Portugal Properties
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Home to 800km of Atlantic coastline lined with countless beaches, Portugal is irresistible. It’s a colourful country with a huge amount of history, fabulous countryside, cosmopolitan cities and sunshine hotter than the famous piri-sauce Portugal is famed for.
Portugal is a country that has the oldest borders in Europe and has an exceptional range of varying landscapes yet is just a short flight from the UK. Plenty of leisure activities and a unique cultural heritage have tradition blending with modernity in total harmony. The superb cuisine, fine wine and extremely hospitable people make it an ideal location for a getaway.
Located at the south western tip of Europe, Portugal also includes the Madeira and Azores archipelagos out in the Atlantic. The 9 islands of the Azores are around a 2 hour flight from the mainland whilst the 2 inhabited and 2 uninhabited nature reserve islands of Madeira are around 90 minutes flight. Both are verdant jewels in the Atlantic ocean with dramatic cliffs and landscapes.
The coastline stretches from the wild Atlantic coast north of the city of Porto and the Douro river, past the western most tip of mainland Europe at Cabo de Roca to the cosmopolitan city of Lisbon. Further south is the Cabo de Sao Vicente where the coastline then turns to head eastwards along the famous Algarve with its’ beautiful sandy beaches and along to the land border with Spain.
Portugal is a country with something for everyone. From historic cities such as Porto and Coimbra to the rich cultural centre that is Lisbon, Portugal is crammed full of museums, monuments and stunning architecture.
Celts, Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Christians all left their mark on the Iberian nation. Here, visitors can gaze upon 20,000-year-old stone carvings in the Vila Nova de Foz Côa, watch the sunset over mysterious megaliths outside Évora or get lost in the elaborate corridors of Unesco World Heritage Sites in Tomar, Belém, Alcobaça or Batalha. Next, ponder the rise and fall of ancient civilisations in the Celtic Citânia de Briteiros or the ancient Roman Cidade de Ammaia, and explore Portugal's most enchanting settings in palaces set above mist-covered woodlands, craggy clifftop castles and stunningly preserved medieval town centres.
Outside the cities, Portugal’s beauty unfolds in all its startling variety. Hike amid the granite peaks of Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês or take in the pristine scenery and historic villages of the little-explored Beiras. Alternatively, simply gaze out over dramatic end-of-the-world cliffs, surf stellar breaks off dune-covered beaches or laze peacefully on sandy islands fronting calm blue seas.
Portugal’s winning combination of beautiful beaches, rugged coastlines, dramatic scenery, world class golfing and historic cities has kept the country on the map for many years. This combined with impressive weather credentials – averaging over 300 days of sun per year, makes it the perfect choice for holidays.
The Azores
The Azores are a secret haven of 9 volcanic islands in the north Atlantic. This mysterious but exclusive archipelago offers unspoilt landscapes, historic treasures and a wonderful subtropical climate. The islands are one of the first archipelago in the world to be certified as a sustainable destination and there is an overwhelming ethos to protect the natural resources and wildlife.
Around 4 hours flight from the UK, the volcanic origins of the islands are clear – deep craters or calderas dominate the landscape – the islands are a true paradise for walkers. The year-round subtropical climate means that they are covered in lush, green vegetation and vibrant flowers.
Although each island offers its own unique atmosphere and cultural heritage they all share the same unspoilt nature and relaxing but traditional way of life. All of the islands are well connected by regular short flights and some ferries.
Sao Miguel is the green island and has a landscape filled with volcanic lakes, steaming hot thermal springs and a rugged coastline. Terceira offer the UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic city of Angra do Heroismo. The black island of Pico is dominated by an impressive mountain and known for whaling history and excellent whale and dolphin spotting opportunities – it’s an excellent day trip from Faial island. Santa Maria is the most temperate of the islands and the first stop of the famous explorer Christopher Columbus on his return journey the discovery of the new world.
