Enchanting Portugal as the perfect destination this summer

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The Algarve region is one of Portugal’s top summer spots, famous for its unique topography, bountiful flora and fauna, and raging nightlife. It is known to have some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Lagos is a walled old town with rocky formations, and it is popular as a summer party destination. It fills up with tourists from around the continent starting from June as its central location makes it a perfect base for day trips to other places in the region.

Within a short distance from Lagos, you will find iconic attractions like Praia do Camilo – a gorgeous cove, Ponta da Piedade – the best ocean views in Portugal, Praia da Galé – a golden sand beach with swimming friendly waters, and Barreta Island (Ilha Deserta) – an uninhabited coastline and wildlife refuge. At Praia da Galé, you can also spot marine life in natural pools between the rocks and explore sandstone caves, while Barreta Island is home to freshwater lagoons with a rich population of birds, including flamingos, purple swamphens, terns, and storks.

Maria’s Restaurant on the Quinta Do Lago beach has been welcoming visitors for more than 30 years. It started as a simple seaside shack in a prime location and has transformed into a spacious über-chic dining establishment. Maria’s is a comfy and modern eatery equipped with a tranquil rooftop bar and an outdoor terrace complete with high tables, comfortable sofas, and patio umbrellas overlooking the sea. The restaurant recently underwent a renovation to include a retractable roof and sliding glass doors.

The menu is made up of Portuguese classic dishes and international fare, including lots of fresh seafood. Patrons of the eatery can savor specialty items, such as grilled squid with lime and garlic, clams cooked in white wine with garlic and olive oil, sea bass ceviche with avocado, garlicky prawns cooked in brandy, and crispy sardines with tomato salad. The food is complemented by a hand-picked wine list, along with signature cocktails and refreshing mocktails.

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Madeira, nicknamed the “Floating Garden of the Atlantic,” is an archipelago full of sprawling cliffsides, waterfalls, and a landscape that looks like something plucked straight out of heaven. It is a treasure trove of natural beauty complete with black sand beaches, thick green foliage on hills, and deep blue waters.

The charming seaside municipality of Porto Moniz on the northwest tip of Madeira is a must-visit spot in summer. Life here revolves around the outdoors, and you will see people growing tropical fruit plantations along the hillside as you walk around. Built against a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the town is known for its saltwater swimming pools surrounded by volcanic rock formations. Besides its famous reservoirs, there are a host of attractions, such as The Madeira Aquarium – home to over 70 aquatic animals, and São João Baptista Fort – built to protect the island from pirates. If you are feeling adventurous, then book a guided 4x4 tour that takes you through the volcanic landscape to find hidden waterfalls and finish your day by watching the sunset over the ocean.

After a captivating stroll around the lovely municipality of Porto Moniz, head over to the unpretentious Dom Peixe restaurant. It is a simple dining establishment that serves some of the best seafood in the Madeira region. The decor is plain and welcoming with a chilled-out vibe: wooden chairs with leather furnishings, diffused modern light fixtures, brown-tiled flooring, and whitewashed walls.

The eatery may not look visually impressive, but the local menu served here packs a punch. Diners are offered a varied selection ranging from fresh fish grilled on charcoal to traditional Portuguese cuisine. Visitors can relish delicacies like monkfish with shrimp served on a bed of rice, grilled squid with pickled onions, prawns and squid skewers served with potato salad, grilled whole cod fish, and char-grilled lobster with melted parsley butter. In desserts, do not miss out on their divine house-made mango mousse, lemon meringue pie, and burnt custard pudding.

by Marcio Azevedo

Sesimbra is a beach resort town that lies along the winding Portuguese coast. Located 40 km south of Lisbon, it is a popular tourist destination where locals flock during the warm months for water activities. The most famous landmark of Sesimbra is a 12th-century Moorish stone castle that is perched up on jagged cliffs dropping into the bay. There is a small historic monastery within the structure walls, and the best mountain and ocean views can be enjoyed from the top.

The bay waters of Sesimbra are pristine and clear, making it ideal for swimming and scuba diving. In addition to active water sports, there are excellent beaches, hiking trails, and national parks in and just around the town. Sesimbra is renowned for its deep-sea fishing, with regional specialties based around fresh catch. The most popular dish is arroz de marisco – a hearty stew containing crabs, shellfish, and sticky rice served in a large clay pot. Several waterfront restaurants are serving fresh fish, but our personal recommendation would be to visit Portofino Restaurant and Bar.

