Lonely Planet Portugal (Travel Guide)

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Contrasting with its small size is the country’s diverse culture, cuisine and landscapes that range from the rugged coast in the west to the mountainous inland and from the cool and lush north to the flat and sunny south. Ancient Roman, Celtic and Islamic influences have shaped the customs and language of this land that’s been officially a country for more than 870 years – one of the oldest in the world. A host of small private bus operators, most amalgamated into regional companies, run a dense network of services across the country. Among the largest are Rede Expressos and Rodonorte. Southern Portugal has a new bus network called Vamus Algarve, with service reaching just about every part of the Algarve. Key events: Feira do Março in Aveiro and Feira dos Enchidos in Monchique. April brings springtime blooms Portugal is an ideal destination for a scenic road trip. The roads are generally in good shape, and the nation’s relatively small size allows you to see a diverse array of attractions, even if you have only a few days to spare. Lovely sunny weather makes May an ideal time to visit, especially if you’re hitting a long-distance trail like the Via Algarviana or the Rota Vicentina. The crowds are beginning to arrive in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, though it’s still a fairly relaxed scene compared to the summertime high season.

Fall sets in, and smoke and the scent of roasting chestnuts fill the city as street vendors switch from selling ice cream. Lisbon’s weather in October is not too cold and not too warm – still inviting enough to spend plenty of time outdoors. The quiet village of Galé is one of the best places in the Algarve for a romantic getaway. The town’s picturesque beach ( Praia da Galé) is an obvious choice for a day on the waterfront, and even more secluded spots (like Praia das Salamitras) are a short hop from town. Galé has some lovely B&Bs and guesthouses, including the high-end Vila Joya, with its double Michelin-starred restaurant. The Serra da Estrela – Portugal’s highest mountain range – is the place to come for rugged scenery, outdoor adventures, and glimpses of a vanishing traditional way of life. Hikers can choose from an expansive network of high-country trails with stupendous vistas, and the region's fascinating mountain villages make perfect bases for outdoor adventures. Daylight Saving Time officially begins on the last Sunday of March, but the first hint of spring (with longer and warmer days) comes earlier. Sunshine and mild temperatures attract people to the parks and riverside cafes with outdoor seating. Planning tip: For fresh-off-the-boat seafood, factor in lunch in Matosinhos, where an entire street (Rua Heróis de França) is enshrouded in the smoke from sizzling outdoor grills. 3. Climb the Clérigos TowerKey events: Dia de Reis, IndieJúnior children’s film festival in Porto. Celebrate Carnaval in February If endless crashing surf sounds like your idea of heaven, you’ve come to the right country. Get ready to ride the big ones on Portugal’s wild, wave-lashed west coast. This Atlantic strip is an alluring mix of first-rate (and inexpensive) surf camps, gleaming white towns and villages with authentic seafood restaurants, golden beaches fringed by dunes and pines, and memorable sunsets. Less than an hour by train from the capital Lisbon, Sintra feels like another world. It's a great day trip away from the city hubbub. Like a setting from a fairy tale, this historic hillside township is sprinkled with stone-walled taverns and lorded over by a multicolored palace. Praia do Camilo is a prime example of the small sandy coves that dot the coastline of the Algarve region. The small, dramatically set beach is located on the outskirts of Lagos, a pretty resort town with cobbled lanes and picturesque squares enclosed by 16th-century walls. Key events: Óbidos Chocolate Festival, Semana Santa, Ovibeja, Liberation Day. May is the month for outdoor adventures

Only two lines to Spain operate: the Celta, a train that runs daily between Porto and Vigo, and a line from Lisbon to Badajoz, where you can change to onward services to Madrid. There are no international trains in the south.In the know tips to help you build on your experiences when visiting well-known sights and landmarks