Holiday spots in Spain and Portugal locals don't want you to know about

AuthorDayna McAlpine
Published date14 June 2022
Publication titleEdinburghLive (Scotland)
Writing for The Times, Amanda Linfoot and Monique Rivalland recommend following in the footsteps of Spanish and Portuguese domestic holidaymakers and heading off the beaten track

Although the locations may take a bit more time to reach these remote destinations but you will likely not regret it.

The best ways to sample these quieter holiday spots are either by hiring a car or staying in a coastal town with everything within walking distance.

Here is our "ABC" guide to some of the places to add to your itinerary – that being the Algarve, Balearic Islands and the Costa Brava.

Algarve

If you are looking to escape Portugal's tourist hotspots of Faro and Albufeira, consider exploring beyond the central section of the Algarve. Sunseekers should aim to visit the region between June and August, when temperatures are at their hottest, though it is still warm and quieter in the 'shoulder season' of May and September.

Linfoot recommends heading west to Sagres, a favourite among Portuguese holidaymakers. It is one of the most remote destinations on the Iberian Peninsula and is branded as a place for adventure-seekers, from hiking along cliffside trails to surfing in turbulent waters.

The area's main attraction is the Fortaleza de Sagres, where Henry the Navigator plotted Portugal's overseas expansion in the 15th century. Another place not to miss is Cape St Vincent – the southwesternmost point of mainland Europe with amazing views of the Atlantic.

Balearic Islands

Majorca is the biggest of the Balearic Islands and has plenty to offer beyond the likes of Palma and Alcúdia. Rivalland recommends the small...

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