashed houses with red tiled roofs and narrow medieval streets surrounded by fortress walls. On the walls you can get around the city around. Souvenirs are sold on the streets. Cherry liqueur, which can be purchased after tasting, is especially interesting. It takes one and a half to two hours to inspect Obidush.

Further, our path lay in Alcobaça, where you can see the monastery of the 12th century. We didn’t get inside, because it was May 1 and it turns out that not all were open state museums. I managed to see a very interesting design museum with wax figures and modern clothing collections. In principle, Alcobas is an alternative object for inspection.

Batalha

In Batalha is the Monastery of Santa Maria da Victoria, a masterpiece of the Portuguese gothic architecture, built by King Joan 1 in memory of the victory over the Spaniards in 1385. This monastery is a striking example of the Gothic architecture of Portugal with Manueline elements. On the occasion of May 1, we also did not manage to examine the inner courtyard. But the monastery is majestic and outside. It takes an hour and a half to see it.

At dawn

Declared in guidebooks as a fishing village. Nazare is a strategic place. Surely, if you rest in the Algarve province located in the south, then you most likely will not be able to see Portugal. And in Nazar you can swim and sunbathe on the sandy beach, and if you rent a car, you can go around many beautiful and interesting places. You can live in Nazar in apartments, eat seafood in numerous beach cafes and restaurants.

We climbed to the upper part, on the rock, and examined the chapel in honor of the Holy Virgin, who, according to legend, saved the horseman, who almost fell off the cliff in pursuit of a deer. Interesting is the altar part, where you can go (!) And see the figurine of the Holy Virgin Mary, carved according to legend by Joseph.

In the square, colorful old fisherwomen in colorful clothes sell dried fruits. From the top of the mountain there is a view of sand beach and the ocean.

Fatima

A small town is located east of Batalha. Is worldwide famous center Catholic pilgrimage, where, according to legend, three local children witnessed the appearance of the Holy Virgin Mary. In the center of the city are the Church of the Holy Virgin in Fatima, a chapel and a tree under which the Holy Virgin Mary appeared to the children, as well as huge area, much larger than St. Peter in the Vatican. Services in the church and organ music are broadcast throughout the square. True believers on their knees overcome the path to the Temple along a special marble path. Tens of thousands of pilgrims come to Fatima with requests and gratitude. Numerous processions take place here. Even if you are not religious, this place is worth a visit, it will not seem boring. For those who like pilgrimage tourism, it is worth visiting www.Fatima.org.

Quimbra

Since we arrived in the evening, we spent the night in a decent Almedina 3 * hotel.

The main attractions of the city: the University, the monastery of Santa Cruz and "Portugal in miniature". 1 day is enough to visit Quimbra.

The University of Quimbra is one of the oldest in Europe. Its history begins in the 12th century. The university was moved to Lisbon, returned back, and in 1537 it finally settled in Quimbra. There are several museums inside the building, and a beautiful panorama of the city and the river opens from the terrace. The library is especially impressive. Lectures are held in a building with a long history.

The whole life of Quimbra is concentrated around the university, and students still define its appearance. Many of them wear traditional black suits and black cloaks with colored ribbons. It is very similar to the fact that J. Rawlings, when writing "Harry Potter" used the image of Quimbra and her students.

"Portugal in miniature" is a small park in which all the main styles of Portuguese architecture are collected in a reduced form. You can climb into toy houses or take pictures next to them. It is believed that this is mainly entertainment for children, but adults will also enjoy the walk.

From Quimbra we went towards the city of Porto, but on the way we stopped at a few more places.

At the beginning of the Portuguese "calvary". Similar can be found in Spain and Italy. A picturesque place in which you need to climb the stairs all the time. You can stop at "stations" with images of the Calvary suffering of Christ. When the stations end, the most difficult climb begins, but it lies next to the fountains, and the church crowns the path, where the faithful rest and pray a little. Everything was easy for us. Instead of going up, we went down.

