Portugal
 

An Overview About Portugal
 

It has been estimated that around twelve million people visit Portugal each year and no wonder. It has stunning natural views and attractive places to see with tourism accounting for about 10% of the country’s revenue. There are many businesses that work together to boost the tourist industry, for instance restaurants, bars, hotels and resorts benefit from the huge influx of foreigners into the country each year.
 
For holidaymakers there is a fabulous range of diverse properties to rent, from luxurious beachside villas to quaint rural village houses. The culture of the country is also very diverse reflecting its European, Brazilian and African mix. The people of Portugal are noted for their friendliness, another reason why tourists from all over the world flock to this wonderful destination. They like nothing better than celebrating folk festivals and are lovers of fine cuisine.

One of the best places to visit in Portugal, especially while on vacation, is the Algarve. It’s situated in the southernmost area of the country and has fabulous panoramic views of rolling countryside and superb sandy beaches. The Algarve consists of five regions, Sagres, Lagos, Faro, Tavira and Silves and is a wonderful destination especially for families.

Northern Portugal is very mountainous with the Serra da Estrela being a popular tourist resort for skiing. Skiing enthusiasts travel to this famous destination to enjoy the amazing ski slopes, beautiful scenery and hospitable people. Whether you like to relax on gorgeous beaches or enjoy the thrill of skiing, Portugal is ideal.

Exciting Activities For Everyone To Enjoy
 

If you’re after a fun-packed vacation, then Portugal is the place for you. There are many water sports available along the coast, especially in the Algarve, paragliding, jet skiing, scuba diving, banana and pedal boats are firm favourites with tourists of all ages.

For those who like to take things a little easier, Portugal is known for its magnificent golf courses as well as walking trails through the hills passing through rustic villages that offer people the chance to sample different fresh fruits and liqueurs.

Many holidaymakers travel to Portugal for its wonderful folk festivals which are celebrated throughout the year giving them a chance to sample fresh local food including handicraft markets and music. Carnivals take place around six weeks before Easter and feature colourful noisy parades and bands.

For those with a slightly different taste in music why not visit Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, to enjoy exciting rock music. Lisbon meanders along the north bank of the river Tagus, it’s one of the few European capitals that has a river and a coastline. Many holidaymakers visit this vibrant city, it’s extremely diverse and just outside the city is the resort of Estoril which has romantic hills and magnificent scenery.

The Weather Is One Of Portugal’s Main Attractions
 

One of Portugal’s main attractions is the weather. The warmest weather is June to September and this is when the vast majority of holidaymakers travel to this beautiful location to enjoy its wonderful beaches. The climate is generally mild all the year round with many visitors taking walks and playing golf from April to October. This is a popular time of year for many tourists, the days are pleasant and sunny but not too hot, the amenities and attractions aren’t so busy either.

Weather in Portugal varies considerably from one region to the next as it is influenced by the topography and latitude. With the Algarve being close to the sea you can expect to enjoy milder winters there, it has a temperate climate throughout the year which you would expect from a country bordered in the south and west by the Atlantic, with Spain on the other two sides.
 

The weather is a little cooler in northern Portugal and Porto, while in Lisbon and the Algarve, winters are mild with temperatures in summer being 28 degrees. Needless to say inland is much hotter and drier, so tourists as well as the locals head for the coast to cool down.

How To Travel To Portugal
 

Flights from the UK to Lisbon, Porto and Faro take around three hours, not far for holidaymakers and business people to travel. You can use Portugal’s national airline TAP Air Portugal and of course cheap airline companies such as Easy Jet. For those people who don’t like flying then Eurostar will connect you to a number of European trains which can be used to reach Portugal. As well as trains, there are coach services which can transport you to Lisbon, Porto and also Faro, along with being able to find connecting buses and trains from Spain.

Once in Portugal there are various forms of transport such as buses, coaches and trains. All are very reliable and reasonably priced too, they can take you to various destinations quickly and efficiently, check out online for more details. If you do wish to rent a car however you must have proof of identification, hold a current driving licence and be over twenty one years of age.
 

People visiting Lisbon can also use the underground Metro system. It’s a great way for tourists to get around the city, from A to B in no time at all to experience what Lisbon has to offer.