Holidays in Portugal – sun, beach and sea! The holiday season is approaching and you are still looking for your next travel destination? If you really want to switch off from everyday life, enjoy relaxing on the beach in sunny weather and discover beautiful new places at the same time, you should decide on a holiday in Portugal. Whether sightseeing in the charming cities such as Porto, Lisbon, Faro or Lagos or breathtaking, idyllic nature, picturesque beaches and mighty cliffs by the sea – Portugal convinces in many ways and invites numerous tourists from all over the world every year. Here you will find all the information you need to know, recommendations on sights and popular highlights and tips for a camping holiday Roof tent in Portugal!
Portugal: between nature holidays, culture and sightseeing
If you have decided to travel to Portugal with your loved ones, a mixture of beautiful landscapes, cultural highlights, relaxation and adventure awaits you! One of the most popular holiday regions in Portugal is the Algarve, which scores with its numerous coastal towns. Here you can not only go for walks and hikes, but at the same time, for example, fulfill your long-awaited dream of surfing in the sea!
The best way to explore the country and its scenic highlights is while camping. Maybe even with one Roof tent on your car or one Tent trailer behind? This means that you are completely flexible and free to organize your day and can enjoy the feeling of closeness to nature and freedom into the evening hours. Whether for 2 people or the whole family, you can create your own here Buy a roof tent !
Video! Portugal from above
Here you can get an all-round overview of the amazing landscapes, beaches and cities of Portugal. The flight is booked, the suitcases are packed and your vacation is about to start? Then watch the following video to get you in the holiday mood and see what awaits you on your trip!
Map: Portugal
Portugal is located in southern Europe and borders the Atlantic Ocean and Spain. Due to the beautiful landscapes, coastal towns and cities, a large number of tourists arrive every year to spend their vacation here.
Portugal by car: Via France & Spain
Even if most people book a flight to Portugal directly and spend a relaxing holiday here, you can also drive your own car down to the warm holiday country. We recommend a roof tent on your car, as you can take breaks anytime and anywhere and spend the night in your tent super comfortably. The nature lovers and adventurers among you can ideally make a longer trip with several stops and plan a complete route from Germany to Portugal. It starts in the direction of France, from there on to Spain and finally to the final destination in Portugal!
- Germany to France
- France to Spain
- Spain to Portugal
Sightseeing and city trip: Sights in Portugal
Even if you first think of the sea, the beach, relaxation and coastal locations, Portugal also has numerous beautiful cities to offer that should definitely be on your bucket list during your vacation here! From the big cities like Lisbon or Porto to the Algarve, Faro, Vilamoura or Lagos, all places with their own charm and the highlights worth seeing are definitely worth a visit.
Check out an exciting travelogue about the land of seafarers and great explorers here! Here you can find out which top spots and cozy places you should definitely see during your vacation here and why!
Lisbon: sights and beach
The capital of Portugal is located on a hilly area on the Atlantic coast. Here you should definitely climb the Castelo de São Jorge castle and admire the unique and unforgettable view over the charming old town! Colorful, lined up houses and nice alleys with a charming flair await you here. Also recommended in Lisbon: the village of Sintra and the fishing village of Cascais. Not to be forgotten are the stretches of coast and natural beaches in Lisbon, where you can relax and enjoy the view.
Here’s what you should see or do in Lisbon:
- Castle of Sao Jorge
- Sintra and Cascais fishing village
- Elevador de Santa Justa
- Terreiro do Paço
- Belém Tower
- Oceanario de Lisboa
- Historical museums
- Relaxation on the natural beaches
Algarve: Holidays in Faro, Lagos & Co.
The southernmost region of Portugal is also recommended: The Algarve. Here you can not only enjoy the sun, the beach and the sea, but also see some interesting sights in the many small towns. A city tour through the small towns, especially through Odeceixe, is definitely worth it to enjoy the charming flair of the country with an ice cream in hand in the many narrow streets with numerous stairs and cobblestones. You may be able to stop at the historic Moinho de Odeceixe windmill in between. If you are interested in history, the Castelo de Aljezur, Fortaleza de Sagres and the statue of Don Sebastião should also be on your list. Also beautiful: the Alga Seco rock formations, which glow in beautiful, bright colors at sunset, and the Ria Formosa Nature Park!
This should definitely be on your to-do list on a trip to the Algarve:
- City tour through Odeceix (+ windmill Moinho de Odeceixe)
- Castelo de Aljezur castle
- Fortaleza de Sagres fortress
- Don Sebastião stature
- Alga Seco rock formations
- Ponta da Piedade
- Ria Formosa Natural Park
- Visit the highest mountains in the Algarve: Foiá and Picota
- City tour of Olhão, Lagos, Faro
Porto: bridge, beach and old town
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal after Lisbon and definitely worth seeing. The coastal city impresses with its mighty bridges and the streets and towns with a medieval flair. There is definitely a lot to see here! One of the highlights is definitely the long arched bridge Dom Luís I, which is one of the city’s most important landmarks. On a walk from Vila Nova de Gaia over to the old town district of Ribeira you not only have a wonderful view of the charming and picturesque old town, but also of the Douro River. If you are interested in art, culture and history, a visit to the Porto Cathedral, which is a world heritage site, and the Stock Exchange Palace are recommended. In addition, the unique bookstore Livraria Lello with its huge, high rooms full of books is definitely a must for literature lovers!
Here, too, you can of course stroll through the many picturesque alleys and streets and marvel at a great panoramic view of the city from some vantage points.
