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The Algarve	Lisbon Coast	Azores
North Portugal	Alentejo region	Lisbon City

 

Portugal has a breathtaking beauty - from the traditional, rugged north to the silky soft beaches in the south. Portugal is around the size of Scotland with twice the population and is tremendously varied both geographically and in its ways of life and traditions. (click to read more)

 

Featured villa

An inviting swimming pool and sun terrace make this deceptively spacious, light and airy two bedroom villa a great option for families and couples seeking a lazy sun and swim holiday. The Casa Goncalo lies in the attractive residential area of Carvoeiro with the added bonus of being near shops, bars and restaurants. MORE DETAILS

 

Villa Antonio, Albufeira Three bedrooms, sleeps 8	Villa Kings, Gale Three bedrooms, sleeps 8	Villa Ana Cai, Vilamoura Five bedrooms,  sleeps 12	Villa Cero de Mos,Lagos Four bedrooms,   sleeps 9

For details of these and other villas CLICK HERE

 

Villas and apartments for rent in the Algarve

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Villas and apartments for rent on the Lisbon coast

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Villas and apartments for rent in north Portugal

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Villas and apartments for rent in Alentejo, Portugal

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Villas and apartments for rent in The Azores

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Villas and apartments for rent in Lisbon

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Stretching all along the coast around Lisbon and on the well-developed Algarve coast in the south, there are highly sophisticated resorts. The buzzing capital of Lisbon has enough going on to please most city shoppers Portugal has variety - whether you are seeking scenic golf courses for a round of nine holes or wish to discover the real Portugal, you can unwind by the sea, lunch under shaded pergolas in a village bar, hike through herb-scented hills or mix with the cosmopolitan crowd in a lively town.

On Portugal's dramatic Lisbon coastline you can combine crumbling historic palaces, sandy beaches and a mass of culture. Make for beautiful coves with a picnic and discover inviting crystal blue waters. Or simply spend your days unwinding, lazily soaking up the sun letting the sand sift between your toes as you listen to the soft surf wash the shores.

Sun drenched beaches are tucked behind every headland - sandy, clean and punctuated with astonishing rock formations. Expertly designed golf courses combine challenges galore and superb views. Portugal has sleepy towns and villages where holiday visitors melt into local life, resorts brimming with good restaurants and good cheer and great shopping at local markets and modern malls.

Research to make sure you choose the right resort. For instance Albufeira with seven beaches and plenty of energy, makes a great choice for those looking for sun by day and a party at night but families hoping for a good night's sleep may prefer quiet Carvoeiro or the tempting sands at Praia Da Rocha. If luxury is what you are seeking, you might choose the style and polish of Vilamoura.

The Algarve

Boasting some of the best beaches in Europe, Portugal's Algarve resorts are sunny and sporty, modern and lively, quaint and picturesque. The Algarve is a golfers' paradise, a great water sports centre and home of some huge yachts .
During the Day

For sun worshippers, there are seven cliff-sheltered shores around Albufeira, two sandy bays at Vilamoura and a beautiful beach at Alvor. The 12 mile stretchof sands at Monte Gordo are backed by stunning aromatic pine forests. Watersports are available at several resort bays.

For many holidaymakers, the Se Cathedral in Faro, the region's capital, high on the sightseeing list. Visit Lagos with its natural harbour and 17th century fort museum or Tavira which has cobbled streets, a castle and a cluster of churches. The walled city of Silves encircles a 12th century cathedral. Monchique in the mountainside is a super spa town. Try Europe's westernmost point, Cape St Vincent and Sagres, where Henry the Navigator founded his famous School of Navigators. Take a trip out to Cabo de Sao Vincente – the cliffs that were once believed to mark the end of the world.

A gypsy market is held once a week in the resort of Quarteira where there is also a quayside fish market. Situated on the border with Vilamoura, the market’s colourful stalls offer everything from pottery, copper and leather, to linen and locally handmade lace. Also try the market towns - Albufeira, Tavira and Loule, the old town of Portimao.

There are nightclubs and a casino in modern Monte Gordo, disco's and a casino in Praia da Rocha, upmarket bars and restaurants in Vilamoura, and a lively variety of bars and disco's in and around Albufeira. Elsewhere the after-dark scene is more low key, based around hotel entertainment and excellent eateries.