Located on the Sesimbra beach, Portofino is an intimate restaurant that offers its patrons a gourmet dining experience. The kitchen creates a Mediterranean-style menu consisting of unique dishes, such as salmon carpaccio with truffle oil, crispy duck in glazed teriyaki with caramelized plums, linguine with shrimps, and crawfish lobster risotto with mushrooms.

Portofino’s desserts include decadent offerings like lava cake with lime ice cream, lime and basil panna cotta, and blueberry pie. The enchanting surroundings of the eatery are elegant and inviting in ambiance thanks to tastefully combined white stools, hanging light fixtures, wicker basket chandeliers, light wood ceilings, and tiled flooring that give it a beach shack vibe. The fine dining establishment is a great place to relax and sip on spritzes or craft cocktails while enjoying a scrumptious meal by the beach.

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Hidden about 50 km from the capital city, Arrábida in Portugal is a magnet for nature lovers. It features coves of golden sand and bright blue waters that are subtly nestled among pine-covered hills and vineyards. The park stretches along the Atlantic coast from the town of Setúbal in the east to Sesimbra in the west. The landscape is dotted with villages, monasteries, forts, and unspoiled beaches waiting to be explored.

The two main waterfront spots of the area are Portinho da Arrábida – ideal for swimming and paddleboarding, and Galapinhos – a pristine uncrowded haven perfect for sunbathing and relaxing. The beaches are the main draw here, but the thick foliage also attracts hikers and photographers who come to enjoy the panoramic view and imprint in memory or capture on film the green landscape around. For many keen tourists, the town of Palmela is a popular starting point for a walk.

After a tiring hike through the Arrábida Natural Park, come and immerse yourself in a gastronomic experience of epic proportions at the Villas de Sesimbra restaurant. Nestled inside the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton, it is a contemporary fine dining establishment situated in the nearby town of Sesimbra. The interiors are made up of wood furniture, hanging bulb fixtures, marbled pillars, and gray carpeted flooring, which give the place an elegant and sophisticated feel. During the warm days, the restaurant provides outdoor seating by the pool for guests to relish their meals in the sun.

Villas serves a menu of international cuisine consisting of various meats, vegetables, seafood, and vegan delicacies. Diners can sample scrumptious dishes like spicy garlic shrimp with nori, grilled octopus with mashed potatoes, charred pork chops with potato fritters, and pan-fried crispy sea bass with creamy risotto. Villas also features a full-fledged bar complete with signature cocktails and a wine list presenting local and Italian labels.

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If you are an outdoors enthusiast, then the Azores in Portugal is the place to add to your itinerary. It is a stunning Atlantic archipelago formed of nine different islands. Popular destinations here include the Flores, São Miguel, Santa Maria, and Terceira islands. You can take thermal baths amidst nature, hike the summit of Mount Pico, and take a tour through an ancient lava tube called Algar do Carvão.

The most magnificent wonder of the archipelago is the otherworldly volcanic landscape of São Miguel Island’s Sete Cidades. It is a massive caldera with two lakes – blue and green. There are several walking tours you can take to explore this caldera, but one of the best views is from the Vista do Rei lookout. It is a brilliant place for animal observation, as tons of species call it their home or stop over during migration season. You can also spot sperm whales and bottlenose dolphins all year round.

Casa De Cha “O Poejo” is a tea house situated inside the Quinta Da Queiró hotel. From the outside, the building structure looks like a simple villa with a backyard. But once you step inside the restaurant, you are welcomed by a modern spacious interior with outdoor garden seating. The dining room has simple furniture covered in white tablecloths, big glass floor-to-ceiling windows, and retro artifacts on the thick shelves. The outdoor area is designed like a patio with simple picnic tables and large wooden chairs that give it a backyard ambiance.

Casa De Cha “O Poejo” specializes in teas, coffees, and traditional Azorean cuisine. Guests will find simple yet flavorful traditional dishes like roast beef with potatoes and green vegetables, mussels in tomato broth with fried egg, and crispy pork belly with cheese and chili oil. Besides the savory Azorean cuisine, you can also relish an array of sweet bakery and confectionery items, such as pastel de nata, plum cake with raisins, and dark chocolate cake.

Portugal is a dream country full of adventure, thrill, and fun. This is a place where travelers can see Roman and Moorish ruins standing alongside contemporary urban structures. From the west to the south, you will find fishing villages, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and lots of wine. With so many tourist attractions to see and explore, Portugal is a traveler’s paradise that should be on your bucket list.

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