11 Beautiful Famous Landmarks In Portugal
Christian Ronaldo, Port wine, oranges, and a major surf destination, this is Portugal. Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe. Portugal was one of the first countries that led Europeans to explore the world. In this post, we explore the 11 famous landmarks in Portugal that should be on your bucket list.
Portugal has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers in the south and warm summers in its north. In 2019, Portugal had 27 million visitors with the popular destinations being Lisbon, Porto, Portuguese Riviera, Madeira, Algarve, and Sintra.
In this post, we explore the 11 beautiful famous landmarks in Portugal, its most visited city, its national dish, and its traditional drink. Here, it’s all about Portugal.
- Where is Portugal?
- Where are the 11 Famous Landmarks in Portugal?
- Which is the most visited place in Portugal?
- What is the national dish of Portugal?
- Does Portugal have a traditional drink?
- What is the official language of Portugal?
- What are the 5 interesting facts about Portugal?
- Is Portugal worth visiting?
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- Where is Portugal?
- Where are the 11 Famous Landmarks in Portugal?
- Which is the most visited place in Portugal?
- What is the national dish of Portugal?
- Does Portugal have a traditional drink?
- What is the official language of Portugal?
- What are the 5 interesting facts about Portugal?
- Is Portugal worth visiting?
Where is Portugal?
The Portuguese Republic lies on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. It is the oldest country in Europe and continuously settled since prehistoric times. The nation shares borders with Spain in its north and east and the Atlantic Ocean in its west and south.
The oldest human fossil found in Aroeira is important as it stood between the Homo Erectus and early Neanderthals. The fossil marked the human evolution during the middle Pleistocene in Europe and the Neandertals’ origin.
Portugal’s varied landscape makes it a perfect holiday destination. From its cold rocky northern coastlines to its warm summer in its south gives tourists the best of both worlds. The highest point on mainland Portugal, Torre stands at 1,993 meters and is accessible by paved road.
Check out the Top 5 Highest Mountains In Portugal which could be easier and accessible with a moderate degree of fitness.
Origin of Name
In 136 BC, Roman General Decimus conquered the region and named a settlement at the mouth of River Duoro as Portus Cale. The name Portus means port or harbor in Latin.
Alternatively, Portugal could have come from the term Cailleach. Cailleach also appears in Irish folklore as the Goddess of Winter. However, some French scholars believe that the word is from Portus Gallus which means ‘the ports of the Gauls or Celts.’
What we know for sure is that during the Middle Ages, Portus Cale became Portucale. By the 12th century, Portugale became Portugal.
Brief History
It was the Homo Heidelbergensis that roamed and settled in Portugal about 400,000 years ago. These hunter-gatherers became extinct and the Neanderthals soon inhabited the Iberian Peninsula.
During the first millennium, waves of Celts began migrating and invaded Portugal. This resulted in intermarriages between the tribes. Celtic presence was dominant in Central and Northern Portugal.
Roman rule in Portugal collapsed in the 5th century and this led to the Kingdom of Suebi conquering much of the Iberian Peninsula during the 5th to 6th centuries. By the 8th century, Germanic invaders of the Visigothic Kingdom ruled the Iberian Peninsula.
During the 8th century, the Visigothic Kingdom fell under Muslim rule. For 500 years, Portugal was under Islamic rule. By the 11th century, remnants of the Visigothic armies rebelled against the Moors and defeated the Moors in the Battle of Covadonga.
Creation of Portugal
In 1077, Alfonso VI of Leon styled himself as the Emperor Of All Hispania and upon his death, gave the Crown to his daughter Urraca. At the Battle of Sao Memede on 24 June 1128, Afonso Henriques who was the son of Henry of Burgundy and Countess Teresa claimed the title of King of Portugal.
The Portuguese Empire is one of the longest and oldest in the world. Famous names include Henry The Navigator, Bartholomew Diaz, Vasco da Gama, and St Francis Xavier who led the nation to become a leading trade nation.
Modern Portugal
As the nation advances into the 21st century, tourism has played an important part in reviving Portugal. With Covid-19 restrictions in place, as of June 15, Portugal allows US tourists entry so long as they show a negative COVID-19 test result.