30 km from Cuimbra is the thermal spa of Luso with a spring. A little higher is the magical park and the Busako estate. It seems to be a place marked by special grace. The palace is currently a 5* hotel. This is where you need to go at least for 2-3 days, if you do not spare money.

These places are famous for the fact that in local restaurants(nowhere else in the country) are prepared for lunch or dinner leitau da barada (suckling pig). We were served it with Spumante. The taste is "spicy". You can swallow your tongue.

Porto

This is the second largest city in Portugal, the birthplace of the famous Henry the Navigator. It takes at least 2 days to see it. The city was not destroyed by the earthquake, and houses not only of the 18th, but also of the 17th and 16th centuries have been preserved there. Surprisingly, people still live in most of them. The historic center with the embankment is a real medieval city. To understand the city, you must definitely walk around it on foot.

The Clerigos Tower offers panoramic views of the city. Climbing on it you can see how to build a route correctly. Se Cathedral resembling a fortress, Bishop's Palace, a pompous stock exchange building, a private church of the Franciscans striking with inner wealth, You can walk along the charming embankment. It overlooks boats loaded with port wine and picturesque facades of medieval houses with linen fluttering in the wind.

During our excursion, a historical film was filmed on the embankment. Full immersion in the 18th century. No decorations needed. If you are in Porto and have a chance to walk along the promenade, then moving towards the funicular, look at the last institution in the direction of travel (located closest to the funicular). In the cellar you will be offered a wonderful sausage, which, judging by the advertisement, has been produced for 500 years, and you will drink it all with port wine and wonderful Portuguese wine. And then, when the devil himself is no longer your brother, you can take a boat trip along the Douro River. The route will lie under 7 bridges connecting Porto and the Gaia region, where the famous port wine storages and cellars for tasting are located.

Personally, it seems to me that Porto is somewhat similar to the capital of Amber ("Chronicles of Amber" by R. Zelazny).

Portugal - Porto - Port wine. Consonant, one-root words. In our country, port wine has a bad reputation. Many people remember "Agdam", "Three Sevens", a drink affectionately called "portveshok", bought as an alternative to vodka mainly for women during the Soviet period. Connoisseurs will remember the Crimean Port, which has a good taste, but still is not actually a noble Port wine, since the grapes for its production must grow in a strictly controlled area.

Vinio de porto (port wine) is used as an aperitif or for a good conversation. Despite the fact that fortified wine is drunk port wine easily, the head does not hurt after it.

In fact, we started our acquaintance with port wine back in Domodedovo, having bought a bottle for 19 euros. Everything that I then tried on the route was worse for my taste. And only a tasting in the cellars of Gaia partially restored the "status quo". In a nutshell, either you need to buy a drink of great years of aging: 10, 20,30, 50 years, or "vintage" when a good year for the harvest and the port ages right in the bottle. Port wine can cost from 15 to 100 euros and more. From the city of Porto we went to Guimarães and Braga.

Guimaraes

It is located 50 km north of Porto and is considered the "cradle of Portugal". The first king Afonso Henriques 1 was born in this city. The city has picturesque streets, medieval castle- fortress. Oliver Square is a museum of private collections. The most interesting thing seemed to me the exhibit depicting the Holy Trinity. God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit were depicted not on canvas (which is quite common), but in sculpture.

Braga

It seemed to us that the best thing in Braga is the garden "Santa Barbara". Beginning of May. We've just got some weed. There are still few flowers, even field ones. And in Santa Barbara, the rose garden is in full bloom...

We had to fly to Moscow from Lisbon. Porto, Braga and Guimaraes are the northernmost points of our trip. Returning to Lisbon, we stopped in the city of Tomar.

Tomar

For Tomar, I would have been ready to sacrifice Guimaraes and Braga, but fortunately this did not have to be done. Tomar was the residence of the Templars. The Templars, expelled from France, settled in Portugal. We were only a couple of hours, we need at least four, and even better to spend the night downstairs in the old part of the city, and in the morning we go up to the fortress of the Knights of the Cross. The order was one of the richest in Europe and competed in wealth with the monarchs. You understand this when you get into the fortress. It is graceful, beautiful, huge, and inside it there are monuments of world significance: a window in the Manueline style and the central hall - a temple into which the knights entered through the gate right on horseback.

