You are at the "PORTUGUESE COAST" page.

Southbound along the Portuguese coast, you usually sail downwind. The northern Portuguese blows here almost all summer. A constant wind with an average wind force 4. We sail day trips as much as possible. The first major port is Leixoes.

Here you can stop for a visit to Porto. The second city of Portugal and worth a visit. With a favorable tide, it might be possible to sail the Douro River to Porto, but given the difficult start-up it might be more appropriate to moor the boat at Leixoes. Porto has an international airport and from there you can fly or arrive to/from the Netherlands for further sailing trip along the coast.

Figuera da Foz is a typical Portuguese seaside resort. With plenty of entertainment such as nightclubs, bars and a casino. Figuera also has a beautiful sandy beach.

Nazaré and Peniche are cozy harbours, suitable for shelter in bad weather. In front of Peniche are some islands and if the weather and sea state will allow us we anchoring at Ilha Berlenga.

Much more attractive is to proceed to Cascais, where we arrive in the tourist area of Portugal. Cascaïs and Estoril are traditionally popular resorts and it is a very good place here. Saunter and one of the many bars to visit. If desired, you can take the train to Lisbon. Within half an hour you are in the center the city. It is also possible to sail to Lisbon. We more there in the city at the Doca de Alcantara.

Time enough to visit the city. Take the (nostalgic) tram to the center or visit in the evening a Fado restaurant.

South West Portugal

Southwest of Portugal is breathtakingly beautiful. To let Lisbon behind you, the "Ponte 25 de Abril" pass and see the ocean in front, is certainly impressive. We visit the charming town of Sines in the beautiful bay where we anchor and sail the next day round the most southwesterly point of Europe, the Cabo de São Vicente.

Algarve / Andalusia

We now arrive in the Algarve.

A beautiful coastline, where cliffs alternate with intimate beaches. The first town is Lagos. A beautiful town with a beautiful marina. There is plenty of entertainment in the harbour and in the city. The beach of Lagos is beautiful and a visit to the "Linda Bar" is a must. The Alvor lagoon we visit and on the sandy banks can gather shellfish, to nibble with a baguette and a glass of viño Verde.

The final destination is Vilamoura or Portimao. From there you can take the train to Lisbon or Faro for the flight back home. From Portimao you pass Albuveira, the heart of the Algarve and the center of the tourist coast. You sail comfortably with an west wind east.

Vilamoura is a possibel stop and we sail also to the Rio Guadiana, the border river of Portugal and Spain. A wonderful piece of nature with Villareal to the Portuguese side and Ayamonte on the Spanish side. Here we stay one night at anchor.

We also visit Huelva. Here we can take the express bus to visit Seville, the center of the Spanish flamenco dance. On one of the trips we sail into the river from Chipiona up to Seville. There will also be organized a trip where we visit Morocco.