Portugal

Best watersports & boat tours in Portugal

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Tips for your holidays in Portugal

Portugal is known as one of the best holiday resorts in Southern Europe. In fact, this coastal country has incredible beaches, beautiful turquoise waters and a spectacular rocky coastline that makes Portugal so unique. 
Thanks to its privileged geographical location by the Atlantic, holidays in Portugal are very popular among sea-lovers. In Portugal you can find some of the best surf trips, diving spots, kayak experiences and boat tours, from North to South and also on the islands of Madeira and Azores.

Popular destinations for the best watersports and boat tours in PortugalAlgarve

The Algarve, in the South of Portugal has become a major holiday destination for the ones who look for the best boat tours and watersports in Portugal and also for the most stunning beaches, some of the most pleasant weather in Europe and a rich culture, cuisine and busy nightlife. 
Vilamoura, Albufeira and Lagos, with their modern marinas, beautiful beaches and accommodation options for all tastes are some of the most popular destinations in the Algarve. Here you can find some of the best sea experiences in the Algarve like scuba diving, dolphin watching and other boat trips. Most boat tours in the Algarve run all year round. 
If you’re looking for a less crowded experience, the Algarve offers more alternative destinations like Tavira on its East or Aljezur and Sagres on its west coast. Here you’ll find a more authentic holiday experience.

Lisbon Area

The Lisbon area, around the Portuguesa capital has become a major holiday destination for short city trips over the weekend. Most travelers seek Lisbon for its rich culture, delicious cuisine and busy nightlife, but did you know Lisbon is also a great spot for nature-lovers?
For the ones who look for the best boat tours and watersports in Portugal, the area around Lisbon has many options. Around Sintra and Cascais, for example, you can find some of the most stunning beaches of Portugal with great conditions for surfing. 
On the south of Lisbon, around Setúbal and Sesimbra, nature lovers will be pleased with the Arrábida Nature park with a rich green flora and incredible coastline. This nature park is ideal for watersports like scuba diving or coasteering. Regarding boat trips, here you’ll find boat trips to spot wild dolphins that actually live in this nature park.
Also from Lisbon itself, there are many options if you want to experience the sea. From Cais do Sodré, Parque das Nações or Belém, hop on a sailing yacht and enjoy a cruise on the Tagus River to observe the city from a unique perspective or head out to the sea.
Most boat tours in Lisbon and its surroundings run all year round. 

North of Portugal

If you fly to Porto, you’ll have the chance to explore the North of Portugal. With very affordable low-cost flights, in recent years, Porto has become a major holiday destination for short city trips for European travelers. Most travelers seek Porto for its unique culture, stunning architecture and delicious wines, but did you know Porto is also a great spot for sea-lovers?
For the ones who look for the best boat tours and watersports in Portugal, the area around Portugal has many options. Around Matosinhos, for example, you can find some of the most beautiful beaches of Portugal with great conditions for surfing and kitesurfing. On the south of Porto, around Aveiro, you can enjoy one of the most authentic experiences in Portugal: a fishing tour with a local fisherman.
Also from Porto itself, there are many options if you want to experience a boat tour. Hop on a sailing boat and enjoy a cruise on the Douro River to observe both Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia from a unique perspective or head out to the sea.
Another boat tour we really recommend are the boat tours in the Douro Valley from Pinhão. 
Most watersports and boat tours in Porto and its surroundings run all year round.

Azores

With more affordable low-cost flights, in recent years, the Azores have become a popular holiday destination for nature-loving travelers. Most travelers seek the Azores for its lush green landscapes, incredible blue and green shaded lakes and hot springs. And did you know the islands of the Azores is also a great spot for those who seek some adventure on sea?
For the ones who look for the best boat tours and watersports in Portugal, the Azores offer many options. From the island of São Miguel, for example, you can go swimming with wild dolphins! Another of our favorite boat tours on São Miguel is a trip that takes you to explore the unique Princess Ring. Or you can enjoy one of the most authentic experiences in Portugal: a fishing tour with a local guide in São Miguel.
Also from other islands, you can enjoy unique sea experiences. How about dolphins and whale watching tours from Pico, Terceira or Faial?

Madeira

With a mild climate all-year-round and more and more low-cost flights, Madeira is becoming a popular holiday destination. Most travelers visit Madeira for its unique green landscapes, incredible mountains and great hiking trails along the “levadas”. The island of Madeira is also a great spot for those who seek some outdoor adventure.
If you’re in search of the best boat tours and watersports in Portugal, the island of Madeira offers many possibilities. Whales and dolphin watching is a must when you visit this island in the middle of the Atlantic, and swimming with dolphins takes this experience one step further.
If you’re more into watersports, we strongly recommend taking a surf class, SUP tour or try a coasteering experience.

  • Our favorite beach in Madeira: Praia da Prainha, Caniçal
  • Our favorite restaurant in Madeira: Maktub, Paúl do Mar (please, don’t skip this experience when you visit Madeira!)
  • Our favorite boat tours in Madeira: Whale and dolphin watching 
  • Our favorite watersports in Madeira: Coasteering

Language and currency in Portugal

In Portugal, Portuguese is the official language. Almost everybody speaks English but in the more authentic places in the interior, you might need some basics in Portuguese. Anyway, it’s always nice to know some basics in the language of the country you’re visiting, right? “Obrigado” and “Se faz favor” will do wonders for you.
The local currency in Portugal is the Euro, like on the Portuguese Islands. At most places, you can pay by card and you’ll also find a lot of ATMs (Multibancos). However, we recommend carrying some cash with you as at some smaller local places like the “tascas” (small snack-bar like restaurants with great local and affordable dishes) paying by card may not be possible. 

Getting around in Portugal

The best way to discover Portugal is definitely with a rental car! With a car, you can not only explore several regions of Portugal mainland but also drive through all the authentic and cute villages along the coast and in the countryside. However, there’s a train line all the way from the North to the very South and bus lines are becoming better and better too. Within cities, we recommend using Uber or Bolt or even renting a bike.
On our blog, you can find some articles with more in depth information like “How to get from Faro to Benagil cave” or “How to get from Lisbon to Setúbal”.

Whatever you decide to do during your trip to Portugal, we promise you will love this part of Europe! Sunshine, friendly people and a lot of fun are guaranteed! For any further tips or requests, feel free to contact us anytime.

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