Tag: active travel

Sunny, scenic Portugal is an ideal destination for active travelers who like to round off outdoor adventures with the classic European attractions of culture, castles and cuisine. Hikers, trekkers, cyclists, kiteboarders and surfers are all drawn to this small but diverse and welcoming country. This mini overview gives an idea of where to begin: Lisbon, the capital lies near the coast on the mouth of the Tagus River. The picturesque Castelo de São Jorge has stood guard over it since the 10th century; on Lisbon’s fabled seven hills, today’s visitors encounter an engaging mix of rich history and cutting-edge culture. It is conveniently located, near many fantastic beaches and with easy day trips to destinations such as Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site just a 40-minute train ride away. Porto is Portugal’s second biggest city, also near the coastline but about a 3-hour drive north of Lisbon. Home of the fortified port wine that bears its name, Porto has its own proud history and hip ambiance. It lies at the mouth of the Douro River, which flows through a sublimely beautiful agricultural region full of vineyards. Lagos is in the western part of the Algarve, the southernmost strip of mainland Portugal, famous for its beach and golf resorts. This small city has become a jumping-off point for travelers drawn to Portugal’s less developed southwestern coast. Its remote, cliff-lined beaches draw kayakers, cliff jumpers and deep-water soloists, who scale the rocks overhanging the ocean without any gear. Portugal also has two maritime provinces: the Azores, in the mid-Atlantic, and Madeira, several hundred miles west of Morocco. These lush volcanic island chains offer tantalizing, unique experiences for adventurous travelers. Top trails for trekkers Caminho Português, the 400-mile-long Portuguese leg of the legendary Camino de Santiago, begins in Lisbon and heads north to Santiago