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Portugal has had a record summer. And it looks like its popularity will continue well into the fall.
But while the country as a whole has welcomed huge numbers of visitors, one destination in particular has shone as a tourism star this year.
Enter Portimao.
According to the Portugal Institute of National StatisticsPortimao saw the biggest growth in overnight stays this summer, with 10.9% more visitors than last year.
As the largest city in the Algarve, Portimao boasts beautiful beaches, fascinating local history and attractive low prices.
Here’s why you should consider Portimao instead of Lisbon for your next Portuguese vacation:
Things to do in Portimao
You can’t talk about visiting Portimao without mentioning it beaches.
Although Portugal is often considered a Mediterranean country due to its climate, Portimao is actually located on the Atlantic coast. But that doesn’t detract from how beautiful the beaches are.
The entire coastline here is surrounded by high cliffs and you can see beautiful rock formations protruding from the water just in front of the coastline.
It is a beautiful scenic attraction.
One of the best beaches is Praia dos Três Castelos, which not only has a beautiful golden sand beach, but also boasts incredible rock formations and caves to explore.
This is a great place for water sports such as kayaking or paddle boarding, which the coastline here is famous for. You can take a sunset cruise from Portimao to the Benagil Caves, which are close by and are the best example of caves in the area. for just $19.
Beyond the beaches, other incredible sights to explore in Portimao include Fortaleza de Santa Catarina, a medieval fortress in the city.
It was built during the reign of King Philip II, making it more than 400 years old.
The small chapel inside is beautiful and an interesting detour, but it’s the views from the top of the fort that make it worth a visit.
The fort is open to the public and admission is free.
Where to stay in Portimao
Portimao has a reputation for being one of the more affordable destinations in Portugal, and this is especially true if you visit during the quieter seasons such as autumn and winter.
In autumn you can find good, comfortable 3-star accommodation in Portimao from just $50 per night.
For a 3-night stay from October 16 to October 19, the highest rated 3-star hotel is Hotel Santa Catarina Algarve, located 50 meters from the beach, with all rooms having a private balcony.
A 3 night stay for 2 people costs $240 or $40 per personper night.
If you’re looking to spend more or prefer something a little more luxurious, the Jupiter Marina Hotel – Couples & Spa is the highest-rated four-star hotel available (based on time of search) for the same dates. Located 100 meters from Portimão’s riverfront, this hotel has a rooftop infinity pool and a beautiful spa.
A stay of 3 nights for 2 people is possible $434 or $73.60 per personper night.
How do you get there?
One of the things that makes Portimao so attractive is that it is a bit off the beaten track, especially in the fall/winter when there are no direct flights to the Algarve for American travelers.
You can take an indirect flight to Faro airport, or you can fly to Lisbon and then take public transport to the Algarve and Portimao. This is probably the cheapest option and public transport is both affordable and reliable in Portugal.
You can fly to Lisbon from New York, Miami, Washington, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and San Francisco.
To give a price example, I looked at flights from New York departing on October 17th and returning on October 23rd. Nonstop flights with Delta on this route costs $769 round trip.
The flight time on this route is 7 hours and 15 minutes there and 8 hours and 15 minutes return.
Once you get to Lisbon, the train from Lisbon to Portimao takes an average of 3 hours and 26 minutes. A one-way trip on this route only costs $35and while the idea of a long train ride after your flight may not be appealing, why not spend a few days in Lisbon first?
If you feel refreshed, this is a beautifully scenic train journey and a worthwhile experience in itself.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
