Portugal Travel Guide - Introduction

With a total of 13 sites given UNESCO World Heritage Status, Portugal has no shortage of cultural attractions for those visitors seeking to spend their days sightseeing over lazing on the beach. From monasteries to palaces to Roman ruins; the country has an abundance of architectural treasures, all lovingly preserved and providing some fantastic photograph opportunities.

Lisbon is Portugal’s capital city and is a destination with a rich maritime history and one which benefited greatly from its hosting of the World Expo in 1998. The old quarter of Alfama is a good place to start looking for places of historical interest with the Castelo de Sao Jorge and the old Romanesque cathedral, among the more popular sights. The Bairro Alto district is the place to head of an evening, offering a thriving atmosphere created by its many bars, restaurants and night clubs.

The popular beach resorts offer developed visitor infrastructures and gradually other parts of the country are adding to their own to make holidaying, an easier and more comfortable experience. Madeira and the Algarve both have an abundance of hotels and apartment complexes to offer as do;es Lisbon, including international hotel chains such as Best Western, Novotel, Sofitel, Le Meridien, Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn and Sheraton.