Visa Requirements
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the official body that manages consular emergencies, visas, and travel advice to its citizens. The official website for information and visa application is on the Diplomatic Portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Schengen Visa
Portugal is part of the Schengen Area and as a member-state, can issue Schengen Visa to travelers who wish to explore other Schengen countries. There are three Schengen Visa available which is Short Stay Visa, Seasonal Work Visa, and Airport Transit Visa.
The Short Stay Visa allows anyone who wishes to visit for tourism, family visits, and business travels and is valid for 90 days.
The Seasonal Work Visa allows anyone wishing to engage in work for a period equal to or less than 90 days in previously approved fields of work.
The Airport Transit Visa allows a person to transit within the international airport area and without entering into the Schengen Area. This visa allows flight passengers to transit from one flight to another in an international airport.
The Harmonised Application Form for Schengen Visa is available in Portuguese, English, French, Russian, and Ukrainian. The General Application Forms are available in several languages.
The visa fee is €80 ($95) per person. Children who are above 6 years old and below 12 years of age are eligible for a reduced fee of €40 ($48) while children below the age of 6 years are exempt from paying the visa fees.
European Travel Information And Authorization System (ETIAS)
This electronic travel authorization system is similar to the United States electronic travel system. Beginning 2023, tourists that have visa-free entry to Portugal or any other European nations will need to apply for ETIAS.
This system allows the European Union (EU) to digitally screen and track tourists that are entering and leaving the EU. The ETIAS is mandatory for citizens of the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. To determine if you require an ETIAS, you can complete the ETIAS Assessment.
The map below shows the nations that require either an ETIAS or Schengen Visa.
Image by ETIAS.com.
Temporary Stay Visa
This visa allows the holders to stay in Portugal for less than a year for the following reasons:-
- Work
- Study
- Professional training, internship, or volunteer work
- Health
- Youth Mobility on International Exchange Programmes
- People living on their income
- Religious purposes
To get the visa, you need to have a monthly income of €1,070 ($1,274). This visa is valid for one year and can be renewable for two years as long as you continue to meet its requirements.
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Residence Permit
A residency visa is valid for 4 months with two entries and is given for the following reasons:-
- Work
- Study and research
- Professional training, internship, or volunteer work
- Family regrouping
- Fixed residency
A visitor usually applies for a Residency Visa first before applying for a Residence Permit. Any foreigner who enters Portugal using a Residency Visa has 4 months to apply to the Immigration Border Services (SEF) to convert their visa to a Residence Permit.
Where are the 11 Famous Landmarks in Portugal?
This nation on the Iberian Peninsula has a rich and colorful past. It is no wonder that there are many famous landmarks in Portugal worth mentioning. This section explores the 11 famous landmarks in Portugal that should be on your bucket list.
Belém Tower
The first of our famous landmarks in Portugal is Belém Tower. Belém Tower or Torre de Belém is a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. This 16th-century fort is officially known as the Tower Saint Vincent or Torre de São Vicente.
This fort was built by King John II who felt that Torre Velha, a fortress located at the south of River Tagus did not adequately protect Lisbon. The tower sits on basalt rocks and the fortress and four-story tower was made entirely from lioz limestone local to Lisbon.
The exterior of the tower consists of a rectangular tower and a hexagonal bastion. The tower’s Moorish influence is seen in its decorations, arched windows, balconies, and the ribbed cupolas of the watchtower.
Why is the Belem Tower famous?
The tower is a landmark of Lisbon and Portugal. It has served as a fortress, a prison, and explorers such as Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan passed by this tower on their way out of Lisbon Harbor. Check out the Top 10 Interesting Facts About Belem Tower to know more.
What is inside Belem Tower?
Yes, you can go inside the tower. Due to the high number of visitors visiting this site daily, the red/green traffic light system manages the ascent and descent from the open terrace to the levels below. Each level is worth exploring.
The ground floor is home to the tower’s artillery with 17 cannons aimed across the river through window openings. The floor above is the Governor’s Chambers where 9 successive governors worked over three centuries. Look out for the stone sculpture of a rhinoceros head.
