18+ Towns in Portugal you must visit

  • All Towns (18)
  • Algarve (12)
  • Lisbon (3)
  • Porto (1)
<p>Vale do Lobo is reputed to be 3 times the size of Monaco, so its easy to see why its known as the biggest and the best golf and beach resort in the Algarve! It certainly is a large resort and still growing with new areas under development. A network of roads (a lot of them oneway) weave their way around the resort past villas and apartments of all sizes. Like Quinta do Lago, once you are in the resort the rest of the Algarve seems a long way away and with, probably, everything you need close to hand you wouldnt need to venture out! Vale do Lobo has its own medical centre and a supermarket and in the central Parque do Golfe complex a bank, newsagents, wine shop, beauty centre and boutiques. Vale do Lobo also has a great selection of restaurants many of them at the square by the beach the popular place to be, particularly during the summer evenings.</p>
Vale Do Lobo, Algarve
Vale Do Lobo
Algarve - Portugal
<p>Silves is an enchanting town littered with orange and lemon trees, sitting on the banks of the Arade River (Rio Arade). There is history everywhere you look in Silves, to remind you of its affluent and bold past as a Moorish capital (“Xelb”). The most prominent monument is Castelo de Silves, which is now the best preserved castle in the Algarve. The castle and the Cathedral beside it are the first buildings you see as you approach Silves, as they sit on the hilltop above the town. Sé de Silves (Cathedral of Silves) one of the Algarve’s few remaining gothic monuments with ancient tombs, sits alongside the castle and a network of narrow, cobbled streets take you down into the town. </p> <p>Silves has a very pretty central square, Praça do Municipio, with palms and flowers, beautiful gardens, and a newly paved river front which leads you to the swimming pool and beyond. If you would like to improve your fitness a little there is an exercise area near the pool with Life Trail Wellness Stations an outdoor play area for adults. What a great idea, especially in the fabulous climate of the Algarve.</p>
Silves, Algarve
Silves
Algarve - Portugal
<p>From across the Rio Douro at sunset, romantic Porto, the country&rsquos secondlargest city, looks like a popup town. A colourful tumbledown dream with medieval relics, soaring bell towers, extravagant baroque churches and stately beauxarts buildings piled on top of one another, illuminated by streaming shafts of sun. If you squint you might be able to make out the open windows, the narrow lanes and staircases zigzagging to nowhere. Porto&rsquos historic centre is the Ribeira district, a Unesco World Heritage Site where tripeiros (Porto residents) mingle before old storefronts, on villagestyle plazas and in the old houses of commerce where Roman ruins lurk beneath the foundations. On the downside, here and in other parts of the city centre stand many dilapidated early20thcentury town houses, left to crumble as the young and moneyed flee to the sprawling suburbs by the sea. Yet despite signs of decay, in the last two decades Porto has undergone a remarkable renaissance &ndash expressed in the hum of its efficient metro system and the gleam of Álvaro Siza Vieira&rsquos Museu de Arte Contemporânea and Rem Koolhaas&rsquo Casa da Música. More recently, the arrival of lowcost airlines has turned Porto into a popular weekend getaway hence the boom in tourism. Culturally, Porto holds its own against much larger global cities. The birthplace of port, it&rsquos a longrunning mecca for wine aficionados. Riverside wine caves jockey for attention in nearby Vila Nova de Gaia, with scores of cellars open for tastings. With tasty new kitchens springing up regularly, its palate is slowly growing more cosmopolitan. And thanks to a number of superb venues, Porto residents dance to many of the world&rsquos top rock, jazz and electronic artists. On warm summer nights many a plaza can feel like one enormous block party.</p>
Porto City Centre, Porto
Porto City Centre
Porto - Portugal
