Luxury Travel Portugal

Luxury Travel Portugal | On the edge of Europe lies a breathtaking country that once ruled half the world. Portugal is a wonderful retreat for lovers of coastlines, natural landscapes and European culture.

Portugal is situated on the southwestern tip of the Iberian Peninsula and borders Spain and the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to the mainland, Portugal includes two autonomous regions: Madeira and the Azores. With its short flight time and mild climate, it attracts countless tourists from Central Europe to beautiful Portugal every year.

Benefits with your luxury travel specialist One Luxury:

Unique & fascinating destinations • First-class service with experienced 24-hour support • Personally tailored travel for you

Experiences with luxury travel provider One Luxury

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Luxury Holiday Portugal

General Information

Visa

European citizens do not require a visa for entry and tourist stays.

Entry Requirements

A valid passport or a valid German identity card is required for entry. A provisional passport or identity card is also sufficient for entry. Naturally, the document used for entry must be valid for the duration of the stay.

Minors require a valid children’s travel document for entry. Unaccompanied minors or minors travelling with one parent should carry a consent form from the second legal guardian.

Further information on entry requirements can be found here.

Currency

The official currency is the Euro.

Paying and withdrawing money with foreign bank cards or common credit cards is possible and widespread throughout the country.

Health Advice

Medical care in Portugal is at a similar level to Germany. All persons with statutory health insurance in Germany are entitled to treatment at Portuguese clinics and hospitals approved by the respective foreign statutory health insurance provider.

The European Health Insurance Card or a replacement certificate must be presented for treatment. You can obtain this from your health insurance provider.

Vaccinations

No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry into Portugal. This also applies to Madeira and the Azores.

Ensure that you and your children’s standard vaccinations are up to date in accordance with the Robert Koch Institute vaccination schedule.

Hepatitis A is recommended as a travel vaccination; for longer stays or particular exposure, Hepatitis B is also recommended.

Further Risks

Dengue viruses are present on Madeira and are transmitted by day-active Aedes mosquitoes. The illness typically presents with fever, skin rash and pronounced joint pain. However, complications in travellers are generally rare. To prevent Dengue fever, protect yourself consistently against mosquito bites, particularly during the daytime.

Safety

Crime

Overall, the crime rate is low. Petty crime such as theft occurs particularly in larger tourist centres, and the incidence of pickpocketing is quite high. Bag snatching and muggings occur occasionally, but violent crime is rare.
In Lisbon and Porto, the historic trams as well as train stations and metro stations are traditionally most affected. Therefore, remain vigilant in public spaces and pay close attention to your valuables.

Advisories

Bush and forest fires — Particularly in the summer months, bush and forest fires regularly occur in Portugal due to the prevailing climatic conditions. In summer and autumn 2017, extensive fires in the north and centre of the country caused considerable damage and claimed lives.

Earthquakes and volcanoes — Particularly on Madeira and the Azores, earthquakes and volcanic activity can occur due to the seismically active zone.

Useful Information

Time Zone

Late March to late October: UTC +1

November to late March: UTC +0

Portugal has two time zones. On the Azores, it is one hour earlier than on the mainland year-round. That means UTC -1 in winter time and UTC +0 in summer time.

Electricity

Mains voltage: 230V, 50 Hz
Possible adapter type: Type F

By Car

Is my driving licence valid in Portugal? — German, Austrian and Swiss citizens can all drive in Portugal with their regular driving licence without any concerns.

Location & Climate

Portugal lies in southwestern Europe. Together with Spain and Andorra, Portugal is situated on the Iberian Peninsula and is bordered to the west and south by the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal also includes the popular flower island of Madeira as well as the Azores and Cape Verde island groups in the Atlantic Ocean. The largest cities in Portugal are Lisbon and Porto.

The west coast is dominated by maritime influences. With the exception of summer, the weather here is relatively changeable and cooler than in the south. The Atlantic breeze ensures that summer heat remains quite pleasant at 28 degrees Celsius during the day and 17 degrees Celsius at night, while winters are generally mild and damp.

Influenced by the Castilian highlands of Spain, the interior of Portugal has a continental climate. Temperature differences between summer and winter are very pronounced here, and winters are quite cool and windy.

The extremely popular southern coast, the Algarve, has a Mediterranean climate. Several hill ranges in the northern part of the Algarve protect the coastal strips from strong winds. Here, winter is very short and very mild at a minimum of 10 degrees. Summers, on the other hand, are long, sunny and hot. Compared to the very hot south of Spain, the heat is kept in check here by the cool Atlantic, with maximum temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius during the day and 25 degrees Celsius at night.

A beach holiday is possible on the north coast in July and August. The further south you go, the longer the bathing season. For sightseeing and city breaks, the spring months and autumn with their pleasant temperatures between 18 and 25 degrees are particularly suitable.

Attractions

Palacio Nacional da Pena

The imposing palace sits on a mountaintop in the Pena National Park in the Serra de Sintra mountain range. The building as it stands today was erected in the 19th century by the Portuguese King Ferdinand II. The palace was built on an old monastery whose structures were converted and extended for the palace construction. Many elements of this early 16th-century monastery can still be discovered. The castle combines various styles from Neo-Gothic to Moorish forms. From the battlements, a fantastic view unfolds over the surrounding national park, which is excellently suited for extensive hikes.

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos

The large and impressive building in the centre of Lisbon was a monastery for the Order of the Hieronymites for over 300 years. The structure, with its Manueline elements, is one of the most renowned and significant buildings in Portugal. The interior of the monastery is characterised by high rooms with intricately decorated ceilings and soaring columns. Here lie the tombs of some of the most important Portuguese kings and their families. Over the course of the 19th century, the Hieronymites left the monastery, and it was also used as a final resting place for other notable figures. Thus, the sarcophagus of the explorer Vasco da Gama can also be found in the great halls of the monastery.