The level above the Governor’s Chambers is the King’s Chambers. On this level, walk over to the Renaissance-style balcony and admire the view of the lower terrace and River Tagus. Check out Lisbon’s Belém Tower: The Complete Guide and 500 Years of History – Tower of Belém to know more.
Monument of the Discoveries
The second of our famous landmarks in Portugal is the Monument of the Discoveries or Padrão dos Descobrimentos. This monument was built to celebrate the Age of Discovery that occurred during the 15th and 16th centuries.
This structure was meant to be temporary that was built for the Portuguese World Exhibition of 1940. The original structure was demolished in June 1943 and in 1958, a permanent Monument of the Discoveries was approved.
The design is that of a prow of a caravel which is based on ships used during the early Portuguese exploration. At the center of the sculpture is Prince Henry the Navigator who was a central figure in early maritime exploration and discoveries.
There are a total of 33 sculptures with 16 on each side. The explorers on the eastern panel are Ferdinand Magellan, Vasco da Gama, Saint Francis Xavier, and Pedro Alvares Cabral who discovered Brazil.
Other notable figures located on the west panel are Peter, Duke of Coimbra, Queen Philippa of Lancaster, and Pedro Escobar who discovered the São Tomé islands.
What was the greatest significance of the Portuguese exploration?
The greatest significance of the Portuguese exploration was led by Prince Henry the Navigator as he spearheaded the country’s exploration of Africa and the Atlantic in the 1400s.
It was under Prince Henry’s supervision that Europeans reached the islands of Madeira and Azores, discovered Cape Bojador and Cape Blanc, discovered and explored the mouths of Senegal River, and Gambia River.
In 1460, at the time of Prince Henry’s death, Portuguese ships had reached Sierra Leone. Bartholomew Diaz rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488 which dispelled the Ptolemic belief that the Indian Ocean was a landlocked sea.
In 1497, Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope and reached Malindi in Kenya. Here, he employed Ahamad-Ibn-Madjid, an Arab pilot who was familiar with the Indian Ocean.
It was Ibn-Madjid who sailed Da Gama straight to Calicut in India. After three months in Calicut, Vasco da Gama returned to Portugal with some spices and a vast knowledge of the Indian Ocean that would lead Portugal towards naval supremacy.
How much is the entrance fee to the Monument of Discoveries?
The entrance fee tickets can be bought online at By Blue Ticket. The rates for the viewpoint, exhibition, and film for children aged 13 years to adults aged 25 years is €3 ($4).
Adults between the ages of 26 years and 64 years are priced at €6 ($7) while senior citizens above the age of 65 years and persons with disabilities pay €5 ($6).
Benagil Caves
The third of our famous landmarks in Portugal are Benagil Caves or Algar de Benagli. These caves are located in the Municipality of Lagao in Algarve and are approximately 168 miles from Lisbon.
These caves, just like others around it were shaped by the continuous pounding of the Atlantic waves. The natural skylight of these caves has it famous all over the world. The only way to reach the sandy beach inside the caves is through kayaking, boating, or stand-up paddleboarding.
Although you may be tempted to swim to the caves, it is not advisable. In 2019, there was a cave rescue here as three German citizens were trapped when they had swum out to the caves and could not return to Benagil Beach due to a sudden rise in sea level.
Check out the 9 Reasons To Visit Portugal’s Stunning Benagil Caves, the 10 Best Beaches In Portugal, and Portugal’s Top 10 Hidden Beaches to know more.
Santa Justa Elevator
The fourth of our famous landmarks in Portugal is the Santa Justa Elevator. The Elevador de Santa Justa or Carmo Lift is at the end of Rua de Santa Justa and connects the lower streets of Baixa with Carmo Square or Lago di Carmo.
This is the only vertical elevator in Lisbon. The other lift, the Elevator of São Julião has since been demolished. Two funicular tramways built during the same period are still in use. The trams are the Elevador da Glória or the Glória Lift and the Elevador da Bica or Bica Lift.
This 147 feet high elevator is an example of post-Eiffel iron architecture. The elevator was initially powered by steam and was replaced with electricity in 1907 by the British company, R. Waygood.
Who built the Santa Justa Lift?
