Sailing holidays Portugal | Offshore Yacht Charter

Sail along in authentic Portugal!

The sailing area between Porto and Lisbon is still authentic and beautiful. There is not much tourism here yet, but there are attractive harbors with many fishing boats. Needless to say that is nice and warm, but during the day, the sea breeze, which is called the “Portuguese north” (Nortada), provides a pleasant cool down. In summer there is usually a low-pressure area above the Ibiric peninsula, which has a anti clockwise wind direction. As a result, there is usually a northern wind at the Portuguese coast.

The mornings are mostly flat calm and around noon the wind comes up, which gradually increases in strength. In the afternoon extra “sea wind” is picking up due to warming up of the land. This sea breeze ensures windy conditions until sunset, which means spectacular sailing with also a great chance to see dolphins. When we sail into the harbor you can smell the typical Portuguese cuisine.

Yacht charter in Portugal

The West Coast of Portugal is very varied and the atmosphere feels Mediterranean. Towards the south it gets warmer and the Portuguese coast gradually changes from green mountains to sandstone cliffs. The ocean is beautifully deep blue and many houses and streets in the fishing ports are beautifully decorated.

The Portuguese are quiet people (certainly compared to the Spaniards) and their language is one of the most beautiful (and hardest) in the world, fortunately most Portuguese also speak English. A typical Portuguese pastry is the ‘Pastel de Nata’, which we will certainly serve with the coffee. Of course Port is a well-known drink, but much more refreshing is the ‘Vinho Verde’. A young sparkling green wine, which is wonderfully refreshing at the end of the day.

Portugal’s rich past can be seen especially in the big cities. The stately monumental buildings are now often in decline, but this adds to the charm of this beautiful country and provides a unique atmosphere. 

Sailing holidays in Portugal and the Algarve

As soon as we have sailed south around Cabo Sao Vicente, it becomes more sheltered and warmer. From here we sail further along the famous region of the Algarve, mostly protected from the swell of the ocean. East of Lagos it becomes more touristy. Cozy terraces and pubs are every where to be found. The Portuguese eat late, usually around 9 o’clock pm, which means that in the larger it will be cozy and crowded until late in the evening.

Portugal is ideal to explore by means of a sailing voyage, uor sailing trips are a nice balance between traveling, culture and relaxing. We will be in a port or at anchor every night. It is not necessary to have sailing experience. On our category C sailing trips there will be more time to explore the surroundings. 

The majority of our sailing holidays in the Algarve are sheltered from the swell of the Atlantic Ocean and the day distances are just right, making this pleasant sailing holidays with sufficient challenge for an adventurous and active sailing trip.

We will regularly have to carry out a sailing maneuver. The sailing enthusiast can help us, but nothing is mandatory, after all it is your holiday, you can simply enjoy and relax.

Bed & Breakfast in Portugal

On some of our sailing holidays in Portugal it is also possible to book an extra day on the boat (as Bed & Breakfast) at the end of the sailing trip, so you can explore the city by yourself. This possibility is indicated in the sailing schedule.

Watch this video of our sailing holidays in Portugal

Sailing voyage to Porto

Porto is an old city with beautiful buildings and narrow streets and it is the second largest city in Portugal. The city of Porto is situated on the River Douro and reflects a rich past. Although Porto is now somewhat in decline, this certainly adds to the special atmosphere of the city. The town of Porto is UNESCO World Heritage and therefore will be preserved. 

There are several historical sights to be found in the medieval streets, leading to the cozy quay along the river. The iconic bridge and the cathedral on top of the city of Porto are very beautiful and from there you will have a beautiful view over Porto and the river. 

‘Porto’ is also called ‘Oporto’ (meaning port),  the city is also famous for it’s ‘Port wine’, which was invented by English merchants who wanted to prevent the Douro wine to become acid during transport. Therefore, the wine was laced with brandy. In the 15th and 16th century the town benefited of explorations to the new world, and the successful wine trade with the U.K.

Sailing holidays to Lisbon

The Portuguese capital Lisbon is located on the north bank of the Tagus River, a short distance from the Atlantic Ocean. Lisbon is a lively and vibrant city, more modern and busier than Porto but it is certainly a great city to visit and to stay.

In 1755 the city of Lisbon was almost completely destroyed after a major earthquake. That day was “all Saints day” and a lot of candles were lit, which caused a sea of fire for seven days. Lisbon has been rebuild after the example of Paris.

The city centre of Lisbon

Lisbon has about 560,000 inhabitants and is divided into several districts, each with it’s own appearance. The Bairro Alto is one of the oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods in the city. High above the city is the most famous castle in Lisbon called ‘Castelo de Sao Jorge’ (Castle of St. George). The foundations of this castle dates back to the 6th century BC. From here you will have a beautiful view over the city, the river Tagus and in the distant the Atlantic ocean. 

Lisbon is off course famous for the Fado. Fado is an old Portuguese way of singing, which is based on the ‘saudade’, the desire for that which is lost. Fado is an expression of longing and sadness and the singing is accompanied by an acoustic guitar. The most famous singer was Amalia Rodrigues and now Cristina Branco. You can listen to these songs in many restaurants and cafés.

Sailing yacht charter at the Algarve

Enjoy a relaxing sailing holiday in a beautiful and sunny sailing area. The Algarve is well sheltered, making it a relaxed sailing area with an average seawater temperature of around 23°. The Algarve, located on the southern coast of Portugal, is different in terms of climate, culture and landscape compared to the rest of Portugal. The landscape of the Algarve is characterized by rock formations, lagoons and sandy beaches. The combination of beautiful surroundings and warm weather makes this area one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe.

Besides the capital Faro, there are other major towns with a lively nightlife. Busy tourist places such as the seaside resort of Villamoura and Portimao (Praia da Rocha), are interspersed with charming villages such as Lagos and Alvor. The long sandy beaches, beautiful bays, estuaries and the cozy old villages in the Algarve provide a very relaxed sailing holiday atmosphere.

Read more information about our: Sailing holidays around the Azores

Photo album of our sailing holidays in Portugal and the Algarve

Check out our pictures of our previous sailing trips in Portugal for an impression:

Have a look in our sailing schedule and sail with us: