Recommended Reading List for Portugal

Here is a list of books you may want to peruse before your trip to Portugal. I always find my travel experience deeply enriched by reading stories set in my destination, especially if the author is a native. Like many European countries, much of Portugal’s history is mired in fascism, persecution, and war. As I try to relax on vacation, I have excluded some books from this list that seemed especially emotionally heavy. I also have not included many non-fiction books. However, if you prefer non-fiction, here is a list curated by Rick Steves that you may enjoy.

Night Train to Lisbon
By Mercier, Pascal
The Guilt Trip: A Novel
By Jones, Sandie
The Elephant's Journey
By Saramago, José
The Night in Lisbon: A Novel
By Remarque, Erich Maria Maria
The City and the Mountains (New Directions Books)
By de Eça de Queirós, José Maria
The Maias
By de Eça de Queirós, José Maria