Torre de Belem

The white tower guarding the entrance to Lisbon’s bay is one of the first structures visitors see when arriving in Lisbon by ship. Built in 1521, the tower stands 35 metres tall and features an observation platform at its highest point, from which visitors can enjoy an excellent view over the bay and Lisbon’s skyline. The Torre de Belem has served many different purposes. As a fortress, it protected the harbour entrance and warded off enemies; for domestic ships, it also served as a lighthouse, guiding the way to the safe harbour. Parts of the interior were also used as a prison or weapons store.

Reasons to Travel

Portugal offers breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cities. In addition to the capital Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Faro, Sintra and many other cities are among the country’s attractions. Simply strolling through the charming, narrow streets of the cities is perfect for those who wish to dream and immerse themselves in a different atmosphere during their holiday. The traditional architecture enchants with great charm.
Portugal also has much to offer in terms of scenery. Dream beaches where surfers can also enjoy themselves to the fullest, and secluded coves can be found, for example, in the south along the Algarve. Green woodland areas and steep mountains can be found in western Sintra and invite you on a voyage of discovery. For those seeking even more adventure, Cabo da Roca offers imposing sea cliffs that captivate with stunning views over the landscape.

Luxury Travel Portugal

Luxury Holiday in Portugal: A Love Letter

Was it the city of Porto, picturesquely nestled on the banks of the Douro, or the red rocky beach on the eastern Algarve that stole our hearts? Of all the beautiful experiences, it was a visit to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, that touched us most deeply, as we reflected on the day back at our hotel. When you stand at the edge of the cliff and gaze out at the infinite expanse of the ocean, with nothing to be heard but the roar of the sea, you might believe you have truly reached the end of the world.

Those who are not comfortable with heights should not venture too close to the edge, for the cliffs are 140 metres above sea level — and vertically so. The turquoise water stands in perfect contrast to the grey rocks, the green slopes and the red lighthouse. The scenery seems more like a painting than a real image. It is well worth booking a comfortable hotel and dreaming of this wonderful sight at night.

Porto & Port Wine

The city of Porto is a blend of beauty and melancholy. The tranquil old town is full of majestic Art Nouveau buildings, colourfully tiled churches, magnificent bookshops and cafes. Amongst these gems, however, there are also some abandoned and crumbling houses. When you stroll along the Ribeiro waterfront promenade from the hotel, you see old port wine boats swaying on the Rio Douro, relics of times long past. All of this gives Porto an enchanting charm of melancholy and nostalgia — “saudade”, as the Portuguese call it. You too will experience it when you travel to Portugal.

A must when travelling to Porto, besides booking a beautiful hotel, is of course a visit to the port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the other side of the Rio Douro, to taste the city’s most famous export. Porto also has a wonderfully vibrant art scene: street art, charming cafes and shops can be found around the Rua Miguel Bombarda. To round off the day, you absolutely must not miss the sunset from the Serra do Pilar hill.
“O que saudade do Porto!” — Oh, what longing for Porto…

A Paradise for Surfers

Portugal is the European Mecca for all surfers, as outside the season you can find relatively empty beaches, which is why the wild Atlantic coast of Portugal is also one of our favourite places in Europe. Guincho, for example, is just a short drive from Lisbon and hosts various international competitions. The wonderful thing about this beach is that you can have it to yourself as a surfer in the morning hours, and in the afternoon, when the wind picks up, the wind- and kitesurfers take their turn. No one gets in each other’s way. Sagres, on the other hand, lies at the extreme southwestern tip of the country, perfectly situated in a vast nature reserve. The atmosphere is relaxed and, despite its many surfers, neither overcrowded nor hectic. On one side of the town, high waves tower in the Atlantic while on the other, the gentle Algarve invites you for a swim. A true dream for all water lovers.

The Most Famous City in Portugal — Lisbon
There is a park that is surely one of the most beautiful in Europe: the “Parque Eduardo VII de Inglaterra” in Lisbon. It is definitely one of our favourite green spaces and thus one of the treasures of the city of Lisbon. Yet it was not the greenhouses or the lake there that captivated us. Even less so was it the very precisely trimmed hedges or the aeroplanes flying overhead on their approach. Rather, it was the realisation that the entire city lies at your feet from there. The most beautiful view of Lisbon is from the northern end of the park above the “Praca Marques de Pombal”. From there, a panorama unfolds that encompasses the surrounding hills including the Castelo de Sao Jorge fortress, the Baixa district (the flat area in the centre) and the Tagus river beyond. But even when you find yourself right there in Portugal, drinking your coffee amidst the beautiful and unique alleys, you understand why Lisbon is beloved by young and old alike all around the world.

The Popular Algarve — Luxury Hotels & Resorts

The most popular beach on the Algarve is probably “Praia do Carvalho”. Translated, it means Smuggler’s Beach. Many simply call it “Finger Beach”, as a rock rises from the water like a finger. This is very famous for the Algarve and appears on every other postcard from Portugal. You can only get there by car with a sat-nav and then walk a good stretch down to the beach, surrounded by rocks, sand and past agave plants. Finally, you pass through a rock tunnel — and there your reward greets you, the wonderfully beautiful sound of the sea: the thunder of the waves, the rushing of the spray. It smells of seaweed, fish and salt water. What awaits beachgoers is simply unmistakable: large waves, hardly any people, a wonderful view of the great rock and the infinite expanse of the sea.

We have now highlighted some well-known aspects of Portugal for you, but as magical and hidden as Portugal may seem, we do not wish to take away that enchantment but rather let you discover this country for yourself. Contact us and tell us your wishes for your personally perfect holiday and your favourite hotels — and we will take care of everything from A to Z for you!