Portugal Travel at Antor.org

Costa do Sol

The 'Sun Coast' of Estoril stretches from Lisbon twenty miles west with two major resorts at Estoril and Cascais. This long beach area is the former playground of the wintering wealthy and exiled royalty of Portugal and now attracts honeymooners, family travelers, and sun seekers world wide.

The Algarve

Portugal's southern tip is a ribbon of sandy, clear water beaches. Tawny cliffs and pounding surf border miles of unspoiled seashore. Lovely coves, caves, and grottos -- some accessible only by boat -- add to the beach vacation spot's allure. Hundreds of beaches and beach rentals such as Albufeira and Praia da Rocha are set against backdrops of towering rock formations. The best cove beach destination is at Lagos, a former Moorish town with a deep-water harbor and wide bay. Head for Praia do Camilo, a popular beach on the promontory south of Lagos.

Alentejo

Savvy travelers and informed honeymooners know that the lovely Alentejo has some of the best and most private beaches in Portugal. From the southern edge at Odeceize north to the tip of the Troia Peninsula, the beaches of this Portuguese province will feel delightfully isolated. Praia Grande and Praia do Carval at Almograve are two of the most romantic. Porto Covo and Vila Nova de Milfontes offer standard beach amenities and a few restaurants. Elsewhere in the Alentejo, pack a romantic repast or a family picnic and make plans to camp under the stars or change locations for the night.

Luz de Tavira -- Pedras e-El Rei Resort

A parish church bearing an entrance of 16th century Manueline architecture is the landmark of Luz de Tavira. Enjoy a look before heading on to Santa Luzia, a fishing village near Portugal's Pedras d'El Rei beach resort. Heaps of earthenware pots on the quayside reveal that Santa Luzia is a center of Portugal's unique octopus harvesting. When placed on a sandy seabed, inquisitive octopuses can't resist crawling in; but they can't get back out. What island vacation seekers find compelling is the long beach on the outer edge of the sand bar known as the Island of Tarifa, reached by a railway.

The Beiras

Like gems in a necklace, some of the finest and most secluded beaches in Portugal stretch from Praia de Leirosa north to Praia de Espinho north of Lisbon, opening onto the Atlantic Oceans. Major beach resorts at Figueira da Foz and Buarcos make ideal honeymoon vacation places and an ideal travel destination for a 50th wedding anniversary . . . or any special occasion.

Costa Verde

On certain days, the beaches of Costa Verde are among the most dramatic in Europe. The wide sandy beach at Ponte de Lima makes a perfect place for a romantic getaway. First choice holiday resorts are Espinho, south of Porto, and the beach mecca Povoa de Varzim and Ofir, which have some of the best honeymoon lodging, fine dining, and water sports equipment in the country.

Ribeira de Ilhas, Ericeira

Ericeira is located between Cabo da Roca and Cabo do Carvoeira, sits on flowering cliffs, offering breathtaking vistas of the Atlantic. Its climate offers gentle summers and mild winters. In spite of its popularity, it retains the charm of the simple little fishing village that is so familiar to the Portuguese. A scarce 30 miles or so northwest of Lisbon, this unheralded paradise is near Sintra and just next to Mafra. In season, it's dozen or more beautiful beaches and surf are crowded with vacationers. The beach of Ribeira de Ilhas is internationally known as one of the best surfing beaches in Europe, and since 1985 it has hosted the ASP Surf World Championship contest.

Figueira da Fozm, Buarcos

Among the most popular beach resorts in Portugal, one of the prettiest is Figueira da Foz, ust 45 minutes from Coimbra. Wide open expanses of beaches upon beaches, with more under way, provides unrivaled opportunity for board surfing and wind surfing. The village is prosperous and attractive and a palace casino opens for fun in the afternoon. Two miles away is the unspoiled fishing village of Buarcos. Keep Figueira in mind if you're romantically inclined . . .