Every year thousands of us head to the beautifully sunny shores of Portugal. And it’s easy to see why – unbroken sunshine for most of the summer, warmth that the UK can only seem to muster for a few days every year, incredible scenery and gorgeous local cuisine make this one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe.
Although many of us instantly consider the Algarve on Portugal’s southern edge when we think about this Iberian gem, there is much more to Portugal than just this one stretch of coast. Let’s take a look at some of the other things you really need to do to ensure you get the full experience offered by this awesome country:
Go To Lisbon
No trip to Portugal is complete without paying a visit to its capital Lisbon. Situated on the West coast facing the Atlantic sea, this city is home to almost 550,000 people all year-round, while the constant tourism pushes this number up even further.
Those looking for all of the culture of Portugal in a nutshell will find what it here – as the country’s hub for finance and media it is a modern-day city, though retains a traditional charm; offering those visiting multiple attractions, museums and historic buildings such as the São Roque Church – known as the most expensive chapel in the whole world.
Relax On The Beaches
The beaches are one of the major contributing factors to pulling in tourism from all across Europe year after year. From the beautiful Algarve to the rustic and untouched coves of the West, you’re never far away from an amazing beach in Portugal.
If you get the chance it’s well worth checking out Vila Praia da Ancora on the Costa Verde – part of the country’s ‘Green Coast’ which runs between Porto and the northern border with Spain.
Visit Sintra
Just a short drive from Lisbon, the beautifullyquaint little village of Sintra is home to an 8th century Moorish castle – situated within it’s stunning forest park.
When the castle was abandoned in the year 1147 it stood dilapidated until 1860, when work started to help it back to it’s former glory. It is now a UNESCO world heritage site and a major tourist attraction in this part of Portugal.
Play Golf
The country has some of the best golf courses you can find and those interested in this relaxing sport come here especially just to play a few rounds during their week off.
Courses are found all over the country, though some of the best are situated towards the Algarve coast. There are even hotels that specially cater for golf enthusiasts, and have their own private courses for its residents, such as the ones found in the upmarket Vilamoura.
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