We traveled 1400 km by bus, on roads with lush forest vegetation, very picturesque places Portugal. We did not see landfills, construction sites, we did not meet smoking chimneys and not a single industrial enterprise along the entire route. But of course that wasn't all it had to offer wonderful country Portugal.

We have not been to the Portuguese bullfight, which is different from the Spanish one, which, according to other travelers, is held near Lisbon in the village of Alcochete on the opposite bank of the Tagus River on Saturdays. We weren't on safari. 120 km from Lisbon, in the western part of Alentejo, Badoka Park is located, where you can admire the life of wild animals: giraffes, crocodiles, tigers, as in Africa. And 15 km from Fatima are the caves of St. Antonio. The guidebook says that each cave is a palace created by nature and hidden deep into the earth.

There are other wonderful places, reviews of which can be found on www.ayda.ru. And there is a reason to return to Portugal again.

Information

The Portuguese are hospitable and friendly people. It is worth learning just a few phrases to show at least minimal politeness.

Bon Dia (bon dia) - Good morning(until 12.00)
Bon Tarde (bon tarde) - good afternoon (after 12.00)
Obrigado (obrigado) - thank you, thank you (if a man speaks)
Obrigada (obrigada) - thank you (if a woman speaks)
Fasch favor a conto (fash favor a conto) - please, account.
Suko del orange naturale - natural orange juice.

The Portuguese are great food experts. Portuguese cuisine is a combination of meat and fish.

On the route, we were fed mainly dishes from the provinces where we were. Sometimes it was an "unforgettable culinary experience". Sometimes it was just delicious, and sometimes (much less often) just satisfying. But the principle has always been observed: eat and (surprisingly) drink as much as you can. Red and white wine for lunch (dinner), however, like the food itself, was always offered in unlimited quantities. A typical Portuguese lunch includes: cold appetizers (sausage, olives with soft bread), first course (usually mashed soup), main course, dessert, coffee (sometimes fruit)

And on your own, dishes, for example, from seafood, are best tried in establishments with the indication "Marisqueira". ("Gambosh" - king prawns.)

Portuguese wine is light and rich. All wines are of very high quality. Even among inexpensive table wines there are no sour tastes. But if you are afraid to make a mistake, then buy wines from the province of Alentejo.

Everyone writes about baking and confectionery. Indeed, this is some fantastic yummy. Moreover, the freshest pastries could be tasted in any places along the entire route. When you see a pastry shop, go in and try the Portuguese pie. This is a puff pastry basket sprinkled with powdered sugar and ground cinnamon. In Portugal, very tasty and juicy oranges (kg costs 1 euro). Moroccan oranges are no match for them. Good cheeses and very tasty bread.

Souvenirs: port wine, portuguese wine, cork wood, pottery with a portuguese rooster.

Privalov Andrey Vladimirovich
17/05/2006 19:43

The opinion of tourists may not coincide with the opinion of the editors.

Flying to Portugal and sitting on the same beach is not the smartest option, unless of course you live an hour's flight or drive away. It is worth renting a car already at the Lisbon airport and rush towards adventure. I used the services of Gold Car and was satisfied. This is our third meeting with this European distributor, which is in danger of soon turning into a friendship, growing stronger thanks to the good price and quality of service. This friendship is sometimes trying to break the very worthy Herz or Sixt, but so far without success.

Main points along the route:

Lisbon - Cabo da Roca - Sintra - Vila do Bispo - Sagres - Lagos - Ferragudo - Silves - Lagoa - Albufeira - Lisbon

Only about 800 km. With arrivals at local points - lookouts, beaches and just the places you like - 900 km.

