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Portugal Overview

While our parcs in Portugal are among the most distant from Britain, they are both very much worth the trip, especially as Guincho enjoys a close proximity to Lisbon airport and Quarteira on the Algarve lies close to Faro airport. Having said that, many Eurocampers enjoy taking the ferry to Santander or Bilbao, then driving here through Spain.

Lisbon really is one of the world’s great capital cities, with an atmosphere and architecture that feels a million miles away from London and Paris.

Its most famous sight is the magnificent Belem Tower, which has guarded Lisbon’s harbour entrance since the early 16th century and is now a World Heritage Site. Yet the elaborate architecture doesn’t end there; Lisbon is a city full of venerable buildings and cobbled streets, making it endlessly picturesque, even when the ancient structures melt into the striking modernist architecture that is now arising.

Down in the Algarve however, you will find stunning palm-fringed beaches, magnificent golf courses, rocky coastlines and a sophisticated atmosphere that is entirely in keeping with its reputation as a favourite playground of the rich and famous.

Throughout Portugal, the cuisine and lifestyle is every bit as Mediterranean as you might expect, with rich seafood stews such as Caldeirada de Peixe and the delicious steamed clams they call Cataplana de Amêijoas. And of course, while you are here, it would be rude not to wash it all down with some of the excellent Portuguese wines such as Douro and Vinho Verde.

If you would like information about Eurocamp's campsites in Spain please see our holidays in Spain section for details.

Places to visit - Sightseeing

Camping in Portugal offers you so much more than endless sunshine. Whether you are looking for history and culture or simply fabulous beaches, Portugal has all you could ever ask for.

Lisbon
Portugal’s wonderful capital offers a host of treasures, from the Azulejos, the painted tiles that seem to adorn every building here; to its many and varied historic quarters and its famous Belem Tower. A day here is simply not enough.

Quarteira
While Quarteira is a busy and modern seaside resort on the surface, it has lost none of its ancient charm. Many visitors seek out the lovely Old Quarter, where fish and meat markets are still held, as well as the famous Gypsy market every Wednesday.

Almancil
When you’re looking for the Algarve’s true history, you will find it in Almancil. The Chapel of São Lourenço de Matos is decorated inside and out with some of the finest azulejos in Portugal, while the village around it simply oozes with charm.

Loulé
With a history that stretches back to Roman times, Loulé offers echoes of its various conquerors and inhabitants at almost every turn, with Roman remains competing with its medieval castle and many Manueline houses and monuments for your attention.

Cascais
Offering a multitude of winding, cobbled lanes to explore, Cascais is endlessly charming. It also offers a number of notable sights to enjoy, including the Pena Palace, the lighthouse of Santa Marta and the very striking House of Stories.

National Palace of Mafra
One of the most exciting baroque monuments in all Portugal, the Palace and Monastery of Mafra, with its no less than 1200 rooms, was also one of the largest edifices to be built in Europe during the 18th century.  Simply unmissable.

Cabo da Roca
While the coastal views and lighthouse at Cabo da Roca make a trip here worthwhile on their own, many visitors come here simply for the chance to stand at the very westernmost point of Europe, and receive a certificate to mark the event.

Sintra Cascais Natural Park
A vast area of great natural beauty, the park offers more than 140 square kilometres of stunning scenery, ranging from the Sierra de Sintra Mountains to the endless sandy beaches and the cape of Cabo da Roca.

Parque Natural de Ria Formosa
Whether you enjoy flora and fauna or history the most, you will find plenty to enjoy in this gorgeous national park. Not only is it dotted with Roman remains, it is also home to breeding grounds for many lovely sea birds.

Great for younger kids

Atlantic Park
One of the most popular water parks on the Algarve, Atlantic Park is home to a host of waterslides, and a spectacular daily show in the summer season. Just as importantly, it has plenty of safe, shallow waters for little ones to enjoy.

Lisbon Zoo
A popular attraction with tourists and residents alike, Lisbon Zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals and offers a wealth of attractions for younger guests, from the farm area and mini train to the daily dolphin displays and sea lion feeding.

Great for older kids

Playbowling
Close to Cascais, this outdoor centre offers a host of energetic activities for teens, including paintballing, laser tag, soccer, bowling and Segway racing. There is also a min quad bike track, which is ideal for younger children.

Karting Almancil
Not only does Karting Amancil offer you a very serious, 760m high-speed karting track, it also offers mini karts for 3-6 year-olds, plus water safari buggies for teens and adults, a mechanical bull and bungee-assisted trampolining.

Places to visit - Activities & events

Golf
It goes without saying that Portugal is a golfer’s paradise, with the Algarve justly famous for its many fine courses. However, you will also find gorgeous, verdant courses near Lisbon, including Montado, Troia and Aroeira 1 & 2.

Surfing
Though less well-known than the French surf destinations, Portugal offers many great surfing beaches, with those at Cascais and Lagos amongst the finest in Europe. With reliable waves and plenty of schools, it’s ideal for learners and experienced surfers.

Hiking
Endlessly beautiful and sparsely populated, Portugal is a favourite destination with walkers. The 11 National and Natural parks offer trails for all levels of fitness, while the 150 mile Via Algarviana or Algarve Way is a challenge for the most serious walkers.

Dolphin Watching
This part of the Atlantic is home to many large Dolphin pods, with regular watching trips available from Setubal near Lisbon, as well as a number of resorts along the coast of the Algarve.

Unmissable events in Portugal

Estoril International Showjumping Competition
Every July for the last 70 years or so, Cascais has hosted one of the world’s major showjumping events in the fabulous Manuel Possolo Hippodrome. It’s a must for all equestrian fans.

Estoril Jazz – Jazz on a Summer Day
During late May and early June every year, some of the world’s top jazz acts, with an emphasis on North America and particularly New Orleans, turn up to thrill jazz fans in this popular festival.

Festival of the Oceans – Every August in Lisbon
One of the most exciting tributes to the seven seas on earth, for 15 days every August, Lisbon presents this phenomenal festival offering a vast array of entertainment and cultural events.

Loulé International Jazz Festival
The historic centre of Loulé makes a fabulous setting for summer evenings of assorted jazz, from classical jazz to rock fusion and from blues to funk. Open-air music never sounded better.

Places to visit - Eating out

Portugal has a cuisine all of its own, and because eating out is something of a national sport, you will find many great places in which to enjoy these delicious specialities:

• Bacalhau – dried, salted cod, which it is said can be prepared in 365 different ways, one for every day of the year.
• Arroz de Marisco – a rich, rice dish that contains a variety of shellfish, often including lobster and oysters.
• Cozido à Portuguesa – a hearty pork and vegetable stew, often served with fresh, crusty bread.
• Port – while there are many enjoyable wines here, including young Vinho Verdes, you simply have to try some of the many white, ruby, and tawny ports here, which all come from the vineyards of the Douro Valley.

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