Flights to Portugal

Choosing your Portuguese airport

Lisbon (LIS) suits city breaks, Sintra and the beaches of Cascais. Porto (OPO) is the gateway to the north, the Douro Valley's vineyards and the historic towns of Braga and Guimarães. Faro (FAO) serves the whole Algarve, from Tavira in the east to Lagos and Sagres in the west, and is the busiest airport for UK holidaymakers. Funchal (FNC) is the only main airport on Madeira, an island of mountains and cliffs in the Atlantic. Trains link Faro, Lisbon and Porto, so a one-way flight in and another home works well.

Airlines and UK departure points

British Airways flies from Heathrow to Lisbon and from Gatwick to Porto, Faro and Funchal. TAP Air Portugal flies from Heathrow and Gatwick to Lisbon, from Gatwick to Porto and from Manchester to Lisbon. easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair cover Faro from most UK airports, along with regular flights to Porto, Lisbon and Funchal, and TUI adds holiday flights to the Algarve and Madeira.

England's oldest ally

Portugal and England signed an alliance in 1373, renewed by the Treaty of Windsor in 1386, and it is still described as the oldest in the world. Prince Henry the Navigator sponsored voyages along the African coast, and Vasco da Gama reached India by sea in 1498. An earthquake destroyed much of Lisbon in 1755, the Carnation Revolution ended the dictatorship in 1974, and Portugal joined the European Union in 1986.

Entry, money and time

Your British passport should have been issued in the last ten years and be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave. Visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period are allowed without a visa, and EU border rules for British visitors are changing, so check current UK government travel advice and your insurance before you fly. Portugal uses the euro, and mainland Portugal and Madeira share UK time all year.

When to go

The Algarve is warm from May to October, with summer highs around 30°C, and mild winters suit golf and walking. Lisbon and Porto are pleasant in spring and autumn, while Madeira stays between about 19°C and 26°C all year, which makes it popular in winter. Expect the highest fares in the school summer holidays and at Easter.

Planning to fly into Porto and home from Faro? Call 020 7871 4545 and we'll price the open-jaw for you.