Portugal vacations

Portugal Vacations

Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east. Portugal vacations are popular thanks to the diverse mix of traditional villages, vibrant cities, countryside strewn with historical treasures, and a coastline of virtually one continuous beach. When planning your Portugal vacation you may choose to visit the country's lively capital, Lisbon, and its northern sibling, Porto, both with picturesque neighbourhoods, broad plazas and old-fashioned trams still rattling through the streets. Outside the cities, Portugal vacations can be enjoyed exploring the country's old-fashioned charm, with medieval castles and picture-perfect villages scattered over meandering coastlines and flower-covered hillsides.

With an excellent range of activities, a great climate and a huge diversity of landscapes, a family vacation in Portugal is a popular choice. The diversity of the landscape creates a fabulous and varied adventure playground to be explored during an action packed family vacation in Portugal. You and your kids may find yourself learning how to surf the Atlantic waves, abseiling and climbing the cliffs of ‘Pego das Pias’ lagoon, canoeing to the harbour, or cycling along the river banks.

The country's wild dune-covered beaches, protected coves and sandy islands alternatively allow you to escape the action and relax on your honeymoon in Portugal. There are a wonderful range of vacations available to suit your honeymoon in Portugal, with accommodation options from luxurious hotels to romantic mountain yurts, and activity options from swimming with the dolphins to exploring historic castles and palaces to just relaxing on the beach while tasting freshly caught seafood and the finest of Portuguese wines. From a family vacation in Portugal to a honeymoon in Portugal, it is certainly a destination which offers something for everyone.

Algarve vacations in Portugal

With its year round sunshine, long, sandy beaches and picturesque rocky coves, the southern coast of the Algarve is the most visited region in the country. In the west, you will find postcard images of the province – a series of tiny bays and broken coves. In the east lies the less developed sandy offshore islets which front the coastline for some 25 miles. There are a wonderful range of Algarve vacations including cycling, walking, surfing Algarve vacations as well as a huge number of Algarve accommodation options including self catering cottages, farmhouses and Algarve apartments.

Portugal Walking Vacations

Portugal has traditionally been a nation of great explorers so whether you like mountains, valleys or coastal walking, Portugal walking vacations have something for everyone. Walking vacations in Portugal may be guided or self-guided and usually run from 5-8 days. Northern Portugal's mountainous national parks offer vast Portugal hiking opportunities where you get to experience lush terraced valleys, tropical orchids and the vivid array of exotic flora. Alternatively you may find yourself following the country's coastline, absorbing the varying geology of the coastal scenery, seascapes and wild life. There are Portugal hikes that enable you to stay in centuries-old vineyards before passing through castle towns and medieval quarters. Portugal walking vacations are a truly personal way of experiencing the country's timeless landscapes at it's very best.

Cycling in Portugal

A cycling vacation in Portugal sends you off the beaten track to engage you with your surroundings, giving you the sense of freedom and achievement from really discovering the region. There is a wonderful range of guided or self-guided Portugal cycling tours available at all different levels. Many of the less difficult routes travel through environments suitable for walking vacations in Portugal. Here, you may find yourself cycling in Portugal passed brightly coloured fields of fig trees, orange groves, almond trees and cork oaks, stopping at typically Portuguese villages, natural mineral springs, and ancient castles. Alternatively you may decide to head towards the southern coastline with towering cliffs and vast stretches of pristine beaches. Most of these Portugal cycling routes uses quiet country roads and good tracks, leaving the main roads to when there is no other option.

If you are feeling a little more adventurous, there are Portugal cycling tours that take trails of higher levels of difficulty such as mountain biking between the coast and the interior of the country. Here you may find yourself cycling in Portugal up to 50km a day through the mountains which separate the Alentejo from the Algarve: all with superb views. Essentially rural and sparsely populated, it offers a landscape that is uncommonly well preserved. Whichever type of Portugal cycling vacation you choose to take, you will find there is no better way to explore the remote corners of the country than to go cycling in Portugal.

Want to know more about Portugal before going on vacation?

Find out more about Portugal by reading these Portugal articles.

With a wealth of practical and background information, this Portugal travel guide is the essential companion for your vacation. Reading up on the places you visit will help you get a little more out of Portugal vacations and help you understand local sensitivities better. With useful information to help you prepare for your Portugal vacation take a look at this Portugal travel information.