SintraCity/Region: Costa do Estoril
The picturesque town of Sintra, 18 miles (29km) northwest of
Lisbon, lies at the heart of one of
Portugal's most appealing holiday regions, abounding with natural beauty, historical and cultural attractions and plenty of leisure opportunities. Sintra itself, characterized by lush greenery, bright splashes of flowers and elaborate 'wedding cake' palaces, was described as a 'glorious Eden' by classic poet
Lord Byron. No wonder it was once chosen by royalty and nobility as the place to build their summer retreats, and, in more modern
times, has been accorded the status of a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sintra is actually an amalgamation of three villages, sprawling down a steep granite hillside, so the layout is a little confusing for visitors. The huge
Palacio Nacional, with its tall, conical chimneys serves as a landmark in the center of town, and makes a good starting point for walking tours of the key attractions of this fascinating fairy-tale town, captured by Christian Crusaders from the Moors in 1147. A fun way to see the town and surrounds is aboard the historic 100-year-old Sintra Tram, which connects Estefanea to
Praia das Macas. It is open for rides for the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a couple of Euros.
CascaisCity/Region: Costa do Estoril
Once just a small picturesque fishing village, Cascais (pronounced 'Kesh-kaysh'), 19 miles (30km) west of Lisbon, has exploded into one of the most bustling, sophisticated resorts on the Portuguese Riviera. It retains its laid-back atmosphere, however, and the local fishermen still ply their trade and auction their catch on the main square. The town now hosts a plethora of elegant shops, bars and eateries set around colorful cobblestone walkways, to cater for the holidaymakers, and besides the lovely local beaches there are some sightseeing opportunities. The 16th-century church has carved and gilded woodwork and some famous paintings; the
Cascais Amunicipal Museum housed in a palace has some interesting exhibits and illuminated manuscripts; the
Sea Museum contains everything maritime from model boats to fishermen's boots; and the 16th-century Fort of Cascais offers a beautiful view and an open-air artillery museum. About two miles (3km) out of town is a strange rock formation known as the Mouth of Hell, which is worth a look en route to the lovely beach of Guincho, which is a favorite with surfers.
EstorilCity/Region: Costa do Estoril
Sixteen miles (26km) west of Lisbon is the trendy resort town of Estoril, a cosmopolitan holiday
Mecca with a promenade along three narrow coarse sandy beaches, luxury hotels, championship golf courses and some excellent restaurants. During World War II exiled royalty from all over
Europe took refuge here and whiled away their time gambling in the town's casino, which is one of the largest in Europe. The town is also known for its summer handicraft fair, and the nearby Estoril Autodrome, which draws motor racing enthusiasts.
FaroCity/Region: The Algarve
The provincial capital of the
Algarve, Faro is a modern, lively city with attractive shopping precincts, good restaurants and a frenetic nightlife. Thousands of travelers pass through the city en route to and from the resorts of the Algarve. Those who choose to linger awhile will find a town full of charm and color with an interesting history and the feel of a true Portuguese fishing port. There are some sightseeing opportunities, mostly centered in the Old Town or Cidade Velha, which is entered through an 18th century gate and enclosed by the remnants of medieval walls. Faro's most famous attraction is a macabre one at the Igreja do Carmo, which features a chapel whose walls are decorated with the bones of more than 1,200 monks disinterred from the neighboring cemetery. Another worthwhile attraction near the city is the Ria Formosa Natural Park, and a short distance to the north is the peaceful village of Estoi, boasting a pink Roccoco palace and Roman ruins dating from the 1st century. For the beach, one has to travel a few miles. A long sandy spit lies across a bridge near the International Airport.
VilamouraCity/Region: The Algarve
Vilamoura, an ambitious purpose-built resort on the central Algarve coast, is one of Europe's largest privately developed tourist havens, offering holidaymakers every form of sport, entertainment and amenity imaginable. The resort is built around a magnificent 1000-berth marina, alongside which are preserved Roman ruins that were unearthed during construction back in the 1960s. The southern border is host to a long, sandy beach, which is lined with quality hotels, self-catering apartments, numerous restaurants and shops, and a host of leisure facilities including a casino. Further inland villas nestle in lush gardens between the golf courses. Vilamoura, which means 'Village of the Moors', is designed for pure pleasure for everyone, of any age or orientation. Nature has enhanced the resort with a temperate sunny climate and beautifully landscaped surroundings. Development has been environmentally friendly and tasteful.
