Cheap Portugal Holidays

Portugal: Introduction

There are European holidays, and then there are holidays to Portugal. The western-most edge of Europe, Portugal’s rich historic culture and spectacular natural beauty has been attracting Britons for decades. The cost of living in Portugal is also comparatively low, meaning that Portugal is a great place to holiday if you’re looking to stretch that pound. Monarch offers holidays to the Algarve and the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, so whether you want a simple hotel or a villa with a pool, you can build exactly what you want from your Portuguese holiday.

Weather

The southern Algarve region boasts long warm summers with lots of sunshine, clear blue skies and low rainfall. High temperatures are softened by cool, fresh sea breezes, making the Algarve’s beaches and towns extremely pleasant. Winters here are mild and short so the Algarve makes a great visitor destination outside of the summer peak (July and August). Much like the Algarve, the weather in Madeira is comfortably hot, ranging between averages of 17°C-23°C in summer, to temperate lows of 17°C-13°C in the winter.

Where to Stay

If you’re after a beach holiday, then the Algarve could be the place for you. It’s hard not to fall in love with this part of the world, you can see from the thriving expat community here. There are a variety of resorts to cater to every taste; Albufeira is the biggest resort in the region, while the best nightlife can be found nearby in Praia da Rocha. Other popular destinations are the charming coastal town Carvoeiro and tourist-friendly historical town Lagos, renowned its summer nightlife.  

The more exotic island of Madeira will offer something different for your Portuguese holiday. These Portuguese-administered islands are further south, away from mainland Europe in the Atlantic, off the north-west coast of Africa, and are easily accessible with direct flights to Funchal, the capital.

Activities

The white sandy beaches of Madeira and the Algarve are a major draw for holidaymakers, and rightly so. The warm blue seas make the region ideal for a wide range of water sports and beach activities.

For Families
The beaches are safe for families, and they offer loads of family-friendly activities to enjoy, including water parks and adventure cruises, dolphin and other wildlife parks and bird-watching.

Sports
Golf a major draw to the Algarve region, and the courses around Vilamoura are particularly popular. Madeira is particularly popular for its waters ports, and the seas surrounding the islands offer an abundance of possibilities for the keen fisher.

Culture
If you want to explore the culture of local areas, the small fishing villages retain much of their charm to this day, as do the cities of Silves and Faro.

Dining
When it comes to dining, you can eat out at any of the restaurants or beachside bars and enjoy local specialities and seafood fresh from the nearby sea, or try some of the more cosmopolitan fare provided.