zuloofund.blogg.se - Beautiful nature scenery

It's a hot spot for birdwatchers, as it's a key stopover on the migration between Europe and Africa. Parque Natural da Ria FormosaĮnclosing a vast area of sapais (marshes), salinas (salt pans), creeks and dune islands, this protected lagoon system stretches for 60km (37 miles) and encompasses 18,000 hectares in the eastern Algarve. Most people just make a short excursion into the area from Porto, though you could easily spend a few days in the region – especially if you tack on a visit to the Parque Arqueológico do Vale do Côa, a protected area near the river with the most extensive collection of prehistoric rock art in the Iberian peninsula. This Unesco World Heritage site offers dramatic views at every bend, whether viewed from the water on a boat excursion or a winery estate overlooking the expansive river valley. Just east of Porto, the meandering Douro River winds its way past towering hillsides with steep terraces covered by vineyards. Wine enthusiasts should add the terraced vineyards of the enchanting Douro Valley to their bucket list © Shaun Egan / Getty Images Douro Valley

Sparsely inhabited settlements (like scenic Peneda) make great bases for exploring remote corners of the park. The reserve also encompasses stone villages where you can walk cobblestone lanes past the ruins of old mills and once mighty castles. Hiking here isn’t just about taking in the striking landscapes of Portugal’s only national park. Tucked away in a northern corner of Portugal, the Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês is a wilderness wonderland of craggy peaks, riverside woodlands and hidden waterfalls. After taking in the view, visit the nearby Fortaleza de Sagres, which has a 16th-century chapel, imposing fortress walls and yet more breathtaking views from its clifftop perch. The windswept cape is redolent of history – if you squint hard (really hard), you might see the ghost of the explorer Vasco da Gama sailing past. There’s something thrilling about standing at Europe’s most southwestern edge, a headland of barren cliffs to which Portuguese sailors bid a nervous farewell as they sailed past and ventured into the unknown during Portugal’s golden years of exploration.