Five surprising ways that Portugal is like London

Did you know that Portugal and the UK are the world’s oldest diplomatic alliance? The sun-laden rocky Algarve can feel a world apart from London’s metropolis. Yet, look a little closer and you’ll notice some unexpected parallels that might explain why so many Londoners enjoy holidaying in Portugal.

A deep-rooted affection for tea and café culture

The British love for tea is legendary – it’s one of our biggest stereotypes. And, although many don’t realise it, London was, at one point in time, the capital of coffee café culture before it declined (but has recently been picking back up).

From formal afternoon tea to the omnipresent cuppa, it’s a national staple and London’s café culture is booming. Portugal mirrors this, with Chá (tea) being one of the most consumed drinks at all times of day. Importantly, the Portuguese café (pastelaria) is an institution, and it’s where you’ll find many of the Londoners who are visiting.

Milder winters 

London’s maritime climate means that its winters are notably milder than much of continental Europe, despite having a higher latitude. This has bred a culture of year-round park strolls and city exploration when other capitals are frozen. Portugal, of course, is also mild. We can see the popularity of Orbis Ways during these winter months, as they help organise hikes all year round, with Portugal being a big seller. It does help that Camino de Santiago runs right through coastal Portuguese paths, too.

A reliance on great public infrastructure

London’s lifeblood is its public transport. It has one of the most impressive setups in the world. Portugal, especially in major cities like Lisbon and Porto, shows a similar commitment that can make it easy for Londoners to navigate when visiting. Efficient metro systems and historic trams make it easy to parse through their narrow streets, along with comprehensive bus routes. Comboios de Portugal makes car-free travel both practical and popular, just like in London.

Multiculturalism

London is renowned globally as a quintessential multicultural city. The melting pot of languages and cuisines is fantastic, but Portugal also has a diverse fabric. Its track record as a seafaring nation with a long colonial history (like ours) has led to a wide range of cultural influences. Today, Lisbon in particular has growing communities from Brazil as well as Cape Verde, Angola and other African nations.

An unbeatable experience of exploring on foot

Despite its immense size, London is fantastic to walk around on foot. There are few Londoners that are not used to getting places on foot or bike, because the tube station may not always be in the right spot. Portugal has similar pedestrian delights and it’s also perfect for very long walks. Its historic city centres, like Lisbon’s Alfama district, are a walker’s dream. But where Portugal really shines is when you venture out of the centres, like the stunning Rota Vicentina network that goes along coastal and inland paths in the Alentejo and Algarve.

World’s oldest allies

From their mild winters to a shared love for café culture, Londoners feel at home when visiting Portugal on their strong public transport system and walking-friendly spaces. These surprising commonalities may help explain why Portugal is such a popular destination, as well as the things that are truly unique about Portugal too, like its wildlife and sea.

**Contributed post