A Travel Guide to Schengen Countries: Vibrant Portugal

Portugal is known for its luscious wines, stunning beaches, history and culture. Portugal is speckled with a variety of scenic landscapes, and is no stranger to the delights of gastronomy and golf. The affable nature of its people completes the experience. Located in the Iberian Peninsula, now known as the Portuguese Republic, Portugal is a temperate maritime country with plenty to offer.

There's enough of sun year round and plenty more to enjoy to make your stay a pleasant one.

Why Visit Portugal

Visit Portugal if you want to celebrate life. Sunbathing, golfing, shopping or hiking – there is no dearth of things to do while you are here. You can even choose from activities like mountain biking, kayaking, wine-tasting and boat rides.

Portugal is also known for some of the greatest contributions to Europe's architectural prowess. Its carnival parades and pageants are world famous, and what better way to join in the festivities than to be at the very roots of its origin, here in Portugal.

When to Visit

• Peak season
  The relentless summer sun from June to September, in Portugal, limit serious outdoor activities. This season is best enjoyed however, along the vibrant coasts of Portugal. Here surfers, windsurfers, golfers and outdoor adventurers flock the hotels and beaches.
  July and August are busy months on the peninsula. August is also the official holiday month in Portugal and you will the region bustling with locals and tourists alike.
• Other seasons - Spring and Autumn
  February, the carnival month and beginning of spring, and October, the autumn month, are perhaps the best times to visit Portugal. The summer crowds have thinned out during these months. You can relax in the flowery hillsides and moderately warm country sides.

November to March is winter in Portugal and it can be quite a rainy winter. Although the South and Central parts of Portugal are moderately cool during winter, the North experiences low temperatures and snowfall is common here.

Schengen Visa for Portugal

Every tourist needs to possess a Schengen Visa to travel to Portugal. Considered as a boon for tourists, the Schengen Pact is the result of cooperation between 26 European countries. These countries have eliminated individual Visa requirements, thereby minimizing border control.

The Pact ensures tourists and citizens enjoy hassle-free movement within the member countries on a common Visa. Simply put, a Schengen Visa lets one travel to any member country without applying for multiple visas.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa

To apply for a Schengen Visa, one needs to download the Visa Application Form, which is easily available online. Submit the duly filled form along with valid documentation to the destination country's embassy in India. Remember, the form needs to be filled carefully stating the reason for your visit.

It also needs to be supported with your recent financial statement. Also, availing the right travel insurance plan is mandatory for securing a Visa approval for a Schengen country.

How to Travel

Portugal can be reached from anywhere in the world, as most of its major cities are well connected to airports across the world.

Once in Portugal you can choose from trams, buses and the metro. Portugal also boasts of a well-connected train network. Many countryside retreats can be reached by bicycles. You could also tour within a city by foot, as most popular places are close to each other.

On the roads, the toll booths can be crossed hassle-free, as they are controlled by a unified elctronic system.

Where to Stay

From guesthouses and hostels to 3-star and 5-star hotels, Portugal features accommodations that cater to multiple budget and luxury expectations.

If you are traveling for business purposes, you could stay at one of the flourishing port cities, shipping being a major industry of Portugal. It is advisable to book your accommodation in advance to avoid a last-minute rush and exorbitant prices.

Find below a comparison of hotels based on a budget range.

If you are traveling for business purposes, you could stay at one of the many hotels in major cities like Tallinn, Tartu, Saaremaa, Haapsalu and Parnu. These places are well known for their high-quality restaurants and variety of nightclubs.

Things to do

There are plenty things to do in Portugal. Here are just a few of those you must not miss:

• Serra de Estrela
  This phenomenal mountain range with rare landscapes and striking mountain drops stands at a peak height of 1,993 meters above sea level. It is also where the Mondego river originates.
  Here you can witness the variety of flora and birds, and go hiking along the 375 km of challenging marked trails, and enjoy paragliding at Linhares de Beira.
  In winter, you could go skiing, sledging, snowboarding or simply ride the snowmobile for a splendid view of the mountains.
• Mondego River kayaking
  After visiting its source in the Serra de Estrela, do not miss the kayaking experience along the Mondego River. It features gentle streams and odd rapids along valleys, lined with pine and eucalyptus trees, offering breathtaking views. The kayaking route ends in a beach, where you can swim and unwind.
• Mountain biking along Algarve
  The main attraction of this scenic coastal town is the lovely weather and awesome trails perfect for mountain biking. Watch out for excellent deals and packages offered by many holiday and adventure companies.
• Batalha Abbey
  This is one of the greatest achievements of Portuguese Architecture and Europe's greatest gothic masterpieces.
  
  The Batalha is a monastery influenced by Manueline art. This is seen in the masterpiece construction of the Royal Cloister. The masterpiece architecture is now protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage monument.
  Guided tours of the monastery will take you to a 13th century castle, and more importantly, the curiously magnificent underground caves with natural, eye-catching dripstone formations.

Do's & Don'ts in Portugal

Although Portugal is an advanced and a friendly country, ensure your stay is safe and enjoyable. Find below a few tips, collated from the narratives of seasoned travelers:

• Taxi rides can be more pleasant if fares are decided before the trip. That way you can avoid being overcharged and disgruntled.
• Beware of pickpockets in crowded places and lonely by lanes. It is advisory not to wander off alone especially in alleyways and quiet streets.
• Portugal has strict laws when it comes to possession of drugs. Stay away from drug peddlers and soliciting prostitutes who are rampant in certain street corners especially in cities like Lisbon and Porto.
• Research local laws, especially the ones on licensing. For instance, if you are caught playing a game of Bingo anywhere other than in a licensed venue, you could be fined up to 700 Euros.
• Watch out for warning flags on the beaches. Yellow flags indicate no swimming, and only paddling near the edges is allowed; checkered flag means the beach is currently unmanned; while green flag means it is safe to swim in the area marked. Local jellyfish sightings are generally reported, and the tourists are warned about the same.
• Avoid walking to Madeira a favorite activity that tourists engage in. The terrain is steep and uneven and can be quite difficult if you are not used to such physical exertion.

Make your trip to Portugal memorable and worry-free with a comprehensive travel plan.

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