17 reasons to visit Portugal in the Summertime
Portugal was Europe’s hidden gem for a long time until it got discovered by the many tourists that visit it every day. The climate, the amazing coastline, and the incredible landscapes are some of the country’s perks.
Many Portuguese say that Portugal is just a little country planted by the sea. These are 17 reasons why Portugal should be your next summer holiday destination!
Alentejo road
The roads in Alentejo are amongst some of the most beautiful ways you’ll ever see. All due to its beautiful vegetation. You’ll know you’re in Alentejo when somewhere along the drive you’ll encounter vast plains of cork oaks and poplars in sight. Pick the Algarve Tour, for example, that will drive you past these rural roads.
You have to sit back and enjoy the view of the breathtakingly beautiful landscape. Summer is the perfect time to take this tour because it’s sunny and warm outside and nature’s features live up to its potential.
Wines
You’ve probably heard all about the Portuguese wines and possibly have tasted one before: Porto Wine – Ruby, Tawny, White -, Madeira Wine, Moscatel…These are all famous worldwide, having received many accolades and awards.
Some of our tours include a visit to wine regions and its wines cellars. Our primary goal is for you to learn more about the brands and the whole process involved in winemaking. And to top it off you’ll get a taste of this delicious drink during your visit to the cellars.
These are some of the regions included in the tours: Porto, where the acclaimed Porto wine is produced; Setúbal and Azeitão, two places that offer the best conditions to the muscatel wine raw material- the Muscat grapes; Évora, a town in the south of Portugal, is famous for the Cartuxa wine.
You’ll get to know the brands and the whole process, as well as to figure out what’s the best drink for your everyday meal during the holidays.
Safety
Portugal is a small country with a lovely atmosphere. It’s a very safe place, where you can walk at ease at different times of the day and not worry about your safety. There are some quieter places for you to visit.
Choose the Historical villages tour, for example, and travel to Nazaré, Batalha, and Óbidos, three very peaceful villages, where you’ll feel at home and carefree.
Porto and Lisbon are busier cities, especially nowadays, but they remain a very safe place for you to tour, despite its busing atmosphere. Take your time during the vacation and do have an unconcerned attitude.
Sintra during the summer
The season plays a significant role in one’s fruition of a place. Some sites look better during the Summer and others during the Winter. It’s not only a matter of taste but an important thing to have in mind when booking your vacation, as it can make it or break it.
The Sintra tour is an excellent example of this assumption. The village is located atop the dense forest of Sintra. Therefore it’s best for you to visit it in Summer because during the winter the mist gets in the way of you enjoying the landscape at its fullest.
In turn, during the summertime, there’s a clear view, that allows you to have the best enjoyment of the westernmost point of continental Europe – Cape of Roca- the Pena Palace, the Regaleira Villa and the other amazing buildings there.
The viewpoints present to you a clear sky, instead of a hazy mist, something typical during wintry days.
Costa Vicentina
This name refers to the coastal strip that goes all the way from Alentejo to Algarve. It has some of the most beautiful sights of the country’s coastline.
Summer is itself a great time of the year because you feel more relaxed and carefree, add to that a fantastic scenery in shades of blue, and you have the best holidays you can get.
Pick the Évora Tour, which starts at Alentejo and ends at the Algarve, and you’ll get along the way a great view of the sea from the window of the bus.
Algarve
The Algarve has been for ages a beloved region during summertime. Portuguese and tourists have chosen it as their holiday destination for many years now.
And it’s easy to understand why this is: the gorgeous beaches are some of the best in the country, and most importantly the waters are warm and calm, unlike the ones in the north of Portugal. Some of the beaches in the region have even been referred to as being the most beautiful on earth –
The Huffington Post chose the Ponta da Piedade, in Lagos. (Sun) bathe in these marvelous wonders during the day and enjoy the busy nightlife afterward!
Climate
Portugal’s climate is one of its best assets and has been acclaimed for many years now. In Summer it’s hot outside and the days are longer, so you’ll feel instantly better and happier. And you’ll be vacationing, so this is the perfect scenario.
