Povoa de Varzim Holidays
Povoa de Varzim holidays – Sports and high-voltage night life with culture thrown in
The waters around Povoa de Varzim are rich in iodine, which may have been a good enough reason for Benedictine monks to take sea-water baths in to cure skin ailments, but it was the large beaches and the development of theatres, hotels and casinos that brought the upper classes from Porto and Minho in the 19th century. It is still the most popular holiday destination in northern Portugal, as much with the Portuguese themselves as with foreign holidaymakers.
If you decide on a holiday in Póvoa de Varzim, you will find something to fill every hour, whether you are a culture nut or someone who prefers a high-voltage life at night. The waterfront is as popular for the beach during the day as it is for its nightlife, and is enjoyed by locals and visitors in equal measure. The party vibe continues in the nightclubs and bars along on the Avenida dos Banhos, alongside the Salgueira and Redonda beaches.
For a less raucous night out, a flutter at the casino could bring its own reward, or you could sample gourmet local and Portuguese cuisine in the casino’s Egoísta restaurant. If you are a skateboard enthusiast, take it with you, as Lota Sk8 Parque has been designed to accommodate the large skater and biker communities in the area.
When to go to Póvoa de Varzim
The resort is beautiful in its own right, and if you are looking for a relaxing summer holiday then it could be the ideal place for you – but don’t forget that many other people will be thinking the same. Miss the high season months of July and August if you can because with Póvoa de Varzim being a very popular resort with the Portuguese you are likely to find the beaches crowded, as this is their main school holiday period as well as that of the UK. The same applies for Easter and Christmas.
Spring and Autumn will most likely see lower prices and less people if you want to include some exploration in your holiday, whether it’s the beautiful countryside or the delightful city of Oporto – worth a visit any time of the year.
The weather in Póvoa de Varzim
Being in the north of the country you won’t find the very high temperatures that you might experience in the Algarve, and some people may welcome that. Summer sees temperatures around the mid-twenties, occasionally rising by a few more degrees, but it might feel cooler because of the breezes coming off the Atlantic.
You will usually get a couple of days rain during high summer, but most rain will be from October to March, when it can also be quite cloudy. The city has a microclimate and is the region least subject to frosts in all of northern Portugal, so winters will usually be mild.
Getting the best deal in Póvoa de Varzim
Given the popularity of the resort, if you want a good deal you will have to look outside the high seasons and school holidays, which means that July, August and Easter will be out, and quite possibly the last week in June, as that is when some European schools begin their holidays. Checking for last minute deals may well find you something, but for that you have to be completely flexible with your dates and be prepared to find that there are no flights or accommodation available. But have a look and see what deals are currently available, and look out for our last minute offers.
Airport and travel need to know
The Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Oporto is eighteen kilometres south of Póvoa de Varzim and is one of the busiest international airports in Portugal. The national Portuguese carrier, TAP and easyJet operate services from London-Gatwick (LGW), and Ryanair from Liverpool (LPN), and London-Stansted (STN). There may be extra flights from the budget airlines during the holiday season.
A taxi or pre-booked shuttle service will cost around 48€ (£38) for up to four people. A more economical option, especially if you don’t have too much luggage, is to use the Metro that links the airport with Póvoa de Varzim. It goes via Oporto city, (Verdes station) and is also useful if you want to make a visit during your holiday. There are two services: a standard and the Expresso, a shuttle service. It is a fast service which runs two or three times an hour, depending on the time of day, and costs 1.50€ (£1.20) one-way.
Best beaches in Póvoa de Varzim
The beaches of Póvoa de Varzim are managed by local Povoan families, called banheiros, who took over looking after them when their families gave up fishing generations ago.
The beaches at Póvoa de Varzim’s are just over twelve kilometres long, made up of white sand and sheltered bays divided by rocks. Most of the beaches which are closer to the city, such as Lagoa and Redonda, are family-oriented, but can get pretty crowded during the summer. The beaches further away, such as Santo André don’t suffer quite so much from crowding.
Salgueira Beach, in the central section near Buddha Club, also known as Praia Azul (Blue Beach), is a very popular beach during summer, but can best be enjoyed during weekdays when it is less crowded. It is a classic surfing beach, and very popular with bodyboarders. Aguçadoura is another surfing beach. Naturists use Rio Alto Beach, because it is difficult to get to and the sand dunes give privacy.
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