Portugal, One Of The Best Destinations In Europe

Country on the south-western Europe. Located on the west part of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal occupies an area of 92,152 km2. It is bordered by Spain on the east and north and by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and south.The Portuguese territory is divided in three parts: the mainland, the autonomous region of Madeira and Azores which have their own administration.

The mainland is divided into 18 administrative district : Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Bragança, Braga, Porto, Aveiro, Viseu, Guarda, Coimbra, Castelo Branco, Leiria, Santarém, Portalegre, Lisbon, Setúbal, Évora, Beja and Faro; the districts are divided into municipalities (311), which are subdivided into civil parishes.

The autonomous region of Azores is an archipelago of 9 islands, divided in three groups: the western, the central and the eastern. The islands of Flores and Corvo are part of the western group, the islands of S. Jorge, Terceira, Faial and Pico are part of the central group and the islands of S. Miguel and Santa Maria are part of eastern group. The autonomous region of Madeira is an archipelago formed by the island of Madeira and Porto Santo.

The capital of Portugal is Lisbon. Other cities of more importance are Porto, Coimbra, Setúbal, Aveiro, Braga and Faro. The Portuguese terrain has several different forms. On the north of the Tejo river, it is very rough, with mountains, except the coast plain, and with an average height above 400 meters. These mountains are crossed by valleys and rivers.

On the south part of the Tejo river the terrain is formed by rolling plains, with low altitude, where the plains prevail. The highest mountains are located on the north of the Tejo river, and the most importants are Serra da Estrela (1991 m), Serra do Gerês (1508 m), Serra do Marão (1416 m), Serra do Montemuro (1381 m) and Serra do Caramulo (1075 m). On the south of the Tejo river, the most important mountains are Serra de São Mamede (1025 m), Serra do Monchique (902 m) and Serra do Caldeirão (577 m).

The rest of the Portuguese terrain is the coastline, which can be divided in three big set of plains: the Beira Litoral Plain formed by the alluvial plains of Vouga and Mondego, the Algarve Plain and the alluvial Plain of Tejo and Sado. The archipelagos of Azores and Madeira have theirs origins on volcanic activities and theirs terrains are very rough.

The coastline of Azores has a lot of cliffs and inside the islands the terrain is very mountainous. The highest mountain in Portugal is located inside the Pico island and it has 2351 meters. One characteristic of Madeira is that it has high mountains on the central part of the island.

The most important rivers are, from north to south of the mainland, the Minho, the Douro, the Tejo and the Guadiana all they rising in Spain and flowing to the Atlantic Ocean. Among the rivers whose course is Portuguese only, we have the Cávado, the Vouga, the Mondego, the Sado end Mira.

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Four Seasons in Portugal

With a climate dictated on two sides by Spain and on the other two by the warm North Atlantic region, Portugal is a destination blessed with enviable weather practically year-round. With over three hundred days of sunshine annually, planning walking holidays in Portugal is simply a matter of where, not when! Depending on the region, weather can be as varied as the wonderfully diverse terrain you will encounter in Portugal. In the mountainous north and the central region winters are far chillier than in the coastal Algarve, but each region, and each season, has its own special highlights.

Spring

Spring is an ideal season to explore Portugal. The days are warm and sunny but there are far less tourists around than in the peak of summer. The landscape comes alive with an abundance of wildflowers which carpet the hills and verges and, as the season continues, the vibrant hues slowly transform into the more muted palette of summer. This mild yet sunny time of the year is arguably the most picturesque season for walking holidays in Portugal. Alentejo in the south central region of Portugal is a wonderful place to visit in spring. The vast tracts of rural farmlands are studded with olive groves and splashed with fields of sunflowers, and the temperatures are ideal for long rambling walks, exploring the hill towns and vineyards for which the region is famous.

