If you want a beach escape within striking distance of Lisbon, Costa da Caparica is the destination for you. There are literally dozens of beaches on a long strip of white sandy coast stretching out to Cabo Espichel 30 kilometres to the south. If you want to party, sunbathe in peace, surf the beach breaks, …
In Portugal’s Centro region, Peniche is a beach destination with many feathers in its cap. First, the raging sea and the lie of the land make this surf central. The best of many supreme beaches is Praia dos Supertubos, which has a tubular wave fit for big time international events. Peniche has also been a …
The town of Santa Maria da Feira is a short way in from the coast, half an hour south of Porto. A landmark that makes an immediate impact is the castle, in immaculate condition and preserving 500 years of Portuguese medieval history. Every summer this is the scene of one of Europe’s largest medieval festivals, …
Between Vilamoura and Faro, Quarteira was one of the first holiday resorts to be developed on the Algarve. A tiny fishing village was replaced by hulking tower blocks and modern hotel buildings in the 70s and 80s. These aren’t to everyone’s taste, but as far as laid-back holidays go you could not ask for more …
Oliveira de Azeméis is a manufacturing town half an hour south of Porto and 20 minutes from the coast. This understated place hits the headlines every May for the Mercado à Moda Antiga, a traditional market and fair that takes over the centre for two days. The local sight you’ll remember long after you’ve gone …
In Northern Portugal’s Sousa Valley is an understated rural town that doesn’t appear in many tourist guides. But that’s not to say there’s nothing to do, as Felgueiras is on two regional trails. The Vinho Verde Route passes through, stopping at an estate where you can amble through the vineyard and get absorbing snippets about …
This town in Portugal’s Centro Region is rather low-key, except for one blockbuster monument: The spellbinding Monastery of Alcobaça. In 2007 this World Heritage Gothic complex was declared one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. The monument is the final resting place for the 14th-century King Pedro I and his star-crossed lover, Inês de Castro, …
One of the Algarve’s top getaways, Albufeira has wild nightlife, an inexhaustible choice of activities and many world-beating beaches. A whopping 25 beaches fly the Blue Flag here, which is more than any other municipality in Europe. Safe to say, much of your time will be whiled away on golden sand, with ochre cliffs, azure …
On the Costa Alentejana Sines is an old fishing town best known in Portugal as the birthplace of the explorer Vasco da Gama. His statue stands proudly beside the walls of the castle in which he grew up, and the museum inside recounts the life of this national hero. Now, Sines is making waves as …
A venerable town on a hill near the coast, Loulé has a quaint old centre, weird and wonderful folk celebrations and a choice of monuments like churches and a castle. It’s all in stark contrast to the tourism infrastructure on the coast, which is like nothing you can find anywhere in the Algarve. Vilamoura is …