<p>The immense Quinta do Lago complex is extremely impressive, with prices to match. Its fivestar hotel has accommodated heads of state and fully paidup members of the glitterati club, while its superb restaurants offer a cuisine fit for kings. Beyond this, its over 1500 acres offer no fewer than four championship sized golf courses, all situated alongside stretches of the <em>Rio Formosa Nature Reserve</em> and each with its own distinctive flavour. São Lourenço is par 72 and considered the most tricky with a large expanse of saltwater to overcome on some of the long drives. The Quinta do Lago and Rio Formosa courses take you through some terrain very typical of the Algarve, that is to say clusters of cork trees and the scented shade of pines. Finally, designed by American Ronald Fream, Pinheiros Altos boasts the tall pine trees alluded to in its name, along with many petite lakes and some shots that stretch even the most able golfers, despite looking cunningly straight forward.</p>
Quinta Do Lago, Algarve
Quinta Do Lago
Algarve - Portugal
<p>With three Galé beaches to choose from, there is plenty of beach for everyone, from picturesque rocky coves to long stretches of golden sand. They are all supervised by a lifeguard during the beach season and classed as accessible beaches making them perfect for anyone with mobility issues or disability. The question is, which Galé beach will you choose? There is a good choice of bars and restaurants in Galé, including restaurants at Galé beach and Manuel Lourenço beach and several more Quinta da Gale (Bar Grill Pizzeria), Pôr do Sol Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, The View Bar and Diner, The Curry Club and O Amigo Restaurant and Snack Bar within approximately a 1km stretch from the Galé Mar apartments heading towards Albufeira . For anyone looking for a special dining experience then look no further than the Michelin 2 Star Vila Joya restaurant opposite Vila Galé Praia hotel.</p>
Gale, Algarve
Gale
Algarve - Portugal
<p>Sagres is a truly tranquil town with beautiful beaches, a picturesque harbour at Baleeira, a very pretty square, Praça da República, and stunning views. It is very popular in summer with visitors, but all year round with fishermen and surfers because of the western Atlantic waters creating such good waves for surfing. agres perfect for walking, cycling, surfing, diving or generally getting a taste of the Algarve that is still relatively untouched by tourism. It is certainly very popular with the campervan / mobile home owners as there are always lots of them parked overlooking Mareta beach, with their occupants relaxing in deck chairs outside in the sunshine, at whatever time of the year we visit and what a view it is!</p>
Sagres, Algarve
Sagres
Algarve - Portugal
<p>Lisbon is an illuminated city. The almost constant presence of sunshine and the River Tagus transforms the Portuguese capital into a mirror of a thousand colours highlighting the city’s unique architecture and beauty. â€¨There are so many things to see and do in Lisbon that visitors have access to a wide array of different experiences. Have fun in Lisbon, where nightlife continues till dawn. Practise sport in Lisbon with excellent Golfe courses and beaches close at hand.  Experience calmer moments in Lisbon in the city’s parks, gardens, belvederes, cafés and esplanades. Or simply enjoy the pure pleasure of being in Lisbon, through its gastronomy, luxury hotels, spas andshopping centres.</p>
Lisbon city centre, Lisbon
Lisbon city centre
Lisbon - Portugal
<p><strong>Tavira</strong> is a beautifully elegant town and almost surreal in aspects. Visitors can be forgiven for forgetting where they are, or even what year it is, as they step into this unique Algarve fishing town. The market hall (mercado do ribeiro) on the river front was revamped a few years ago and now is home to several shops, cafes and restaurants around the edge with the central space available for exhibitions and special events.  If you enjoy shopping then dont miss the GranPlaza shopping mall it has a fantastic selection of shops, places to eat and cinemas as well as a large Continente supermarket. The beach at Tavira is a fabulous island beach, Ilha de Tavira, a 14km long offshore sandspit. Ferries cross from the town centre throughout the summer and all year round from nearby Quatro Águas.</p>
Tavira, Algarve
Tavira
Algarve - Portugal
<p>Beautiful sandy beach with room for tens of thousands, lined with beach restaurantes, beach sports, water sports, a marina with exclusive VIP clubs. A great nightife catering to everyone!!</p>
Praia do Rocha, Algarve
Praia do Rocha
Algarve - Portugal
<p>Faro the Algarve´s capital city, also where the airport is located. Its a busy town filled with busteling cobbled streets, boutique shops, fragrant coffee shops, shopping centres and amazing typical portugues restaurantes. It also boast a marina and is on of the central stations for onward travels wherever you go on your journey. </p>
