The quiet beach resort of Ofir is located about 22 miles from Oporto on Portugal’s Costa Verde (Green Coast). The Costa Verde lies in the north-west of Portugal where vineyards producing famous Portuguese wines including Vinho Verde and Rose, rivers and beautiful green countryside add to the areas unspoilt charm. Not only does the region have some excellent countryside to explore, it also offers a magnificent coastline with sweeping bays where visitors can relax on their last minute holidays to Portugal.

Ofir, Costa Verde

Ofir is one of the best beach resorts on the Costa Verde, offering good hotels, a beautiful beach and wonderful scenery. The resort is surrounded by pine forests and the beach is edged with sand dunes. The long wide sandy beach is lapped by the Atlantic and the warm waters are very popular with windsurfers. Other water sports on offer in Ofir include snorkelling, surfing, sea kayaking, sailing and fishing. There are so many secluded bays and coves along the coastline which are perfect for relaxing in the sun that you will be spoilt for choice. A boat trip is an excellent way to see the dramatic Costa Verde coastline.

Although Ofir has some restaurants and bars there is a wider choice at Fao which is just a couple of miles inland from the resort. Dating back to Roman times, Fao sits at the mouth of the River Cavado and is a great place for fishing and canoeing. Nearby on the river bank is the old fishing town of Esposende where you can take a leisurely stroll and discover the quaint town squares and historic old buildings.

Costa Verde coastline

The best way to explore the Costa Verde is by car. The amazing scenery is both tranquil and beautiful with charming hillside villages, castles and churches just waiting to be explored. Another way to explore the surrounding countryside is by taking a guided tour on bicycle or horse back. A trip to the volcanic Arcuentu Mountain, where wild cats and deer roam, will give you amazing views from its summit and great photographic opportunities. Take a 30 minute drive from Ofir to Portugal’s second largest city Oporto for a day trip not to be missed on your family holidays to Ofir. Famous for being the home of Port Wine, Oporto is a historical city with great sightseeing and shopping opportunities, restaurants, bars and plenty of nightlife along the city’s

Arcuentu Mountain

riverfront. The gothic Church of St Francis and the Palacio da Bolsa are just two of Oprto’s historic buildings worthy of a visit. An opportunity not to be missed is a guided tour of Oporto’s wine cellars, including wine tasting sessions in the cellars.

Ofir enjoys hot summers but not as hot as the south of Portugal. Temperatures average about 25C during the summer with low humidity levels which make very pleasant weather conditions. June, July and August have 10 hours of sunshine a day with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean hovering around 9C. Even summer evenings enjoy temperatures of 15C, ideal for dining at in the restaurants and having a drink or two at the bars. Most of the rain falls during the spring, autumn and winter months when temperatures hover around 15C.

The city of Oporto is built on steep hills which surround the mouth of the River Douro on the west coast of Portugal. Steeped in history Oporto is an ideal all year round holiday destination for visitors looking for more than just sunshine and beaches. Oporto has an amazing mix of neighbourhoods, although most Oporto holidays focus on the riverside Ribeira quarter which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Oporto

The historic city of Oporto offers a vast array of architecture, a 12th century cathedral, old churches, the Maria Pia Bridge which was built by Eiffel (of the Eiffel Tower Paris fame) and once the longest arch bridge in the world, medieval alleys leading off steep cobbled streets, an old riverside quarter, waterside bars and cafes, shops, parks and gardens. When it comes to relaxing Oporto has plenty of traditional tavernas and restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine, fish and seafood dishes along with some local vinho verde. Enjoy some shopping in the city’s traditional stores and covered market or take in some culture including art, furniture and ceramic museums, theatres and galleries whilst on your holiday travel deals to Oporto.

Climb the Baroque Torre dos Clerigos for amazing panoramic views of the old city and a photographic opportunity not to be missed. Visitors climb 240 steps to the top of this iconic landmark! A holiday in Oporto is not complete without a walk across the

Torre dos Clerigos

two-tiered Dom Luis Bridge to the suburb of Vila Nova de Gaia where you will find the famous port wine lodges on one bank and the Ribeira on the other. Here at the port lodges you can sample ports from the three sub-zones of the Douro Valley, the world’s first demarcated wine region. You will also be able to buy from famous cellars such as Sandeman and Taylor’s who produce the fortified wine (port) named after the famous city of Oporto.

Families will love exploring the maze of narrow lanes which are lined with brightly coloured houses with white and blue tiled facades and balconies decked in flowers. There are lots of interesting excursions available on your bargain holidays to Oporto, including those to seaside towns, small fishing villages, small towns and villages where you can explore old monasteries, churches, castles, forts and bridges. A great day out for all the family is a cruise along the River Douro which runs through the picturesque Douro Valley with a stunning backdrop of terraced vineyards and quaint towns. Guimares is a World Heritage Site where you see some fine medieval, Gothic, Roman and Baroque architecture.

A holiday to Portugal wouldn’t be complete without a day or two on the beach. The most popular beach resorts close to Oporto are the Atlantic resorts of Foz, Vila Cha, Povoa de Varzim, Santo Tirso and Cabadelo to the north and Esmoriz, Espinho (a long golden beach with a casino) and Cortegaca (excellent for surfing) to the south.

Cais da Ribeira

Nightlife centres mainly on the old riverside area of Cais da Ribeira, the student bars of Cordoaria and also the more trendy bars, clubs, Art Deco cafes and smart restaurants.

Oporto enjoys long hot summers with almost unbroken sunshine between June and September. Spring and Autumn are warm with plenty of sunshine and an ideal time for cruising on the River Douro and exploring the many historical sites Oporto has to offer.

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.