Portugal is far more than just another destination. This country of contrasts boasts unspoiled natural vistas, rich traditions, intoxicating culture, adrenaline-pumping adventures and some of the most serene retreats in all of Europe. It is a destination of timeless appeal — as inviting, complex and enjoyable as a glass of port wine. And it is an affordable, approachable and safe place for Canadians to experience European culture and history. Portugal is a wonderful blend of the traditional and the new, the classical and the modern. It has a culture and history uniquely its own, with a distinctive personality. The stories this nation can tell a traveller are the stuff of legend. Come discover this land of explorers and become one yourself. Herewith, the seven regions of Portugal:
Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is home to two million people. It is a city filled with award-winning restaurants, modern luxury hotels and a nightlife that is second to none. Its numerous cathedrals, churches, museums and art galleries not only pay homage to the city’s long history, but they attract the most modern artists and art, performers and theatre, singers and music. It all combines to make Lisbon one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities. From Lisbon, a visitor can easily reach the resort towns along the Atlantic coast. Some of the more classic towns include Estoril and Cascais, while the historic towns, such as Sintra, Óbidos, Mafra, Tomar, Santarém and Alcobaça, offer an authentic view of older Portuguese culture. In the town of Fátima, thousands of pilgrims visit the Shrine of the Virgin Mary every year.
Porto & the North
Portugal’s second largest city, Porto is known worlwide for its prime export, port wine. In 2006, the region marked the 250th anniversary of port wine production along the Douro River Valley, which is easily explored by car or river cruises and was rated seventh in the world for sustainable destinations by National Geographic Traveler in 2009. Porto is also the location of Portugal’s official founding, which dates back to the 12th Century. The city of Guimarães, northeast of Porto, is the nation’s first capital and the birthplace of its first king, Dom Afonso Henriques.
Centre of Portugal
This centrally located region offers a varied terrain, natural wonders and a long, storied past. In the coastal city of Aveiro, visitors will find colourful beach houses, whereas Figueria da Foz has a world-class casino and great surfing to attract tourists. In Conimbriga, Roman ruins are abundant, while Belmonte and other interior towns feature ancient ruins strewn among castles and fortresses. Meanwhile Coimbra, which houses one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe, is marked by the distinctive Baroque style of the 1600s.
In the majestic mountains of the Beiras-Centro region, visitors can experience traditional Portuguese cuisine or indulge in outdoor activities, including snow sports. In the north, Estrela Mountain’s natural park offers hiking opportunities among its numerous quaint walled towns. In the south, open plains are dotted with a rugged landscape of granite. The region is also known for some of the best cheeses in Europe.
Alentejo
This region offers a coastline of rocky cliffs and little-known beaches, a Roman temple, a Gothic cathedral, ancient ruins, Dolmens and other megalithic monuments. With colourful attractions and incredible sights to behold, the Alentejo region is as well known for its wild side as it is for its deep history. At one time, the region was ruled by Moors, Romans, Carthaginians and others, and the remnants of these cultures pop up in the region’s fortified cities and countryside. The city of Évora offers palatial hotels and authentic cuisine, while the numerous cork forests, olive groves and sunflower fields make for a beautiful drive.
Algarve
The Algarve, whose name is derived from the Arabic “Al Gharb,” meaning “The West,” is situated in the extreme south of Portugal. The region is a delight to visit all year round, with its golden sandy beaches on the coast offering a haven for sun-seekers while the sleepy hillside villages further inland offer peace and tranquility for those who just want to get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Among the Algarve’s main holiday destinations are resorts such as Albufeira, Armação de Pêra, Praia da Rocha and Vilamoura, offering an excellent selection of accommodation, beaches and nighttime entertainment ranging from cabaret shows at casinos to lively discos and quiet, welcoming bars. It is no surprise many visitors return to the Algarve year after year.
You could spend weeks, months and even years exploring all the beaches of the Algarve. From east to west, there’s a stretch of coastline — more than 200 kilometres of it — to suit everybody, from sheltered dunes to rocky coves, from tiny bays to vast stretches of open sands, from shallow lagoons to the crashing surf of the wild Atlantic.
Blessed with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, the Algarve also enjoys the perfect climate to complement its spectacular shoreline. Spring arrives early, long hot summers are tempered by cooling sea breezes, autumn lingers late into the year, and even in winter, sunny days are the norm rather than the exception. The region also boasts some of the best golf courses in Europe, designed by some of the most famous names in the sport, including Jack Nicklaus, and is home to numerous prestigious competitions and tournaments.
Madeira
Discovered in 1420, Madeira is a semi-tropical island in the Atlantic Ocean that lies 1,500 kilometres southwest of Lisbon. The island is blessed with a perfect climate: always warm in winter and never too hot in summer. Funchal, the capital of Madeira, has a romantic air thanks, in part, to constant sunshine, a bay surrounding the city, botanical gardens,
elegant resorts and fascinating landscapes. World-class hotels rise on black cliffs, and casinos, nightclubs and restaurants make any night a night to remember. Madeira’s steep topography gives the island six distinct climate zones. The landscape also contributes to some of the best hiking in Europe, with trails that follow water channels (called “levadas”) past waterfalls and spectacular views. Madeira’s nearby small island, Porto Santo, has a coast covered with dunes and vineyards, and shows off an incredible six-mile-long sandy beach.
The Azores
The Azores archipelago is made up of nine islands 1,450 kilometres out to sea, making them nearly as close to Newfoundland as to mainland Portugal. Formed by the meeting of three tectonic plates, the Azores Islands appear to rise from the water almost magically. The volcanic topography makes for some spectacular flora and fauna, with crater lakes shimmering in blue and green, while the remoteness of the islands has contributed to their culture. Distinct in cuisine, dialect and traditions from the rest of Portugal, the Azores have continued to carve out a unique corner of Portuguese history. The towns are full of historic churches, yachting clubs, fishing harbours and museums. In addition, the United Nations has recognized two sites in the Azores as World Heritage sites that must be preserved due to their historic value — the town of Angra do Heroismo on the island of Terceira and the vineyards on Pico Island, the smallest of the Azorean islands.
José Fernando Moreira de Cunha is
Portugal’s ambassador to Canada. Reach him at (613) 729-2922 ext. 229.