Summer

Obviously the peak season for holiday-makers, summer in Portugal is an extremely busy time! Portugal has over 800 kilometres of coastline and the beaches, renowned for their pristine sandy stretches, come alive during the hotter months. The better known beaches in the Algarve area become packed solid, but without too much effort it is still possible to escape and discover your own secluded cove. If the hotter climate feels a little exhausting for a full-on walking holiday, Portugal has many accessible historical sites which you can visit for a day excursion to get your fill of a fascinating culture.

Autumn

As temperatures fall and the slow burn of summer slips into autumn, Portugal seems to exhale a warm sigh and again take on a quieter, softer edge. Like spring, the climate is wonderfully mild; still warm enough to enjoy sunbathing and water sports, but cool enough to be able to do some serious hiking. During autumn, the north of Portugal can receive quite a bit of rain, but on the sunny southern coast it remains mostly fine, with only a few wet days a month. The highlight of an autumnal visit is the opportunity to combine some fantastic bird watching with your walking holiday. Portugal is home to many spectacular species of birds of prey which are a magnificent sight as they move down the coast along with other colourful migrating communities.

Winter

Even in winter, the spectacular Algarve region is popular with the Euro-tourist in search of some much-needed winter sun. As much of Europe puts its head down and settles in for the big freeze, the sun is still shining in Portugal! A warm current and temperate breeze ensures that, even though the evenings are cool, blue skies and plenty of sunshine during the day makes for a wonderful holiday respite. With cooler temperatures, some walking aficionados say that in fact, winter is the best time for a walking holiday in Portugal.

Travel To Portugal

Looking for the perfect sun holiday? Try a sun holiday in Portugal.

Portugal is a European country situated on the Iberian Peninsula in the southwest corner of Europe. The west and south of Portugal are cornered by the Atlantic Ocean, giving it some of the most dramatic coastline in Europe.

Portugal borders only one country, Spain, which makes up the rest of the Iberian Peninsula.

With a coastline running over 500 miles Portugal is bursting with scenic sandy coves and rocky cliffs with a dramatic inland landscape.

Portugal is a very pleasant country to visit - especially for any person in love with seafood. All along the coast are amazing restaurants dedicated to cooking fresh fish. Most restaurants are reasonable priced with generous portions. When you are having food in Portugal don’t forget to sample the excellent local wine. While Portugal is noted for Port, excellent wines are home grown in regions north of Porto and Lisbon.

If you are in some of the more popular tourist spots it’s wise to make a reservation. It’s also standard practice in Portugal to add a 5 - 10 percent tip for waiters who are poorly paid.

English is widely spoken throughout Portugal and the locals are extremely friendly. A large selection of English-written newspapers can be bought in most of the larger newsagents.

Portugal is a country rich in arts and history. The architecture of Portugal differs from region to region. The Romans were the first to leave behind their enhanced structural design. Muslim invaders from North Africa during the eight-century have also enriched the architecture in southern Portugal. Portugal is littered with incredible Churches, temples and old buildings. Some old buildings are restored and turned into great hotels.

Hotels in Portugal are plentiful in tourist areas and cities, but in the countryside they can be rare. If you are travelling through the Portuguese countryside plan your journey well in advance.

Sporting holidays can be had at any time of year. While the Portuguese are mainly into football, most marina sports can be sought along the entire coastline. If you are looking for a golfing holiday Portugal should be top of the list. Most of the best golf courses in Portugal are found in the Algarve region, which has a reputation as one of Europe’s top golfing destinations.

The Algarve region of Portugal, situated in the south of the country, is the perfect spot to visit at any time of year. Its climate stays warm all year round and the scenic coastline offers a large variety of marine activity.

Fishing is a valuable way of life for many in Portugal. Each year during the month of August a massive seafood festival is hosted by one of the ports in the Algarve.

If you are looking for a really special place to visit - try some of the Islands along the Portuguese coast. The Azores lie 800 miles west of Portugal in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Known for the peaceful way of life, the Azores volcanic history has left a truly magical landscape. With easy access from mainland Portugal, the Azores are well worth a visit.

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