What is the capital of Portugal? Lisbon facts, history and living there
The capital of Portugal is Lisbon. Key facts about the city, why it became the capital, Portugal's former capitals and what living in Lisbon is really like.
Travel in Portugal
Cities, regions and getting around — start with the official tourism and transport sites.
Cities
Where to go and what it is like to live there.
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Lisbon guide for visitors and new residents
Lisbon area by area: where to stay, how to get around, what to eat, day trips and practical tips for visitors and people planning to live there.
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Porto guide for visitors and new residents
Porto for visitors and new residents: neighbourhoods, getting around, the Douro valley, food and practical tips for living in Portugal's second city.
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Sintra: a day trip from Lisbon
Planning a day in Sintra from Lisbon: getting there by train, choosing between the palaces, avoiding the queues and walking between the sights.
Regions and islands
Beyond the big cities: coast, wine country and the islands.
Madeira island guide: things to do, where to stay and best time to visit
Plan a trip to Madeira, Portugal: the best things to do, levada hikes, Funchal, Porto Santo, weather by month, where to stay, food and Madeira vs Azores.
Nazaré, Portugal: when to visit, beaches and the biggest waves in the world
Plan a visit to Nazaré, Portugal: when to see the giant waves at Praia do Norte, the best beaches, things to do, getting there from Lisbon and where to stay.
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Algarve guide: beaches, towns and living there
The Algarve for visitors and residents: which towns to choose, getting around without and with a car, seasons, and what living there year-round is like.
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The Azores: which islands to visit
Planning a trip to the Azores: the islands at a glance, getting there and between islands, nature and hiking, and the best time to go.
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Douro Valley: wine country trips from Porto
Visiting the Douro Valley from Porto: by train, by car or by boat, visiting quintas, the harvest season and where to stay overnight.
Getting around
Airports, trains, buses and driving.
How to get around Portugal: trains, buses and driving
How to travel around Portugal: CP trains and the Passe Ferroviário Verde, intercity buses and tickets, driving and tolls, city transport, flights and ferries.
How to get from the airport to the city in Portugal: Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Madeira
How to get from the airport to the city in Portugal: metro, bus, taxi and Uber from Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Madeira airports, with prices and journey times.
Planning a trip
Seasons, beaches and food.
Portuguese food: 30 traditional dishes to try in Portugal
A local's guide to traditional Portuguese food: the best dishes, desserts, pastries and coffee to try in Portugal, plus regional specialities and eating tips.
Interesting Facts About Portugal: 25 Things You Should Know
25 interesting facts about Portugal: Europe's oldest borders, the world's oldest alliance, cork, giant waves, pastel de nata, fado and more.
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When to visit Portugal: seasons and weather
The best time to visit Portugal: what each season is like in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and the islands, plus festivals and public holidays.
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Portugal's beaches: where to go
Choosing a beach in Portugal: the Lisbon coast, the Algarve, the west coast for surfing, water temperature and staying safe in the Atlantic.
The essentials
Planning a trip
Portugal is compact: the national rail operator, CP, links Lisbon with Porto, Coimbra and the Algarve, and suburban lines run from Lisbon to Sintra and Cascais. Timetables and fares change, so check the operators' own sites before you travel. In Lisbon, the metro and Carris trams and buses cover most of the city.
Start with our guides to getting around Portugal and getting from the airport to the city. Prices in our guides are approximate — the official sites below always have the current fares and timetables.
New to the country? Start with 25 interesting facts about Portugal and check the public holidays for your dates.
Safety and health
- In an emergency, call 112.
- For health advice, call SNS 24 (808 24 24 24).
- Visitors from the EU should bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); visitors from elsewhere should check their travel insurance.
Guides by situation
Related guides
Visiting Portugal as a tourist
Visiting Portugal: plan where to go with official tourism sites, get around by train and metro, and save the emergency and health advice numbers.
Supermarkets in Portugal: where to shop and what things cost
A guide to supermarkets in Portugal: Continente, Pingo Doce, Lidl, Mercadona and Aldi, opening hours, loyalty cards, grocery prices and online delivery.
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How to learn Portuguese: best courses, apps and free options
How to learn European Portuguese: free government courses for residents, the best online courses and apps, language schools, tutors and the A2 CIPLE exam.
Official sources
We check our guides against these official pages. If something has changed, the official source wins.
- Visit Portugal (Turismo de Portugal) visitportugal.com
- Visit Lisboa visitlisboa.com
- CP — Comboios de Portugal (trains) cp.pt