This lift is credited to Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard who was a student of Gustave Eiffel. The purpose of the lift was to ease the ascent of Baixa’s lower streets to the higher elevations of Carmo Square.
How much is the Santa Justa lift?
A return ride on the elevator costs €5.30 ($6.30) with inclusive entry to the viewing platform. However, if you opt not to take the ride up, you can access the viewing platform via a spiral staircase. The entrance fee to the viewing platform is €1.50 ($2).
Do you know that the viewing platform was once the location of the steam engine used to power the elevator?
Read The Santa Justa Lift: History In 60 Seconds, the Top 11 Strangest Elevators In The World, and the 8 Of The World’s Most Extravagant Elevators to know more.
Centum Cellas
The fifth of our famous landmarks in Portugal is Centum Cellas. Centum Cellas or Centum Cellæ, Centum Celli, or Centum Cœli as it is otherwise known is a Roman villa that dates back to the 1st century AD.
This landmark was believed to have been owned by a wealthy Roman tin merchant named Lucio Cecilio. The tower is the best-preserved Roman monument in Portugal. However, the Conimbriga Roman Ruins are recognized as Portugal’s largest and impressive Roman site.
Legend of Centum Cellas
This tower is also known as the Tower of St Cornelius as Saint Cornelius was said to have been imprisoned here in one of its hundred cells. Centum Cellas in Latin means one hundred cells when this tower was once a prison.
Batalha Monastery
The sixth of our famous landmarks in Portugal is the Batalha Monastery or officially known as the Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória. The monastery was to give thanks to Virgin Mary by King John I after his victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota.
Do you know that the monastery took 100 years to build and spanned the reign of the seven kings of Portugal?
The interiors are divided into several areas. However, three areas worth visiting are the Founder’s Chapel, the Unfinished Chapel, and the Chapterhouse.
The Founder’s Chapel or Capela do Fundador was built between 1426 and 1434 and was the first royal pantheon in Portugal. The tombs of King John I and his wife, Philippa of Lancaster, and their four younger sons and their spouses are buried here.
The Unfinished Chapel’s or Capelas Imperfeitas is a monastery that was never completed. It was meant to be a second royal mausoleum and was commission by King Edward of Portugal. The only tombs in this chapel are that of King Edward of Portugal and his wife, Eleanor of Aragon.
The Chapterhouse or Sala do Capitulo reminds visitors of the monastery’s military foundation. Two honor guards watch over the tombs of two unknown soldiers killed during World War I.
How much is the entrance fee to Batalha Monastery?
The Individual Ticket is priced at €6 ($7) while the Combined Heritage Route Ticket is priced at €15 ($18). The combined ticket gives visitors entry to Alcobaça Monastery, Batalha Monastery, and the Convent of Christ.
Check out Here’s Why Batalha Monastery Is The Most Culturally Important Landmark In Portugal and Batalha Monastery: The Complete Guide to know more.
Alcobaça Monastery
The seventh of our famous landmarks in Portugal is the Alcobaça Monastery or Mosteiro de Alcobaça, Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça. This monastery is about 75 miles from Lisbon is regarded as the first Gothic buildings in Portugal.
The library was once considered the largest medieval library until it was pillaged by the French in 1810. The surviving remnants of ancient manuscripts are kept at Portugal’s National Library in Lisbon.
An interesting feature of this monastery is its “Anti-Gluttony Door” which leads to the kitchen. According to Esquire, monks were required to pass through this door to get their food from the kitchen and eat at the refectory. Gluttony is, after all, a mortal sin.
This monastery is on the 10 Must-See Gothic Churches In Portugal, A Taste Of Ginjinha, and Exploring Portugal: The Seven Wonders Of Portugal to know more.
Pena Palace
The eighth of our famous landmarks in Portugal is Pena Palace or Palácio da Pena. This colorful palace is located in Sintra on the Portuguese Riviera. On a clear day, you can see it from Lisbon.
The castle was once a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Pena. King John II and his wife visited the chapel to fulfill a vow. However, it was King Manuel I who instructed a monastery to be built on-site.
The palace soon became a summer residence for the royal family. A unique addition is a sundial. There is a cannon on the terrace that is fired every day at noon.
