Portugal has been nominated several times as one of Europe’s top adventure tourism destinations. This is according to the annually held European tourism awards.
In addition to being one of Europe’s top adventure tourism destinations, Portugal is also known for its beautiful beaches, historic cities, and friendly locals.
Portugal is located in Southern Europe. It borders Spain, France, and the Atlantic Ocean.
It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and west.
Portugal is divided into many regions, each with a specific characteristic: Alentejo, Beira Interior, Centro, Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, Minho, Norte..
And within those regions, there are plenty of national parks and protected areas that are ideal for adventure activities. These include Sintra National Park, Parque Natural da Serra de Aire e Candeeiros, Peneda-Gerês National Park, among others.
Get to know some of the best regions for activities and outdoor adventures in Portugal
Vacations in Portugal could be associated sometimes with rest.
However, travel and sport are a duo that has been gaining a lot of space in the tourist world. In this article, we share with you 5 Portuguese destinations that you should visit quickly if you want to have a few days where adventure and adrenaline will be the watchwords.
If you are looking to live different experiences and enjoy life to the fullest, read our suggestions!
Ribeira de Pena (Vila Real)
If you want to have a radical weekend with your family, head to Ribeira da Pena. This town, which belongs to the district of Vila Real, is home to one of the most spectacular places for adrenaline seekers: the Pena Aventura Park.
Here you can do dozens of different activities – on land, air, or water. From traditional paintball, canoeing, climbing, and rafting, to the ex-libris of the park – the fast Fantasticable!
Attached by a very secure cable, you will fly from one mountain to the other, over a distance of 1538m and at a speed of 130km/h. This is a must-do experience and is available for kids and adults alike.
This park is always surprising and another of the most popular activities is the Alpine Coaster, a kind of individual sled that runs through a roller coaster in continuous descent, with several loopings and curves, but always accompanied by a stunning landscape. Can you imagine? Incredible!
Berlengas (Peniche)
If you are more into water sports, Berlengas is a great option. One of the reasons why people come to the island is precisely because it is a unique place for this kind of activity.
Its crystalline waters offer perfect conditions for diving and snorkeling and exploring the marine ecosystem. Here you will discover dozens of species and admire the marine life. If you prefer, you can also do canoeing or stand-up paddle and explore the natural beauty of the caves that surround the island.
Arrábida Mountain (Setúbal)
Arrábida is a treasure less than an hour away from Lisbon, but what you may not know is that here you can put your fear to the test. The offer of sports activities is great.
Coasteering, kayak tours, diving, rappelling, climbing, and mountaineering are some of the options you can choose from. However, if you crave higher flights, surrender to Paragliding or Asadelta and feel completely free. Always accompanied by an experienced pilot, you will live an incredible adventure between the blue sky and the transparent waters of the ocean.
Évora
There are plenty of reasons to visit the Alentejo in general and the beautiful city of Évora in particular. But there is one that interests us, especially at this moment: parachute jumps!
The tandem jump is the perfect experience for those who have already done other types of flight activities. Intense and fast, here you will test all your limits.
For about one minute you will be in free fall before the parachute opens. After the initial ecstasy, you will have a few more moments to observe the bucolic and breathtaking plains of this area of Alentejo.
Algarve
Algarve is not only a beach and offers programs for all tastes. However, the radical side of the south has not been explored much. To bring a special taste to your vacations we decided to present you with a different program to interchange with the dives in the fresh waters of the Algarve coast.
A sea destination par excellence, water sports are everywhere. Today, however, we will show you other options on land. Do you like speed and motorsports? Then you really must take an off-road trip in a buggy. Besides having the opportunity to drive on the World Rally Championship tracks, you will get to know the enchanted places in the interior of the Algarve. Another excellent option is to go for a ride in a Kart, in Almancil.
However, if you are more into two-wheeled sports, get on your mountain bike and venture out into the paths and hillsides of the Algarve. São Brás de Alportel is a great place for that.
Are you curious to try some of these options? Then we bring good news. Most are available all year round and are a great way to travel, get to know different places, and create unforgettable memories.