Faro, Algarve
Faro
Algarve - Portugal
<p>Quarteira is a coastal civil parish, located along the southern extent of the Algarve fronting Albufeira Municipality to the west (in the parish of Olhos de Água). In addition, the local area authority is bordered in the east by Almancil, northeast by São Clemente, north by São Sebastião and Boliqueime.</p> <p>From the Atlantic coast, the frontier with its neighbours extends northwest along the Ribeira de Algibre, before following the M526 municipal roadway to the Estrada Nacional EN125 in Maritenda. From here, the border travels southeast along the EN125 until just after the N396 motorway, where it then divides along a ravine southwest towards the Atlantic Ocean, alongside the Royal Golf Course. The coast includes 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) of normallyclassified Blue Flag beach.</p>
Quarteira, Algarve
Quarteira
Algarve - Portugal
<p>Gibraltar welcomes millions of tourists every year and whether they are arriving to sample the fine cuisine, its natural beauty or its sporting pursuits many of them will head to Main Street, the centre of Gibraltar&rsquos commercial district and the scene of some of the best value shopping on the Mediterranean. Gibraltar has a history of shopkeepers and traders that dates back to the 1800s when the Rock flourished as a trading port boosted by its strategic, geographic location. During this period the modern identity of the Gibraltarian people evolved through a mixed population of Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Jewish and Moorish communities. Gibraltar remains home to many descendant families who established their businesses during this period and their shops are still visible in Gibraltar&rsquos busy shopping centre. Gibraltar is a VAT free jurisdiction so goods sold in Gibraltar offer the best value and the currency is the Gibraltar Pound, equivalent to Sterling, so there is no costly currency conversion for visitors from the United Kingdom. Along with the more traditional shops, visitors to Main Street will recognise international high street brands and chains. These sit alongside handicraft and souvenir shops. Best buys include cosmetics and perfumery, jewellery, tobacco and spirits, designer glass frames, specialist linens and electronics.For souvenirs and a taste of local life, head to Casemates Square where you&rsquoll find local artisan shops and the Gibraltar Crystal Factory, where you can watch the glass blowers at work. Inaugurated in 1929, the Gibraltar Public Market just outside Casemates Square, is a traditional indoor market with a range of fish, fruit, vegetables and local delicacies. It&rsquos a great place to people watch and get into the local spirit. Casemates Square, positioned at the end of Main Street in the heart of Gibraltar&rsquos shopping district was once the site of public executions, it is now filled with fashionable outdoor restaurants, cafés and bars, and is the hub of nightlife in Gibraltar. The newly constructed King&rsquos Bastion Leisure Centre on Queensway offers a wide range of entertainment facilities for all the family. There are no shortages of places to go out in the evening in Gibraltar. Whether dining out for a meal or simply a drink there is an abundant choice of places to go. The larger hotels all offer resident cocktail bars, offering comfortable and sophisticated surroundings for a quiet drink and some offer music. For a more informal evening, choose from a selection of lively cosmopolitan wine bars or traditional pubs. Later you may choose to dance into the small hours at one of Gibraltar&rsquos nightclubs or enjoy a flutter at the Casino.</p>
Gibraltar, Costa Del Sol
Gibraltar
Costa Del Sol - Spain
<p>Some cities have looks, other cities have personality. The sevillanos &ndash lucky devils &ndash get both, courtesy of their flamboyant, charismatic, everevolving Andalucian metropolis founded, according to myth, 3000 years ago by the Greek god Hercules. Drenched for most of the year in spiritenriching sunlight, this is a city of feelings as much as sights, with different seasons prompting vastly contrasting moods solemn for Semana Santa, flirtatious for the spring fiesta and soporific for the gasping heat of summer. Like all great cities, Seville has historical layers. Roman ruins testify the settlement&rsquos earliest face, memories of the Moorish era flicker like medieval engravings in the Santa Cruz quarter, while the riverside Arenal reeks of lost colonial glory. Yet, one of the most remarkable things about modern Seville is its ability to adapt and etch fresh new brushstrokes onto an ancient canvas.</p>
