Portugal is a southern European country on the Iberian Peninsula, bordering Spain. Its location on the Atlantic Ocean has influenced many aspects of its culture: salt cod and grilled sardines are national dishes, the Algarve’s beaches are a major destination and much of the nation’s architecture dates to the 1500s–1800s, when Portugal had a powerful maritime empire.
Porto is a coastal city in northwest Portugal known for its stately bridges and port wine production. In the medieval Ribeira (riverside) district, narrow cobbled streets wind past merchants’ houses and cafes. São Francisco Church is known for its lavish baroque interior with ornate gilded carvings. The palatial 19th-century Palácio de Bolsa, formerly a stock market, was built to impress potential European investors.
Porto, fortified wine
Port is classified as a fortified wine, meaning that a clear grape spirit (usually aguardente, a type of brandy) is added during fermentation. This stops the fermentation process and preserves most of the grapes’ natural sugars, giving Port its signature sweet flavor profile.
The best time to visit Portugal is in spring (March-May), when the country is in bloom and waking after the winter. You could also go in fall (between September and October) when the sun is still shining, the weather is warm, and many of the crowds have dispersed.
Trivia
The oldest bookstore in the world is in Portugal’s capital of Lisbon. Bertrand Bookshop was established in 1732.
WE&P by: EZorrillaMc.
Travel in Life 
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