James Cave 
“Would you like to see the dessert menu?” is a question that doesn’t need to be asked in Portugal. Why? Because it’s just assumed you will be having dessert: a meal, and especially a meal out, just wouldn’t be a proper meal if it didn’t have dessert as well. The dessert menu usually has around 5-10 items on it, and the menus don’t tend to differ hugely from one restaurant to another. Desserts like pudim flan and molotov almost always …
Situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, closer to Morocco than it is to Portugal, the island of Madeira is a unique part of Portugal with its own history, customs, and food. Many of these dishes are only really found in Madeira, and haven’t made their way into mainstream Portuguese cooking, and the only way to try them is to go and spend a few days on Madeira. Peixe Espada com Banana Peixe espada com banana is one of Madeira’s most …
Although Portugal has fantastic high-speed home internet, online shopping is not as popular in Portugal as it is in other countries. But it’s growing in popularity – both as a way of buying from Portuguese retailers and also as a way of buying (often cheaper) products from abroad. Read the guides Shopping at some sites – Amazon, for example – isn’t always straight-forward, but Portugalist’s guides help make things easy to understand. Amazon Amazon doesn’t officially have a presence in …
Anyone living in Portugal, whether they’re renting or have bought a house, will have to buy furniture at some point or another. Maybe you need to furnish an entire apartment or house, or maybe you just need one or two small things. Either way, the question is: where should you go to buy furniture in Portugal? The answer depends a lot on the type of furniture that you’re looking for, and where you are in the country. For some people, …
The Algarve is often split into three sections: the Eastern Algarve, the Central Algarve, and the Western Algarve. Every region of the Algarve has its areas of natural beauty, but the Western Algarve, and in particular the Western Coast of the Algarve, is considered to be the more scenic part of the Algarve. It’s made up of rugged cliffs, a national park, and numerous small, often empty, and incredibly beautiful beaches. One of the most appealing aspects of the Western Algarve is its …
The Algarve is often split into three sections: the Eastern Algarve, the Central Algarve, and the Western Algarve. The Central Algarve is the vibrant heart of the Algarve region, offering a perfect blend of stunning beaches, world-class amenities, and easy access to both the eastern and western parts of the Algarve. With the majority of the population, including a significant expat community, residing in this area, the Central Algarve provides a diverse and dynamic lifestyle. One of the main draws of the Central Algarve …
The Eastern Algarve, starting from the charming town of Olhão and stretching to the Spanish-Portuguese border, offers a unique and enchanting lifestyle for those seeking a more laid-back and authentic Portuguese experience. While it may not be as crowded as the Central Algarve, the Eastern Algarve still boasts a fair share of tourists, striking a perfect balance between tranquility and vibrancy. Living in the Eastern Algarve means having access to a wide array of stunning beaches, although some may require …
Drive over the bridge that crosses the Guadiana River, the river that separates Portugal and Spain, and you’ll be greeted with a sign welcoming you to Spain. Like the hundreds of other signs that are dotted along the Spanish border, it’s a blue sign with the word “España” surrounded by 12 gold stars: the EU symbol for unity, solidarity and harmony among the people of Europe. This sign is slightly different, though. In contrast to the symbolism the 12 stars …
Nestled in the south of Portugal, the Algarve has long been a destination for those seeking sun, sea, and a touch of luxury. At the heart of this region lies the Golden Triangle, an unofficial term for the area encompassing the prestigious resorts of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago, along with the charming town of Almancil. The Golden Triangle is strategically located in the Central Algarve between Faro, the Algarve’s capital and home to the international airport, and …
Following on from the article about getting around Portugal by train, I’ve put together a guide to getting around Portugal by bus. I’ve travelled extensively by bus here – taking buses throughout the country and even into Spain as well. Portugal has an extensive bus network that is made up of two types of buses which I think of as “local buses” and “coaches.” The coaches are usually for trips lasting for several hours but can be as little as …