Sports in Portugal

Alongside sandy beaches and historic cities, golf is one of the main reasons Portugal welcomes so many visitors each year. The country’s southernmost region, the Algarve, is especially well-known for its superb golf courses, many of which offer spectacular views of the Atlantic coast.

Each of the Algarve’s 40+ courses is immaculately maintained, providing for various difficulty levels and fitted with excellent facilities, located close to other attractions including beaches, nightlife, and fascinating landmarks. With all this in mind, there’s no place better for golf team-building activities!

Portugal is also known for its fantastic weather and gorgeous coastline – both of which are necessary ingredients for successful water sports. Both mainland Portugal and its nearby archipelago, Madeira, provide opportunities for aquatic activities, from relaxing kayaking trips to unforgettable diving experiences and adrenaline-fuelled parasailing.

Visitors interested in surfing should head to Nazaré in Central Portugal, where the North Beach is home to the biggest surfable waves in the world! Or Peniche, to watch annual surfing championships.

Training camps and tours focusing on other sports, such as football, basketball, or tennis, are also readily available. Most of these are located either in the Algarve region or in the Lisbon area, where visitors will find plenty of other attractions to complement their trip.

Our Sports Destination Management Services

Whether you want to hold a sporting event, professional training, a sports-themed incentive, or a special interest trip, we have the know-how and contacts to make it happen.

In search of a trusted partner to manage your outdoor event? Get in touch today for an optimum sports-themed Portugal experience to remember!

Traditional Portuguese Cuisine

Portugal’s cuisine is highly varied, with every region proud of its own unique dishes. If one thing is certain, it is that sardines rule the table just about everywhere in the country, served in various ways. Fresh, grilled fish, in general, is a local favourite, as are excellent clams and all kinds of delicious seafood.

Sandwiches are also a popular lunch option, with every region putting its own unique spin on the dish. Porto’s Francesinha meat sandwich is a prime example of Portuguese comfort food, topped with cheese and an egg and served with a signature sauce. Every restaurant has its own secret recipe, so you have to try more than one!

For unique culinary experiences, consider sampling the famous pastéis de nata in Lisbon. The Pastéis de Belém bakery is the only place in the world where you can try the authentic treat – and local legend has it that only three people know the original recipe.

Alongside food-themed tours of various cities and regions, it is possible to book exclusive cooking workshops. These can be a great addition to an incentive trip or the main focus of a culinary-themed special interest visit.

Wine Tasting in Portugal

Portugal is dominated by sprawling vineyards, from the heat of the Algarve to the plains of the Alentejo, past Lisbon up through the Dão to the hills of the Douro Valley and beyond, to the Minho. In fact, the Douro, the home of Port, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognised as the oldest demarcated wine region in the world.

A Portugal wine tasting tour can include visiting several vineyards, exploring historic wine cellars, and even include on-site accommodation. Wine courses are also available for those looking to find out more about winemaking and tasting.

Our DMC Services for Food and Wine Travel in Portugal

Whether you are looking to organise a flavourful incentive trip or a themed wine event in Portugal, we can take care of all the arrangements. We know exactly where to find the best cuisine and finest wines and guarantee unforgettable experiences every time.

Ready to sample Portugal’s finest food and wine? Contact us today, and we will be sure to exceed your expectations with the best Portuguese experience!

Religious Tourism in Portugal

Portugal is home to numerous religious sites, many of which constitute important pilgrimage destinations in the Christian faith.

The Shrine of Our Lady Fátima is arguably the most significant Christian site in Portugal, with around four million people visiting every year. It is one of the most notable shrines to Mary in the world, built following reports of apparitions of the Virgin Mary here in 1917.

Braga, the winner of European Best Destination 2021, is known both as the city of the Archbishops and ‘Portuguese Rome’, famous for its religious festivals and events and home to Portugal’s first-ever cathedral. Other highlights in Braga include the Sameiro and Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuaries, the latter of which is a traditional pilgrimage site with an iconic stairway.

There are countless other unique Christian sites in Portugal, such as the Alcobaça Monastery and the Évora Cathedral and Chapel. Every Portuguese city has a place for prayer and reflection, all equally special and inspiring.

There is an incredibly rich Jewish Heritage in Portugal worth exploring. The synagogues and former Jewish Quarters in Lisbon and Porto are excellent destinations, as is the city of Tomar – featuring a historic synagogue and the Jewish Museum. Belmonte in Central Portugal is also a town worthy of note, home to a thriving traditional Jewish community.

Visitors interested in exploring Portugal’s Muslim sites can see several former mosques in the Alentejo and Algarve regions. The archaeological site of Ribat of Arrifana in Aljezur, Algarve, for example, features a recently excavated Muslim coastal fortress and the remains of eight mosques and a madrassa.

Our Religious Travel Services

Drawing on our extensive experience in the DMC industry in Portugal, we suggest the best-suited religiously-themed incentive travel destinations. Whether you want to focus on a particular city or pilgrimage site or travel across Portugal to various locations, we make sure your experience is both uplifting and inspiring. Get in touch today to start planning!