- On the merits of Portuguese resorts
- About beaches
- Note to the traveler
- About Madeira
- About sights
Portugal is like the end of the earth. It seems to be Europe, but it is always listed in some backyards, and therefore there are not so many tourists here as on the coast in neighboring Spain or on the Italian ruins. However, the relative scarcity of the local ocean beaches plays into the hands of those who are tired of the crowd, and summer vacations in Portugal are chosen by adherents of unity with nature and fans of the rebellious spirit of the Atlantic waves. The latter, however, are quite tamed by those who perfectly own a surfboard and their own body.
On the merits of Portuguese resorts
Connoisseurs do not have to describe the reasons why the lucky ones pack their suitcases to the very edge of the Old World every year:
- The climate in Portugal is warm, but quite moderate, and even at the height of the beach season, you won't have to suffer from the sweltering heat here, thanks to the winds from the ocean and not too far jumping mercury thermometers.
- Compared to other European countries, Portugal looks ideal for fans of outdoor activities. Surfing, water skiing, sea tuna fishing and photo hunting for picturesque landscapes, waves, lighthouses and other ocean paraphernalia flourish here.
About beaches
You can sunbathe on the beaches of Portugal almost all along the coast of the country. The Algarve province is home to the most famous beaches of the Portuguese Riviera, which stretches for one and a half hundred kilometers from Lagos to Monte Gordo.
In the Algarve, lovers of serene relaxation on the soft sand and adherents of relaxation on the picturesque rocky ocean shores will find a beach to their liking. Active tourists will enjoy the variety of local entertainment. Algarve resorts offer horse riding and tennis courts, ideal golf courses and rental of diving and water sports equipment.
Albufeira, surrounded by orange groves and pine forests, is popular with young people and tourists who cannot stand the heat. The season starts here at the end of May, but even during the summer peak, thermometers rarely cross the + 27 ° C mark. But the water warms up to a comfortable + 23 ° C, making summer holidays in Portugal on the beaches of Albufeira comfortable and pleasant.
The variety of vacation spots in Lagos attracts a lot of tourists to the beaches of the resort. Even nudists feel at ease here, because secluded rocky bays allow you to retire and hide from prying eyes, despite the popularity of Lagos.
Fishing is thriving in Quarteira and local restaurants are famous throughout Portugal. Their menu is based on dishes from freshly caught seafood, and wealthy guests buy tours and trips to the luxury hotels of the resort.
The Alvor resort will appeal to nature lovers. Its beach stretches along the Ria de Alvor lagoon, which is part of a national reserve. Dozens of bird species are protected here, and you can watch the birds right from the sun lounger on the ocean beach.
Note to the traveler
- When renting a car, do not forget about parking costs. If in the resorts it is mainly free, then during a tour to the capital or Porto you will have to buy a parking space.
- The prettiest way to see Portuguese nature and take a sightseeing tour between Peso da Regua and Vila Real or Tua and Mirandela is to buy a train ticket. These settlements are connected by narrow-gauge railways and the trip can be a real adventure.
- Praia da Rocha beach in Portimão resort is one of the most comfortable and well equipped on the Portuguese Riviera. Wooden paths are laid on the sand for the convenience of vacationers, and changing cabins and fresh showers will give a separate pleasure to the most fastidious visitors.
About Madeira
Nature and clean air are the main advantages of a summer vacation in Portugal on the island of Madeira. It is located significantly south of the mainland, but it never gets hotter there. A characteristic feature of the island's climate is the almost equal thermometers in water and air. Such unanimity seems comfortable to those who are not used to sudden temperature changes.
Funchal is not a beach resort in the usual sense, but it is possible to find a place for sunbathing and swimming here on the beaches to the west of the city. There are four of them, they have both pebbles and sand as a coating, and their undoubted dignity is the Blue Flag certificates awarded for cleanliness and special environmental friendliness.
About sights
Going on a summer vacation to Portugal, fans of this country will certainly develop excursion routes. A huge number of architectural attractions, museums with world-class expositions and just pretty squares, parks, palaces and mansions in the country are more than enough.
When choosing what to visit in the city on your own, do not forget about the wine cellars, because for hundreds of years Portugal has been preparing the most famous alcoholic drinks, whose glory has crossed the seas and continents. Wine tours are popular with gourmets, during which guests stay at the castles, participate in the harvest and taste authentic Portuguese wines.
A sightseeing tour of Lisbon will also bring a lot of vivid impressions to the curious traveler. The castle of St. George has been preserved in the capital since the times of the Roman Empire, and panoramic photos from the Vasco da Gama bridge can decorate any family album and even a travel guide to Portugal.