Eating out on the Algarve

The Algarve has wonderful seafood. A meal of local cuisine should always include sopa de marisco, a soup of shellfish cooked in wine and chicken or prawn piri-piri - a hot favourite flavoured with chilli oil, - ameijoas na cataplana (clam, ham and spicy sausage stew) and a nuvens (egg custard) for dessert. Mateus Rose is the region's famous light wine and Vinho Verde the famour green wine.

The Lisbon Coast of Portugal

If you are looking to escape the usual holiday hotspots, Lisbon's dazzling coast is perfect, a charming blend of sleepy villages, chic resorts and a countryside that will take your breath away. Once the summertime residence of Portuguese royalty, the coast's silky soft sands, luxury hotels and first-rate restaurants are dotted along the shimmering shores here. There are superb championship golf courses and peaceful nature reserves. I

For somewhere serene, easy going Estoril is worth visiting to soak up its elegant seaside ambience. For a holiday oozing style, colourful Cascais with its beautiful bay and narrow streets balances chic and traditional allure. Underlining the Lisbon coast's royal past, you can stretch out on Marchiones' or unwind on Queen. For stunning scenery though, it's got to be Sintra.

Surrounded by wooded ravines and freshwater springs, it is buried away in the dramatic Serra hills. The town itself is wonderful. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's narrow cobblestone lanes, terracotta roofs, higgledy-piggledy houses and sumptuous royal palaces will stun you. The hilltop haven sweeps down to the coast from wooded valleys and is sometimes enchantingly enveloped in swirling sea mists. Follow sun-dappled trails through the deep forests here, along hairpin bends and down to the shimmering sea.

The wild Atlantic Ocean creates a dramatic landscape along the shores here and scuba divers and fishing enthusiasts flock here in the thousands. The waves that sweep in are a huge hit with surfers but the main draw is the gold-dust beaches which are among the cleanest in Europe.

Huge stretches of sugary sands sweep down from Ericeira to Sintra in the north and from Cascais to Estoril around the headland. If you want to be kept on your toes, head for Carcavelos Beach with special areas where you can play volleyball, football and even roller skate. 

Lisbon

Lisbon is a lively capital built on seven hills and stretching along the banks of the River Tagus and is one of Europe's most beautiful cities. To the west of Lisbon lie the picturesque coastal resorts of Estoril and Cascais, both havens for relaxation.

Getting around Lisbon is easy, and although most places are easily explored on foot, it is advisable to take the railways up steep hills. There is a good tram network, regular buses, the Metro service and numerous reasonably priced taxis. Regular trains also run along the coast of Lisbon to Estoril and Cascais departing from Lisbon to Estoril and Cascais every 15 minutes on a journey of around 40-50 minutes.

On the sightseeing list must be the fifth century Castelo São Jorge,  the fortress around which Lisbon was built and is now famous for its hilltop vantage point. Spend a day on the banks of the Tagus and view the stately Royal Palace overlooking the river and the statue of Christ the King above Tagus Bridge. You can take in sights such as the decorative Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries where many explorers set sail from, or the flamboyant Monastery of Jéronimos.

Try some of the city’s smaller districts including the Alfama Quarter. Between Alfama and the Barrio Alto – a maze of 17th-century lanes sprinkled with fado (folk) clubs, nightspots and restaurants – sprawls the Baixa (Lower Town), with several tree-lined squares paved with mosaics and filled with cafes.

Shopping in Lisbon

 
Good souvenirs include wicker baskets, embroidery, lace, leather, pottery, copperware and ceramics. Hand-painted azulejos tiles, traditionally blue on white, make lovely gifts, and Portuguese wine and port are well known. Try also pork, particularly dishes such as porco á alentejana (sauced with clams) and smoked hams are popular Portuguese delicacies, and the Pastéis de Belém (custard cream tarts) are a Lisbon speciality.

Other things to do

Train from Regua to Vila Real
The narrow gauge train route from Regua to Vila Real is a marvellous journey through the magnificent mountains of the isolated region of  Trás-os-Montes.

Óbidos
Traditionally the Wedding City - the bridal gift of Portuguese monarchs to their queens - Óbidos is perhaps Portugal's best-preserved walled town. Stay overnight and you miss the hoards of day-trippers.

Bom Jesus, Braga
The famous hill-top church of Bom Jesus, just outside Braga, is not only a place of pilgrimage, but it also provides a fun day out, surrounded by leafy parks, picnic tables, restaurants and cafés.