Welcome to Portugal
An Introduction to Portugal
Madeira Sunset - Jefras
Portugal can be said to be a country standing at the crossroads of the world. From the Portuguese coast, the first Europeans set sail for central Africa, India, America and the Caribbean.
It has been assimilated into both Moorish and Roman empires, before creating and losing a global empire of its own. It has been almost destroyed by earthquakes and transformed through revolutions, and the remnants of this rich history can be found in towns and cities throughout the country.
Many of the tourists who travel to Portugal, come to enjoy the sunshine and the good food and wines that the country is well known for. Those who choose to explore Portugal in more depth, discover a country that becomes evermore beautiful and complex. With this website we aim to combine an in-depth guide to the culture, history and regions of Portugal, with the facilities to book hotels and plan holidays throughout the country.
Holidays in Portugal
Accessible, Birdwatching, Fishing, Golf, Horse Riding, Sailing, Scuba Diving, Walking
With good weather all year round, plenty of countryside and a coastline that faces both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Portugal makes an excellent environment for outdoor holidays. Here are some suggestions for activities that tourists can enjoy in Portugal.
Cycling in Portugal
Bicycle Holidays
Visitors to Portugal who wish to explore a number of different regions will find that bicycle holidays can be an excellent way of doing so. Whilst the creation of new highways across Portugal allows for rapid travel by car between cities, so much of the real beauty of this country is found in the small towns and countryside villages that can only be accessed through winding country roads and paths more suited to bikes.
A selection of organised bicycle holidays are available, ranging from one day tours of the capital and historical centres such as Sintra and Evora, to longer holidays lasting two weeks which take in large parts of the country such as the Alentejo and the Algarve.....(More)
Accessible Portugal
Accessible Holidays
For those with reduced mobility who want to explore Portugal, "Accessible Portugal" is a tourism company set up to offer innovative and quality tourism catering for people with physical or sensory disabilities, or in wheelchairs and their families and friends.
Based in Lisbon, they offer everything from 14 day holidays exploring Portugal and Spain, to half-day tours of Lisbon, Sintra, Fatima and Estoril. Accessible Portugal is also happy to arrange taylor made holidays for different destinations and private tours for Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, German and Italian speakers......(More)
European Bee Eater - Marek Szczepanek
Birdwatching Holidays
Portugal acts a bridge for migrating birds between Africa and northern Europe and so twice-yearly, vast numbers of raptors, storks and smaller landbirds cross the Strait of Gibraltar, many being carried across southern Portugal by the prevailing winds. We´ve occasionally found some of these birds in our garden, such as a Heron who had obviously been blown off course.
During the months of spring and autumn many bird watchers flock to the Algarve and Alentejo to capture glimpses of other rare migrants......(More)
Big Game Fishing in Portugal
Fishing Holidays
For freshwater angling enthusiasts the rivers and resevoirs of Portugal contain some dream catches – big Carp weighing over 32kg, Catfish coming in over 15kg and Barbel far larger than anything you could find in the UK. Portugal contains some of the cleanest trout rivers in Europe and some of the hardest fighting Loudmouth-Bass around, for those who like a real challenge.
Sportsfishing enthusiasts keen to venture out into the Atlantic to reel in something even bigger and wilder won´t be dissapointed......(More)
Praia d'El Rey Golf Course - José Manuel
Golf Holidays
Over recent years golf has become an increasingly popular game in Portugal, and there now exists a large number of quality golf courses across the country. Portugals fine weather and vast stretches of countryside has made it an ideal country for the development of the game.
With average daytime temperatures of 16C in the winter and 28C in the summer, Portugal's mild climate is especially suited to golfing. While the Algarve has garnered most of the fame and crowds, the Lisbon area has quietly increased the number and quality of its golf courses......(More)
Horse Riding - Joaquim Lobo
Horse Riding Holidays
A strong equestrian culture has existed in Portugal for centuries. Today, the most common place to see exhibitions of high levels of horsemanship is in the bullring. Although there has been a decline in bullfighting attendance in Portugal, it stills draws crowds to see the riding skills of the Cavaleiros (horse men).
The large areas of undeveloped countryside in Portugal provides many excellent areas for riding tours. This provides an ideal way to see some of the most attractive regions of the country.....(More)
Sailing into the Sunset - Jefras
Sailing Holidays
Given Portugal´s history of naval exploration, it is only natural that its coastline should be one of the finest places to enjoy a sailing holiday. With Portugal´s western coast facing the Atlantic and the south coast providing an entrance into the Mediterranean, there is a range of sailing opportunities on offer.
The year round mild climate of the Algarve coast makes it the most popular region of Portugal for people seeking sun and sand. Along the coastline are several major marinas, including Lagos, Portimão, Vilamoura and Albufeira......(More)
Scuba Diving
Scuba Diving Holidays
Portugal offers a variety of scuba diving experiences, from training in 5 star diving centres, to exploring the marine life found in the waters of the Atlantic islands of the Azores.
The indoor diving centres located in the Algarve provide training from beginner to expert diving-instructor levels and there are some notable wrecks and reefs off the coast. For the brave, there is also the cave systems in the rough waters off the coast of Sagres......(More)
Surfing in Peniche - João Barbosa
Surfing Holidays
Drive along just about any part of coastline within Portugal, and you are soon sure to find surfers and windsurfers riding the Atlantic waves that crash onto the beaches. Ask a dozen different surfers about their favourite surf spots and you are likely to hear the names of a dozen different waves.
The appropriately named Supertubos (Supertubes) beach off the coast of Peniche is regularly sited as the best in Portugal, its powerful barelling waves attracting surfers from all over Europe.....(More)
Treking - Paulo Magalhães
Walking Holidays
The typical promotion of Portugal tends to emphasise sandy beaches and Atlantic coastlines, and with some good reason. However, anyone who takes the time to enjoy a walk through the countryside of Portugal will probably return with a genuine love of the country.
For although Portugal is quite a small country, it contains incredibly varied environments each offering unique features.....(More)
Hotels in Portugal
Hotels & Pousadas in all Regions of Portugal
Enter Portugal works in partnership with Hotel Club and Opodo, two of the largest and most respected online hotel reservation services. This allows us to provide a wide range of accommodation in Portugal, from discount hotels to stately pousadas, all of which can be booked online with full security.
We are constantly adding new accomodations to these pages, and we aim to provide the largest database of available hotels and pousadas in Portugal. Many of these hotels and pousadas offer specially reduced rates for internet bookings.
All Orders Are Processed On A 100% Secure Server.