Portugal Vacations, Portugal Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide
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Portugal Vacation Guide
Tacked on the side of the sunny shores of Spain, Portugal is all too often excluded from a pan-European itinerary. While it might not fall into the ‘tourist free’ category anymore (plenty of Portuguese beaches are just as rammed with sunbathers as their Spanish counterparts), the sheer range of exciting destinations makes its ‘afterthought’ status a little shocking.
Major cities Lisbon and Porto are both magical places to stroll round, home to castle ramparts and old-world alleyways, river views and clattering trams streaming down cobbled streets. At times it feels like there’s a new surprise round every corner, and a break for the traditional custard tarts or the potent taste of aged port comes only when legs grow weary. Lisbon’s revitalized Bairro Alto district is the place to go for a true taste of Portuguese nightlife, with jazz and electronica infusing the air until the sun comes up, and every corner of the winding, narrow streets home to another exuberant nightspot or café.
Back on the beaches, you’ll find a summer of relentless sun, best enjoyed at the buzzing surf spot of Lagos (not an African capital!) or the beautiful, verdant island of Ilha de Tavira, the stand outs amongst swathes of sandy but sometimes generic holiday spots.
Inland, there’s plenty of living history to explore, like the extensive open-air Stone Age art to be seen at Vila Nova de Foz Coa, or the historical era mish mash you can hunt down at outstanding Evora, chock full of elaborate architecture. The Roman ruins at Coimbra and expansive old castles at Castelo de Vide are exceptional experiences, too, as are the cork farms, home to Portugal’s most eminent export.
Pastel washes and alluring little side streets are Portugal’s trade mark, and digging into a freshly grilled sardine sandwich while you explore the flowery corners and simple street art has many visitors falling head over heals for the country’s sun-bleached delights. To top it all off, unlike large parts of Europe, Portugal won’t break the bank.
Major cities Lisbon and Porto are both magical places to stroll round, home to castle ramparts and old-world alleyways, river views and clattering trams streaming down cobbled streets. At times it feels like there’s a new surprise round every corner, and a break for the traditional custard tarts or the potent taste of aged port comes only when legs grow weary. Lisbon’s revitalized Bairro Alto district is the place to go for a true taste of Portuguese nightlife, with jazz and electronica infusing the air until the sun comes up, and every corner of the winding, narrow streets home to another exuberant nightspot or café.
Back on the beaches, you’ll find a summer of relentless sun, best enjoyed at the buzzing surf spot of Lagos (not an African capital!) or the beautiful, verdant island of Ilha de Tavira, the stand outs amongst swathes of sandy but sometimes generic holiday spots.
Inland, there’s plenty of living history to explore, like the extensive open-air Stone Age art to be seen at Vila Nova de Foz Coa, or the historical era mish mash you can hunt down at outstanding Evora, chock full of elaborate architecture. The Roman ruins at Coimbra and expansive old castles at Castelo de Vide are exceptional experiences, too, as are the cork farms, home to Portugal’s most eminent export.
Pastel washes and alluring little side streets are Portugal’s trade mark, and digging into a freshly grilled sardine sandwich while you explore the flowery corners and simple street art has many visitors falling head over heals for the country’s sun-bleached delights. To top it all off, unlike large parts of Europe, Portugal won’t break the bank.