Portugal has 300 days of sun a year, meaning if youre looking for an amazing summer vacation (even in the winter), youll find it here.
This country has something for everyone, whether you enjoy medieval cities, ruins, long white beaches, or hiking through incredible scenery.
Heres where you should travel in Portugal in 2015:
Evora
Evora is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here youll find ornate palaces, museums, high arches, narrow alleyways, 14th century walls, and cobblestone streets. In fact, its impossible to not be charmed by Evora, which is also a university town with numerous cafes, restaurants, pubs, and a lively atmosphere.
Visit the Roman Temple of Evora, and the Church of Saint Francis. Palaces from the last millennia are scattered through the cityscape, including the Royal Palace which has a Gothic-Renaissance Style and the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval which was built from what remained of a 12th Century castle.
Obidos
Obidos is one of the most picturesque destinations in Portugal. The village boasts whitewash houses and cobblestone streets, and across the plains youll see kilometres of windmills, terracotta homes, and vineyards. The main street may be highly popular with tourists, however if you wander through the backstreets youll notice exactly why Obidos is often referred to as being lost in time.
Stop by Igreja de Santa Maria, a Renaissance church lined with white and blue tiles and housing many Renaissance tombs. The Midericordia Church is nearby and worth a visit simply to see the amazing Baroque doorway, and if you visit in July youll be able to see the amazing Medieval Fair which is an impressive recreation of what the village was like in the Middle Ages.
Madeira
The location of Madeira is incredible, and the coastline is a standout with rock pools, cliffs and beaches. This place is a stand-out when it comes to cuisine, and the idyllic setting provides plenty of activities for visitors such as scuba diving, climbing up Cabo Girao which is one of the tallest ocean cliffs in the world, or exploring the Sao Vicente Caves which contain lava tubes.
Porto Santo
Porto Santo is one of the last islands in Portugal to be discovered by tourism, however it is quickly becoming popular with those who want either a winter getaway or a summer break. A large percentage of the island is covered in golden volcanic sand and is said to cure a range of pains and aches.
Visitors are attracted to the nine kilometres of sandy beach and the incredible golf course. If youre the active type youll enjoy Porto Santo, which has numerous activities including snorkelling, diving, water skiing, fishing, horseback riding, cycling, hiking and windsurfing.
Azores
The Azores are nine islands spread over 600 kilometres and encompassing the Formigas Reef. This is a place where youll experience a tropical climate and incredible natural beauty. Some of the best activities include whale watching, swimming with dolphins, climbing Mount Pico and wandering through the fascinating museums.
