Active vacation in Portugal - things to do, entertainment and nightlife

The coastal areas of Portugal will delight nature enthusiasts with varieties of flowers. Snorkelers on the other hand will appreciate all the beauties of the marine vegetation. The abundance of corals, clumps of natural boulders, strange fish species, as well as dolphins and jellyfish, will delight lovers of nature. 
When traveling around the country by train from Porto, it is preferable to choose a hotel near the São Bento train station, as it is from here that …
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The southern country consists of several main tourist zones. Madeira is the place of an invariably warm air temperature and the clearest waters, which are ideal for relaxing procedures in the company of splashing dolphins. Madeira is home to a huge number of different species of fish. Landscapes at water depths are replete with rocky reefs and numerous underwater caves. The “Parcial do Garajau” marine park is full of mackerels, as well as rare species of marine fish. T-Reef is one of the few natural places, consisting of a pair of rocky formations, which towers over dozens of meters in height, forming in the process a cave with a length of 50 meters. At the moment, this site is a favorite recreation spot for divers. 
The Azores archipelago is the habitat of sperm whales as well as a great place for unforgettable sea walks with frolicking stingrays and occasionally appearing jellyfishes. Predatory fish and manta rays are also widespread in the vicinity of the island of Santa Maria. Not far from the Pico and Faial you can find blue variety of sea sharks.  Copyright www.orangesmile.com
The original hotels for staying are in most cases located in small towns. Imbued with history, the hotel “Quinta Splendida Wellness & Botanical …
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Fans of night rest will appreciate the numerous dance halls and discos. For example, the city of Cascais offers fans of active night life the opportunity to have fun in bars, numerous amusement parks and restaurants with live jazz music. Most of the entertainment spots are located on the coast, near the hotels. Each municipal district of Portugal has its own facilities for night amusements. 
Albufeira Visitors to the city of Monte Estoril will be able to appreciate the skill of local bands when they visit the night club “Discoteca Bauhaus”. Youths of the vicinity also partake in these night time parties. For example, there are cheerful parties on All Saints’ Day, which are very common here, as well as many other original themes. 
Most hotels in the country provide a five-star level of service. This is because working below this standard is considered disadvantageous. One …
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There are also impressively organized fire shows and presentations, using laser technology. A short distance away, in the city of Estoril, is the Casino Estoril which serves as a gambling and leisure center for those who appreciate comfort. The casino is surrounded by numerous poker rooms, fashionable restaurants and swimming pools which offer everyone the opportunity of having a good time. Entrance to the facility is free. 
In the very heart of the town of Cascais are the famous places: disco “Rock N’ Shots”, “Rolls-Royce”, as well as many day-night bars, restaurants and karaoke clubs. Tourists will appreciate the free access and the absence of requirements of a dress code. Unfortunately, the prices of alcoholic beverages are quite high. For example, a decent bottle of beer can cost up to 3 euros. 
“The hallmark” of exclusive places is accommodation in rural mansions or houses with the possibility of enjoying the family atmosphere and …
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Throughout the country, you can enjoy your holiday in water parks which offer a variety of water attractions for families. Magnificent spacious complexes have been built on the coast of the warm ocean. The recreation areas offer beautiful views, and thrill seekers can enjoy breathtaking descents and steep slides. 
An amusement park located not too far from the large water park “Vila Real”, will please fans of active recreation with the opportunity to climb the rocks, play paintball or mini-golf, go mountaineering, ride a bike through the mountains, or participate in archery events. The connoisseurs of a more peaceful kind of entertainment will appreciate the orienteering and path-finding, as well as horseback riding.
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Reference information
Map of all Michelin restaurants
Michelin-starred restaurants in Portugal
♥   Restaurant 'Adega Tia Matilde' Lisboa. Type - Traditional cuisine. On the map   Photos
♥   Restaurant 'Adega do Sossego' Melgaço. Type - Portuguese. On the map   Photos
♥   Restaurant 'Afonso' Mora. Type - Cuisine from Alentejo. On the map   Photos
♥   Restaurant 'Alambique' Almancil. Type - Traditional cuisine. On the map   Photos
♥   Restaurant 'Alma' Lisboa. Type - Creative. On the map   Photos
Map of all pret-parks
Amusement parks in Portugal
♥   Amusement park 'Norpark' Nazaré. On the map   Photos
♥   Amusement park 'Parque Aquático de Amarante' Amarante. On the map   Photos
♥   Amusement park 'Portugal dos Pequenitos' Coimbra. On the map   Photos
♥   Amusement park 'Scorpio' Guimarães. On the map   Photos
♥   Amusement park 'Slide & Splash' Lagoa. On the map   Photos
Map of all parks
National and city parks of Portugal
♥   Nature Park 'Madeira' . On the map   Photos
♥   Nature Park 'Montesinho' . On the map   Photos
♥   National Park 'Peneda-Gerês' . On the map   Photos
♥   Nature Park 'Ria Formosa' . On the map   Photos
♥   Nature Park 'Serra da Estrela' . On the map   Photos
Unique attractions in Portugal

Estacao Sao Bento

From the series “Top 14 Most Astonishing Railway Stations in the World”
In Porty travelers have a great opportunity to visit the historic railway station Estacao Sao Bento. The interior resembles the old French villas of the 19th century. The mansard roof and the wonderful interior decoration and handmade painting – all these have been saved in the building of the station. The architectural landmark of the station is the painted azulejois. There was used about 20 000 bricks for decoration. All of them were painted by the famous artist - Jorge Colaço. It took him 11 years.

The official opening of the Estacao Sao Bento railway station was in 1916. Earlier there had placed the ancient decrepit monastery. The building looks more like a museum than a railway station. Every day it is visited by hundreds of curious tourists. They take photos of the azulojois … Read all

Obidos

From the series “The Last City-Fortresses Survived to This Day”
Obidos attracts people by its outstanding Medieval sightseeing. This small Portuguese town, with the population of 3 thousand people, was founded in the 12th century. The Obidos Palace is the main historical symbol of the town. Its fort walls surround the town for 1 565 meters long. The powerful defensive walls were beginning to build in the 12th century and finished in the 14th century.

For more than a hundred years the fortress is still in the focus of the traveller's interest. On its territory you can find not only historical monuments but also the first historical hotel, dated from the 1950s. Another eye-catching monument is the aquae ductus of the 16th century. Its depth is about 3 thousand meters. The real masterpiece of the ancient architecture is the towns gates. They are … Read all
All unique sightseeing Portugal
 

Entertainment, recreation and attractions in cities of Portugal

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