What to visit near the border with Spain outside the high season

During the summer months, the Algarve is the most obvious destination for any sun and beach lover. Well, know that it can also be the ideal place for a holiday or getaway out of season. In spring, which starts early, average temperatures vary between 17º and 24º. In autumn, the month of October is usually a continuation of the weather of late summer – milder, with shorter days, but still inviting to the beach.


Spring and Autumn: Algarve, Alentejo and Alto Douro

If you are in the south of Spain, do not hesitate to cross the Guadiana and take the opportunity to get to know the charming village of Castro Marim without the hustle and bustle of tourists. Visit the Castle, Praia Verde and the Água Mãe saline SPA, ideal for recharging your batteries. Just a few minutes away, Vila Real de Santo António is another must-visit region, with its lighthouse, marina, small fishing villages and, of course, its beaches. Be sure to visit the village of Cacela Velha and the fort, from where you can see the paradisiacal Praia da Fábrica, on the other side of the Ria Formosa. The view is breathtaking!

Climb the map and set off to discover the interior of the Alentejo. Discover Reguengos de Monsaraz, a village-museum full of magic, perched on a hill, overlooking the Guadiana and Spain. And, of course, let yourself be impressed by the border city of Elvas and its fortifications, classified as a World Heritage Site. Be amazed by its history of great battles and indulge in the delicacies of the region.

The north of Portugal is also an alternative to take into account. Set off to discover the International Douro region, passing through Miranda do Douro or Mogadouro. In summer, the weather is scorching, with temperatures almost always above 30º during the day, and in spring, the weather is still unstable and rainy. Autumn is the perfect time to fall in love with its landscapes of vineyards and terraces, now painted in shades of brown, red and orange. It is also, of course, synonymous with grape harvests. An experience not to be missed!

Make the experience even more enriching by combining a multicultural trip with a stay in Spain. The offer of Holiday Homes in Spain is varied and for all tastes.


Winter: Estrela and Gerês

For those who like to vacation in winter, snow is always an irresistible extra. Serra da Estrela is the perfect destination, with a rich offer of historic villages, rural tourism, its cheeses and sausages, winter sports and generous nature. Be sure to visit Guarda, the highest city in Portugal, also known as the city of the "5Fs": Strong, Farta, Cold, Fiel and Formosa.

On the northernmost border, the natural paradise of Gerês is a true relic, with stunning landscapes, waterfalls worthy of a fairy tale and villages frozen in time. Also to the north, along the Miño River, take a leap to Valença, Monção and Melgaço. In winter the weather can be quite adverse, with rain and cold, but there is no shortage of charming hideaways and many reasons to visit.