Algarve Travel Information

Algarve Travel Information

Sandy beaches, sunny climate, fresh Portuguese sea air, and beautiful landscape with sea cliffs and green countryside – there are the basic subjects of Algarve’s magnetism, which draws millions of visitors to enjoy the facilities of this popular coastal area in the southernmost corner of Portugal. Algarve region is a great destination for beach holidays under the warm Portuguese sun. Golf is a particularly popular outdoor sport inAlgarve.

Sandy beaches, sea cliffs and golf: Attractions of Algarve

Sandy beaches, magnificent sea cliffs, and sunny climate draw millions of tourists to enjoy the sunny summer days of Algarve and to relax surrounded by the exceptionally beautiful landscapes of the Portuguese coast. Popular beach resorts in Algarve such as Albufeira and Vilamoura offer lovely beaches to relax in. However, Algarve is profiled not only as a beach holiday destination, but also hosts historical sights and good places for outdoor sports.

Rocks on the coast of Algarve

Golfer’s paradise. The most famous outdoor sport in the area is golf in Algarve, which draws an amazing number of international players to enjoy the green landscapes and enjoyable golf facilities of the area that are well known around the world. Apart from golf, the scenic Algarve is also a popular place for hiking, fishing, and water sports such as surfing and sailing.

Cultural draws. For culturally oriented visitors, Algarve offers some festivals and museums, in addition to which also traditional fado performances are popular in Algarve. There are many Roman ruins in Algarve, and those looking for architectural attractions might also like to explore Algarve’s old towns such as the capital Faro, Lagos with its winding cobblestone streets, and Silves with its popular Red Stone Castle.

Empty alley in Algarve

Cities and nature. There is also a traditional spa town in Algarve, called Caldas de Monchique. Keen party people can enjoy the pleasures of the vivid nightlife in Algarve, which is best available in the resort city of Albufeira. Friends of nature, on the other hand, might like to explore the unspoiled nature of Ria Formosa Natural Park that stretches along the coast of Algarve, showing amazing diversity of nature with its golden sand beaches, lagoons, and marshlands inhabited by a great variety of birds and plants.

Practical information for your trip to Algarve

Weather in Algarve is pleasant with warm temperatures available also during the winter months. During the summer, the sunny days of Algarve commonly reach temperatures of 25-30 degrees Celsius.

Overall, the best time to travel to Algarve is between April and September. However, if sunbathing is not your main purpose, you can visit Algarve anytime, particularly so if you want to experience an extra portion of peace and silence that is widely available in the area outside the high season.

Beach in Algarve

How to get there. Located in the southernmost corner of Portugal, Algarve is easily reached from the capital city of Portugal, Lisbon. You can also find charter flights to Algarve’s Faro Airport from Great Britain and Western Europe. Public transport in Algarve is offered by local trains and buses. However, car rental in Algarve is the most popular choice for moving around in this coastal area, especially if you want to see the sights and scenic landscapes scattered around the Portuguese coast, which offers also interesting possibilities for biking in Algarve.

Coastal town in Algarve

The main beach resorts of Algarve are found in the towns of Vilamoura and Albufeira, which offer some of the best hotels in Algarve and also the largest variety of restaurants in Algarve. More than that, these resort towns offer also most of the nightlife in Algarve, not to mention the interesting facilities for shopping in Algarve. The cities in Algarve also host many restaurants to visit. English is spoken here by many locals who work in tourism industry. Algarve is a safe holiday destination that is popular also among families traveling with small children.

Coimbra Travel Information

Coimbra Travel Information

A historical city in Central Portugal, Coimbra was the capital of Portugal in the 12th century. Even though we have gone a long way from those times, the charm of the city has remained. Today, Coimbra is an important regional and cultural center famous for the tradition of fado-singing and for its World Heritage -listed University campus, which is among the oldest in Europe. More than that, this medieval inland town is good for shopping and outdoor sports such as golf and biking.

Holy cross church in Coimbra

Coimbra, a warm-hearted historical city in central Portugal

The first capital of Portugal and the main city of Central Portugal, Coimbra is famous mainly for its historical sights. Coimbra’s hilltop university area that overlooks the city and the river was built as early as 1537, making it one of the oldest universities in Europe. Thus, the area of the UNESCO World Heritage -listed university campus of Coimbra is an atmospheric place and a suitable target for a day walk.

Historical sights. Coimbra has also other historical attractions worth visiting. It is a city of churches and cathedrals as well as Roman age ruins, and the medieval downtown area is good for much more than just shopping in Coimbra. With all its winding cobblestone streets and medieval architecture, the old part of Coimbra is considered the heart of the city. Some of the best places for nightlife in Coimbra are also found inside the area.

Autumn colors in Coimbra

Cultural heritage. What else is there about Coimbra that meets the eye of a traveler? The National Museum of Macha Castro, which is found inside the old bishop’s palace, sure. The tradition of fado-singing, without a doubt! Coimbra is considered the birthplace of this traditional Portuguese music style that is known for its melancholic, blues-like shades.

