The 10 Best Destinations for Family Holidays in Portugal


Bragança

 

Capital of the Trás os Montes region, although little explored by tourism, it is always a pleasant destination for those who enjoy a restful family day. 
Start by visiting Bragança Castle and then take a leap to the Montesinho Park, known for being one of the wildest forest areas in Europe, rich in fauna and flora, offering nature activities such as horse riding, hiking, Mountain biking, 4x4, etc. 
In Macedo de Cavaleiros, you will find the river beach of Azibo, considered by many the best in the country. If you dont like the beach there is always the Tua river in Mirandela.
Bragança is rich in gastronomy, from the most varied sausages, cheeses, traditional sweets to the beautiful of Mirandese steak. If after all this, you still have the strength to go out at night, you may well leave your car at home and go to Bragança for the night on foot, since everything is at your fingertips… everything!

 

Viana do Castelo

 

In addition to the streets of this city full of history dating back to the time of discovery, Viana do Castelo becomes an attractive destination for you and your family because it is all facing the sea. 
The citys mother church, Citânia de Santa Luzia or the Gil Eannes hospital museum ship which is moored by the Viana shipyards are some of the points of interest of this destination. 
Walk the city on foot, climb to the top of Santa Luzia hill so that you can enjoy the view of the Basilica, over the blue of the beautiful Atlantic. 
Throughout the summer the streets of this city are filled with pilgrimages, the best known of all is the Festa da Senhora da Agonia. Enjoy beautiful beaches, starting with Cabedelo beach. 
Here cod is king, enjoy a beautiful cod in the style of Viana or a rice of lamprey, always save a space for dessert because you can not fail to taste the beautiful pie of Viana.

 

Gerês

 

Those who passed through with certainty were not indifferent to the cultural and landscape richness of this destination. Nature invades the Peneda - Gerês National Park, enjoy this scenery to do family camping. 
There is a wide range of sports activities in Gerês, from rappel, slide, paintball, canoeing, mountain biking, traditional games, among others. 
Enjoy and go to Vilarinho Valley to go mountain biking, or to the Tahiti Waterfalls, simply one of the most beautiful landscape places in Geres, if you are adventurous be sure to canoe in the dam of Caniçadas. The Ethnographic Museum and São Rosendo Church are also some points of interest to visit.
At the end of a busy day you can enjoy the hot springs of Geres to relax and beyond, as they are considered medicinal. 
Do not go home without tasting the goats beauty or the stewed veal in the pot, as always save room for Bucho Doce, a typical dessert of the region.

 

Varzims Mist





One of the positive aspects of this city is that besides having the best beaches in the north of the country, it is also one of the few areas where there is legal gambling. 
The Blind of May in honor of one of the most iconic poveiros ever, the fishing hero José Rodrigues Maio. The Romanesque Church of S. Pedro de Rates, the Aqueduct, the Parish Church, the City Hall, the Monte de S. Félix and of course the monumental Casino da Póvoa are some of the points of interest of this city. 
If you want to go out at night, guess where it will end? To the beach, it is, thats where everything happens. 
Being Póvoa a land of fishermen, you can not miss one of the many fish dishes made in this region.

 

Guimarães

 

Will there be a city with more history? After all, Portugal was born here. 
Filled with history and wonders, Guimarães has more than many points of interest and activities. You can start by visiting the landmark of the city which is Guimarães Castle, or the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, climb to the Penha Sanctuary and end up strolling through the City Garden. If you are a football fan you can always visit the D. Afonso Henriques stadium. 
A diverse itinerary that can not be missed ..

 

Port

 

Not any city that offers culture and history like Invicta. In addition to benefiting from a privileged geographical location, Portos historic center is considered a World Cultural Heritage. 
In the historical center you will find several monuments among them: Fountain at Largo da Sé, Porto Cathedral, Misericórdia Church, Santa Clara Church, Luis I Bridge, Ribeira Square, etc. 
You can also enjoy a family cruise in the waters of the Douro River. Stroll along the riverside pier, go to downtown Porto and get to know the local shops. Climb the Clérigos Tower and contemplate the view over the Douro river and the city. Be sure to visit the Port Wine Cellars, the Soares dos Reis National Museum, the Casa da Música and the Porto Coliseum. There are also many theaters here: Rivoli Theater, Sá da Bandeira Theater, S. João National Theater  
Enjoy a beautiful Port, the original, while savoring delicious angel chats.

 

Evora

 

This city combines peace of mind, history and animation like few others. Évora bears witness to various styles and aesthetic currents, and is therefore endowed with works of art. 
With so much history, there is no shortage of places in the city of Évora for an unavoidable visit. The Roman Temple, the Church of San Francisco and its famous Chapel of Bones, the D. Manuel Palace are just a few examples of what you will find here, not forgetting that Évora still has an excellent handicraft offer. 
Enjoy a purslane soup while choosing one of the many typical dishes of this town: lamb stew, xaras head, coriander pork feet, hare and other game dishes, breadboards, migas, sarapatéis, sausages , the cacholeiras, the açorda à alentejana or the gazpacho à alentejana.

 

Lisbon

 

Capital, the ideal destination for a family vacation. 
You cannot go to Lisbon without visiting the emblematic Belem Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, the Jeronimos Monastery, the Restauradores Square, the Basilica da Estrela and the Parque das Nações. 
Enjoy the view over the Tagus River as you cross the 25 de Abril Bridge or Vasco da Gama. Go to Bairro Alto to hear Fado live, to São Carlos Theater to hear opera, to Coliseu dos Recreios to attend a concert or to D. Maria II Theater to watch a play. As you see, more than enough reasons for a vacation in the Capital. Also be sure to visit the Oceanarium, the kids will love it.
The gastronomy of this city is legitimately influenced by the proximity of the sea. Tasty sardines, codfish fritters and garden fish are some of the typical Lisbon specialties. Custard tart is the most famous candy on these sides.

 

S. Miguel Island, Azores

 

Already outside the continent, it is in the Azores that we find an island full of magic and adventure, S. Miguel. This island of volcanic nature, mountainous relief, valleys, caves and streams becomes the ideal destination where you can go exploring with your family. 
The background of ancient craters of extinct volcanoes now serves as a bed to Lagoa das Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo and Lagoa das Furnas. 
But the island of S. Miguel is much more than lagoons, vegetation and mountains. In addition it includes a set of outdoor areas where the visitor can develop leisure activities. 
S. Miguel offers a diverse cuisine, from octopus dishes, fish stews, limpets rice to the emblematic furnas stew, which has the particularity of being made in the natural boiler of Furnas Lagoon

 

Algarve

 

Long and hot summers, warm waters with their natural landscapes, historical and ethnographic heritage and delicious and healthy gastronomy are references that make this destination the most attractive of all. 
From here you will have the opportunity to climb to the Serra do Caldeirão, to know the Ria Formosa and navigate the Guadiana River. Undoubtedly, the beautiful beaches of the Algarve make this destination the favorite of the Portuguese, some of them: lighthouse beach, carvoeiro beach, praia da rocha among many others, in what is the long sandy coast of the south coast of the country. 
The gastronomy of this region is the result of a combination of the fresh sea flavors and the pleasant and strong aromas of the countryside, examples of this: razor clam rice, syrup, tomato tuna steaks, among others.

Whatever you are looking for, be it fun, rest, adventure or culture, you are sure to find it in Portugal. 
What are the ideal Portuguese destinations for a family holiday?

  • The 10 Best Destinations for Family Holidays in Portugal


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