Portugal: the small place with stacks to offer

It may be a small country, measuring just 560km by 220km, but Portugal certainly has a lot to offer! Take your pick from hundreds of kilometres of beautiful coastline for terrific beach holidays, and join the surfers that come from all over the world to ride the enormous Atlantic breakers, or those who just want to bask in some of the 3,000 hours of sunshine that some Portuguese regions enjoy every year.

Wildlife and nature

If you want to discover a different side to the Algarve, take yourself walking and trekking in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, with its colourful flowers and ancient castles, where the Moors once lived.

Wherever you go in the Algarve, expect a warm welcome from the locals as you share a glass of wine or medronho grape spirit, or a filhó fritter with some smoked meat. (Gastronomy and wines in this part of the world are a real treat.)

In Cabo de San Vicente, you'll find a land that has been described as the "end of the world". Climb up to Fóia, in the green Serra de Monchique hills, a haven for wildlife and nature. Stop for a moment at one of the region's many waterways to take in a truly beautiful landscape. Or head inland to the Serra do Caldeirão and enjoy some traditional regional crafts.

By the border, take a cruise up the River Guadiana as it flows through a Natural Park.

The Castro Marim salt marsh is another wildlife and nature reserve - it's a wetland area of global importance right in the middle of the Algarve! This region's hinterland is full of such wonderful surprises.

If cultural and history lessons are your thing, the Algarve is full of them. Discover the link between Francis Drake and the local town of Lagos, and find out what connects Henry the Navigator, the explorer behind the Portuguese Discoveries which changed Portugal and indeed the world, with the Algarve.

Beautiful beaches

If it's good old-fashioned beach holidays you're after, the Algarve is hard to beat, whether you want deserted sandy stretches, distinctive cliffs and rock formations, water sports, or beaches like Vale do Lobo, Ancão and Quinta do Lago. These are fashionable spots where you can sunbathe with the international jet-set, enjoying their luxury holidays.

City break

If beach holidays aren't your thing, or you prefer shorter city breaks to a fortnight in the sun, the Portuguese capital Lisbon is ideal. It's packed with delights for cultural and history buffs, due largely to its rich seafaring heritage. In the 16th century, explorers charted a route from here all the way to India. Today, from the breathtaking Atlantic sunset to boasting Europe's largest aquarium and the continent's biggest beach, this city's passion for the ocean and all things maritime persists. It combines this passion with vibrant nightlife giving it a reputation as one of Europe's liveliest cities.

Built on the seven hills of the River Tagus, the Portuguese capital looks stunning whichever way you look at it. Its seductive network of cobbled streets and charming tiled buildings make it ideal for romantic city breaks. And, while you can do excellent coach tours, it's also easy to explore on foot or by traditional funicular railways. Enjoy a coffee and pastry and watch the world drift by in the famous Rossi Square as an idyllic break from sightseeing.

Book now

Need a late bargain for beach holidays or city tours in Portugal? Visit the website of the Association of Travel Organisers to Portugal, for guaranteed specialist expertise for Portugal, Madeira and the Azores. With the Euro at a new high against the pound, now is the time to book your Portuguese break.

13 July 2009