Portugal
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Language: Portuguese. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, especially in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.
Currency: EUR, credit cards accepted nearly everywhere. Some smaller cafés and markets prefer cash.
Transportation:
Train: CP (Comboios de Portugal) runs the national rail network. The Alfa Pendular connects Lisbon to Porto in under 3 hours. Book ahead for discounts.
Bus: Rede Expressos covers routes not served by train. FlixBus also operates within Portugal.
City transport: Lisbon's Viva Viagem card covers metro, trams, buses, and funiculars. Porto's Andante card works similarly. Both cities are extremely walkable.
What To Expect
Portugal is the Western European country that still feels like a secret, though that secret is getting louder every year. Lisbon is built on seven hills, each with its own personality. The miradouros (viewpoints) reward every climb with terracotta rooftops and the Tejo River glittering below. A ride on the rattling Tram 28 through Alfama is touristy for a reason: it is pure Lisbon.
But Portugal's magic extends far beyond the capital. Porto clings to the Douro River with tiled facades, port wine lodges, and the magnificent Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. The Algarve offers golden cliffs and sea caves along its southern coast. Sintra, just outside Lisbon, compresses fairytale palaces (Pena, Quinta da Regaleira) into a misty hillside that feels like Lord of the Rings by way of Iberia.
Portuguese food is understated but excellent. Grilled sardines in summer, a warm pastel de nata with cinnamon from a bakery in Belém, a bifana (pork sandwich) from a tiny tasca. Washed down with vinho verde. Portugal is also one of the best-value destinations in Western Europe.