Seville, Seville
Seville
Seville - Spain
<p>Portimão is a mix of late 19th, early 20th century buildings in the older part of the town, and high rise apartment blocks in various pastel shades of blue, pink and coral around it. The town centre is simply perfect for those who love to shop! It is jam packed full of shops, offering a wide choice of clothes, gifts, souvenirs, electrical goods and general household items. You’ll see brands you see at home, such as Mango for the ladies and plenty of traditional shops selling bargain leather goods, such as handbags and belts. There are also plenty of bars, restaurants and café’s where you can sit for a bite to eat or a drink and watch the town carry on around you. To see the more relaxed side of Portimão, wander down to the river front, where the Manuel Bivar gardens are, and have an icecream or a coffee at one of the cafes along the front. You will also find Portimãos famous fish restaurants at the end of the waterfront near the bridge just follow the aroma of sardines barbecuing!</p>
Portimao, Algarve
Portimao
Algarve - Portugal
<p>Cascais is the go to getaway destination for the best and brightest of Lisbon, a short journey West along the Silver Coast and you will find yourself submersed in nature, watersports, beaches, casino's, clubs and bars.</p>
Cascais, Lisbon
Cascais
Lisbon - Portugal
<p>Nazaré is a town and a municipality in subregion Oeste and Leiria District, in Portugal. It is one of the most popular seaside resorts in the Silver Coast/Costa de Prata, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 15,158, in an area of 82.43 km². It became a famous place on the map when famous veteran surfer Garrett McNamara broke the world record for the highest wave ever ridden. He caught the wave off the coast of Nazaré in Portugal on Monday (January 28). It was reportedly 100ft high (30.48m), although that is subject to verification. In November 2011, chasing storms and tracking swells paid off for McNamara as he entered the Guinness World Records. He caught a 78 foot (24 m) wave in Nazaré, Portugal after being towed into the wave from a jet ski riding a 6&rsquo0 Dick Brewer Tow Board. His record beat the prior world record by over a foot, but the premature announcement (by others, not by McNamara) proved a source of controversy in the surf world.Meanwhile, McNamara continued to search for an even larger wave. In January 2013, McNamara broke his own world record by surfing an estimated 100foot (30 m) wave. He also did this off the coast of Nazaré, Portugal. .</p>
Nazare, Lisbon
Nazare
Lisbon - Portugal
<p>The centre of Monchique is characterised by lots of narrow cobbled streets crisscrossing up the hillside with a spattering of cafes and restaurants. The central square boasts an attractive paved area with benches, trees and a lovely water feature, including an example of a Moorish water wheel. Monchique is a very quiet and relaxed place, which is ideal for pottering around and appreciating the fantastic views.</p>
Monchique, Algarve
Monchique
Algarve - Portugal
<p>Lagos is busy with several streets filled with restaurants to suit all tastes! There are loads of bars that stay open until the early hours and in the summer time the centre of town is alive with people of all ages enjoying themselves. There are always touts from the different bars offering a free drink or shot at their bar, but it can be a useful way to find them as they are often tucked away down one of the many little side streets.</p>
Lagos, Algarve
Lagos
Algarve - Portugal

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Towns & Cities in Portugal & Spain

Choosing which town or city to visit in Portugal or Spain when you are organising a Stag or Hen weekend can be tough! Here at Portugal Rocks we have profiled all the best towns and cities we think you will enjoy, what's on, what's hot and what other groups are booking. We have featured the towns and cities that are most appealing to Stags, Hens and Groups however there are lots of other amazing places to visit across Portugal and Spain, if you have an interest in a particular place don't hesitate to get in touch and we will send you all the information you need, meanwhile feel free to browse.

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