The beautiful country of Portugal forms the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe. It shares the Iberian Peninsula with its only neighbour – Spain. Albeit its small size, Portugal has had a gigantean influence on the world throughout history. Within 92,000 square kilometres, landscapes and cultures differ dramatically from region to region. In the North, the terrain is green and dominated by forests, rivers, rolling hills and lush valleys. The centre has a more rustic and mountainous feel, with stone villages hugging hillsides, medieval frontier towns and lagoons. The South opens into prairies, cork forests, olive groves and fortified towns perched on hillocks. The golden beaches of the Algarve is a popular destination for family holidays. Portugal's diverse topography offer something for everyone. From the historic cities of Braga, Évora, Porto and Coimbra to the vibrant capital of Lisbon. Let MADABOUTPORUGAL.COM be your definitive guide to the perfect getaway. Explore the most exciting holiday destinations that will exceed your imagination.
Regional Map of Portugal
The North of Portugal feels and looks different than other parts of this beautiful country. North of the Douro river, the culture becomes more attuned to Galicia than Lusitania. It's in the North where Portugal's beginnings lay with an abundance of attractions worth visiting. The pristine beaches of the Costa Verde remain somewhat unexplored by foreign tourists. In the Minho, the landscape is greener and summers are temperate. Peneda-Gerês is Portugal's sole national park and home to pre-historic monuments and unique protected wildlife.
To the east is the Trás-os-Montes region. It feels somewhat untamed and waiting to be discovered. Ancient dialects and cultures here flourish. The Douro region has been shaped by centuries of winemaking. Narrow terraces have been carved into the valley sides whilst the mighty Douro river below runs its course to to the Atlantic. The main city of the area is Porto. It has a world heritage centre and enjoys a proud history spanning millennia. Everywhere in Northern Portugal you will encounter friendly locals, great food and wine, and no shortage of things to fill your holiday time. [ More About ► ]
Porto is in the process of being discovered by international visitors. It is an ideal base to explore North Portugal and an exciting short city break. Those who enjoy Port and Portuguese wines, the city is well known. Porto's vibrant Ribeira district by the quayside has gained UNESCO World Heritage status, preserving the city's medieval character.
The central region of Portugal is its beating heart and encompasses contrasting landscapes. Fine golden beaches, quaint fishing villages and lagoon systems are found on the Costa Prata. In places, the Atlantic crashes into the coastline with such force it produces Europe's largest waves. Inland the townships retain medieval castles from the days of the Reconquista. In the East, where the region borders Portugal's old adversary, younger castles date from conflicts with Spain. In the middle sits the mighty Serra da Estrela, Portugal's highest peak. Hillside villages precariously cling to the mountain slopes and whose stone houses morph seamlessly into the landscape. The former capital of Coimbra proudly preserves its ancient university and customs. [ More About ► ]
Castelo Rodrigo
| Praça do Comércio - Lisbon
As with Rome, Lisbon is spread over seven steep hills containing a network of medieval cobbled streets that are still traversed by rickety old trams and funiculars. Beautiful wide open squares are home to statues commemorating former glories. It is where people come to while away the time in the cafés which line their peripheries, sampling a Pastel de Nata, the famous local sweet custard tart.
What Lisbon lacks in size is compensated with charm, beauty, friendliness, temperate weather and offers something for everyone. It only takes a few days to do Lisbon justice. It is even better to make the capital a hub for a week or two's holiday, taking day trips and excursions to the surrounding area. Along with our sister website MADABOUTLISBON.COM we will guide you there and introduce you to the best places to see and top things to do.
The Algarves liveliest resort
Europe's best surfing hotspot
Ancient town in the heart of the Alentejo
The exciting capital of Madeira
A beautiful medieval town and birthplace of Portugal
A beautiful historic town on the Western Algarve
The stunning preserved medieval town once a wedding gift for a Queen
The most westerly point in mainland Europe with breathtaking scenery
An incredibly beautiful island in the Azores
The tallest mountain on Portugal's mainland
A must-see fairytale town close to Lisbon
The head quarters of the Templar Knights in Portugal
North of Lisbon and close to the Atlantic is the fairytale town of Sintra, (formerly "Cintra"). It's beautiful setting amongst the forests of the Serra de Sintra and moderate climate have been a draw for royals, poets, romantics and visitors alike for centuries. Lord Byron once described Sintra as a "glorious Eden". Sintra has more palaces, fine houses, castles and other places of interest to shake a proverbial stick at. There is an aura of playfulness here with a touch of the absurd, eccentricity and kitsch, enough to make architectural puritans shudder‚ yet easy to fall in love with. In 1996 Sintra's uniqueness was recognised by UNESCO and was added to its list of heritage sites.