Not to be missed in Porto:
- Arch bridge Ponte Dom Luís I
- Unique bookshop Livraria Lello
- Porto Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Stock Exchange Palace (Palácio da Bolsa)
- Sao Francisco Church
- Visit the port winery (+ try port wine)
- Stroll through the alleys and head for viewpoints
Bucket list: 7 tips and things to do
In addition to sightseeing in the cities of Portugal, you can of course also relax on the beach, go swimming, learn to surf or explore the landscapes and coasts. Portugal has hidden a picturesque highlight on every corner that you want to explore! So what else you should do and go on holiday in Portugal, I have summarized for you here:
- Relax on the beaches in the Algarve
- Stroll through the alleys and streets of the cities
- Surf in Peniche or Ericeira
- Canoeing on Lake Furnas
- Sunset walks on the beach
- Hiking in the Peneda Geres National Park
- Take the train across Ponte 25 de Abril
Weather in Portugal: temperature & trend
Portugal is a top holiday destination in summer, but it is also highly recommended all year round! With temperatures of up to 30 degrees, the warm holiday country offers everything you need to get a perfect tan on the beach, cool off in the sea in between and stroll along the streets in the early evening. A city trip for just a few days, on the other hand, is more suitable in the spring months or in autumn, as you can see a lot without having to sweat too much.
But even in winter Portugal offers very mild temperatures, so that you can explore and do a lot even in colder weather and possibly even snow! Landscapes with a wintry flair and popular winter sports, such as skiing or snowboarding, also sound very tempting and have their very own charm.
Weather today / in three days
Accommodation: Camping, Holiday Homes or Hotel?
Now that you are as well informed as possible about Portugal and the most popular contact points, the only question that remains is which accommodation option you should choose. Depending on your preferences, you can choose between a hotel, your own holiday apartment or camping. While you usually get the complete package on a hotel holiday and don’t have to worry about catering, in a holiday apartment you are more flexible and not tied to possible meal times. On the other hand, you are completely independent when camping and you can even travel from one place to the next at will and thus take as much of the amazing country with you as possible.
Apartment and hotel
If you decide on one of the popular hotels in Portugal, you usually don’t have to worry about anything. In the best case, you have integrated catering and can get up comfortably every day, have breakfast and start the day. In a vacation rental you have to cater for yourself, do your own shopping and cook. However, you get away a bit cheaper and are not bound to any meal times or the like. You can decide for yourself when your day starts, when and what you want to eat and, especially with children, you can be a little louder than in a hotel room.
Advantages of a hotel:
- Integrated catering
- Everything is prepared
- You don’t have to worry about anything
- Mostly own pool
- Luxury and relaxation
Advantages of a holiday home:
- Cheaper
- Not tied to any (meal) times
- More flexible day-to-day planning
- More practical for families with children
- Pets can often be taken along
Camping: nature, freedom and flexible travel arrangements
However, if you want to get the best out of Portugal’s beautiful nature and enjoy the feeling of freedom and closeness to nature into the evening hours, then you should decide to go camping! You are super flexible and not tied to a single place. In the best case, you travel with a roof tent on your car. You can decide completely freely and spontaneously when your day starts, where it goes next and when to take stops and breaks. A roof tent can easily be unfolded in a few minutes into an amazing bedroom and living room that can accommodate up to 5 people. Therefore, it is also ideal for families with children!
When camping, you can also spend a super intense time with your loved ones. Sitting together around the campfire, looking for constellations in the evening sky and chatting about old stories – all of this is camping and makes your vacation an unforgettable experience!
Advantages of camping:
- Love of nature and freedom
- Flexible travel arrangements (not tied to one location)
- Spontaneous daily planning
- Stops can be made anytime and anywhere
- Inexpensive vacation option
- Suitable for families with children and pets
- Spend intense time with your loved ones
Are you a camping beginner? Read here everything about the basics about packing list, route, costs, tips & Co.: Camping beginners!
Campsite recommendations
The most beautiful and popular campsites are all along the coast and inland. I have summarized for you which campsites are particularly recommended and which you should definitely visit on your camping trip:
- Camping Albufeira
- Parque de Galé
- Turiscampo Algarve
- Camping Orbitur Rio Alto Park
- Camping Orbitur Valado
- Parque Campismo da Penha
- Camping Olhão
- Orbitur campsite Valverde
FAQ: Everything about Portugal
What is known about Portugal? Is Portugal in the EU and where does the name of Portugal come from? Here are some questions answered that are often asked in connection with Portugal.
Is Portugal in the EU?
Portugal is a southern European country on the Iberian Peninsula and belongs to the EU.
Is Portugal a poor or a rich country?
For a very long time Portugal was considered a poor country from which many locals emigrated. Because of the low living conditions, many people moved to Brazil or one of the Portuguese colonies in Africa. Even today Portugal is quite poor compared to other European countries and lives from tourism in some regions.
Where does the name of Portugal come from?
The name Portugal is derived from the Roman port of Porto.
What is the continent of Portugal?
Portugal is a country in Europe.
What is known about Portugal?
Portugal is known for the mixture of breathtaking nature and historical culture. Therefore, you can optimally relax on the natural beaches, explore the idyllic landscapes and kilometers of coastline as well as go sightseeing in the various cities and marvel at one or the other architectural marvel.
Why are Portugal and Spain separated?
Spain took power in Portugal for a few years in 1580, so that Portugal was considered part of the Spanish province. It was not until 1668 that Spain declared Portugal an independent country.