LagosCity/Region: The Algarve
This ancient port city is today one of the most popular holiday destinations on the Algarve, sited as it is within walking distance of some excellent beaches. Visitors to
Lagos can also take time to discover some of the town's history, which goes back to the Carthaginians several centuries BC. During the great Portuguese age of discovery under
Henry the Navigator, the port became a caravel shipyard and was the jumping-off point for many a voyage to the East. Few historic buildings remain, apart from some ruins in the old section of town, because of the devastating earthquake of 1755. Much of the central town area today consists of a sprawling flea market. Also to be seen is Customs House - within its arches Europe's first slave market was conducted in 1441. There is also the beautiful church of Igreja de Santo Antonio, restored in 1715 and decorated with fantasy-inspired carvings. The municipal museum in the town houses an interesting and varied collection from Roman artifacts to deformed animal foetuses. The most splendid beach is Meia Praia to the east of town; the southern promontory features some sheltered cove beaches; while Praia de Dona Ana is picturesque but usually very crowded in summer.
AlbufeiraCity/Region: The Algarve
A busy trading port in ancient times,
Albufeira declined into a poor fishing town in the 18th century, having been swamped by tidal waves and burnt out by civil war. But since the 1960s the tide has turned again and this central Algarve enclave is once more awash with prosperity, thanks to a tourist boom. Albufeira, Portugal's most popular resort, has been described as a stretch of 'holiday-land suburbia', spreading from the old town both east and west along the coast, its sandy coves and golden beaches drawing an assorted crowd from retired couples to wild teens, and plenty of families with young children. Satellite resort developments provide every imaginable type and grade of accommodation. Everyone finds something to enjoy in this sprawling, low-rise holiday Mecca, which retains its old world charm in narrow alleyways behind the new hip and happening "Strip". The Strip, to the east of town, runs from the
Montechoro Hotel down to the Praia da Oura, lined with dozens of cafes, restaurants and bars that keep pumping from breakfast time to the small hours. On the long stretch of beach below the central square, accessed through a tunnel, craggy fishermen mend their nets unperturbed by the languishing topless sunbathers around them. While the chief attraction of Albufeira is its 23 or so enchanting beaches, most protected by ochre-tinted cliffs, there are some interesting sightseeing possibilities too, like the new
Virtual Archaeological Museum, the Municipal Art Gallery and a small museum showcasing Ming ceramics. Those who venture inland will find a tranquil green countryside to explore, redolent with almond, fig, orange and pine trees, where little villages stand timelessly in the sun.
TaviraCity/Region: The Algarve
Tavira, to the east of Faro in the south-east corner of Portugal, is one of the most photogenic towns along the Algarve coast, sporting white-washed houses topped with decorative chimneys and pyramid shaped Roman-tiled roofs, set among orange, fig and almond trees. The charming town, on the Gilao River, dates back to around 2,000 BC, and also boasts a Moorish Castle, with some splendid views from the ramparts. Then too there are some attractive churches (37 of them to be exact), including the Church of the Misericordia with a beautiful Renaissance door and carved high altar. Not many of the buildings pre-date the devastating earthquake of 1755, which destroyed much of the Algarve, but the town was painstakingly rebuilt with many fine 18th-century buildings. Tavira flanks both banks of the river, which are linked by a Roman bridge. Along the coast and on an island opposite the town (reached by ferry) are some beautiful isolated sandy beaches.
Vila Real de Santo AntonioCity/Region: The Algarve
This unusual town, 53 miles (85km) east of Faro, is neatly designed on a geometric grid system, radiating out from the central square, the Praca Marques de Pombal, with its dramatic paved radial mosaic floor and central obelisk, edged with orange trees. The town is on the west bank of the River Guardiana, facing Ayamonte,
Spain, which is on the east bank. Back in the 17th century the original town was inundated by the sea, and was rebuilt by the Marques de Pombal, who had rebuilt Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake. The reconstruction was completed in just five months, leaving a tidy town with streets lined by elegant 18th century townhouses and a long esplanade along the riverbank where strollers can enjoy an impressive view across to neighboring Spain. A car ferry connects to Spain.
EspinhoCity/Region: Oporto
Portugal's northwestern coast is known as the
Costa Verde, and offers some scenic beaches, albeit with cold Atlantic waters which make it less popular than the southerly Algarve. The main center on this coast is the fish-canning area turned resort town of Espinho, 11 miles (18km) south of
Porto, with a long stretch of golden sandy beach, a casino, bullfight ring, a range of shops, restaurants, hotels and campsites. The town also boasts one of the oldest golf courses in the world, dating from 1890.
Vila do CondeCity/Region: Oporto
A small town at the mouth of the River Ave, 17 miles (27km) north of Porto,
Vila do Conde has become a popular summer holiday resort because of its sandy beaches and rocky reefs. The town has some entertaining local industries, mainly hand-hewn boat building, lace-making, hand-knitting and sweet making. Visitors are welcome at the Rendas lace-making school, where fine examples of the local lace can be purchased.
