1 Luxury Villas Portugal

One of the most popular beach villa rental destinations in Europe among travelers from all over the world, Portugal does not stop to surprise its lovers. The oldest state of the Iberian peninsula and one of the oldest of all Europe, this country has seen invasions of the Celts, Carthaginians, the Visigoths, the Romans, the Suebi, the Vandals and the Moors that have left a deep impact on the culture and architecture of Portugal. By 15th century it had established an empire and played a very important role in the modern history that got to be known as the Age of Discovery later on. Portugal is famous for its high living standards, happy population and low crime levels.

Where should I stay in Portugal? - The country includes a continental part located on the Iberian peninsula and two archipelagos Azores and Madeira. For a great city trip in Portugal, check its capital Lisbon and do not miss the UNSECO listed Mosteiro dos Jeronimos monastery, the fairy-tale Castelo de Sao Jorge, Iron age ruins and the postcard-like Praça do Comercio and at least Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga and Museu Calouste Gulbenkian for their ample collections of art. If looking for a space for the best beach vacation in Portugal, place your bets on Algarve known for its golden fine beaches, picturesque bays and the dramatic cliffs overhanging the water. For great lodging options, discover our luxury villas in Algarve located in the best spots of the area.

When should I visit Portugal? - The country enjoys Mediterranean climate and would be perfect for a travel all year round as every season has its advantages. For a city trip, the best time to come to Lisbon would be spring, in May or June when the level of precipitation comes to a minimum and the weather permits you explore the city without any limitation.
For a beach holiday, July and August as the hottest months tend to see a big number of people coming as well as the best weather, while the best months for coming to Algarve would be September - mid October. The weather is still very welcoming, the sea is warm after a hot summer and much warmer than in spring and the area as well as the beaches are not overcrowded.

Top things to do in Portugal - Do not miss historically and culturally rich Lisbon and its museums, churches and monasteries. Do nos miss the Belem Tower, Carmo Convent and Palace of Queluz. To walk around and keep the kids busy, discover Jardim da Estrela garden, the zoo and Oceanarium.
When in Algarve, apart from sunbathing and surfing, visit the walled Lagos town with its small cozy squares and Faro, the capital of the area. Pay attention to Ria Formosa Natural Park known for its lagoons, salt pans, creeks and dunes and the breathtaking cliffs of Ponta da Piedade. To plan your personal trip and make it absolutely carefree, contact our Concierge services specialists that will be happy to outline you all the best places to visit and all the best activities to do.

What not to miss in Portugal - Before traveling, list the dishes you definitely want to try in Portugal because otherwise you will get lost when there. Portugal is especially known for its delicious seafood thought the meats and cold cuts are also worthy. Among the iconic Portuguese cuisine ingredients you will find ´bacalhau´, or the dried and salted cod, that gets converted into unbelievable dishes like bacalhau com natas (baked cod with cream) and bolinhos or pasteis de bacalhau (cod cakes) easily. Tow other must-tries are caldeirada de enguias (eel stew) and cataplana de marisco (seafood stew). For meat and poultry, do not forget about the famous Piri Piri chicken (spicy chicken) and if coming when it is cold, a good cozido a portuguesa (Portuguese boiled dinner) will work well. To finish up, try one of the quintessential Portuguese desserts including pastel de nata de nata (egg custard tart in filo dough) and bolo de bolacha (biscuit with condensed milk).
For those who have not fallen in love with Portugal yet, an alternative for a city break or a summer beach destination will become Spain located right by. Discover our Spain luxury villas and Spanish destinations to see what suits you best.