The Pena Park within the grounds is worth exploring as well. This park is over 200 hectares. Plants from around the world can be seen here. Plants such as Magnolias, Japanese Cryptomeria, Chinese Ginko, American Sequoia, Lawson’s Cypress, and Red Cedar are some of the distant and diverse plants grown here.
How much does it cost to get into Pena Palace?
The entrance fee ticket costs €14 ($17) which provides access to the palace and the park.
This place is featured on the 6 Most Colourful Buildings In The World, Essential Portugal: 16 Must-See Spots When We Can Travel Again, and Stunning Photos of Castles Around The World to know more.
Quinta da Regaleira
The ninth of our famous landmarks in Portugal is Quinta da Regaleira located in Sintra. Another name for this landmark is “the Palace of Monteiro the Millionaire”. The land on which the palace sits once belonged to the Viscountess of Regaleira.
The Sintra Town Council acquired the building in 1997 and opened it to the public in June 1998. The palace has five levels, all in Gothic style. The chapel is decorated with stained glass and lavish frescoes.
However, it is the Initiation Wells that draws crowds to this palace. The wells were never used as a water resource. Instead, they were a location for Tarot readings and mysticisms. The two wells on this property are Portugal’s link to the Knight’s Templar.
How much is the entrance fee to Quinta da Regaleira?
The palace and its grounds are open from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm during the summer season and from 10.00 am to 6.30 pm during the winter season.
The tickets are €10 ($12) for adults, €5 ($6) for children, €4 ($5) for senior citizens, and €25 ($30) for a family. Informative guided tours are held from Tuesdays to Saturdays and are priced at €15 ($18) and last about 1.5 hours.
Check out Portugal’s Secret Sanctuaries: Why It Pays To Roam Far and Inside Quinta da Regaleira, the Mystical Portuguese Palace Imagined by a Butterfly-Obsessed Millionaire to know more.
Ponta da Piedade
The tenth of our famous landmarks in Portugal is Ponta da Piedade or Point of Mercy, known in Portuguese. This beautiful group of rock formations is located in Lagos, in the Algarve region of Portugal.
There are 182 steps to reach the lighthouse which gives a stunning view of the rocks and the bluish-green seas. The best way to visit this point is via kayaking, boating, or stand-up paddleboarding.
The best sections are on the eastern side which is left of the lighthouse and behind the gift stalls. Check out the 5 Best Beaches (And Secret Sea Caves!) In Portugal.
Sete Cicades
The last of our famous landmarks in Portugal is Sete Cicades or Lagoa das Setes Cicades which translates to “The Lagoon of the Seven Cities”. This twin lake is in the crater of a dormant volcano in the Azores.
No guesses for guessing the names of the twin lakes. It’s Lagoa Verde for the green lake and Lagoa Azul for the blue lake.
Legends of the Lakes
There are two legends associated with this lake which are the princess and the shepherd boy and the legend of the seven cities.
The Princess and The Shepheard Boy
The first legend tells of a story of an ill-tempered widowed king and his daughter who lived in the Western Seas. The king loved his daughter, Antilia, and did not allow anyone to speak to the princess.
Over the years, the green-eyed princess grew up to be a beautiful lady and attracted the attention of many suitable boys. However, her father restricted her movements to be only within the castle and gardens.
With the help of her nanny, the princess escaped on an adventure and found a young shepherd playing the flute. The blue-eyed shepherd boy and the princess fell in love and the boy decided to ask the princess’s hand in marriage.
The nervous and determined shepherd boy approached the King, who angrily expelled the boy from his castle and forbade his daughter from seeing him again. In a secret meeting, they embraced and shed tears.
It is their tears that formed these lakes. The blue color was from the boys’ tears while the green color was from the princess’s tears.
The Legend of the Seven Cities
The name does have Latin origins. The place was once known as Insula Septem Civitatum which translates to Island of the Seven Tribes. It was Toscanelli who placed the islands of Sete Cicades along the coasts of the Azores in Portugal.
Although there is no proof that these seven cities actually existed, it was the visual sightings of many islands on the Atlantic Ocean that may have fostered these legends.
Which is the most visited place in Portugal?
