Regions of Portugal
A country with lovely beach resorts, magnificent scenic landscapes, scattered with medieval towns and historic castles and palaces.
Being one of the oldest nations in Europe, Portugal is largely undiscovered but freely available to anyone looking for someplace different. It is a country of outstanding natural beauty, scattered with medieval towns and historic castles and palaces. The warm, welcoming people, the temperature climate, the landscape, the culture and the food all exude this appealing trait.
The climate in Portugal is simultaneously Atlantic and Mediterranean. Portugal's strength as a holiday destination is its diversity; a place with mountains, vast arid plains, sub-tropical volcanic islands, lush green meadows and 528 miles of sandy beaches.
The different regions of Portugal vary enormously. From the unspoilt regions of Northern Portugal to the beach resorts of the Algarve, holidaymakers have a wide choice and various delightful places to visit. Choose your destination from the following major tourist regions: Minho , Oporto & Douro Valley, Beiras, Lisbon & Tagus Valley, Alentejo and Algarve.
But, above all, it is the behaviour of the Portuguese people themselves that makes the biggest impression on the visitor, particularly away from the cities where some local customs and traditions have been preserved for centuries and religion and folklore go hand in hand.
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Minho Region
The enchanting beauty of its landscape is truly astonishing - vineyards, sandy beaches, tranquil riverside towns, busy markets, beaches and Europe's great wilderness - Peneda-Geres National Park.
Portugal's most fertile region lies between the Spanish province of Galicia to the north and the Douro Valley to the south. Occupying the country's north western corner, the lush green Minho region is often described as Costa Verde (Green Coast), a reference to the lush green and well watered landscape. It is an area of great natural beauty with acres of green forests, many rivers, profilic vineyards (grapes are grown everywhere) and historic towns. A beautiful mix of sweeping bays and beaches, some anonymous and deserted, others well known such as Ofir, Moledo and Esposende. Crystal clear rivers and lagoons, perfect for swimming, can also be found in the Minho area. Minho's landscape has an artistic diversity (Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline and Baroque) well displayed in the many chapels, churches and monasteries in the valleys of Minho, Lima, Cavado and Ave rivers. Bordered by Spain is Portugal's only official national park, the Peneda-Geres.
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Porto & the Douro Valley
Porto is the gracious capital of the north that provided a nation with a name is Portugal's second largest city and a thriving industrial hub, successfully blending commercial efficiency with an atmosphere of unpretentious charm. With its splendid geographical location on the mouth of the river Douro, which spills into the Atlantic ocean after its scenic 927 kms. journey from Spain, the 'granite city' is famous for its striking bridges and the celebrated Port wine, which is stored and savoured by wine lovers all over the world.
The terraced hillside centuries-old vineyards make the Douro Valley the kingdom of wine. Tras-os-Montes, literally "across the mountains", is a remote wilderness of rugged moorland and charming stone villages.
The journey through Port wine country is one of the most pleasant travel experiences in Southern Europe, passing by many of the famous vineyards along the way, towards Spain. Portugal's northeasternmost region, Tras-os-Montes, is a lightly populated region with its terraced orchards and vineyards creates an oasis in the otherwise severe landscape
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Centre / Beiras Region
A region of extreme contrasts, gleaming lagoons, colourful fishing villages, exotic forests and defensive castles.
Stretching from the Spanish frontier to the sea, the Beiras region of central Portugal provides a natural link between the cool, green meadows of the north and the hot, dry fields of the south.
Famous for its rice paddies spread across irrigated lowlands, the Beiras region is set at the centre of Portugal's Atlantic coast, with miles of sandy beaches and enchanting villages full of culture and history.
Click to see the holiday property in the Centre / Beiras region of Portugal.
Lisbon & Tagus Valley
Lisbon is a vibrant city with culture, admirable architecture, cafes and modern amenities. It is situated about seven miles inland, on the shore of the broad estuary of the Tagus river. Above the Rossio, the old square at the heart of the business area, the Convento do Carmo stands in ruins, giving testimony to that dreadful day. A majestic royal palace built in the XVIII century and furnished in the rococo style, attracts many visitors to the commuter town of Queluz.
Bordered by an endless ribbon of sand, the Tagus Valley is an area of extreme natural beauty with many attractions such as the famous monasteries at Alcobaca, Batalha and Tomar, all classified by UNESCO as world heritage sites. Estoril and Cascais are the most significant coastal resorts outside the Algarve.
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Alentejo
To the south of Portugal, beyond the River Tagus, there stretches a vast, undulating and seemingly never-ending plain: the Alentejo. Integrated on the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, protected natural area of Southwest Alentejo and Vicentina Coast, the beaches of this county continue to be the most known and appreciated places to visit by holiday-makers.
From Malhão beach, further up north, to Zambujeira do Mar, along the coastline small creeks are slashed and protected by hillocks and slopes of intense colours. If some of them are frequently visited, especially the ones near Vila Nova de Milfontes or near Zambujeira - at least during July and August - others, to which nature has made the access difficult, remain real paradises.
Click to see the holiday property in the Alentejo region of Portugal.
Algarve
The whole area around Carvoeiro is blessed with a beautiful coastline and some intimate sandy coves and cosy bays, enclosed by high cliffs. Freshly caught fish is a speciality at Carvoeiro's many restaurants, which serve both Portuguese and International cuisine.
The old village of Vilamoura has roots that go back to Roman times and beyond. Nowadays, it is one of the most exclusive beach resorts ever carried out in Portugal and one of the largest privately developed in Europe. It is made up of self-contained villages, set amongst pine trees and beautifully landscaped gardens. The resort boasts a total of 4 golf courses including The Old Course, one of the best in the country, enjoying an excellent international reputation.
Click to see the holiday property in Algarve.