Sao MiguelCity/Region: The Azores
Sao
Miguel, largest in the
Azores group, is scenically spectacular with green pastures and forest-covered volcanic peaks. The island may be the largest, but it is still very small - just 40 miles (64km) long and 7.5 miles (12km) wide. Its most alluring attraction is Sete Cidades, a 15 square mile (40 sq-km) volcanic crater containing two lakes, one deep blue, and the other emerald green. The town of Ponta Delgada on the island is the largest in the archipelago, and features an historic center with pretty whitewashed houses dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. There are numerous low-key accommodation establishments and good restaurants. The island also features a tropical garden at Terra Nostra Park, where it is possible to bathe in therapeutic spring water, as well as the only tea plantation in Europe, sited at Gorreana. The island is famed for its delicious pineapples and intricate embroidery.
Santa MariaCity/Region: The Azores
The island of
Santa Maria lies southwest of Sao Miguel, and features an airport that was a World War II American Air Force base which has now been appropriated as a civil airport. The main town on the island is Vila do Porto, which has only one hotel but several inns and private villas for rent. There are a few sandy beaches on the island, which offer some good scenery and walking opportunities.
TerceiraCity/Region: The Azores
This island in the Azores holds the most interest for tourists, with the historic center of its capital town, Angra do Heroismo, having been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this despite many of its architectural treasures having been destroyed in an earthquake in 1980. The town is still picturesque and renowned for its pastel-colored sunset vistas. Terceira is known for its periodic 'running of the bulls', with a roped animal being let loose in the narrow streets of a town or village to be subdued by local youths (ask in the local bar when the next event is likely to take place). The other main town on the island, Praia da Vitoria, is interesting because of its American flavor. Being close to the American air base in Lajes, it features several burger joints and
US-style souvenir shops.
PicoCity/Region: The Azores
The island of Pico is dominated by its volcano of the same name, rearing in the middle of the landscape and towering 7,720ft (2,351m) above sea level, making it the highest peak in Portugal. A single road, following the rugged coastline, encircles the island. It is possible to climb the volcano to the peak but the climb is arduous and should not be attempted by amateurs. Pico's main claim to fame is as a jumping-off point for whale-watching expeditions, offered by local boatmen. In the island's vineyards the famous 'verdehlo' wine grapes are grown. In the town of Lajes there is a whale-hunting museum, and at
Sao Roche is a museum depicting the operation of a whaling factory.
FloresCity/Region: The Azores
The island of Flores, most northerly of the Azores group and sited somewhat remote from it's companions, is literally the island of 'flowers', carpeted with numerous wildflowers and hydrangea clusters among impossibly green hills and whitewashed villages. Main features of the island are the seven serene lakes in volcanic craters and the Enxareus Grotto, a huge volcanic cave. The main town, Lajes, is a picturesque fishing port set in green fields. All the towns and villages have their historic chapels and churches to be admired, and Flores also features watermills and windmills, and an ethnographic museum in the town of
Santa Cruz which displays objects relating to the activities of the island population: fishing, whaling and praying. Near the village of Fajazinha is the stunning Ribeira Grande waterfall with a massive 984ft (300m) drop.
GraciosaCity/Region: The Azores
Vineyards cover much of Graciosa, just like the other Azores islands, but this tiny landmass has its own unique natural attraction as well: the Furna de Enxofre. This is a small, warm sulphur lake, concealed in a grotto underneath a volcanic crater. Visitors can reach the lake via a 270ft (80m) spiral staircase enclosed in a brick tower.
Sao JorgeCity/Region: The Azores
Say 'cheese' when visiting Sao Jorge, the island surrounded by sheer, black cliffs, because this is the center of the Azores' dairy industry. The lush green grass of the island's fields plumps up the grazing cows, who in turn produce rich milk that is turned into creamy, straw-colored wheels of cheese, weighing about 22 pounds (10kg). The cheeses are cured for several months in temperature-controlled rooms, acquiring a honey-colored rind and piquant flavor. Not only is Sao Jorge renowned for its cheeses, but the island also has exclusive rights to the delicious fleshy cockles that are caught in the waters of its lake called
Caldeira de Santo Cristo.
FaialCity/Region: The Azores
This is the island of the Azores most recommended by travel agents, because of its central position in the archipelago. Its coast is indented with sheltered bays and it has an immense volcanic crater that is carpeted with greenery, providing breathtaking views. The island's main town, Horta, has a large marina that is a favored stopping point for yachtsmen, and the harbor also occasionally accommodates cruise liners. Of interest to sightseers is the new section of land, covering an area of approximately one mile (two km), added to the island in the most recent volcanic eruption of 1957.
