Get to know the perfect european holiday destination all year round - Algarve

Baixa is the most central and renowned neighborhood in Lisbon. It was completely rebuilt by the Marquês de Pombal after the 1st November 1755, one of the world’s strongest recorded earthquakes devastated the district and, along with the massive tsunami, killed thousands. Baixa is packed with stores and restaurants and is always busy during the day.This neighborhood houses the capital’s most emblematic squares and streets. The district starts in Restauradores Square (Praça dos Restauradores), continues up Avenida da Liberdade, through Praça Marquês de Pombal (Marquis of Pombal Square) and from this point forward is considered “Modern Lisbon”. Here you will discover some of Lisbon’s major attractions such as Terreiro do Paço square (or Terreiro do Paço), Rossio along with a variety of popular bars and restaurants. Top things to do near Baixa.

Chiado is Lisbon's most elegant and trendiest neighborhood is where everyone meets for coffee, shopping, or before dinner and a night out in neighbouring Bairro Alto. Situated between the neighborhoods of Bairro Alto and Baixa Pombalina, Chiado is a traditional shopping area that features a mix of old and modern commercial establishments. Many of the buildings in this elegant and trendy location were first built in the 1700s, although many were restored in the 1990s, after their destruction by a devastating fire in 1988. It's a neighborhood that flashes back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the "Belle Epoque "when writers such as Fernando Pessoa and Eça de Queiroz used to write at the now-historic cafes.It's also the neighborhood of theaters, of charming old bookshops and major international brands, giving it a lively cosmopolitan ambiance at any time of the day. Despite being just a small part of Lisbon, Chiado truly is a place that’s easy for those who visit to fall in love with. And that’s why people return time and time again to this awe-inspiring hidden gem, with many people looking for a place to call home at the end of it.Top things to do in Chiado.

Madeira, also known as the archipelago of Madeira is a group of 4 islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located just 280 nautical miles from the African coast, it is more than 500 miles to Lisbon.Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal, with lush greenery, rugged high cliffs and beautiful pebbly beaches, so it’s no surprise why these volcano-born islands garner so much attention from tourists.Fun fact: Madeira is closer to Africa than it is to Europe!

Beja is located in the southern region of continental Portugal and is believed to have been founded around 400 b.c. by an ancient cell of celts that occupied most territories south of the Tagus river, such as the Alentejo and Setúbal regions. After being a part of the Roman Empire for 600 years and a part of the Arabic Caliphate for 400 years until 1162, the year in which the Christians took the city from Muslim occupation, Beja is now the county’s capital.  The city remained small for the next centuries, although heavily destroyed by the Napoleonic invasions. From the 20th century onwards, some economic development was put in place with the building of new schools, judicial and commercial installations, including the new Beja International Airport in 2011.

Saldanha is located at the heart of Lisbon and combines the Central Business District with the surrounding shopping centres with a strong residential and cultural component. It is a popular area among those who seek to live in the centre of the city. Saldanha is one of Lisbon's newer neighbourhoods, having been founded in the mid-19th century by Duke João Carlos, only having been recognized after his death in 1922. Inspired by the cities of Paris and London, this neighbourhood’s heart lies in the Duke of Saldanha’s statue, as well as in the wide avenues and beautifully landscaped streets. The neighbourhood undertook a series of heavy constructions in the ’90s as private investors wished to give it a more modern and posh feel. They gave life to Atrium Saldanha, one of the biggest known buildings in the area today. What’s more, most of the buildings here were build post-WWI, adding a charming feel to the atmosphere and a Parisian feel to those who walk around Saldanha streets.  Saldanha spoils investors with many luxury apartments and properties that have been refurbished and restored while keeping their traditional features. These make the area enticing for ex-pats wishing to move into Lisbon’s city centre.

The Lisbon South Bay area comprises three districts: Almada, Seixal and Barreiro. These three are known for their close historic connection to the Tagus River. From the ancient industries in Barreiro that fed the naval expeditions to África and Índia in the 16th century, to the amazing long sandy beaches of Caparica, Lisbon South Bay welcomes hundreds of thousands of tourists in summertime and surfers all through the year.  Seixal, the district between Almada and Barreiro, was where Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, built his expedition ships with the help of his brother and father. The Tagus river’s presence greatly affects the region’s economy and the professions that the locals choose. In this sense, this region saw a surge of professions like fishermen, sailors, millers, caulkers, ax carpenters, which, for years, constituted the main way of life of the populations.

Few people know this, but Alcácer do Sal is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It was founded over a thousand years B.C. Laid out over the right bank of the Sado river, it is a historic area in Portugal, best known for its rice fields. Alcácer do Sal is the second-largest municipality in the country, located in the northern part of Alentejo, very close to the Atlantic. For a long time, salt was the main reason for the settlement of peoples in this region. From the Phoenicians' times, through the Roman empire, until the 18th century, salt was transported by galleons from dozens of salt flats. Eventually, salt flats were converted into rice paddies, which started using a network of channels supplied by the Pego do Altar and Santa Susana dams. Today there is still one salt flat operating, the “Salina da Batalha”, which is open for guided tours. Over the Sado valley, on the hilltop, a Moorish castle was built in the 12th century. It was later conquered by King Afonso II, passing into the Portuguese domain. Álcacer is also home to one the most beautiful “Pousadas de Portugal”, has beautiful beaches just a few kilometres away and offers the best wild boar steak in the country, as well as delicious seafood from the Sado river.

Lapa and Estrela are predominantly residential areas with large houses and old palaces. It was in Lapa-Estrela that the Portuguese bourgeoisie and nobility decided to settle down in the 18th century. Since then, these Lisbon’s districts became famous among the city’s upper-class. The historic buildings were refurbished and are now home to many residents searching for tranquillity and a privileged location in Lisbon. Besides having remained one of the noblest areas of Lisbon, Lapa-Estrela is home to a large number of embassies, in particular of Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Finland, Indonesia, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Living in Lapa-Estrela, a neighbourhood that houses embassies, palaces, fountains and monuments, is to be surrounded by Lisbon's historic high society.  These are one of the most charming neighbourhoods in Lisbon, also known for their impressive views, tree-lined streets and its selection of renowned restaurants and cafes. Although isolated from the hustle and bustle of the city, these districts are just a walking distance from the most central neighbours in Lisbon. These areas have changed very little over the years, preserving a consistent identity as one of the city's most privileged and prosperous neighbourhoods.