Old-world Lisbon trams, Porto's tile-clad riverside, 300 days of Algarve sun a year, and prices that still feel like Spain did ten years ago. Portugal is Europe's best value.
Portugal has become the UK's fastest-growing European holiday destination — more than 2.6 million visits annually. It's the cheaper, quieter, more laid-back version of Spain: a coffee and pastel de nata will cost you €2, a set-menu lunch under €12, and a decent bottle of wine from the supermarket is €3.
The Algarve remains the classic UK package destination — Faro airport handles millions of Brits a year, with Albufeira, Vilamoura and Lagos the main resorts. But Lisbon and Porto have become serious city-break rivals to Barcelona, and Madeira delivers year-round 20°C warmth for a winter getaway.
English is widely spoken, UK bank cards work everywhere, and the country is one of the safest in Europe. If you're looking for value and sun on a 2h 30m flight, it's hard to argue with Portugal.
Direct flights from every major UK airport. Faro especially packed in summer.
| Visa (UK passport) | No visa required. Schengen — up to 90 days in any 180-day period. |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (EUR, €). Cards accepted everywhere including taxis. Small cafés sometimes cash-only. |
| Time zone | WET (UTC+0) / WEST (UTC+1 summer) — same as the UK year-round. Makes jet lag a non-issue. |
| Language | Portuguese. English widely spoken in tourist areas. Portuguese is harder to understand than Spanish even if you speak some. |
| Best months | April–June and September–October. Algarve has a 300-day sunshine year. |
| Flight times from UK | LIS 2h 30m · OPO 2h 20m · FAO 2h 40m · FNC 3h 50m · PDL 4h 15m |
| Plug type | Type C/F (European two-pin). UK adaptor needed. |
| Getting around | Lisbon–Porto by train in 3 hours (Alfa Pendular). Rental cars cheap. Algarve best by car. |
April–June and September–October are ideal — warm without the July–August heat. Madeira is a year-round destination (always 18–25°C). Lisbon and Porto can get chilly and rainy November–February but are still mild compared to the UK.
Warm, dry, not yet peak prices. Ideal for cities and Algarve.
Mild. Some rain possible. Winter sun on Madeira.
Algarve crowded with UK/Spanish families; highest prices.
No. UK passport holders can visit Portugal visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period under Schengen rules.
The euro (€). Cards are accepted everywhere including taxis and bars. ATMs (Multibanco) are plentiful. Some small cafés and tascas still prefer cash.
May–June and September for the mainland — warm without August crowds. Madeira is good year-round. Algarve is busiest July–August but has great weather April to October.
London to Lisbon is 2h 30m, Porto 2h 20m, Faro 2h 40m, Madeira 3h 50m. The Azores are further (4h 15m) but still direct from some UK airports.
Virtually every UK airport has flights to at least Faro or Lisbon: London (all five), Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Cardiff, Belfast, and more.
Yes — Portugal is consistently ranked one of the safest countries in Europe (and the world). Pickpocketing exists in Lisbon tourist areas (Tram 28, Bairro Alto, Rossio metro) but violent crime against tourists is rare. UK travellers should carry a GHIC card for reciprocal state healthcare.