The warm weather begs for a day out, so choose the tours that best suit your summer needs. If you want a relaxing day at the beach go for something like the Algarve Tour; if you’re going to take a stroll and discover more about the city’s history and tradition, pick the Porto or Lisbon Tour, for example. If you want to be out and about in nature, the Serra da Estrela is the tour for you. All that matters is that the weather will be great!
River beaches
Summer days can get hot, so people who live in cities away from the sea have to resort to river beaches, but that doesn’t mean that they’re worse. Many river beaches have beautiful sights. Take the Fátima Tour, for example. There are many beautiful river beaches in the country, some of them being crowded and other hidden treasures.
Summer festivals
Porto and Lisbon welcome some of the most important music festivals during the summer. If you’re a music lover, this will be of great interest to you. Why not book a day tour to Porto, spend the day discovering the city and its marvelous sites, and then at night go to a festival?
The long days will make you feel like you can do everything. And you can! Enjoy the city’s charm during the day and rock your heart out at a concert at night. This will be the best of both worlds, so what you’re waiting for?
Surf
Surf is a pretty big sport in Portugal as for today. The Nazaré giant waves have something to do with it because they put Portugal on the surf route.
This fishing village has become a go-to place if you’re a surfer or just an admirer of this sport.
Pick the Algarve Tour or/and the Historical Villages Tour, so that you’ll get the chance to surf some waves or enjoy the magic scenery. All of this happens in a place with great sights, great people and great food!
Great Prices
Portugal will be of great interest to you due to its low prices. You won’t spend much money here, even if you go out to dinner or to get some drinks. Ask a fellow tourist, and he’ll agree.
You’ll get great food for a great price. What’s better than not having to worry about your finances during the holidays? Book now one or more tours to some of the fantastic sites in the country!
Nightlife
The nightlife in Portugal is known for being one of the best in Europe. You already know that the prices are low, so that’s a plus, now imagine a night out during hot summer nights. There’ll be many themed parties and lots of great music.
If you choose the Lisbon Tour, you’ll end up at Bairro Alto, the heart of the nightlife in the capital. You can party there until 4 a.m! Pick the Porto tour, and you’ll have a similar atmosphere. Other tours like the Algarve Tour offer you an idyllic scenery of parties at the beach. I know what you’ll be doing next summer!
Superb mountains
Portugal has much more to offer than sunny beaches. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll have to get a look at the fantastic mountains during the summer. The Sintra Mountains, the Serra da Estrela Mountains, the Arrábida Mountains… These are some of the places you’ll be visiting! Go for a hike, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy your work free days!
Santos Populares
June is the month of the saint’s festivities in Lisbon and Porto- Santo António and São João, respectively. The residents celebrate the “Santos Populares,” as they call them, with lots of beer, wine, sardines on bread and popular music. In Porto, the citizens grab a hammer made out of plastic and use it to hammer people’s heads as part of the tradition.
It’s all super chill, don’t worry. Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, a town on the southern bank of the Douro River, are bursting at the seams this time of year. In Lisbon there’s even a parade where the different neighborhoods present a show; they call it the “Marchas Populares.” They put on their best costumes and sing and dance to traditional themes.
There are even the weddings of Santo António when many couples celebrate their marriage on the Santo António day simultaneously. This an enjoyable event for the locals and the tourists, as the city is lightened up by the ornaments everywhere!
Peixe fresco e marisco
Summertime is just the right time for you to eat some fresh fish by the beach. The fishing village of Nazaré is a great place to eat a spectacular grilled fish – sea bass, sea bream, horse-mackerel, sardines-, a fish stew or some shellfish.
Choose the Historical Villages Tour or the Sesimbra Tour, for example, and feast your eyes and your stomach with the fantastic views and delicious cuisine.
Golf
The Algarve loves Golf, and so do you. If you’re a fan of the sport, you’ll be happy to hear that this is a favorite sport in the southern region of Portugal. If a golf course is a must have for your vacation, book a tour to Lisbon or the Algarve!
Fado
Fado is Portugal’s most famous music. The word means destiny, so the songs are very intense and depict life’s most emotional events. During the summer there’ll be lots of music outside, and you’ll stumble upon many houses of Fado.
You have Fado of Lisbon and Fado of Coimbra. You have to pick a tour of these cities and experience both of the events!