If you’re planning a holiday in Portugal sometime soon but want to get away from the busier, touristy areas, perhaps some of these places will take your fancy. Sure, you could spend your time discovering the usual places, Porto and Lisbon, but you may be surprised to learn that there are equally exciting attractions not far from these popular spots. Find these hidden gems of Portugal without having to travel too far out.
Ferriera do Zêzere
This secret getaway destination, although popular with locals, is rarely visited by tourists. The bright, authentic town is accompanied by a stunning natural forest and artificial lake. Water sports and swimming are frequently enjoyed here, and it’s also a beautiful spot for a long walk. This is a great place to visit during for the morning, before going on to another attraction or enjoying a lunch in one of the quaint cafes nearby.
Nazaré
A holiday in Portugal would be incomplete without a visit to a beach! This fishing village, as well as making a great cultural trip, offers a fabulous beach complete with astonishing waves and several surf camps. The beach is also known for its parties, so you won’t be without entertainment in the evening. The town itself offers delicious fresh seafood in a handful of traditional restaurants, so you could definitely spend the whole day in Nazaré.
São Miguel Island
This spectacular display of volcanic islands is definitely a must if you’re a nature lover. There’s a whole host of things to keep you occupied around this area, so it’s suitable for most types of holidaymaker.
•Spend a day or two of your holiday in Portugal visiting the various viewpoints across the island and enjoying the magnificent scenery across lakes, hot springs and cliffs. The picturesque landscape is breath taking; so beautiful that it appears on postcards sold in nearby villages!
•It is also worth visiting Sete Cidades, a village that offers more than a few traditional buildings. Kayaking, biking and hiking trails are available here, so there are plenty of ways to take in the scenery.
•If you enjoy being at sea, you can experience whale and dolphin watching in Ponta Delgada. This unique experience is available from several companies, and most tours leave from Ponta Delgada. This area has stylish restaurants, a farmers market, and a beautiful seaside promenade.
How to Get There
Getting to Portugal is not only simple, but relatively cheap. There are around 20 airports that can be flown to from the UK, and with many airlines offering the route, it’s easy to find budget-friendly options. Once you have flown to your chosen airport, a pre-booked shuttle transfer is the best way to get to your next destination and start your holiday in Portugal. You can be taken straight to your accommodation and avoid any taxi or public transport queues at the airport.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re planning a holiday in Portugal, Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.
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