Nature and sports. River Montego and its refreshing parks are a good place for walks in Coimbra, and also nice courses for golf around Coimbra are easy to find. If you don’t have time to tour Portugal extensively, the theme park Portugal dos Pequenitos in Coimbra offers a miniature version of Portugal. Suitable destinations for tours in the region would be for instance the historical towns of Condeixa-a-Nova and Montemor-o-Velho. The area is good also for biking around Coimbra.

Coimbra Old Town by night

Practical information for your trip to Coimbra

Located in Central Portugal along the main highway leading from Lisbon to Porto, Coimbra is easy to reach by road or rail.

As for flights and travelling to Coimbra, your main options are Lisbon and Porto, with the fist mentioned offering better connections. Lisbon is less than two hours away from Coimbra by train, and Porto can be reached in approximately one hour. Buses and trolleys are available for public transport in Coimbra, but getting around in the city is also easy by foot. Car rental in Coimbra is a good choice for exploring the area around the city.

Coimbra old town seen from water

The climate in Coimbra is quite warm all through the year, with average monthly high temperatures climbing to 15 degrees Celsius even at the coldest time of the year. Summers of Coimbra are warm with 25-30 degrees Celsius temperatures generally available. However, winters in the former capital of Portugal are quite humid, which makes the period between April and September the best time to visit Coimbra.

Cobblestoned street in Coimbra

Visitor services. A regional center full of historical charm, Coimbra is one of the most popular holiday cities in Portugal with all appropriate tourism services available. There are four tourist offices in the city, with the main office located in Largo da Portagem. Visit also the office along Avenida Afonso Henriques, with tourism information concerning the central region of Portugal available. Hotels in Coimbra cover a range of standards and styles, and local restaurants in Coimbra are best available in the old city part of Baixa.Nightlife in Coimbrais considered quite active, in spite of which Coimbra is a safe destination for travel.

Coimbra Travel Information

Coimbra Travel Information

A historical city in Central Portugal, Coimbra was the capital of Portugal in the 12th century. Even though we have gone a long way from those times, the charm of the city has remained. Today, Coimbra is an important regional and cultural center famous for the tradition of fado-singing and for its World Heritage -listed University campus, which is among the oldest in Europe. More than that, this medieval inland town is good for shopping and outdoor sports such as golf and biking.

Holy cross church in Coimbra

Coimbra, a warm-hearted historical city in central Portugal

The first capital of Portugal and the main city of Central Portugal, Coimbra is famous mainly for its historical sights. Coimbra’s hilltop university area that overlooks the city and the river was built as early as 1537, making it one of the oldest universities in Europe. Thus, the area of the UNESCO World Heritage -listed university campus of Coimbra is an atmospheric place and a suitable target for a day walk.

Historical sights. Coimbra has also other historical attractions worth visiting. It is a city of churches and cathedrals as well as Roman age ruins, and the medieval downtown area is good for much more than just shopping in Coimbra. With all its winding cobblestone streets and medieval architecture, the old part of Coimbra is considered the heart of the city. Some of the best places for nightlife in Coimbra are also found inside the area.

Autumn colors in Coimbra

Cultural heritage. What else is there about Coimbra that meets the eye of a traveler? The National Museum of Macha Castro, which is found inside the old bishop’s palace, sure. The tradition of fado-singing, without a doubt! Coimbra is considered the birthplace of this traditional Portuguese music style that is known for its melancholic, blues-like shades.

Nature and sports. River Montego and its refreshing parks are a good place for walks in Coimbra, and also nice courses for golf around Coimbra are easy to find. If you don’t have time to tour Portugal extensively, the theme park Portugal dos Pequenitos in Coimbra offers a miniature version of Portugal. Suitable destinations for tours in the region would be for instance the historical towns of Condeixa-a-Nova and Montemor-o-Velho. The area is good also for biking around Coimbra.

Coimbra Old Town by night

Practical information for your trip to Coimbra

Located in Central Portugal along the main highway leading from Lisbon to Porto, Coimbra is easy to reach by road or rail.

As for flights and travelling to Coimbra, your main options are Lisbon and Porto, with the fist mentioned offering better connections. Lisbon is less than two hours away from Coimbra by train, and Porto can be reached in approximately one hour. Buses and trolleys are available for public transport in Coimbra, but getting around in the city is also easy by foot. Car rental in Coimbra is a good choice for exploring the area around the city.

Coimbra old town seen from water

The climate in Coimbra is quite warm all through the year, with average monthly high temperatures climbing to 15 degrees Celsius even at the coldest time of the year. Summers of Coimbra are warm with 25-30 degrees Celsius temperatures generally available. However, winters in the former capital of Portugal are quite humid, which makes the period between April and September the best time to visit Coimbra.

Cobblestoned street in Coimbra

Visitor services. A regional center full of historical charm, Coimbra is one of the most popular holiday cities in Portugal with all appropriate tourism services available. There are four tourist offices in the city, with the main office located in Largo da Portagem. Visit also the office along Avenida Afonso Henriques, with tourism information concerning the central region of Portugal available. Hotels in Coimbra cover a range of standards and styles, and local restaurants in Coimbra are best available in the old city part of Baixa.Nightlife in Coimbrais considered quite active, in spite of which Coimbra is a safe destination for travel.