Portugal’s lifeblood is football. It’s where one of the world’s greatest football players calls home, and it’s where football fans from all corners of the world can come together and celebrate the love of the game. There are so many ways you can really make your trip to Portugal out-of-this-world exciting. Whether you’re on a themed trip or want to add in more football-related elements between all the other top things to do in the country, this guide has you covered on just what to add to your itinerary:
1. Get Football Ready
You can immediately make your vacation to Portugal that much more fun by getting into the spirit. Start by bringing your football kits (bonus points if they’re for a Portuguese team). You can also try some football-inspired games for free before playing them for real on platforms like lonkerokasino.com during your downtime. These little elements really add up to the feel and fun of your trip, and you can also start getting in the mood right now, long before your flight even takes off.
2. Buy Match Tickets
If you want to really experience the thrill and love of football, then you absolutely need to go to a match. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t manage to get a ticket for one of the big teams. There are so many smaller leagues and teams that play throughout the year (if you include friendlies), giving you ample opportunity to see a match live, within your budget.
3. Book a Stadium Tour
Another great way to split your time in Portugal is to book a stadium tour. Even if you intend to go to a match later on (or have already been), a stadium tour just offers so much more. You’ll be able to explore spaces that are simply off-limits to you as a fan, like the pitch, locker rooms, and the press conference rooms.
Some stadiums, like the Lisboa e Benfica stadium, even have a special “Slide In” where you glide through the stadium on a zip line for a unique experience the whole family will love.
4. Go to a Football Museum
You can tack this onto your stadium tour in most cases, as the biggest clubs and stadiums, like the one in Lisbon, also feature a built-in museum that outlines their biggest accomplishments, as well as past memorabilia like sports kits, photos, and even trophies. Absolutely always treat yourself to the combined tour + museum ticket, as it’s a great way to make a day out of football.
5. Break Up Your Football Activities
There are so many beautiful things to see and do in Portugal, no matter where you are based. That’s why it’s a good idea to spread out your football activities between traditional tourism and, of course, dining at some of the best places around. You can even tack on a bit of football to your meals by finding restaurants that are showing games. This is a great way to truly feel the excitement of football fever here in lovely, lovely Portugal.