This goes without saying that the most visited place in Portugal is Lisbon. Lisbon is recognized as an Alpha-level global city for its importance in trade, finance, commerce, media, entertainment, and tourism.
Lisbon
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world and is the second oldest in Europe after Athens. It is believed that Ulysses founded this city. This is based on historical records by Pliny The Elder which refers to Lisbon as Olisippo.
The Best Time To Visit
Lisbon has a Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot and dry summers. January is the coldest month with temperatures ranging from 11°C to 19°C. August is the warmest month with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 32°C.
The Districts
The oldest district is Alfama that got its name from Al-hamma which means fountains or baths. Alfama is famous for its many Fado bars and restaurants. Mouraria is the Moorish quarter of Lisbon that still retains its traditional feel.
Baixa is at the heart of the city with Pombaline Baixa at its core. Pombaline Baixa is an example of earthquake-resistant construction.
Chiado is a traditional shopping district that mixes the new and the old. If you are looking to buy clothes, books, and pottery, then this is the place to be. The oldest and famous cafe is Café A Brasileira.
Parque das Nações or the Park of Nations is the newest district that emerged from an urban renewal program in 1998. The main transport hub, the Garo Do Oriente (Orient Railway Station) is located opposite this area.
Lisboa Card
This is the city’s official travel card. The Lisbon Card allows visitors to save time, money and makes your trip convenient and memorable with free access to the many attractions in Lisbon.
Free Entry
You can use this card as a transport card, museum pass, and discount card all in one. You can get FREE access to the following attractions with this card:
- Batalha Monastery
- Alcobaça Monastery
- Santa Justa Elevator
- National Tile Museum
- National Pantheon
Discounted Entry
The discounted entry provides access to the following attractions:
- Pena National Palace and Park (10% discount)
- Quinta da Regaleira Fado Museum (20% discount)
- Lisbon Aquarium (15% discount)
- Yellow Bus Tramcar Tour (10% discount)
- Lisbon Eco Tours (30% discount)
This card is ideal for those with a few days to cover Lisbon city. The card is available in 24, 48, and 72 consecutive hour options. The good news is that this card is valid for a full calendar year from the date of purchase.
Book your Lisboa Card before you go. Once you purchase the card, a confirmation email would be sent to you. Print that email and exchanged it at any Ask Me kiosks that are located at Lisboa Airport, Foz Palace, and Lisboa Welcome Center.
The rates available are shown below:-
| 24 Hours | 48 Hours | 72 Hours | |
| Adults | €20 ($24) | €34 ($40) | €42 ($50) |
| Children | €13 ($16) | €19 ($23) | €22.50 ($27) |
Note:
To determine whether the Lisboa Card is worth it, it’s best to decide on your travel plans. Do note that a 72-hour card is valuable if you plan to use public transport and cover many attractions in a day. This card is about convenience, freedom, and flexibility.
Check out Everything To Know About Lisbon, the 33 Best Things To Do In Lisbon, and the 13 Best Restaurants In Lisbon to know more.
For hotels in Lisbon, check out The Exe Saldanha, The Moxy Lisbon City, and the Palacio do Governador.
What is the national dish of Portugal?
Bacalhau
The ingredients of this dish include shredded salted codfish, thinly chopped onions, and potatoes. Scrambled eggs bounded these ingredients. To garnish, use olives and parsley.
Do you know that Christian Ronaldo’s favorite dish is Bacalhau a Braz?
According to Mastercard, Bacalhau is the most prepared dish in Portugal. The other dishes prepared were bifanas, duck rice, Caldo Verde, and Portuguese stew. Check out the 5 Authentic Ways To Eat Bacalhau and the recipe by Food and Wine.
Does Portugal have a traditional drink?
Licor Beirão
The traditional drink in Portugal is Licor Beirão. The term Beirão means “from Beira” which is the name of a former province in Central Portugal. This drink is similar to German’s Jagermeister as it is a mix of several spices such as eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, lavender, aniseed, and mint.
However, it was José Carranca Redondo that brought this drink to success. Redondo is the “Father of Liqueur in Portugal.”
He used advertising to his advantage and placed a billboard with simple signage, “Licor Beirão, the liqueur of Portugal” with the country’s landscape in the background.