The Azores sit on the migration route of many species making it one of the best places globally for whalewatching – visit between February and April when the humpback and blue whales migrate through the seas that surround the islands. Between may and August the islands come alive with colour as the famous hydrangea come into flower with fantastic hues of pink and blue – especially on the islands of Faial or Flores.
Madeira
Madeira is home to some of the best scenery in Europe and offers botanical gardens, soaring craggy mountains and rugged windswept beaches. The 4 islands that make up Madeira are an autonomous region of Portugal around 250 miles north of the Canary Islands and 320 miles west of Morocco. Nicknamed the floating garden, Madeira is the Portuguese Garden of Eden – fuschia pink bougainvillea, lilac jacaranda trees and scarlet poinsettia turn the hills and villages into a technicolour blanket.
Down on the coast, rocky shores are peppered with just a few sandy beaches. The waves that crash onto the beaches on some days have also lead to Madeira being known as the Hawaii of the Atlantic.
Funchal, the capital, is a pretty city made up of colonial buildings, impressive churches and sleepy little squares. The cosmopolitan waterfront area is lined with bars and restaurants. The island’s famous levadas originated out of the necessity to transport water from the west and northwest of the island to the much drier southeast. Many are cut into the side of the mountains or even tunnelled through rocky outcrops. Today they continue to supply water but also provide hydroelectric power and also make up a remarkable network of walking paths that criss cross the island.
The Algarve
Holidays in the Algarve are full of opportunities to explore new cities, go back in time to ancient cultures and try new cuisine and delicious wine. Plus, the beaches and coastline are breath-taking.
Trimmed by golden beaches, twinkling cobalt waters and ochre-tinged cliffs, Portugal's south coast is a natural stunner. This is the amazing Algarve, where visitors can count on long days of sunshine and a laid-back pace of life. Seaside towns in various guises pepper its shores, from swanky Vilamoura and family-friendly Albufeira to authentic Alvor and soulful Lagos.
Combine a cultural city break in Faro or Albufeira with a surf trip to Sagres. Visit vineyards in Portimão before heading to play 18 holes at a world-class course in Vilamoura. Or simply relax on pristine beaches, eating locally-caught seabass and shellfish, drinking wine from the nearby vineyards. And don’t miss the wonderful medieval old town in Faro, its stunning churches and museums are especially noteworthy. The Algarve offers a spectacular holiday
Alentejo
The largest region of Portugal, Alentejo is a hidden gem. Sparsely populated and with very limited public transport, visitors who hire a car will be rewarded with a region almost to themselves – even in the height of summer.
To the east, Alentejo is a long, beautiful stretch of national park protected coastline with no beachside hotels as the area is preserved by the government against construction to keep these wild beaches pristine. Praia do Malhao beach is a great example of what Alentejo offers- a long, beautiful and remote stretch of beach with nothing else surrounding it. The surrounding coast and national park (Parque Natural do Sudoeste) is also popular for walking and hiking. Vila Nova de Milfontes is another great stop, a Portuguese resort town where the Mira river flows in to the sea. Charming white houses with orange tile roofs, cobblestone streets, and a good selection of restaurants and bars (considering it’s remote location) makes this a great destination for the hot summer months by the sea with less crowds than in the nearby Algarve.
Away from the coast, Alentejo becomes very different from the rest of the country. This is Portugal’s heartland, much like a hotter and drier version of Provence in France or Tuscany in Italy - full of winding roads through the green hills dotted with green vines and golden fields of farmland, where visitors find hardworking locals and restaurants serving hearty dishes to quiet farmers (locals from the region are known for being reserved but proud).
Alentejo is also home to a wealth of beautiful walled medieval villages, like Évora. This 14th century city is now a university town, but also Portugal’s best preserved walled city, with a beautiful cathedral and cloisters, old Roman ruins, and winding lanes full of charming restaurants.
