Move Over Lisbon! Travelers Are Discovering This Affordable Mediterranean Paradise
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Portugal has had a record-breaking summer season. And its reputation appears to proceed properly into the autumn.
But whereas the nation as a complete has welcomed large numbers of holiday makers, one vacation spot specifically has shone as a tourism star this yr.
Enter Portimao.
According to the Portugal Institute of National Statistics, Portimao skilled the most important development in in a single day stays this summer season, with 10.9% extra guests than final yr.
As the biggest metropolis within the Algarve, Portimao boasts stunning seashores, fascinating native historical past, and interesting low costs.
Here’s why it’s best to take into account Portimao as a substitute of Lisbon in your subsequent Portuguese getaway:
Things To Do In Portimao
You can’t discuss visiting Portimao with out mentioning its seashores.
Although Portugal is usually thought-about a Mediterranean nation attributable to its local weather, Portimao truly sits on the Atlantic coast. But that doesn’t diminish simply how stunning its seashores are.
The entire shoreline right here is fringed by tall cliffs, and also you’ll see beautiful rock formations jutting from the water simply off the shoreline.
It’s a shocking scenic attraction.
One of one of the best seashores is Praia dos Três Castelos which not solely has a shocking golden sand seashore but additionally boasts unbelievable rock formations and caves to discover.
This is a superb place for watersports, resembling kayaking or paddleboarding, which the shoreline right here is legendary for. You can take a sundown cruise from Portimao to the Benagil caves, that are shut by and are one of the best instance of caves within the space, for just $19.
Away from the seashores, different unbelievable sights to discover in Portimao embody the Fortaleza de Santa Catarina, which is a medieval fort within the metropolis.
It was constructed through the reign of King Phillip II making it greater than 400 years previous.
The small chapel inside is gorgeous and an fascinating detour, however it’s the views from the highest of the fort that make it price visiting.
The fortress is open to the general public and entry is freed from cost.
Where To Stay In Portimao
Portimao has a repute for being one of many extra reasonably priced locations in Portugal, and that is notably true once you go to within the quieter seasons, resembling fall and winter.
In the autumn you could find good, snug 3 star lodging in Portimao from as little as $50 per evening.
Looking at a 3 evening keep from October 16 to October 19, the very best rated 3 star resort is the Hotel Santa Catarina Algarve which is 50 meters from the seashore, with the entire rooms having their very own balconies.
A 3 evening keep for two folks sharing is $240 or $40 per person, per evening.
If you’d prefer to splurge or choose one thing a bit extra luxurious then the very best rated 4 star resort out there (based mostly on time of trying) for a similar dates is the Jupiter Marina Hotel – Couples & Spa. This resort is 100 metres from Portimão’s riverside and has a rooftop infinity pool and exquisite spa.
A 3 evening keep for two folks sharing is $434 or $73.60 per person, per evening.
Getting There
One of the issues that makes Portimao so interesting is that it is a bit off the crushed path, notably in fall/winter when there isn’t a nonstop flight to the Algarve for American vacationers.
You might take an oblique flight into Faro airport, or you might fly into Lisbon after which take public transport to the Algarve and Portimao. This is prone to be the most affordable choice, and public transport is each reasonably priced and dependable in Portugal.
You can fly to Lisbon from New York, Miami, Washington, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and San Fransisco.
To give an instance of costs, I checked out flights from New York departing on October 17 and returning on October 23. Nonstop flights with Delta on this route are costing $769 return.
The flight time on this route is 7 hours quarter-hour outbound and eight hours quarter-hour inbound.
Once you’re in Lisbon, the prepare from Lisbon to Portimao takes 3 hours 26 minutes on common. A a technique journey on this route will cost just $35, and though the thought of a protracted prepare journey after your flight may not be interesting, why not spend a few days in Lisbon first?
When you’re feeling refreshed, it is a splendidly scenic prepare journey, and a useful expertise in its personal proper.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accredited or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the put up.