Portugal - a country full of wonders!
From the shores of the Atlantic to the wild hinterland, Portugal is a popular European destination with countless assets: magnificent landscapes, idyllic beaches and delicious gastronomy!
Country of fishermen and explorers, Portugal will never cease to surprise you. An ideal destination all year round (300 sunny days per year) thanks to its mild and sunny climate, Portugal is also accessible for all budgets.
Culture enthusiasts, sportspeople and gourmets will undoubtedly like it. To spend a memorable stay, there are many activities: cruises along the coast, nature hikes and visits to medieval villages.
Among the charms of the country is the unique hospitality found only in Portugal.
Discover our selection of 4 authentic places for a trip of several days or for a weekend.
1. Lisbon: the trendiest European capital
To appreciate the authenticity of Lisbon, stroll through the historic districts. The Alfama district with its narrow streets, flowered balconies and restaurants is the most typical for discovering Portuguese culture. Let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of fado, a Portuguese musical genre expressing melancholy through popular chants, usually accompanied by instruments like the mandolin and acoustic guitar, and stop in ancient taverns to taste fresh grilled fish.
Bairro Alto is another neighbourhood appreciated for its two facets: quiet during the day and lively at night. The restaurants, bookshops and bars offer an exceptional panoramic view over the center of Lisbon.
Culture enthusiasts can visit a number of  sites: the Tower of Belém, the Hieronymites Monastery, the Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) and the Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George's Castle). Gourmets will stop in the Belém district to taste the typical local pastry: Pasteis de Nata (cream puffs).
The Iranian restaurant 1001 Nights offers tasty and quality cuisine. The dishes are halal and no alcohol is served.
The Fenicius Charme HĂ´tel has all amenities to welcome you to the heart of the capital. All food is halal and no alcohol is served in the property.
Discover all our halal-friendly properties in Lisbon.
2. Porto: “the undefeated city”
Porto, which has a long history of defending civil rights, has been called “the undefeated city” by King Pedro IV, due to its population withstanding a long military siege by the royalist forces between 1832 and 1833. It fought  for the support of the constitution and thus made the victory of liberalism possible. Listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO, it is a city where old world European charm and modern culture mingle on the streets. The historic districts of the city (Ribeira, Aliados and Miragaia) are full of architectural treasures. Discover the tall and colorful houses, the metal bridge, or the charm of the small boats and the blue azulejos, small earthenware tiles with blue and white geometric patterns adorning the interior and exterior facades of the buildings. The steep streets lead to the Douro, the city's emblematic river. Finally, mark the visit by taking a cruise and admiring the scenery.
Don't leave without reading a book in the famous Lello bookstore. You will appreciate its high ceilings, its walls entirely lined with precious and antique wood. This bookstore has inspired those in the movies "Beauty and the Beast" and "Harry Potter".
The Fisherman’s Trail is one of the picturesque places in the country, ideal for hiking on a 120 km route between Porto Covo and Odeceixe.
The Indian halal restaurant D KEBAB serves mixed Indian and Turkish cuisine. The establishment is renowned for the diversity of its choices and the quality of the meat. All dishes are halal and no alcohol is served.
The 4 star hotel Dom Henrique Downtown in central Porto has rooms with city views. Alcohol is removed from your room if you book through halalbooking.com.
Discover all our halal-friendly properties in Porto.
3. Aveiro: the “Venice of Portugal”
Aveiro is a city on the west coast located along a lagoon called Ria de Aveiro. Called the “Venice of Portugal”, the city is appreciated for its architectural charm, its canals and its typical coloured facades, which delight photography enthusiasts. Gourmets will enjoy tasting seafood in the restaurants of the Costa Nova district.
History lovers can visit numerous cultural places like the Aveiro Museum, the Statues of the Bridges and the Aveiro Cathedral.
Explore the Dunas de SĂŁo Jacinto nature reserve. The landscapes are breath-taking: white sand, dunes, pine forests and swamps.
Finally, to relax, the beach of Costa Nova is very popular for its clean and soft sand as well as its dunes. Water sports enthusiasts will also find what they are looking for here with sailing, windsurfing and water skiing. There is also a school offering windsurfing lessons.
The Trincaxá restaurant serves modern European and Portuguese cuisine. Succumb to their toast and their delicious bubble tea. No alcohol is served in the establishment.
The Melia Ria Hotel & Spa is ideally located in the heart of Aveiro, close to all of the city’s attractions. The rooms overlook the lake.
Discover all our halal-friendly properties in Aveiro.
4. The Algarve coast: focus on southern Portugal
Located in the far south of Portugal, the Algarve coast is renowned for its many cliffs and golden sandy beaches that line the Atlantic Ocean. The region is very touristy because of the seaside resorts that are next to picturesque, whitewashed villages surrounded by olive and orange groves!
In Benagil, a small fishing village located in the south of the Algarve, adventurers will enjoy visiting the famous Benagil caves and its unique inland beach. The colour of the cave walls (orange, yellow and white) blends subtly with the blue of the sea. The caves are usually accessible by boat.
Visit Faro, a wonderful and captivating city with its beautiful squares, medieval quarters, curious museums and the famous Capela dos Ossos (the Chapel of Bones). Discover its interior walls which are covered and decorated with human skulls and bones. Do not miss the Ria Formosa nature reserve, an area over 60 km wide, a bird paradise with sublime white sand beaches to be discovered on foot, by boat or by bike.
Relax at Camilo Beach near Lagos, one of the best beaches in Europe. It offers a breath-taking atmosphere with its rock formations, a turquoise sea and white sand. To get there, you have to go down the 200 steps of the wooden staircase.
On the outskirts of Lagos, the cliffs of Ponta da Piedade are sculpted between the sea and the wind. The colour contrast is beautiful: between the ochre of the rock and the azure blue of the sea, the backdrop is perfect for unique photos.
The Ranias Restaurant offers Mediterranean, European and Portuguese cuisine. The dishes are varied, plentiful and halal. A menu with non-alcoholic drinks is available.
The 5-star Vale do Lobo Resort has villas with secluded outdoor swimming pools. No alcohol is served in the property.
Discover all our halal-friendly properties in The Algarve.
The Portuguese gastronomy
Portugal offers a world-renowned, rich and diverse, excellent gastronomy that perfectly combines Mediterranean cuisine with flavours of land and sea and reflects its cultural heritage.
Here are some of the specialties of the country:
Francesinha: Portuguese version of the croque-monsieur, it's a sandwich made from two slices of toast topped with several meats, covered with cheese and an egg.
Pastéis de bacalhau: small appetizers made with potato, cod, onions and parsley.
Caldeirada de Peixe: stewed dishes based on fish or seafood, available as soups or stews depending on the region.
Bacalhau à Brás: dish made with cod (bacalhau), onions, matchstick fries and decorated with black olives.
The most famous desserts are the famous Pasteis de Nata (cream puffs), Bolos de Arroz (small muffins) or Pudim de Caseiro (caramel flan).
Tempted by a trip to Portugal? HalalBooking offers a wide selection of halal-friendly properties and many of them are available for booking with no deposit or with a low deposit. Book your halal-friendly holidays in Portugal now and pay later!