For such a small country; traversable in a day, Portugal has unusually wide-reaching influences. Its landscape reflects, in patches the countries it has founded; lush vegetation nodding towards Brazil, and the more barren patches comparing shrubs with areas of coastal Africa.
Despite this Empirical history, Portugal is now rated as the 7th most peaceful country in the world. You can wind your way round ruined castles, sweep past the velvety undulations of world-class golf courses or grab your swimming gear and dash across scorching sand to the Azure Algarve, where cannon-torn men-of-wars may once have harboured.
When to go:
Between July and August temperatures can get very warm; up to 40 degrees C. Autumn through winter is generally wet, but not too cold with lowest temperatures found in the mountainous regions. Late spring/early autumn are ideal times to visit, when the temperatures are milder.
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A cosmopolitan city with the heart of an ancient trading hub perched on the water. Nightlife, art and architecture have transformed Lisbon into a sophisticated city by the sea.
Go for: Hostels, Churches & Abbeys, Unusual Places to Stay, Literary Locations
5 experiences:
Casino Royale = Estoril Casino, Tower of Belém, Living Lounge, Lisbon Lounge Hostel, Traveller’s House.
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Go for: Islands
2 experiences:
Madeira.
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'The city of Oporto, built along the hillsides overlooking the mouth of the Douro river, is an outstanding urban landscape with a 2,000-year history. Its continuous growth, linked to the sea (the Romans gave it the name Portus, or port), can be seen...
Go for: River Trips, Seaside Towns
2 experiences:
Oporto, The Douro River.
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Go for: Historic Cities &Towns, Churches & Abbeys
3 experiences:
Se de Braga, Guimarães.
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Walking along the oceanside at Barra, you'll end up coming to a tall lighthouse, actually the tallest lighthouse in the Iberian Peninsula built during 1885 to 1893.'
Go for: Monuments & Landmarks
1 experiences:
Barra Lighthouse.
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This is a proper celebrity cult spa, and for a good reason – their seriously strict detox programmes kick-start your metabolism, clean out your...
Go for: Spas and Spa Resorts
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Based in Wales, Gower Surfing is a 4 star British Surfing Association Surf School. Each year it packs up and heads to Portugal in fall and in spring...
Go for: Surfing, Activity Courses
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From the towering surf-pounded cliffs of Cabo da Rocha near Lisbon to the lovely tranquil coves of the Algarve, the southern coast of Portugal has...
Go for: Coastlines
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Ericeira was just a fishing village before surfers realised how fantastic the waves here are. Now it's known as one of the best spots to surf in...
Go for: Surfing
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'This museum-city, whose roots go back to Roman times, reached its golden age in the 15th century, when it became the residence of the Portuguese...
Go for: Historic Cities &Towns
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Lisbon
More »
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