Portugal Regions

Green Coast of Portugal

As its name suggests, you can expect to find all shades of green in the rolling hills, mountains and fertile valleys, where agriculture thrives due to heavy rainfall that makes this the greenest zone in Portugal.
A coastline of unpolluted beaches welcomes the Atlantic Ocean, while visitors can also enjoy the countryside, with its small farms, estates with splendid mansions that have been handed down within families for centuries, vineyards and forests of pines or oaks. The food is considered to be one of the country's best. From the most varied forms of cooking cod to apparently odd dishes, like tripas à moda do Porto (stewed tripes with beans) or rojões (where cumin is used to spice pork cooked in wine and garlic), not to speak of the magnificent wines and desserts.
The main cities are Braga (with its baroque churches, parks and the extraordinary flight of stairs of Bom Jesus), Guimarães (celebrated, with its ancient castle, as the birthplace of the nation), Viana do Castelo (with opulent mansions built in Renaissance and Baroque styles and breath-taking views), and, of course, Porto, the second largest Portuguese city, with its 19th century architectural atmosphere and the boast of giving its name to the Port Wine.
Still in this area, don't miss the National Park of Peneda-Gerês, with its wild, dramatic scenery and a rich variety of flora and fauna.

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Mountains of Portugal

The northeast of Portugal includes some of the finest scenery and unspoilt countryside, from the remote wilderness of Trás-os-Montes (behind the mountains), to the small medieval towns and traditional customs of the Beiras and to the harsh beauty of Serra da Estrela (the highest range of mountains, rising up to nearly 2000 metres, 6660 feet).
Bragança, in the extreme north, a walled citadel dating from the 12th century, lies in one of the most rough and isolated regions; its bitter winters likewise affect Guarda (the country's highest town, at 1056 metres, 3520 feet).
Vila Real is a good starting point from which to visit the valley of the river Douro, filled with terraced vineyards which produce wine and Port.
Further south lies Viseu, the graceful capital of Beira Alta that is the centre of the Dão wine-growing region and on the route to the border castles.
In the province of Beira Baixa, whose capital is Castelo Branco, don't skip Monsanto, voted the most typical village in Portugal.
Regional food include the country's most famous cheese, named after the Serra da Estrela, where it is still made by hand, and the sausages and cured meats of Mirandela.
During the winter you can ski or have fun tobogganing in Serra da Estrela. The weather conditions are not sufficiently reliable to create a large resort for this sport but the locals are very enthusiastic. The bare granite of this range of mountains has very short vegetation that doesn't support more than sheep grazing, which is very important for the production of the regions famous cheese "Queijo da Serra".
Like most mountainous areas this is a popular place for walkers with fascinating flora and panoramic views.
The Serra da Estrela is also the name of a special breed of dog known as the "Lord of the Mountain". Intelligent, brave, tender and loyal, this dog has a thick heavy coat that helps it to survive in colder climates.

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Silver Coast of Portugal

Some of the country's most impressive architecture, historical and religious sites can be found in this region, in the center of Portugal.
On the coastline, nearly empty beaches mix with quaint fishing towns and villages, of which Nazaré is one of the finest examples; inland, fertile country stretches along the banks of rivers like the Tagus, producing livestock and crops from grapes to fruit and rice.
Coimbra, the birthplace of six kings and the seat of the country's oldest university, fascinates with its historical associations, and nearby you can visit the largest escavate Roman site in Portugal, Conímbriga.
Further north, the city of Aveiro, once a great seaport, still carries the charm of its canals and lagoon, known as "the ria".
Not far from Lisbon, the ancient city of Leiria, with its fortified castle built early in the 12th century, is a good base from which to visit the great abbeys of Batalha and Alcobaça and the well known shrine of Fátima.
Regional food in all this area is richly varied: from the eel stew of Aveiro to roasted sucking pig near Coimbra, and an immensity of seafood dishes along the coast.

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Portugal's Plains

The flat country stretches from the fertile plains of Ribatejo, bathed by the river Tagus and known for bull and horse breeding, to the wide, hot and golden landscapes of Alentejo, which occupies nearly one-third of Portugal.
Santarém, capital of Ribatejo, is a city proud of its historical past, bullfights and lively agricultural fairs.
Also in this region, take a trip to Tomar, founded in 1157 by the grand-master of the Order of the Templars and celebrated for its castle and the magnificent Convent of Christ.
In the Alentejo, wide open spaces, whitewashed villages, castles and towns bearing the legacy of the moors await the visitor.
Évora, a beautiful walled city with its roman temple, the narrow streets of the old town and many historical sites, has been declared part of the World Heritage by UNESCO.
Portalegre and Arraiolos boast of its world wide known tapestries, while Beja dominates the production of wheat, olives and cork.
Don't miss the small medieval towns of Monsaraz, near the frontier with Spain, and Marvão, perched high in an escarpment, or the splendid palace of Vila Viçosa, begun in 1501.

