
Best Locations in Portugal
Portugal is a nation on the Iberian Peninsula that is bordered by Spain to the east and north and the Atlantic Ocean on every other side. Also part of Portugal is the Azores and Madeira archipelagos, or strings of islands. Portugal has a wide range of things to do, and a holiday there is not limited to one type of traveller.
For the beach lover, consider taking your stay in the Algarve region, home to over 200 kilometres of clean, sandy beaches. This southern part of Portugal features the cities of Faro, Lagos, Albufeira, Portimao, and Silves among others. The Algarve is the most popular destination in Portugal for the beaches, but visitors will also love the castle at Silves as well as Lagos city with its ancient inner city, complete with narrow streets and tiny shops and cafes.
The big cities have cultural and historical sites as well as bustling nightlife scenes. In Lisbon, sites such as the Cristo Rei (statue of Christ, much like that of Rio in Brazil) and the many old churches and funiculars are well-liked attractions by day while the Bairro Alto is popular at night. Porto is also a great big-city destination. Home to the famed Ribeira, Port Wine Cellars, and a very lively nightlife, Porto attracts many tourists all year-round.
Finally, for a quiet, culture-filled holiday, consider the outlying towns along the countryside. Viana do Castelo is notably a city of incredible beauty. Here, you will see the Republic Square, Basilica of Santa Luzia, the Fountain at Praca da Republica, and the Fort of Santa da Barra among many other breathtaking historical and architectural gems.
Best Locations in Portugal