- travelsportblog
FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualified Team: Portugal
Updated: Sep 13, 2022
The national team that everyone is looking at š
National Team
Portugal have fared much better at the Euros than the World Cup winning Euro 2016. At the World Cup their best finish is a semi final at Germany 2006 losing to the eventual winners, Germany.
At Russia 2018 Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick against Spain. Portugalās best ever player has netted 117 times in 189 games.
At Qatar 2022 even at age 37 the Portuguese fans will be hoping for some of his magic in Ronaldoās last major tournament. Ronaldoās Man Utd team mate, Bruno Fernandes, will be looking to make his own mark at the World Cup. Look out for Bernado Silva and Diego Jiota who play for Man City and Liverpool as they will also bring great skills to the world stage.
Touring Portugal
Portugalās official language is Portuguese with English and French spoken by 40% of the country. Spring and Fall are the best time to visit Portugal. You will enjoy good weather and lots of festivities including Lisbon'sā Holy week which occurs in June.
At the western part of the Algarve lies a town with fabulous beaches called Lagos. Lagos is also known for its grottoes and sea caves.
Explore the old center of Lagos with its baroque churches and 18th century townhouses. Thereās also the mediaeval Castle of Lagos to check out.
Lisbon or Lisboa is the lively capital of Portugal set on several hills. You have great nightlife and colorful buildings throughout the city to enjoy.
An amazing engineering feat to see is the Aqueduto das Ćguas Livres.
Built in the 18th century this aqueduct was designed to bring water to Lisbon from the nearby hills in the north. Stretching 14km the insides of the aqueduct can be viewed by appointment at the Water Museum.
During the week visitors to Lisbon can go and see Ajuda National Palace. This Royal residence was used up until the 19th century.
In 1807 construction suddenly stopped when the Royal Family had to run away to Brazil to escape from Napoleonās armies. Some of the wings of the palace double as the Ministry of Culture.
You canāt visit Portugal without a stop at Porto, one of the wettest cities in Europe.
The Luis Bridge built in 1886 rises 45 meters from the river of Duoro. Fun fact: the bridge was built by the same engineer who designed the Eiffel Tower!
From the top of the bridge you can get a birdās eye view of the main street in Porto; Cais da Ribeira which the light railway runs along. If you want to get down from the bridge to water level, use the wonderful Funicular dos Guindais.
In the heart of Porto there is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture called the Church of Sao Francisco. The outer faƧade of the church is full of twisted columns and the statue of Saint Francis.
The interior of the church is covered with gilded woodwork which used anywhere from 300-500kg of Brazilian gold.
The most popular dish in Portugal is bacalhau (salted cod).
As a maritime nation this was an essential way to take food on long journeys without spoiling. This cod is usually served as a fillet or in casseroles.
Everyone likes sweets and Portugal has some of the best. The pastel de nata is a custard tart invented in Lisbon back in 1837. This egg tart is one tasty bite and dirt cheap at only just over 1 Euro.
Arroz de Pata is the Portuguese paella. Lots of rice, onions and chorizo with the star of the dish being the succulent duck.
Wash all this lovely food down with the fine Port Wine. This distilled wine is made from grapes grown in the Douro Valley. Very popular in Portugal and internationally, this red wine is often served as a dessert wine.
Portugal is an amazing country to tour around, and with the country comes a strong football team. How do you think Portugal will do at this year's World Cup in Qatar?
