Below, our editors bring investors the most comprehensive and fresh information on local life, attractions, cuisine, shopping, transportation, and accommodation in Portugal to help investors better understand the country.
Climate Characteristics
Portugal has a pleasant climate, with average temperatures of 8-14°C in January and 17-28°C in August, and an annual rainfall of 500-1000 mm. Influenced by the Atlantic warm current, Lisbon enjoys a favorable climate, with no freezing in winter and no extreme heat in summer. Most of the year is sunny, warm as spring, and comfortable. The best time to visit Portugal is between mid-June and mid-September, when there are many festivals, such as National Day and city festivals. People will go out to revel and celebrate the arrival of these festivals, which is also a great time to learn about local customs.
Scenic Spots
Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Baroque architectural complexes can be seen everywhere in Portugal. The 5-story Belém Tower is the most popular spot for photographers in Lisbon. The Santa Justa Lift is famous for being designed by the same architect as the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Madeira Island is a famous seaside tourist resort, known as the "Pearl of the Atlantic." Cabo da Roca is a cape in Portugal adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, with a lighthouse and a cross facing the ocean built on its 140-meter-high cliff. On Cabo da Roca, there stands a Catholic monument engraved with the words of the famous Portuguese poet Luís de Camões: "Where the land ends and the sea begins."
The old tram is the most interesting way to roam the old city. During the inspection, locals told the representative of the WorldWay Immigration project department that the local tram company has a 140-year history. Today, only 5 tram lines and dozens of old trams remain, making it one of the oldest tram systems in Europe. Among them, the No. 28 tram route is the most famous, passing through almost all the most beautiful areas—Alfama, Bairro Alto, Baixa, and Chiado—offering picturesque views of the old city, new city, ancient castles, and squares.
Specialty Cuisine
When traveling to Portugal, many people have a very important goal: to taste the world-renowned Portuguese egg tart. Lisbon is the birthplace of the egg tart. The world's first egg tart shop is hidden in the alleys near the monastery. On the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, the number 1837 is spelled out in blue and white tiles; this is Pastéis de Belém, the world's first egg tart shop, which opened in 1837. It is understood that only three people know the recipe for the egg tarts at this shop, and such an authentic taste cannot be found anywhere else. The egg tarts we eat in China were actually brought to Macau by the British over a hundred years ago, and the production method and recipe are already different from those here.
In addition, Portuguese cuisine likes to use olive oil, garlic, herbs, tomatoes, and sea salt for seasoning. Those who love seafood will find themselves in the right place in Portugal, as the seafood dishes are very rich and diverse. Besides seafood, pork, chicken, and beef dishes can be found on most menus. Restaurants in the capital, Lisbon, are mainly concentrated around Rossio Square and the Baixa pedestrian street. Usually, a 10%-15% service charge is added to the bill, and it is also a local custom to tip the waiter 5%-10%.
Shopping Choices
The best place for tourism and shopping in Portugal is Lisbon. Every January, various old-model high-end clothing and famous brand shoes in shopping malls are heavily discounted. Located in the city center, Rua Augusta is one of Lisbon's most attractive shopping areas. The famous Baixa commercial pedestrian street is lined with various fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, souvenir shops, high-end restaurants, and cafes. Many famous European brands, especially Spanish brands, are mostly made in Portugal, offering good quality at low prices, which inevitably boosts one's desire to shop.
Traveling in Portugal, one will inevitably sweep up some souvenirs, such as the Portuguese rooster, which is regarded by the Portuguese as the embodiment of justice and kindness, making it a great gift. Portuguese blue ceramic tiles and plaster door and window models can bring you aesthetic enjoyment. There are also Portuguese cork products, such as oak bark products, which are light, soft, wear-resistant, and elastic.
Transportation and Travel
Direct buses are the main means of transportation for tourism, with frequent schedules and low prices, reaching almost anywhere in Portugal. The train from Lisbon to Porto is a major route for tourism. Children under 4 travel for free, children aged 4-11 get half-price tickets, and student tickets are only applicable to local Portuguese people. The driving direction in Portugal is the same as in China, keeping to the right. Driving for tourism locally is a very good choice, and renting a car is also very convenient. There are three types of gasoline: 97, 92, and high-grade, costing 140-170 Portuguese Escudos per liter.
Accommodation Information
There are many types and grades of hotels in Portugal, mainly divided into two categories. One is star-rated hotels, where services and charges are similar to international standards; the other is guesthouses, which are divided into five grades, with prices cheaper than hotels of the same grade. High-end hotels in Lisbon are concentrated on Avenida da Liberdade, while mid-range guesthouses are concentrated in the old city area of Rossio Square. Usually, three-star and above hotels and four-star and above guesthouses provide free breakfast; it is better for tourists to ask clearly when booking or checking in. Cascais is a private vacation spot for European royalty, nobility, and Hollywood superstars. It is reported that Portuguese football star Luís Figo also owns two villas here.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Portugal is the lowest among EU Schengen countries. According to statistics, generally speaking, a student's annual food expenses are around 1,200 Euros. If several students cook together, the cost will be even lower. Transportation costs are also very cheap; a monthly subway pass in the city center only costs 12 Euros, and students get additional discounts. If a student wants to use the internet in the dormitory, applying for an ADSL 750kb/s dedicated line costs 35 Euros per month. Taking fast food like McDonald's as an example, a Big Mac meal costs about 6.5 Euros in the Netherlands, Germany, and France, while it is only 5.5 Euros in Portugal. For international calls, an international phone card costs 10 Euros and can call China for 320 minutes or Europe for 500 minutes.
Portuguese People
Every weekend, Lisbon residents drive with surfboards on their roofs and dogs in tow, with their whole families coming to Cascais to surf.
Living in Portugal, the locals have no sense of social hierarchy; they are slow-paced, colorful, and fascinating. Walking on the broken stone roads, you don't need to be elegant, luxurious, or follow the rules. As the sun sets, some sit in small taverns, eating seafood while listening to the famous local folk song, fado; some stand on the street, drinking beer and smoking; some are still tirelessly queuing in front of the century-old egg tart shop; and some join large gatherings of young netizens on the hillside to meet hot girls and handsome guys. In short, no one in Portugal worries, regardless of whether they have a job tomorrow or not.