Millennia of occupation in the town, and the surrounding area, has left an abundance of monuments and attractions to visit. Most of which are within easy reach using local public transport. Each year visitors flock to Sintra to visit the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace, the Quinta da Regaleira, Palácio de Seteais and Palácio de Monserrate. There are a plethora of guided and private tours to choose from for a more informative and unique experience. Well signed hiking routes criss-cross the region over beautiful landscapes allowing visitors to walk in the footsteps of the ancients. Along with our sister website MADABOUTSINTRA.COM we will guide you there and introduce you to the best places to see and top things to do.
Sintra's old town centre (Vila Velha)
Alentejan Golden Plain
Travelling into the Alentejo is like entering a forgotten realm and one of Europe's treasures. The Alentejo is sparsely populated. Fortified medieval hilltowns, whitewashed villages and baroque cities are separated by a land filled with cork-oak forests, olive groves, fields of sunflowers and patches of broccoli-shaped pines and vineyards. An Arabic legacy is strong here after centuries of Moorish rule. There are also remnants of Roman occupancy and an abundance of megalithic monuments. In the centre of the region is the beautiful museum city of Évora with its famed roman temple and gothic cathedral. Close by are the beautiful marble towns of Borba, Estremoz and Vila Viçosa. South of Évora vast open plains form the Baixo Alentejo where you'll find the historic towns of Serpa, Moura and Mértola, with Beja as its capital.
The beaches of the 100 km long Alentejo Coast are as beautiful as those in the Algarve but unspoiled and waiting for your discovery. In the North East of the region, the hills of the Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede rise up with the lively town of Portalegre below. Surmounting the peaks of the National Park are the medieval fortress towns of Marvão and Castelo de Vide. [ More About ► ]
Algarve is Portugal's most visited region for tourists. Fine golden beaches and picturesque rocky coves have been a firm favourite of families for decades. The central resorts of Albufeira and Armaçao de Pêra are popular with revellers who enjoy an abundance of amenities. Whereas to the far west and east of the Algarve things become quieter and more laid back, such as the resorts of Lagos and Tavira. The are still many small villages that have maintained authentic local culture and customs for those seeking to experience the real Algarve. History has left its mark here and towns such as Silves with its Moorish castle make a great day out away from the beach. Much of the coastline in the Algarve is a protected habitat for rare animals and flora and offers up amazing views. Inland Algarve is somewhat undeveloped, primarily around Alcoutim near Spain and there are other scattered attractions in the Roman ruins of Estói and the market town of Loulé.
Praia do Carvoeiro - Algarve
Funchal – Madeira
The island of Madeira is a land of contrasting landscapes. Funchal, the capital, enjoys a cosmopolitan sophistication surrounded by lush ancient forests. The variation of flowers and vegetation is astonishing. Madeira's favourable growing conditions are utilised to the utmost in the fine gardens and parks here. Towering majestically over this Eden landscape are barren volcanic peaks and Levadas (small canals) carry water downhill to Madeira's deepest valleys.
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Located in the North Atlantic the nine islands which make up the Azores archipelago have volcanic origins. Stretching 600 kilometres (370 mi) from Santa Maria to Corvo, the islands vary in age and form three distinctive groups. Each island has its own geological identity. The fossils found on Santa Maria, the lakes of São Miguel, the caves of Terceira, the calderas of Graciosa, the fajãs of São Jorge, the Mountain of Pico, the Capelinhos Volcano of Faial, the waterfalls of Flores, the Caldeirão of Corvo are all awaiting your discovery. Vast areas of the Azores have protected parkland and home to rare species of fauna and flora. For those looking for a natural adventure and to experience stunning landscapes, The Azores is the place to visit.
Corvo - Azores
| Algarve Beach
Between June and September, the whole of Portugal enjoys unbroken sunshine, the only daytime variation across the country is a degree or two from 30ºC. July and August are the busiest months for resorts and Portugal's best-known attractions. It is also the time of year to avoid the mid-day heat in open spaces as found in the Alentejo. In the mountainous region found in Central Portugal, the mercury in the thermometer is a little lower however hiking is more comfortable in Spring or Autumn.
Portugal does experience a fairly high level of rainfall from November to
March especially in the lush north of the country. In southern regions, especially in the coastal areas, the weather feels mild all year round. If you are planning to do a lot of walking and visiting attractions the best time of year is probably Spring, when flowers are in bloom, and Autumn, when crowds are less frequent. For beach holidays June to Mid-Summer is the best time to visit. Sea temperatures are the highest they'll ever be and all amenities will be open. Certain hotels, restaurants, campsites and water parks are only open during the summer season. In the central highlands and in the Trás os Montes temperatures can fall below zero during the winter. As expected hotel and restaurant prices vary throughout the year according to demand. It is perhaps a good time to enjoy a city break to Porto, Coimbra or Lisbon to take advantage of the dramatic reduction in hotel prices and have the place to yourself.
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