For centuries foreign influences have shaped Portugal. A gateway to Western Europe, it’s seen Romans and Moors build cities and settle in its lush valleys, and has jettisoned mankind’s greatest explorations of all Earth’s four corners from its coast, bringing back people and ideas from Africa, Asia and South America. And then, in 1866, football arrived.

Perhaps Portugal’s most influential import. Life-loving, culturally rich, and with a relentless festival calendar, Portugal knows how to enjoy itself. And how to welcome visitors into their celebrations.

From its warm sunshine and divine wines to the welcoming people, it is vibrant, embracing and absorbing. You simply can’t fail to be influenced by Portugal.

Being at Europe’s greatest celebration of football (and the country’s largest ever festival) should prove to be an unforgettable experience.

Portugal in a nutshell

Portugal has plenty packed into its smallish, but perfectly formed, shape. It’s a cultured and diverse and with plenty of youthful energy.

There are friendly fishing communities, religious festivals and traditional fado music, but also surfing meccas, slick cities, and modern art and architecture.

The north has fertile valleys, deep gorges, mountains and a cooler climate, and the south is warmer and dryer and characterised by broad panoramas of cork and olive trees.

The coastline has miles and miles of sandy beaches along the Atlantic to the west and the Mediterranean in the south. As well as the mainland, Portugal is also made up of the volcanic islands of Madeira and the Azores.

Since joining the EU in 1986, the country has developed apace.

The People

Portugal is about the same size as Scotland, but has twice the population at about 10.3 million.

This includes around 225,000 foreign residents, the majority being African, with Brazilians and central and eastern Europeans being the other significant minorities.

Despite a rising urban population, most people live in rural areas, and generous hospitality is a national trait, particularly in the south.

Tipping

5-10% is acceptable for satisfactory service in restaurants that don’t already have service added to their bills. Taxi drivers appreciate the same.

Main Industries

Textiles and clothing, footwear, tourism, griculture, cork, wood and paper pulp.

Religion

No state religion. 95% of the population are Roman Catholic. The remainder mainly follow Islam, Judaism or other Christian denominations.

Money

Portugal uses the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are common.

Climate

In summer, everywhere is dry and very warm. Sunshine hours are plentiful and the southern coast has average summer temperatures of 28˚C.

Risks

The Atlantic Ocean has some serious currents, with anything other than a green flag on a beach meaning some risk.

Sports

Football rules. When a match is on, the country comes to a halt. The biggest clubs are Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and Porto, but the country’s best players tread foreign turf – most notably LuisFigo, the former World Footballer of the Year, for Real Madrid in Spain. The season lasts from September to May.~

Athletics, tennis and golf are also popular. Several European, World and Olympic champions have pounded the track in Portuguese vests.

The annual Estoril Open attracts the world’s best tennis players and there are over 60 golf courses, a few of which host major international tournaments.

Bullfighting has been attracting spectators since the 12th century. It’s not quite so popular with bulls!

Getting around

Because it’s not a huge country, Portugal’s pretty easy to get about.

Trains travel between most towns and cities, but many are slower than buses. The fast trains are Intercidades and Rapidos, and the fast buses are Expressos and Rapidos, all of which are worth booking in advance.

If you’re in no great hurry, the slow trains are Regionals and the bus equivalents are Carreiras.

Driving your own car, or a rented one, has obvious advantages, but other drivers, oneway systems and navigating your way through old narrow streets, will prove challenging.

Lisbon has ferries and a Metro, Porto is building its own underground system, and both cities have some delightful old trams.

A fast train will get you between the two main cities in just over three hours.

Food and drink

You’ll be well fed and watered in Portugal. Lunch and dinner are the main events, with the country’s most popular dishes being the versatile bacalhau (salted and sundried cod), and the wholesome caldo verde (a green soup made from shredded kale leaves).

At restaurants it’s always worth checking out the pratos di dia (daily specials), and if you’re near the coast, choose the day’s catch.

Portions are always very generous.

Cafes often have a wide array of hot and cold snacks like sandwiches, fishcakes and chips.

Portuguese wine varies between red, white, mature and young, but rarely strays from being great value and favourable to the palette.

Port is, of course, superb.

Public holidays

10th June is Portugal Day, 13th June is a municipal holiday in Lisbon, and likewise Porto has one on 24th June.

Business hours

Shops open 9.30am to lunchtime, then again from 3pm to 7pm. Most are closed during lunch. Banks open a little earlier and work through until 3pm.

Internet access

Free in libraries, and is widely available in cybercafes.

Embassy

The UK embassy is in Lisbon and is useful for British citizens in an emergency. The address is Rua de Sao Bernardo 33, 1249-082. Tel. 021-392 4000.

Shopping

In addition to Port, olives and honey, there is an abundance of quality handicrafts to buy, including lacework, hand-painted tiles, ceramics and handstitched carpets.

Time

Portugal is on GMT, like the UK, and is one hour behind its neighbour Spain.