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Portugal's Lisbon Coast

Lisbon, the most visited city in Portugal, has enough sights in and around the capital to make it a favourite tourist destination. Within a short drive, you can find sandy beaches and fishing towns, like Sesimbra, the dense vegetation of Sintra, with its royal palaces and breathtaking views over the sea and hills, or enjoy sailing along the Tagus and Sado river estuaries.
From the cosmopolitan holiday resorts of Estoril and Cascais to the wild coast around Cape Espichel, and from the sumptuous 18th century Palace of Queluz to the calm and beautiful National Park of Arrábida, the choice is overwhelming.
Lisbon itself merits a few days of visiting: the Tower of Belém, to remind us of the Age of Discoveries, the magnificent 16th-century monastery of Jerónimos, the narrow streets of the quarters of Alfama and Bairro Alto, with their moorish-like layout, together with its river views, animated cultural calendar and the most modern and stylish shopping centres make it an unique European city.

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Algarve, Portugal

The southern coastal region is a popular tourist centre, being chosen as a holiday destination both by foreigners and the Portuguese themselves.
A warm climate throughout the year, a coastline of splendid beaches bathed by the Atlantic and all types of accommodation, nightlife and sport make this a perfect location for the family. But you can still avoid the crowds and visit picturesque fishing villages or the ranges of hills inland, with their rural way of live and wild vegetation.
For those who seek animated seaside resorts, Faro (the provincial capital), Portimão or sophisticated Vilamoura, with its luxurious golf courses, are excellent choices. If you prefer more tranquil destinations, head for the west coast, facing the Atlantic and where towns like Aljezur still offer long deserted beaches, or visit busy fishing and market towns like Olhão, or the pretty quaint village of Alcoutim, near Alentejo and Spain.
Most towns and villages still bear the legacy of five centuries of Arab rule, visible in their narrow streets and the houses' styles, most of which present whitewashed chimneys with different shapes and geometric designs.
Although most people visit the Algarve in the summer, it is also very popular during the winter season because of its mild climate (almost 320 days a year) and 'out of season' cheap accommodation.
With a terrific nightlife, the Algarve gives you more than 70 discos, bars and huge parties that lure people from all around the country.

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Portugal's Madeira Island

There are differing opinions as to what is the best way to fill remote islands. Some tend to view pieces of land surrounded by large tracts of water as perfect sites for penal colonies such as Alcatraz, Robben Island, St.Helena, and Australia. Others of a more gentle nature build hotels and invite people to sit back and relax in the sub-tropical sunshine and call it paradise.
Opinions as to the use of Madeira have changed somewhat since its discovery in 1419. In the early days of settlement on Madeira, a shortage of man power was soon resolved with a raid on the prisons of Lisbon for a shipload of degredados. However, long ago the getaway brigade discovered on this island a welcoming populace, a wonderful climate, and an ever increasing and diverse supply of hotels and other tourist accommodation to suit every taste and budget.
The island of Madeira is lapped by the waters of the gulf stream with warm comfortable summers and mild winters that make it an enchanting holiday destination all year round. Rugged mountains with spectacular panoramic views contrast strikingly with the lush green of the countryside's vineyards, banana plantations and brilliant flashes of sub-tropical flowers.

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Azores, Portugal

The archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine major islands and is located in the North Atlantic Ocean.
The archipelago is divided into three widely separated groups: the eastern group, consisting of São Miguel, Santa Maria, and the Formigas isles; the central, of Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Terceira, and Graciosa; and the north western, of Flores and Corvo.
The islands rise steeply from shores lined with rock and pebble debris to heights reaching 7,713 feet (2,351 m) on Pico. Their unstable geologic nature is the cause of numerous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The Azores have a subtropical climate with high humidity. An abundant flora of European and Mediterranean origins is found, and mixed forests still cover many of the island's hillsides.
The present-day Azores are organised as an autonomous region having the same status as the districts of continental Portugal but with special autonomous powers that are exercised by an elected regional assembly.

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