Things to Know Before Visiting Portugal
Portugal, where old-world charm merges with vibrant modernity, has become a top destination for travelers seeking an enriching experience. From its stunning landscapes to its rich cultural heritage, Portugal has many captivating attractions that will leave you enchanted. Let’s uncover some of the most interesting things about this European gem we learned before our trip as well as during it.
Basic Facts about Portugal
- Name: The Portuguese Republic (Portuguese República Portuguesa)
- Capital: Lisbon (Lisboa)
- Land area: 92,152 km² (35,608 square miles)
- Population: 10.33 million (as of 2021)
- Official language: Portuguese
- Regions of Portugal: Portugal is divided into seven different regions
- Portuguese flag: It is a rectangular bicolor with a field divided into green on the hoist and red on the fly. The central red shield, filled with yellow castles and smaller blue shields, symbolizes victories against the Moors. The smaller blue ones represent the five Moorish kings killed by the first King of Portugal, Afonso I.
Portugal is one of the oldest nations in Europe
Portugal is one of Europe’s most ancient nations, established in 1139. This historical milestone places Portugal among the oldest nations globally and firmly within the historical fabric of Europe. In this pivotal year, King Afonso Henriques assumed the throne, solidifying his reign as the leader of this budding nation. Intriguingly, Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, boasts a lineage four centuries older than Rome. Before earning its current name, the land had witnessed the presence of diverse empires and civilizations, with the Phoenicians, for instance, leaving their mark as early as 1200 BC.
The oldest operating bookstore in the world is in Lisbon
Lisbon is home to the oldest bookstore in the world still in operation – Bertrand Books, which opened in 1732. In 2010, the bookstore became part of the Porto Editora group, and branches opened nationwide. However, the Lisbon bookstore remains a historical and cultural landmark for book lovers. With over 250 years of history, Bertrand was opened by Peter Faure as a small shop and was once a hotspot for Portuguese intellectuals across the decades.
Interesting fact: You’ll also find one of the world’s smallest bookstores in Lisbon. There’s only enough space for one person and an impressive 3,000 books.
Porto: The Birthplace of Port Wine
No exploration of Portugal would be complete without a visit to Porto, the city that gave birth to the world-famous port wine. The historic Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage site, lines the Douro River with its colorful townhouses and charming alleyways. Touring the wine cellars across the Vila Nova de Gaia River offers a taste of the region’s rich viticulture history.
Portugal is home to the world’s largest cork forest
Cork is an iconic symbol of Portugal, following bacalhau and the Barcelos rooster. As the largest cork producer in the world, Portugal supplies over 50% of the global cork supply. It is also home to the world’s most extensive cork forests, accounting for 34% of its area. The Amorim Family, led by Portuguese billionaire Américo Amorim, has made a multi-billion-dollar fortune in the cork industry.
Portugal is one of the most peaceful countries
According to the 2021 Global Peace Index (GPI), Portugal ranked 4th among the most peaceful countries in the world, following Iceland, New Zealand, and Denmark. This indicates that Portugal is a highly safe country with low levels of violence.
One of the most significant natural disasters in world history occurred in Lisbon
On November 1st, 1755, an earthquake with a magnitude estimated to be 7.7 or higher struck the city, destroying almost the entire area. A tsunami, measuring 6 meters high, was triggered by the earthquake, leading to numerous drownings. The earthquake caused a death toll ranging from 12,000 to 60,000 people in Lisbon, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes ever recorded.
The maximum prison sentence in Portugal is 25 years
In Portugal, the Penal Code prohibits any individual from receiving a prison sentence exceeding 25 years, regardless of the severity of their crimes. As a result, even if someone commits multiple homicides, they will not serve a sentence longer than 25 years. It’s worth noting that the death penalty is not applicable in the country.
Portugal is a surfing heaven
Portugal has some of the largest waves ever surfed, particularly in Nazaré. This location has earned a permanent spot on the World Surf League Big Wave Tour and has seen multiple world records broken. In 2013, McNamara broke his own record by catching an estimated 30-meter wave off the coast of Nazaré. While he held the record for some time, it was eventually surpassed by Brazil’s Rodrigo Koxa in 2017.
Koxa caught an impressive 25-meter wave at Praia do Norte in Nazaré, earning him the official Guinness World Record for the largest wave ever surfed.
Portugal is a European leader in sustainable energy
It’s impressive that Portugal achieved 100% renewable energy generation in March 2018 by utilizing hydro, wind, and solar power sources. Furthermore, according to a 2020 report, Portugal is ranked as the 4th most eco-friendly country in the European Union across six categories, which cover waste, energy, greenhouse gases, air quality, fresh water, and natural land. Portugal is also among the first countries globally to set a carbon neutrality goal for 2050, which is commendable.
Fado, the Soulful Musical Expression
Immerse yourself in the melancholic yet moving sounds of Fado, Portugal’s traditional music genre. Often described as the soul of Portuguese music, Fado’s emotive lyrics and haunting melodies are best experienced in intimate local venues, where the heartfelt stories of love and longing truly come to life.
The Sacred Beauty of Fátima
Every year, approximately 8 million people travel to the location where Fatima’s miracle occurred. In 1917, three shepherd children witnessed six apparitions of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, over six months. These apparitions and messages spread throughout the city and eventually led to the Miracle of the Sun. It is said that over 70,000 people witnessed this miracle, which consisted of the sun appearing as a spinning disc in the sky with vibrant colors after rain. Today, more than 100 years later, millions of pilgrims visit the Sanctuary of Fatima each year to see the site of the apparitions and the Miracle of the Sun. To help plan your visit, look at our guide to Fatima.
The “country of tiles”
In Lisbon, demolition of buildings with tile-covered façades has been prohibited since 2013 to preserve their cultural heritage. These blue-glazed ceramic tiles from the 14th century are a common sight on Portuguese cities’ streets, buildings, and monuments. The azulejo is also frequently found in Portuguese homes, train stations, restaurants, and fountains. Originally, tiles were designed to protect house walls from cold weather, not for aesthetic reasons.
Portuguese Language
It is spoken by over 236 million people worldwide, including 210 million natives. It is the 8th most spoken language in the world. It is the official language in 9 countries, which includes Portugal (of course), Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Principe, Sao Tome, and Equatorial Guinea.
The sun is (pretty much) always shining!
Portugal has a predominantly hot climate, boasting the highest number of sunshine hours on the continent. Some regions experience nearly 300 sunny days yearly, offering over 3000 hours of sunshine annually. This makes it an ideal vacation spot for those seeking summer and winter sunshine. If you’re planning to escape the cold and visit Portugal, explore the various villas and apartments available. Portugal’s southernmost region, the Algarve, delivers in spades. Golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, and turquoise waters make this coastline a paradise for beach lovers.
