A little more
Portugal.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Portugal: what to know before you go

Portugal runs along the Atlantic edge of Europe, with hilly, tiled cities, Douro vineyards, the cliffs and beaches of the Algarve and the volcanic islands of the Azores and Madeira. It is compact, relaxed and has excellent food and wine. It suits city-breakers, surfers, walkers and families, and is pleasant for much of the year.

Where to go

• Lisbon. The capital climbs seven hills above the Tagus river.
• Porto and the Douro Valley. Porto's riverside Ribeira district is UNESCO-listed, and port wine lodges line the river in Vila Nova de Gaia.
• Sintra. A hill town near Lisbon filled with palaces and gardens, from the colourful Pena Palace to the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira with its initiation well.
• The Algarve. Portugal's southern coast has golden cliffs, sea caves such as Benagil, and beaches from Lagos to Tavira.

Best time to visit

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are ideal, with warm days and fewer crowds. July and August are hot inland and busy on the coast, especially in the Algarve, but the Atlantic stays cool.

Staying online in Portugal

Mobile coverage is very good in cities, towns and along main roads, with 4G and 5G widely available. Signal can drop in mountain areas, deep valleys such as parts of the Douro, and on some walking trails in Madeira and the Azores. Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, hotels and many public places. Portugal is in the EU, so EU visitors can usually roam as at home; others may face high charges. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.