On the map, our route looks like So :

1. Neighborhoods of Lisbon: Lisbon - Cape Roca - Sintra - Lisbon

On Lisbon you need at least 3-4 days, one of which is worth devoting to Cape Roca and historical Sintra located half an hour away.

Cape Roca(Cabo da Roca) is the extreme western point of Europe and is interesting precisely for its location. Of the attractions - a lighthouse and beautiful views of the coastline. However, the skyline in other places along the route will not be worse.

Sintra- an ancient town, quite nice, although very touristy. It is ideal to come to Sintra in the morning, right after the lighthouse at Cape Roca, before 10 o'clock. Firstly, there are more options to park, and secondly, it will take at least 6 hours to get to the city itself. We watch the palace, the fortress, walk along the winding steep streets and try delicious treats in local confectioneries.

2. The second part of the route - the road from Lisbon to the Algarve

We drive by regional roads N5, N253, N261, N120, N268, N125. We go to the beaches according to the signs and choose “The best of”

Destination number one on the route - Comporta, a winery and a beach in the style of the movie "Knockin' on Heaven's Door". Beach from horizon to horizon, a boardwalk, a huge shaft.
Beach coordinates: 38.381372, -8.802608

Can be skipped Sines if there is little time and immediately move to the side Villa do Bispo is the extreme southwest of Europe. There are several beautiful beaches in the vicinity, but the water in these places rarely exceeds +20, they are interesting from the point of view of wandering around, enjoying the ocean and watching the sunset.

Before reaching Vila do Bispo, we stop at Amado beach - beautiful views, a surfer's beach, but you can swim in summer.

You can spend the night in the town of Vila do Bispo, exclusively as a transit overnight, or you can immediately go to the town of Sagres - the extreme southwestern point of Europe.

Not so much interesting Sagres, How many Lighthouse S. Vicente. Very nice lighthouse and great view coastline, several viewing platforms.

Parking coordinates near the lighthouse S. Vicente: 37.16858, -8.665534

Near the lighthouse on the road to Lagos interesting beach Beliche, popular with locals. Not crowded with a good inexpensive restaurant, azure ocean, surrounded by beautiful rocks. (37.02421, -08.99426)

3. Part three along the route - the southern coast of the Algarve, the warmest and favored by tourists of all calibers.

Points of interest: Lagos is a beautiful tourist town with old narrow cobbled streets, promenade and restaurants. There are several beaches and lookouts in the vicinity.

Praia dona Ana - (37.091233, -8.0669761)

The city's longest and warmest sandy beach Maia Praia (37.106858. -8.665534)

Ponta da Piedade, the observation deck, which offers a beautiful view of the rocks, from here you can also ride on the local grottoes by boat. (37.08162, -08.66978)

More interesting places:

The village of Ferragudo, beautiful fishing village on a hill, a good place for a photo - (37.125894, -8.52227)

Praia da Roca beach near the town of Portimao

The town of Lagoa is the best place for overnight stays in my opinion, conveniently located 3 km. from the ocean and equidistant from all interesting places. For us, this was the main base for exploring the Algarve coast and historical monuments.

Silves - here is an old Arab fortress, well preserved, you can spend a couple of hours in front of the beaches.

Praia do Marinha (37/090073, -8.412599) is one of the most beautiful on the coast, but swimming is difficult in summer due to black algae blooms almost all over the beach. Great for "sunbathing, drinking wine and enjoying the rocks"

- Senhora da Rocha- Guidebooks report that this is the most photographed beach in the Albufeira area. Probably because there are a lot of hotels nearby... :) The beach is beautiful, but somewhere at the end of my conditional top ten Algarve. Coordinates: 37.09750, -008.38643

- Albufeira. White houses, several beaches in the vicinity make it the most popular town in the Algarve. I would still prefer Lagos or Lagoa for Algarve research.

