Portugal: Top 7 resorts in the country

What you should know about resorts in Portugal

• Each beach in Portugal has its own vacation destination. Yes, some can be wild, while others are filled with hundreds of tourists. On some you can quietly relax face to face with nature, but there are also some that are considered quite noisy.
• Portugal can be called one of the most ecological countries around the world. This feature makes vacation on the sea of Portugal the best.
• The climate of Portugal is Mediterranean, with warm summers and mild winters. The best time for a vacation is from May to October. The peak season is July-August, when prices are the highest. For an economical vacation is better to choose May-June or September-October.
• Choosing Portugal for vacation, many tourists are reminded that in this country should not make the main focus on beach vacation. The fact is that the Atlantic coast of Portugal washes the cold ocean current, because of which the water temperature on many beaches is slightly lower than what those travelers are used to, who rest in the Mediterranean Sea.
• The sun's rays warm Portugal even in the off-season: in December we can count on a temperature of 12-18 degrees Celsius, depending on the part of the country. The south is the warmest region, with the Algarve offering sunbathing all year round. Although the nights are cooler here, it is still an interesting alternative to cooler countries.

Algarve

Surrounded by beautiful beaches, pine and orange trees, the resort is like a magnet attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world.

The Algarve is located in the far east of Europe. The southern province of Portugal with a coastline of about 200 kilometers, washed by the waters of the Atlantic from the south and west, protected by mountains in the north and borders with Spain in the east. Exceptional climate, spacious sandy shores, beaches with warm clear waters make the Algarve one of the most popular beach vacation destinations. The climate here is very mild — even in the height of summer there is no exhausting heat, so in most cases there is no need to replace the therapeutic ocean breeze with air-conditioned air, and the resort is famous for its long beach season.

Lisbon Riviera

The Lisbon Riviera is the poetic name given to the resorts located along the coastline from Cabo da Roca — the westernmost point of the European continent — to the mouth of the Tagus River. This area abounds in numerous resort towns and well-kept villages offering excellent hotels, comfortable beaches, a wide selection of bars and restaurants, and outstanding opportunities for active recreation. The region is considered an ideal destination for combining a full-fledged beach holiday with visits to cultural attractions.

The resort area not only offers visitors some of the longest sandy beaches but also provides excellent conditions for active sports. Local restaurants and cafés delight guests with masterpieces of Portuguese cuisine: fish and seafood dishes, exquisite wines, and delicious fruits. The resort’s nightlife is equally diverse, featuring discos, bars, and clubs. This region is chosen both by lively young travelers and by families with children.

Madeira

Madeira is a beautiful island of colors, the pearl of the Atlantic, an amazing green oasis in the middle of the ocean.

This island, born of volcanoes, is 1000 kilometers away from continental Portugal, known for the paradisiacal beauty of nature, mild climate and friendly population. The region offers excellent opportunities for sports: tennis, paragliding, rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding. There is also a unique tradition preserved here — sledding on the asphalt road.

Elderly people often come here, as there is no heat. And couples in love love love this resort for its silence and solitude.

Porto Santo Island

Porto Santo is a small island located 50 km from Madeira, which we have mentioned earlier. The island’s main attraction is its magnificent 9-kilometer sandy beach with unique fine, silky sand known for its therapeutic properties. With its gentle slope into the ocean and crystal-clear waters, this beach is an ideal destination for families with children.

Porto Santo is also renowned for its thalassotherapy center. In addition to cosmetic treatments, the center offers preventive and therapeutic programs for musculoskeletal disorders.

Fans of active recreation will also find plenty to enjoy here. The island offers numerous opportunities for diving, water skiing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. Moreover, in the central part of the island, there are several mountain peaks that attract hang-gliders and paragliders.

Azores

The Azores are a magical archipelago of nine volcanic islands located in the Atlantic Ocean, attracting visitors with their unique natural landscapes, rich flora and fauna, and remarkable attractions.

The archipelago consists of three groups: the Eastern Group — São Miguel, Santa Maria, and the islets collectively known as the “Formigas”; the Central Group — Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Terceira, and Graciosa; and the Northwestern Group — Flores and Corvo.

The region’s greatest treasures are its incomparable nature, excellent environmental quality, and natural products. It was precisely for the careful preservation of its pristine environment that the Azores received an EU award in 1995. The destination offers sightseeing tours, whale and dolphin watching, geological excursions, swimming in natural pools formed by solidified lava, and much more.

Cascais

Cascais is considered one of the most fashionable resorts in Portugal. The white beaches of this resort (Serei, Morena, etc.) have a long length of more than 30 km. Along them grows a lot of eucalyptus and pine trees, which makes the local air very healthy.

In local cafes and restaurants they prepare amazing dishes, causing admiration even among gourmets, and lovers of active recreation it is recommended here to go surfing, because on the shore are excellent waves. Also in Cascais you can visit nudist beaches. In general, during the vacation everyone will be able to find something to his liking.

You can book a hotel in Portugal with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

Porto

We conclude our selection with the city that tops all lists of Portugal's top tourist gems. Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, which gave its name to the country itself and to the famous Port wine.

It is better to get acquainted with the city on foot. A labyrinth of ancient streets, medieval Baroque buildings, the Cathedral, the majestic Bishop's Palace, the Clerigues Tower, the House of Music, the two-level bridge Ponti de Don Luis I — this is the real Portugal.

Porto is not often chosen for a classic beach vacation, but there are still beaches here. We especially recommend you to pay attention to the beaches of Matosinhos and Foz do Douro.