One of the oldest nations in Europe, Portugal, with a population of 10.3 million, is situated on the Iberian Peninsula next to Spain. Mountains and high hills cover the northern third of Portugal, while further south and west, the land slopes to rolling hills and lowlands, and a broad coastal plain with stunning beaches.

Portugal is a country blessed with an amazing variety of landscapes, customs, cuisine, and architecture. There’s genuinely something for everyone from the gardens of Madeira to the monuments in Lisbon, windsurfing in the Algarve to relaxing in a harbourside café in Faro.

Football is a big part of Portuguese life and they have produced a number of world-class players such as Eusebio, Luis Figo and Christiano Ronaldo. Golf is becoming very popular due to the climate and stunning golf courses. Portugal will host the Ryder Cup in 2018.

Portugal enjoys maritime, temperate conditions, with cool winters and warm summers, rainy in the north, warmer and drier in the south. The Algarve has a Mediterranean climate with short mild winters and long hot summers.

The west coast is generally slightly cooler than the east.

Train
The Portuguese national railway company is called CP Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses and it provides an excellent service, which covers the whole country.

The high speed Alfa train between Lisbon, Coimbra and Oporto is considered to be one of the best intercity connections in southern Europe and an extremely efficient way of travelling. The Algarve is served by Lisbon's Barreiro station on the south side of the River Tagus, which is reachable by ferry from the city centre. Rail fares in Portugal are cheap in comparison with other European countries. Make sure you check out the number of discounts available such as young children can travel free, while older children pay half an adult fare. Special tickets include tourist tickets (valid for 7, 14 or 21 days).

Bus
Travelling by bus in Portugal is relatively easy. There are a number of privately run companies who operate with efficiency and competitive prices. Rede Expressos run regular services to every part of the country, while linking all the main cities like Lisbon, Oporto and Braga in the north and Faro in the south. Lisbon's main terminal is situated at the top of Avenida Casal Ribeiro, while many connecting services are now handled by the recently-opened Oriente station in the east of the city. In the north, the Oporto-Lisbon-Algarve routes are handled by a company called Renex, with departures leaving from a point close to Oporto’s most famous landmark, the Clérigos Tower.

Car
In order to see some the more remote and scenic parts of Portugal renting a car is advisable. Car rental companies can be found in all major towns, and at the international airports. You must show proof of identity and a valid driving license. You must be over 21 years of age to rent a car. Roads are generally good, and you can reach almost all major cities with ease, either by motorway or by good, modern roads.

Plane
Flying from a major city to another either on the mainland or to one of the islands is relatively easy. PGA Portugália Airlines, flies between Lisbon, Oporto, Faro and Funchal. SATA operates regular flights between all the islands of the Azores and also from the Azores to the island of Madeira and mainland Portugal.