Portugal recommendations

[ThreeBearsPorridge]

Never been to Portugal and looking for some new ideas for holidays. Could anyone recommend areas that aren't mobbed with tourists, nice beaches, things to visit and peaceful? I don't know where to start. I've heard that prices have rocketed in the last few years too. I don't mind hotel or apartments, or air b and b. Nature, quiet and lovely food are my priorities but also like to visit places of interest too. Is it a good destination for Feb/March?

Ooh, we are considering this for November. Suspect the weather will be similar. So interested in following

Tavira is lovely

We went to Azores end March and back via Porto staying overnight. The weather then was about 17c to 20c roughly and some rain. Azores was very few people and amazing food and scenery, waterfalls, lakes, mountains, tropical plants, hot springs. Not really beach weather and sea activities start more in April. Porto was busier but you could go down Duoro river from there but again mainly on river from April.

Was quite good value that time of year, we stayed in hotel that was 400 a night in summer with hot spring pools included and was 150 a night with loads of free gifts like free upgrade with private pool free champagne free cake free gifts from area.

Nowhere will be mobbed in Feb/Mar - apart from the odd nice day it's likely to be wet and cold! Not bad for sightseeing (or watching the massive waves at Nazare) but definitely not tourist season.

We went to Cascais last Novemer (first week). Was pleasant and not mobbed.

Thanks for this. Any recommendations for places to stay?spring /summer are also options.

We stayed at Octant Furnas in Azores which was excellent and hot spring pools, good for peace, hot springs and sightseeing but not by a beach. Best with car hire esp in more wintery months.

We went to Tavira this summer and would 100% recommend
We want to go again, it was beautiful anc relaxed for what we wanted

Sao Martinho do Porto could be a good base for exploring to the north of Lisbon.

Lagos makes a good base for the western Algarve.

Porto and along the Douro valley (we went by train to Pinhao) - was lovely in November.

Cascais is a great base - easy train to Lisbon, but also Sintra and other lovely places accessible by train in the other direction.

Western Algarve is beautiful and underdeveloped. If you're into surfing you'll love it. We've self catered there several times. Have done April/May and Nov/Dec. Obv weather in Spring was better and the wild flowers were amazing but even the winter trip was pretty good.

Currently in Carvoeiro and it's beautiful!

Also consider Madeira and Porto Santo which are Portuguese islands off the coast of Africa. Madeira is beautiful with plenty to see but not really a 'beachy' place. There is a beautiful long sandy beach in Porto Santo but it's tiny - possibly my favourite place anywhere though.

Lovely seaside town with beachside walk towards Haute Estoril. The train links with Lisbon. Lovely restaurants and an indoor market.

Thanks for all these great recommendations. I’ve been to Madeira before and didn’t like it at all unfortunately. Just don’t understand what the appeal is.

I would love recommendations for places to stay too please. Looking for a smaller type boutique hotel or self catering rather than large chain. No kids so adult only is fine.

Whereabouts do you want to go? Portugal is not huge but you need to give us a clue!

My daughter went to Sintra near Lisbon and loved it. Nature reserve, great food, easy to get into Lisbon etc I am looking for something like that, but can't find anything in Sintra itself. I found Madeira very underwhelming.

We were in ferraguido last week. Lovely place. Vilamoura is nice too.

We go to Carvoeiro every May and September and have done for 20 years give or take. Its a lovely little fishing village with beautiful restaurants. When we took the kids we would always get a villa but have now discovered the below resort which is a perfect 10 minutes stroll to the centre, we order a food/wine delivery from Apolonia to com the day we arrive. Its perfect for us!

https://www.hellovillasalgarve.com/

Following!

I went to a wedding inland from Porto and stayed at Quinta da Pacheca and it was FANTASTIC. I loved the whole area, the Douro valley, and this hotel was so lovely. i also really liked Porto, it was very chilled though since decriminalisation the friends I met up with there had been offered drugs a lot.

Quinta da Pacheca