Portugal

Algarve

The Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal and the most popular tourist destination in the country. It's so popular in fact that it experiences a 1000% population growth during peak season! It's not hard to see why; with 200 kilometres of beautiful sandy beach and a fantastic climate; it's a sun lover's paradise. On top of this, it boasts the beautiful old towns of Lagos and Faro as well as a number of Moorish castles. Birdwatchers and nature lovers, meanwhile, are regularly drawn by the Ria Formosa Lagoon.

North Portugal

The birthplace of Portuguese civilization, northern Portugal is home to the country's oldest and most beautiful cities. Be sure to check out the town of Braga with its clutch of fine baroque churches including the fantastic Bom Jesus do Monte. Porto's windy old city, a UNESCO heritage site is one of the most beautiful and beguiling medieval cities in Europe. The north of Portugal also offers a number of historic citadels such as those at Braganca, Chaves and Guimares. In addition to the historical cities and dazzling churches, there are a number of beach resorts in the North of Portugal.

Central Portugal

Mountainous central Portugal is covered in a thick quilt of pine forests, and whilst it lacks the profusion of historical towns of the north and the tropical climates of the south, there is still plenty here to tempt travellers. There are a number of beautiful historical towns such as Coimbra and Viseu; both old medieval towns perched on hillsides and offering plenty of historic churches and collegiate buildings to explore. Meanwhile Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal is criss-crossed by a dense network of canals that beg to be explored. The mountains of the centre offer great opportunities for hiking and exploration with a number of palaces, castles and monasteries nestled amongst the thick greenery. At Estrela, you'll even find a small ski resort.

Lisbon and its Environs

Lisbon is a beautiful and chaotic town spread across seven hillsides in the extreme west of the peninsula. It has all the attractions and cosmopolitanism you might expect of a European capital with cathedrals nestled against bars, cafes and museums without any of the fuss and bustle. In the city's neighbouring municipalities you'll find some of the most attractive scenery and ocean view vistas in the country. Most notable is the Sintra-Cascais natural park where the precipitous mountain range yields some incredible views out over the Atlantic. The small town of Sintra is among the top destinations in this region; its incredible romantic architecture has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. The Pena Palace, National Palace and Castelo Dos Moros are among the most attractive buildings of the region.