A look at the best things to do whilst in Portugal
If you're heading to Portugal for a holiday or you're looking to spend some time in the country, then you'll be amazed that the huge number of things that you can do there. Whether you're heading into the rural county or looking to enjoy the sights and sounds of the hilly capital of Lisbon, and you're looking for things to do during the day or in the evening, you will never be disappointed. Learning the language, or at least the basics of Portuguese will help you to find your way around a lot easier, particularly if you're looking to move away from the tourist areas, and you can also be sure that the locals will appreciate the extra effort that you have taken in order to communicate with them - even if you only learn the basics. We've put together a list of the best things for you do in when you're in Portugal.
Sightseeing
A trip to another country will not be complete without a bit of sightseeing, but this can be different depending on what part of the country you're looking to head to. In Lisbon, you can head to the Sao Jorge Castle to marvel at its glory, or if you're heading to Porto you should look to the port wine cellars that have made the city famous. With plenty of culture to sink in and a large powerful between the 1500s to the 1800s that you can explore, you're certain to never run out of things to look at. If you want to head for something a little more nature based, then the Algarve or Madeira Island are two of the best places for you, with the Via Algarviana trail and plenty of hiking opportunities to take in. Alternatively, if you're looking for history, culture and architecture head to Sintra – the mountain town which is home to the Pena National Palace.
Casinos
One thing you may not know about Portugal is that it is a fan of gambling. The largest gambling destination in the world, Macau, was originally a Portuguese empire although this ended in 1999 after 442 years, and mainland Portugal is also home to plenty of casinos for you to enjoy. The oldest and one of the biggest casinos in Europe is Casino Estoril, and was regarded as one of the most fashionable places to go in the country, while also being a hub for spies to meet in World War 2. There's plenty of history amongst the casinos for you to enjoy when it comes to finding things to do in Portugal, and with 11 casinos for you to enjoy if you enjoy a night out in a casino then Portugal is the perfect place to go. Experienced players are in abundance at many casinos in Portugal, so before you go you may want to consider brushing up your skills. There are many casino game guides available online such as the which can help to give you the basics of the game before you head to one of the casinos in Portugal to give you a head start against any experienced gamblers that you are likely to face there.
Beaches
One thing that Portugal is famed for is its beaches. With its location being on the Atlantic Ocean there are plenty of beaches for you to enjoy, and some of the most beautiful in Europe are located in Portugal. If you want a beach holiday or you simply want to find a secluded beach to explore during a nature hike. Some beach destinations that you may want to consider if you're looking to relax on the beach in Portugal include the Algarve, Albufeira, Lagos and Lisbon.