If you are planning your next trip to Portugal then you should read this article till the end. In this Portugal guide, you will get to know more about the latest travel guidelines that might affect your holiday. So, let’s begin!
Travelers arriving from the UK have to follow the new visa system that is going to begin from 6th October 2024. In this system, the entry /exit will be an automated IT system that will register travelers arriving from third-countries to Portugal.
These would include tourists with short-stay visas, long-stay visas, and those who have exempt-visas. The system will record the name, traveling documents, biometric data, date of travel, and details of the area of entry and exit.
As per the new rule, there won’t be any new openings until 2030. Moreover, the operational licenses have to be renewed every five years and a huge amount of new taxes have to be paid. This will have a bad effect on the growing tourist industry of Portugal and as a traveler, it will hurt your pockets.
Moreover, if you are planning for a longer holiday then you can buy the unlimited monthly train pass that costs EUR 49 only. In addition, this rail pass will grant access to almost all regional train networks wherein you can travel for unlimited number of rides.
Some hidden gems of Portugal that you should visit on your next trip are provided below.
A 90 minutes drive from central Algarve in Lagoa will take you to Alcoutim, which is a small rural town located on the border between Portugal and Spain. A single day would be enough to explore the area; but, the best part of this trip would be the amazing scenery that you would encounter on-route. Don’t forget to check out the Castle of Alcoutim that was built in the 13th century as well as numerous churches and restaurants.
Located in Beja, Mertola is also known as the ‘museum village’ because of its rich culture and heritage. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach Mertola from Algarve by road. The main highlights of Mertola are its amazing castle that is positioned on top of the hill with the Guadiana River flowing below as well as strolling amongst the whitewashed houses on cobbled streets.
Located on the coast of Sintra, Azenhas do Mar is a mesmerizing village that should be explored on your trip to Portugal. An hour’s drive from Lisbon or a 15 minutes drive from Sintra would take you to this picturesque postcard village. Once here, you should explore its real beauty by visiting the National Palace of Pena and the Castle of the Moors while sipping on some locally produced wine.
Located 450 meters above sea level and considered to be the highest village in Algarve, the Monchique is a beautiful rural community with amazing traditional architecture. White houses with skirt chimneys that have their base as wide as the entire kitchen are worth checking out. Your walk through the narrow steep streets and green mountain ranges are certainly worth capturing through pictures and videos.
Few basic precautions that you should take while traveling to Portugal are highlighted underneath.
To conclude, Portugal is filled with mesmerizing cities, cobblestone villages, beautiful castles, and golden beaches. The best time to visit Portugal is in the months of March to May and between September and October when the weather is warm and perfect for having long walks on its streets. So, pack your bags and have a wonderful experience.
