Portugal is seeing a big increase in travellers looking for an alternative destination for their holidays due to the political unrest in Egypt which is now in it’s third week.

Algarve Beach

Although Portugal is one of the smallest countries in Europe, it still has a great deal to offer holidaymakers. Accommodation varies from great family orientated hotels on the Algarve to converted farmhouses in beautiful countryside of the north.

Most tourists head to the Algarve which has hundreds of sandy beaches and sheltered coves along it’s long coastline which are just perfect for sunbathing and swimming. In the north of the country is the Costa Verde or Green Coast where you can while your days away among the rolling hills and vineyards or just  lay back and enjoy sunbathing at the beautiful sandy beach. This part of Portugal is less touristy and cheaper than the Algarve so why not take advantage of the many bargain holidays that are on offer.

Lisbon

Millions of people holiday in Portugal each year which means that there are always lots of holiday packages around to experience not only the beaches but also the country’s history and culture in cities like Lisbon and Oporto.

easyJet, Europe’s leading low fares airline, has announced the opening of a new aircraft base in Portugal. With 15 existing routes from Portugal already, easyjet will be able to connect to up to 10 new European destinations at low-rates from it’s new base at Lisbon Airport. The airline has been operating in Portugal since 1999, currently flying from Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Funchal.
The new base will open during the 2011 winter season with a capacity of up to seven Airbus 319 aircraft and is expected to create up to 2,000 direct and indirect jobs. The aircraft will promote Portugal across easyjet’s network of more than 500 routes between 123 airports in 29 countries.
The base at Lisbon Airport will be easyJets 20th base in Europe and will enable the developement of new routes and improved service to customers. easyJet currently carries more than 3.4 million passengers a year to Portugal and expects to carry an additional 1 million passengers to and from Lisbon each year.

easyJet  offers flights on more of Europe’s top 100 routes than any other airline, covering twenty eight different countries and more than 500 routes. The airline was founded in 1995 by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and now employs more than 60,000 people, including 1,800 pilots and 3,300 cabin crew and has more than 182 aircraft in 28 countries. 

Direct holidays to Portugal, you just have to experience this beautiful country yourself.

There are many holiday websites offering great holiday deals, including flights, to Portugal.

One of the main pre-requisites for lots of holidaymakers for a holiday in Portugal is a nice beach to relax on.  It’s lucky then that Portugal has so many good beaches on offer along its 600miles of coast, making it ideal for both Summer holidays and Winter Sun.  In fact 18 of Portugal’s beaches are designated blue flag beaches and therefore ideal for families.

Praia de Falesia

Algarve :

One of the most well known beaches in this area is the 6km long Praia de Falesia (also known as ‘beach town’).  Located between the popular tourist resorts of Albufeira and Vilamoura, the beach is a haven for sunlovers and is set in a peaceful setting along Portugal’s South coast.  Other popular beaches in the Algarve area center around popular tourist spots such as Praia da Gale in Albufeira, Meia Praia in Lagos – particularly popular with families as it is sheltered by a large bay, Praia de Alvor near Praia da Rocha / Portimao – a blue flag beach popular for watersports, and the Praia de Garrao close to the luxury holiday resorts of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo. 

Alentejo

Alentejo (South Portugal):

Stretching from the Algarve to the Sado Estuary this unspoilt coast has many small beautiful beaches to choose from.  With many situated in coves along the coast here a car may be a necessity to reach them.  Vila Nova de Milfontes is an exception in that you can get to it by bus from Lisbon.  Other pleasant beaches to visit include Gale, Melides, Santo Andre, Porto Covo,  Almograve and Zambujeira do Mar.

Lisbon/Sintra Coast:
The popular holiday area of Lisbon is served mainly by a large sandy beach

Sintra Coast

 called the Costa da Caparica which is very busy and popular during the peak Summer months in Portugal.  It is popular for sunbathing, drink/food at one of the many cafes and bars lining the coast here and also surfing - the strong currents and effects of the Atlantic Ocean here lend themselves to waves of all sizes.  Other beaches to visit along this coastal region include Sesimbra beach and Portinho da Arrabida beach – a beautiful and relatively quiet beach popular with scuba divers.

Costa Prata / Central Portugal:
Nazare is probably one of the most well known beaches in this area, with hoards of tourists flocking there every year with many hotels and apartments to choose from.  A lively and popular resort and beach, it can suffer from overcrowding in the height of Summer.  One of portugal’s

Nazare

 largest beaches (3km) also sits in this area of coast, in the town of Figueira da Foz. Nicknamed ‘Queen of Beaches’ it is a white sand beach lined with cafes, with parts of it awarded blue flag status.

Costa Verde / North Portugal:
With Summer waters usually calm and ideal for swimming Praia de Miramar is becoming more popular with tourists.  Already popular with locals, the beach here is also visited by surfers in the Winter season.  Further North along the coats, Praia do Cabedelo in Viana do Castelo, is the main beach for this lively and popular holiday

Praia de Miramar

resort, with numerous sand dunes and safe waters for swimming plus it’s a popular spot for watersports such as windsurfing.

If you are looking for summer or winter bargain holidays to Portugal, there are plenty of offers throughout the internet.

Watch out for the last minute holidays which offer great savings for the whole family.

For those of you considering a holiday to Portugal, have you considered staying on the Lisbon Coast?

There is so much to do and see along the Lisbon Coast, why not take advantage of one of the many holiday packages to Portugal that are available throughout the internet. Before booking why not have a look at a great destination guide for Portugal that i have just come across.

Sintra is the main town on the coast of Lisbon, full of character and with plenty of attractions on offer. An ideal way to view the town is by horse and carriage ride so that you can view the wonderful old manor houses and other delightful buildings at a leisurely pace.

Sintra beach is a long stretch of clean golden sand set against a backdrop of lush forests and mountains. There is a 100 year old tram which runs from the centre of Sintra to some of the other beautiful beaches.

The nightlife here is mainly centred around dining out but there are also a few discos and bars.

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.