What is the official language of Portugal?
The official language of Portugal is Portuguese.
Portuguese
Portuguese is the ninth most spoken language in the world. And, it is spoken by at least 270 million people. This language is also the official language of Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Brazil, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome, and Principe.
This language is one of the Top 11 Most Spoken Languages In Africa and the Top 20 Most Spoken Languages In The World.
How do you say hello in Portuguese?
Olá is ‘Hello’ for a formal setting. Oi! is ‘Hello’ for an informal setting while Bom Dia (pronounced as Bom-DEE-a) means ‘good day’. Tudo bem? means ‘Is everything well?’ and Como estás? is ‘How are you?’.
You might be thinking that Portuguese sounds similar to Spanish, right?
Portuguese and Spanish are, in fact, 90% similar. This is because both nations have a common history. In Europe, the largest family of languages have either a Romance, Germanic, or Slavic background.
Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian come from the Romance language family. Hence, they are similar in written and spoken language.
Why not learn the 30 Most Important Words In Portuguese, the 15 Must-Know Portuguese Greetings, and the Top 10 Portuguese Phrases For A Trip To Lisbon to know more.
What are the 5 interesting facts about Portugal?
World’s top surf spot (Nazaré)
Nazaré is a popular seaside resort town area located along the Silver Coast of Portugal. This town consists of three neighborhoods which are Praia, Sítio, and Pederneira. Praia is on the beach while Sítio and Pedernaira are villages located on its cliffs. The term Nazaré is the Portuguese term for Nazareth, which is the biblical city in The Holy Land.
Nazaré Epsilon Swell
On 29th October 2020, the aftermath of Hurricane Epsilon combined with the mechanics of the Nazaré canyon created waves of epic proportions. The largest waves recorded are known as the Nazaré Epsilon Swell.
Other than the waves, check out the Top Things To Do In Nazaré, Portugal and This Town Once Feared 10-Story Waves and Riding The Giant to know more about this town and its stunning sky-high waves.
Livraria Lello – The oldest bookstore in the world
Lonely Planet’s The World’s Greatest Bookshops and The Guardian’s Top Shelves featured this bookshop as the most beautiful and oldest bookstores in Portugal and the world. This bookstore inspired Joanne Rowling when she wrote the Harry Potter series.
She was teaching English and stayed in Porto for some time. There is an entrance fee of €5 ($6). Read the Guide To Livararia Lello and I Visited One Of The World’s Oldest Bookstores to know more and what you can expect here.
Portuguese tarts
The main ingredients of these tarts are eggs and pastry and dusted with cinnamon powder. The tarts can be eaten warm. These are popular snacks in the former Portugal colonies of Brazil, Macau, and East Timor.
The recipes for these tarts date back 300 years ago when the monks of Jeronimos Monastery created these tarts as an income source to support the monastery. The family who owned the sugar refinery opened the Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém shop.
Check out the 5 Best Places To Have Pastel de Nata in Lisbon and A Brief Introduction to Pastel de Nata to know more.
Portugal is the largest producer of corks
Portugal is the largest producer of cork according to the Wall Street Journal. Spain and Italy come in second and third place respectively with 32% and 6% respectively. The barks of the cork oak tree produce the wine corks we know today.
Do you know that the world’s largest Cork Whistler Tree is more than 200 years old?
So, next time you pop that wine bottle, you can be sure the cork would have come from Portugal.
Portugal and the United Kingdom have the oldest diplomatic alliance
Portugal and the United Kingdom have the oldest known alliance that dates back to the Treaty of Windsor. This treaty was final when King John I married Philippa of Lancaster. The treaty guarantees mutual support and understanding and has survived centuries of upheaval conflicts, and wars.
There were clauses to encourage freedom of movement and the right to dwell in each other’s country.
Is Portugal worth visiting?
Yes! With diverse landscapes, stunning sunsets, and cobblestone streets, Portugal has something for everyone. From hiking in the Azores to delicious Pastel de Nata, Portugal is an all-in-one country.
Check out Here’s Why Everyone Is Going To Portugal Now, What It’s Like To Be In Portugal Now, and 5 Reasons To Visit Portugal In The Winter to know more.
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