Visitors to Portugal in August might find themselves feeling a little overwhelmed by crowds, but a visit to the enchanting region of Alentejo is the perfect way to escape the crowds and explore what makes Portugal so special.
Lisbon
A city that is cosmopolitan and colourful as it is characterful. Ancient history combines with modern touches and 21st Century cool. Michelin starred restaurants vie with traditional bakeries selling Pasteis de Natas the custard tart that Portugal is famous for. Lisbon’s cobbled hills, atmospheric neighbourhoods and grand squares are filled with sights and the coast is within easy striking distance of this wonderful city.
Along the coast, golden sandy beaches stretch for kilometres. Cascais is a charming resort with a pretty old town area whilst glamourous Estoril has luxury hotels and a casino. Head inland for the fairytale Sintra surrounded by forested mountains.
The suburb of Cascais sits between Lisbon and the mountains of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. A whitewashed old town harks back to its fishing village days, plus there’s a necklace of sandy beaches. Perfect for families and couples, Cascais holidays offer plenty for those wanting to keep active. Enjoy golf on emerald green courses which overlook the sparkling waters of the sea or scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, and windsurfing trips from the beach. Take a boat trip around the coast and find a secluded bay, or wander through the bustling streets of the town. There are museums, boutiques, chic bars, and excellent restaurants as well as street side cafés perfect for the time honoured Portuguese tradition of people watching.
Estoril is the town that is thought to have inspired Fleming’s James Bond novels. The casino still offers the drama of the gaming tables and the roulette wheel, there is also a grand prix track and the citadel watches over the glamour of the marina. Peppered with fishing villages and whitewashed towns, luxury holidays to Estoril offer everything from fascinating history and culture, golden beaches and upmarket marinas perfect for people watching. Step back into the romance of 19th Century glamour with historic villas and turreted building lining the cobbled streets of the town. The golden sandy beach is the perfect place to unwind with a backdrop of historic buildings and the sparkling Atlantic Ocean stretching as far as the eye can see.
Wander through Estoril’s luscious gardens and take in the palm trees and native flowers or enjoy upmarket restaurants and bars serving fine wines, cocktails and champagnes. Fresh local seafood is served in the many restaurants, with modern twists on classic dishes.
Porto & The Douro
With a year-long temperate climate, the coastal city of Porto is perfect for city or beach breaks, and due to the verdant hills of the surrounding countryside, wine tours too. Porto is both medieval and modern, with stunning architecture and world-class museums and galleries.
Stroll the labyrinthine streets in search of quirky shops, before heading for a satisfying Francesinha sandwich (a local speciality). Venture south across the fear-inducing Dom Luis I bridge to the port wine caves, for a fascinating a tour. Or visit the beautiful beaches of Foz do Douro, relax on golden sand as waves break along the shore. In the evening, head to Ribeira for a traditional night out, or hit the bohemian and chic bars near Rua Bombardo.
Porto drips with history and evidence of its past is there for all to see, going right back to the city's Roman roots. The city's lively history in trading can be seen in the mansions and buildings that appeared thanks to healthy trade profits and Porto's historic centre has been designated a Unesco World Heritage Site. All the while, Oporto Cathedral looms over the historic centre.
A wonderful piece of modern architecture in historic Porto is the Casa de Musica, the striking concert hall where orchestras please crowds with soothing notes. There is something for everyone in Porto. Couples, groups and families will find plenty to do during holidays in this interesting and often over-looked city.
The beautiful Douro Valley is the oldest wine region in the world and is celebrated as one of the most beautiful wine valleys in the world. Following the river valley east of the city of Porto reveals the beauty of the countryside. Terraces of vineyards line the banks of the Douro. There are spectacular viewpoints, hiking trails and peaceful retreats aplenty. The entire length of the 200km long River Douro is navigable all the way to the Spanish border. There are both railway journeys and river cruises available as well as self drive adventures or simply relaxing in the unspoilt scenery of the area under the warmth of the Portuguese sunshine.