So why visit Portugal? The simple answer is, Portugal has it all, including beautiful beaches to sun yourself on, championship golf courses, history and culture, an amazing interior to explore, an array of land and water activities and a great club scene. The Portuguese people have a deep respect for their heritage and traditions, hence the many festivals that are held throughout the country all through the year. These festivals and fiestas are a great way for you to experience the local culture, traditions and cuisine.

Algarve golf course

Portugal is well known for its great choice of golf courses with a number of courses designed by the 3-times British Open champion Sir Henry Cotton who lived in the Algarve. Most courses are found in the Algarve but there are good golf courses all over Portugal including the Lisbon area.

Mainland Portugal and its islands offer more than 500 miles of coastline making it a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts. Windsurfing, surfing and sailing are extremely popular with the more experienced surfers heading to the Lisbon Coast. Away from the sea Portugal’s rivers are becoming more and more popular with kayakers and canoeists. Read more »

The Portuguese island group of the Azores command an amazing Atlantic Ocean location 930 miles from Lisbon. The unspoilt islands attract mainly outdoor activity enthusiasts looking for isolated holidays in beautiful volcanic surroundings with verdant green farmland, amazing lakes and beautiful wild flowers. Most holidays to the Azores are taken on the islands of Pico, Faial, Sao Jorge, Terceira and Graciosa; however the lesser known islands of Santa Maria, Sao Miguel, Flores and the tiny island of Corvo are becoming more popular.

The islands offer a very slow pace of life in a romantic atmosphere, tiny hamlets full of character, quaint old towns, intriguing churches and amazing festivals. As you wander through the beautiful farmland you will come across isolated farmhouses, fruit orchards and vineyards. Read more »

Located 7.5 miles from the border between Portugal and Spain, the garrison town of Elvas in Portugal has been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Built as a response to the Spanish stronghold of Badajoz, this hilltop town was one of Portugal’s mightiest frontier posts for many years.

Elvas in Portugal

The town was originally re-captured from the Moors in 1230, withstanding a multitude of attacks from Spain during the following 3 centuries. During the war of Independence between Portugal and Spain from 1640-1668 the town was defeated by the Spanish but was later relieved by the Portuguese. In more recent years the town was used by the Duke of Wellington as his headquarters in his siege of the Spanish town of Badajoz. Read more »

Alentejo, meaning ‘Beyond the Tagus’ or ‘Across the Tagus’, is a region in south-central Portugal. Separated from the rest of Portugal by the Tagus River, the Alentjo is the largest region in Portugal, stretching southward where it borders the Algarve. The area is ideal for outdoor holidays and people who just want to explore the beautiful countryside that Portugal has to offer.

Walkers, hikers and cyclists can wander along the quiet roads and paths that are little-used and offer a tranquil break from the more visited areas of Portugal. Then there are the olive groves, cork and oak forests where you can take in the fragrant smells of the citrus trees and marvel

Porto Covo

at the fields of beautiful sunflowers. Read more »

Located on the south west coast of Portugal, Lagos is one of the oldest towns in the Algarve. Just 10 miles from Portimao and 50 miles from Faro, the town is a historic seaport, thriving market town and attractive beach resort. The town itself is a fishing harbour set in a beautiful bay and surrounded by crumbling walls. Holiday packages to Lagos give visitors the chance to enjoy the real Portugal in a vibrant atmosphere together with charm and sophistication. The old pedestrianised old town is a maze of narrow cobbled streets with whitewashed houses, attractive squares, beautiful architecture, cultural and historical attractions including museums and churches.

Lagos

Lagos has a wide range of beaches ranging from small secluded cove to the vast expanses of the amazing Meia Praia. The main Meia Praia beach, to the east of Lagos, is a magnificent stretch of sand and shingle which can be reached by ferry or bus. There are many beaches found on the promontory to the south of the town. This coast offers a mix of tiny coves, caves, grottos and strange rock formations. Read more »

Located just 15 miles from Oporto in Northern Portugal, Povoa de Varzim is a major seaside resort on the Costa Verde (Green Coast). Originally a major fishing town in the area, the resort has become a delightful cosmopolitan summer retreat but still with reminders of the

Povoa de Varzim

towns origins. The town boasts historic churches, museums and a beautiful harbour which is protected by an 18th century fort and is where the local fishing boats land their catch of sardines, hake, sea bream and seaweed which is dried and then sold as fertilizer. Povoa de Varzim is an attractive, sophisticated town with traditional black and white mosaic pavements, beautiful gardens and a town hall where a monument to the town’s most famous resident, the 19th century novelist Eca de Queiros, stands. Read more »

Located on Portugal’s Algarve, just 25 miles from Faro airport, the popular beach resort of Albufeira attracts a wide range of visitors. The beautiful beaches and lively nightlife brings both the young and old, and families with children flocking to the resort on their bargain holidays

Albufeira

to Portugal. The resort has plenty of restaurants serving a choice of traditional Portuguese and International cuisine, cafes and bars. Try some traditional fish and seafood dishes at the restaurants around the Fisherman’s beach for a taste of the real Portugal. Along the seafront, towards Praia da Oura there is no-end of lively music bars which stay open until the clubs and discos open at night. Read more »

Faro is a lively provincial capital which is often overlooked by visitors when visiting Portugal’s Algarve.  Just 5 minutes from Faro airport, this historic town offers a taste of real Portugal in an exciting lively atmosphere. Thanks to dry hot summers and mild winters Faro is a popular choice for holidays throughout the year, including holidays in December when temperatures are still around the 20C mark. Visitors to Portugal

Faro

on their bargain holidays often miss out on this fascinating town by rushing off to the beach resorts of the Algarve.

Faro has an array of restored buildings of varying architectural styles which are surrounded by crumbling medieval walls. The historic old town, the Cidade Velha, has charming cobbled streets with white-washed buildings, a town square lined with orange trees and surrounded by elegant buildings including the Read more »

The old port and fishing village of Alvor sits at the mouth of the River Alvor in western Algarve. Just 5 miles from Portimao, 12 miles from Lagos and about 40 miles from Faro, Alvor is popular with families and couples looking for a quiet resort with uncrowded beaches. The resort

Alvor

is slightly less developed than other resorts on the Algarve, mixing the old with the new. The narrow cobbled streets are lined with the original traditional fisherman’s cottages which are a focal point of the town. Alvor has much to offer everyone on their cheap holidays to Portugal, including a vast sandy beach, a fishing harbour, riverside square, waterfront promenade, the ruins of a 13th century castle and a 16th century church. Read more »

Located on the island of Madeira’s south-east coast, Funchal is a unique historic town. Set in a deep natural harbour with an amazing backdrop of mountains and vibrant green hills, Funchal revels in some of the best weather on the island. The town is steeped in history which dates back over 500 years which is shown in the steep cobbled streets which date back to the 16th century, exquisite colonial buildings and the elegant

Funchal

squares. Now a vibrant, bustling town, Funchal is home to nearly two-thirds of the islands inhabitants who share the areas natural beauty, exotic tropical vegetation and beautiful gardens with the people who choose one of the many cheap package holidays to this amazing island of Madeira. The town’s hotels offer a high standard of accommodation along with small quintas (country houses) and guest houses. Read more »