Praia do Guincho (Guincho Beach) is regarded as one of the best places to surf and windsurf in Portugal. Located northwest of Lisbon, 5kms from Cascais, conditions here are excellent for surfers, windsurfers, kiteboarders and bodyboarders. There are more than 20 surf schools and several surfcamps in the area. The white sandy beach of Praia do Guincho is part of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and has a magnificent backdrop of the Serra de Sintra Hills. The Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is one of the 13 natural parks in Portugal. Protected since 1981, although it has only been one of Portugals natural parks since 1994, it includes the Serra de Sintra mountain range.

There are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area, the restaurants specialising in fish and seafood cusine.

The pre-title sequences of the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service were filmed here in the surf at Guincho Beach.

July and August are the best months to visit however, the winds start to blow here from May right through to October. Water temperatures average 13-19C, 17-19C in the summer months.

The north side of the beach has the best conditions for windsurfers and the south of the beach has the best conditions for surfers.

This is a beautiful beach, not only for watersports but also one of the best places in Portugal to watch magnificent sunsets. You can also walk a long way out to sea and you will still only be waistdeep.

If you enjoy watersports there are no end of travel deals available to Portugal for you to enjoy.

For cheap package holidays, there are always great offers available throughout the internet.

Portugal has some of the finest breeds of horses in the world. Portuguese horses are very beautiful and are also highly functional.

There are 3 prominent breeds of horses from Portugal.

Lusitano

LUSITANO (also known as Iberian)

Originally bred in the Iberian Peninsula this breed has a very courageous nature. It was originally bred for the military and in latter days for bull fighting and dressage.
Most are grey, although some of solid colour are found.
The characteristics of the Lusitano are concave head, arched neck and round in shape.

Sorraia

SORRAIA

This breed also originates from the Iberian Peninsula and has very primitive features. Hence in the past it was used by farmers as it had the ability to withstand harsh conditions.

GARRANO

Believed to be related to the Galician Pony and the Andalusian, this breed is able to cross steep, harsh terrain.

Why not treat yourself to a day at one of the many riding schools on offer

Garrano

 when you book one of the many bargain holidays to Portugal available throughout the internet. A must for all horse riding enthusiasts.

Because the Algarve has very little rain and more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, it is the ideal location for golfers.

The International Association of Golf Tour Operators voted the Algarve as the best golfing destination.

Vilamoura

The Algarve has more than 30 top class golf courses, including courses designed by Henry Cotton, Arnold Palmer and Rocky Roquemore, and is visited by golfers from all over the world. San Lorenzo and the Old Course in Vilamoura are ranked among the best in Europe.

Faro is home to 10 of the top 100 courses ranked by the renowned Golf World magazine.

There are Acadamies at the David Leadbetter in Carvoeiro and at the Grotter, at the Alto Golfe in Portimao and at the Vila Sol at Vilamoura, all of which can help you improve your swing!

Course Locations

Central Algarve – Balaia, Faldo, Laguna, Laranjal, Millenium, Ocean,  O’Connor, Oceanico Academy, Old Course, Pine Cliffs, Pinhal, Pinheiros Altos, Quinta do Lago North, Quinta do Lago South, Royal, Salgados, San Lorenzo, Victoria, Vila Sol.

Western Algarve – Alamos, Alto Golf, Boavista, Gramacho, Morgado, Palmares, Parque de Floresta, Penina Championship, Penina Academy, Penina Resort, Pinta, Silves Golf, Vale do Milho.

Eastern Algarve – Benamor, Castra Marim, Colina Verde, Monte Rei, Quinta da Ria, Qunita de Cima, Quinta do Vale. 

On your golfing holiday to Portugal you can also enjoy the beautiful beaches, watersports, nightlife, casinos, restaurants, bars and shops.

You can book direct holidays to all of the Algarve’s golfing destinations

Algarve Beach

 through the internet, you just have to experience this wonderful country of Portugal yourself.

With much, much more than just golf on offer here watch out for the great holiday deals that are around at the moment and book that holiday of a lifetime.

For more information on Portugal and to view my latest articles please visit my Portugal Blog.

If you are looking for a bit of adventure on your holidays then Portugal has plenty to offer.

Parque Nacional da Peneda-Geres

In the north there is the Parque Nacional da Peneda-Geres, offering mountain biking and hiking through the granite massifs where you will pass ancient villages that seem to have stood still in time. Red kites, eagles and goshawks will soar above you until you are ready for a bit of relaxation at one of the many river pools or an invigorating  dip at the Arado or Homem waterfalls.

In the middle of Portugal you will find the Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela which is dominated by alpine-like mountains, icy lakes and rough meadows. This area is ideal for the more experienced hiker and even for a spot of

Linhares da Beira

skiing. Linhares da  Beira, a serra village complete with a medieval castle and ancient buildings, offers mountain paragliding and the Caramulo mountains offer mountain biking, rock climbing, canoeing and horse riding.

The Levada trails on the island of Madeira take you through the ancient rainforests in the north of the island, where you can explore wonderful waterfalls and secluded valleys hidden in the mountainous landscape.

From the Azores you can take part in whale-watching, either from the land or from boat. Sperm whales and pilot whales are common here, with dolphins often coming close enough for you to touch.

Top 10 Adventures

Rafting in the Paiva or Tamega rivers in Porto e Norte.

Para-gliding in Linhares da Beira.

Climbing the mountains of the Serra da Estrela.

Climb the Pico volcano on Pico Island in the Azores.

Faial Island

Whale and dolphin watch in the Atlantic near Faial Island in the Azores.

Diving off the Azores and discover blue marlin and tuna.

Scuba diving in Berlengas or Sesimbra.

Mountain biking in the Serra da Arrabida.

Trekking the Levada trail on Madeira.

Hiking in Pico do Areeiro on Madeira.