- Praia do Castelo- our favorite beach in the Algarve, which has been awarded the title of #1 beach, is located between Albufeira and Lagos. There are no hotels in the vicinity, so the contingent is mainly local and independent road travelers. The Pic Nic restaurant is open all year round, overlooking the ocean and bright yellow rocks of indescribable beauty. Coordinates: (37.07354, -008.29812)

4. Road to Lisbon

We return, or rather we fly along the E1 autobahn in 2.5 hours without stopping, we enter the city through the longest bridge in Europe, Vasco da Gama, and spend an unforgettable 10 hours in the city before departure.

P.S. The Algarve is full of beautiful beaches and beautiful places, so the right thing to do is to plan a little more time and just follow the signs at random.

Portugal is one of the warmest European countries, where the temperature even in winter rarely drops below + 8-10 °C. The most comfortable weather is set from April to June and September-October. Hot July and August are ideal for a holiday on the coast: in the Algarve or on the Lisbon Riviera.

Visa

A tourist visa can be issued at the Visa Application Center in Moscow. How to get a Schengen visa on your own,.

Route

Most trips start from Lisbon, from where it is convenient to travel around the area - to Sintra, Cascais, to Cape Roca. Point number two is Porto, between it and the capital there are many picturesque castles, towns and villages that you can also leisurely explore along the way. lovers beach holiday worth going to opposite side- in the Algarve: Faro, Lagos, Sagres and Albufeiro. Comprehensive itinerary information can be found at Visitportugal.com. On the road, paper or electronic guides will be convenient: English-language Rough Guides, Lonely Planet and Fodor’s, in Russian - Doring Kindersley and the more budgetary Polyglot. Those who like to dig deeper will surely enjoy José Ermanu's "History of Portugal" in Saraiva, and the patriotic poems of Luis de Camões will delight fans of poetry.

Transport

The fastest way to get to Portugal is by plane: direct flights are operated by TAP Portugal, the flight lasts about 5.5 hours. You can save on tickets if you track the offers of Lufthansa, Easyjet, Vueling.

Buses travel a little slower, but also cost less: the same trip from Lisbon to Porto will cost 18-20 €. Most intercity flights are operated by Rede Expressos, you can buy tickets on their website.

In large cities, the system of urban land transport is well developed; the metro operates in Lisbon and Porto. A ticket for one trip on the metro, tram or bus costs 1.4 € and is valid for one hour. If there are many trips, it is more profitable to purchase a travel card: a one-day ticket costs 6 €.

Housing

In Portugal, it will not be difficult to find accommodation for every taste, but from May to September, it is better to book hotels in advance. In the center of Lisbon, you can, for example, stay at the Avenida Palace Hotel, located in historic building, or the bright design apartment Lisbon Short Stay Baixa . For a relaxing holiday, a cozy and atmospheric Mercador hotel is suitable. Portugal is famous for its excellent hostels and budget hotels, for example, the modern Golden Tram 242 Lisbonne hostel and the small, bright Lisbon Dreams guesthouse are popular in Lisbon.

You can feel like an aristocrat in hotels located in castles and old houses. The price of a room in them is not much different, but there are definitely more impressions. We recommendPousada de Viseuwith your own spa or the secluded Pousada de Sangresoverlooking the fortress and the bay.

Money

Portugal differs from many European countries in moderate prices. A complex lunch in a city cafe is unlikely to cost more than 15 €, and in small eateries (which are often much tastier) you can eat well for 7-8 €. At the same time, portions in institutions are usually very generous. A bottle of good wine can be bought for 3-4 €, port wine - for 10-15 €. Many museums have free admission days or hours, and discounts for children, students, families, and seniors. If an active sightseeing of the capital's sights is planned, it makes sense to purchase Lisboa Card, which allows not only to use transport without restrictions, but also to visit most of the city's museums for free. The cost of the card for one day is 18.5 €, for 2 days - 31.5 €. In Lisbon, free sightseeing or thematic tours are held daily, they are not much different from professional ones, and tips for guides can be left at your discretion.

I liked getting to know Portugal on my own - without too much haste and without an exact plan. Have you already been there? Share your impressions in the comments.