Portugal shares the Iberian Peninsula with
Spain,
and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. Its long, varied
coastline, sunny climate, and the relaxed lifestyle of the inhabitants of its
charming towns and villages have made it a sought after holiday destination.
The delight of
Portugal is that, although it is undeniably part of modern
Europe, it retains some rural enclaves where time has stood still and traditions
flourish. In the southern province of the Algarve, modern high-rise resorts line
the coast and buzz with all the trappings of a package tour destination; the
capital city, Lisbon, on the west coast, is a bright, busy, crowded metropolis
surrounded by bustling tourist resorts. Travel a few miles north or east, however,
and discover a largely...
y undeveloped picturesque countryside full of medieval villages
and towns where life has changed
little over several centuries. Often overshadowed by its much larger eastern
neighbor, Spain, Portugal has its own distinct language, identity, customs, landscapes
and scenery. Despite the encroachment of tourism, it remains one of the least
spoilt corners of Europe. Portugal can conveniently be divided into five regions:
Porto and the north, Beiras,
Lisbon and
the Tagus Valley, Alentejo and the Algarve.Your search for
hotel
deals in Lisbon, budget hotels and
cheapest
hotel reservations ends
here!
Once just a small picturesque fishing village,
Cascais (pronounced 'Kesh-kaysh'), 19 miles (30km) west of Lisbon, has exploded into one of the most
bustling, sophisticated resorts on the Portuguese Riviera. It retains its laid-back
atmosphere, however, and the ln ocal fishermen still ply their trade and auction
their catch on the main square. The town now hosts a plethora of elegant shops,
bars and eateries set around colorful cobblestone walkways, to cater for the
holidaymakers, and besides the lovely local beaches there are some sightseeing
opportunities.
Vilamoura,
an ambitious purpose-built resort on the central Algarve coast, is one of Europe's
largest privately developed tourist havens, offering holidaymakers every form
of sport, entertainment and amenity imaginable. The resort is built around a
magnificent 1000-berth marina, alongside which are preserved Roman ruins that
were unearthed during construction back in the 1960s. The southern border is
host to a long, sandy beach, which is lined with quality hotels, self-catering
apartments, numerous restaurants and shops, and a host of leisure facilities
including a casino. Further inland villas nestle in lush gardens between the
golf courses. Vilamoura, which means 'Village of the Moors', is designed for
pure pleasure for everyone, of any age or orientation. Nature has enhanced the
resort with a temperate sunny climate and beautifully landscaped
surroundings.
Albufeira,
Portugal's most popular resort, has been described as a stretch of 'holiday-land
suburbia', spreading from the old town both east and west along the coast, its
sandy coves and golden beaches drawing an assorted crowd from retired couples
to wild teens, and plenty of families with young children. Satellite resort developments
provide every imaginable type and grade of accommodation. Everyone finds something
to enjoy in this sprawling, low-rise holiday Mecca, which retains its old world
charm in narrow alleyways behind the new hip and happening "Strip".
The Strip, to the east of town, runs from the Montechoro Hotel down to the Praia
da Oura, lined with dozens of cafes, restaurants and bars that keep pumping from
breakfast time to the small hours.
There is a wide range of
accommodation available all over the
country, ranging from
luxury hotels, pensions, boarding houses and inns
to simple guesthouses, manor houses, campsites and cheap hotels. Hotels are classified
according to the international 1- to 5-star system and prices are officially
approved. During the low season hotels often grant substantial reductions and
you can make cheap reservations. Children under twelve are usually entitled to
a 50% reduction on the price of meals and an extra bed, if sharing a room/apartment
with parents. Rooms are available in private houses and on farms all over Portugal.
Many local tourist offices maintain lists of privately owned properties where
visitors can stay. There is self-catering tourist accommodation in deluxe, first-
and second-class tourist villages and tourist apartments, particularly on the
Algarve. Tour operators can arrange a wide variety of villas for self-catering
parties. Looking for cheapest hotels in Portugal? You will find here the cheapest
among all cheap hotels in Portugal.
Destinations 