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Overview of Portugal Vacation Rentals

Best Time of Year to Visit Portugal Vacation Rentals

Portugal enjoys some of Europe's warmest weather. The climate is typically Mediterranean with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Because of its extensive coastline and many beautiful beaches, the favorite season to visit Portugal is summer. The weather starts to warm from early May and stays sunny until late in September. The peak travel season occurs during the months of June and July.

Stylish Portugal Holiday Rentals

Portugal is known for its vibrant and colorful lifestyle. Many of the vacation homes are apartments located in cities or seaside towns. Thin walls keep the homes cool in the summer heat and windows take in the beautiful coastal views. Many have beautiful gardens or overlook cobbled streets. As you open your window in the morning, you may get to smell the fresh coffee aromas brewing at the corner coffee shop.

Top Portugal Travel Destinations

Portugal's most popular summer destination is in the Algarve area. This region extends along the southern Atlantic coast of Portugal. It is known for its warm weather and vibrant holiday atmosphere. The main towns are Faro, Lagos and Tavira but the coastline is dotted with numerous small and welcoming fishing villages and towns. Many Europeans spend their summer vacations here lazing on the beaches and enjoying the warm Mediterranean weather.

Lisbon is the cultural and historical center of Portugal. It is a vibrant city that is a wonderful blend of old and new. There are several interesting museums that showcase the nation's history. On the city outskirts are several ancient castles and palace ruins from which you can enjoy great views over the city. Dining out in Portugal is a celebration in itself. Traditional dishes include fish and are often quite spicy. Portuguese food is known for its Peri Peri flavor which has a hot and spicy chili taste.

The northern part of Portugal is more rural. Major towns and cities in this region include Oporto and Braga. Oporto is famous as being the origin region for the strong fortified wine known as port. If that is to your taste, you can visit some of the local wineries and see the age-old methods of how port is produced. You may also get to sample a few different varieties.

Getting to Portugal

Portugal is located in the far southwestern part of Europe. It's only neighbor is Spain which surrounds the country to the north and east. Portugal also has two foreign island territories located in the Atlantic, namely the Azores and the Canary Islands. The main travel hub into Portugal is the capital city of Lisbon. The Portela International Airport is located just outside of Lisbon and linked to the city by rail and bus routes. The airport serves as a major travel hub for the rest of the country as well as the Azores and Canary Islands. There are regularly scheduled flights to Lisbon from most major cities in Europe. Several low-cost airlines operate flights from London to Lisbon as well as to Faro on the Algarve coast.

If you are traveling from North America, it may be worth your while to look into these alternative flight routings to find the best possible travel deal. The second major airport is in the city of Oporto. For travelers visiting this famous wine region, this will be the best airport to fly into. Once in Portugal, it is relatively easy to get around. There is an extensive road and rail network linking the various towns and cities. If you plan to hire a car, be aware that traffic in the major metropolitan areas can be quite chaotic. Outside of these areas, you can relax a little and enjoy the scenery.