The year is not yet over, but many in Portugal are already thinking about their holidays in 2022. And there is nothing like taking advantage of the public holidays to create periods of rest and leisure. For some inspiration, we present you the best destinations to travel and spend unique moments during the Portuguese public holidays of 2022.
Special occasions call for special destinations, so pack your bags, buckle up and get ready for a year full of emotions. Given the current situation related to the pandemic, it is important to travel safely and according to the measures and recommendations of the DGS during the 2022 holidays.
Travelling during the holidays and bank holidays of 2022
There are not too many public holidays and bank holidays in 2022, but we are sure that for those who work they are enough to organise a great holiday or getaway, and pamper yourself with some well-deserved rest days. We want to help you plan a trip well in advance, in order to find the best packages and prices.
Next year begins with few public holidays in Portugal, with January 1st falling on a Saturday. However, throughout 2022 there are bank holidays and public holidays that will allow you to extend the weekend and think about a relaxing stay in the north or south of the country. You could take advantage of Carnival Day 2022, for an extended weekend in the Serra da Estrela. Or enjoy a trip to the beach during Easter 2022, which this year falls in April, a time that also brings warmer weather.
We are sure that our suggestions of ideal destinations for the 2022 holidays in Portugal are interesting for holidays with friends or family. Look up the full calendar of holidays 2022 and start preparing your agenda.
Best destinations for Carnival 2022
The first two months of the year are not, at first glance, a good time to go on holiday. The 2022 holiday calendar only starts to get brighter from March onwards.
Carnival Tuesday 2022 falls right on the first day of that month which will allow you to extend the weekend. But what are the best destinations for Carnival? If you like fun, you should know that the Torres Vedras Carnival promises a big comeback next year.
You can combine this festivity with a 4-day stay in Lisbon to get to know the main monuments of the country's capital or its most emblematic neighbourhoods, such as Alfama and Lapa.
If you want to get away from the big city, we recommend a 3 or 4 day trip to Serra da Estrela. It is one of the best Carnival destinations because you will have the opportunity to do snow activities, learn about the history of wool or taste the delicious cheeses and delicacies of the region.
If you prefer the heat, why not think about cheap destinations where the weather is good in February? You can go to the Costa Vicentina, where the temperature is slightly higher than in other regions of the continent and can reach 16 degrees. There are many things to do on the Costa Vicentina, be it on the beach, with a jacket or windbreaker to be sure, or hiking along its cliffs, where you can observe ancient rocks, more than 300 million years old.
Destinations to travel in Easter 2022
After Carnival, comes the greatest opportunity to enjoy a trip during the 2022 holidays. We're talking about the Easter period, which this year falls in April. Good Friday in 2022 falls on April 15 and Easter Sunday is on the 17th, so they will certainly be spring days, with plenty of sunshine.
You can travel during these days to Lagos, Faro or Albufeira and recharge your batteries by the Atlantic Ocean. Albufeira is certainly one of the best destinations to travel to for Easter 2022, as it is still before the high summer season when thousands of English and German tourists who love the city's nightlife will descend on the area. With its 20 kilometres of coastline, there are plenty of beaches to explore.
If you want, you could also take days off work for an extended holiday. April 25 falls on a Monday and you would only need to take 5 days off work to get 11 days off. What do you think?
Best holiday destinations in Portugal for summer 2022
Unfortunately May won't be the right month to go on holiday if you want to take advantage of holidays, bank holidays and festive seasons in 2022. In fact, the 1st of May will fall on a Sunday. Because of this, we will pay more attention to the June 2022 public holiday calendar, with Portugal Day (June 10) falling on a Friday and Corpus Christi (June 16) on a Thursday. You can take a long weekend to enjoy a trip well away from the repetitive professional routine.
Why not think of beach holiday destinations to spend your June holidays? There are direct flights from Lisbon to the golden island of Porto Santo and, apart from the amazing landscapes, you can dive into its paradisiacal waters or have a hot sand treatment that will get you back in top shape in no time.
Porto Santo is also one of the best family holiday destinations in 2022 for its Blue Flag beaches, where children's fun is guaranteed.
As for the August 2022 holidays you can have a break on the 15th, which this year will be on a Monday. Take a trip on the long weekend, or even better: take the other four days off to travel with plenty of time.
August is usually known for the floods in the Algarve, so nothing beats flying from Lisbon, to one of the islands in the Azores archipelago, where the average summer temperature is 24°C. Hike to the top of the highest mountain in the country on Pico Island, visit the famous lakes on São Miguel Island - Lagoa das Sete Cidades, Lago do Fogo, Lagoa das Furnas - or observe stalactites at Algar do Carvão on Terceira Island.
Cheap getaways for October 5
Still don't know where to travel in October 2022? October is a month of public holidays again, after a September without them. The holiday of the Implantação da República will be on a Wednesday, so take a few days off work and go to the north of the country.
In Porto, Viana do Castelo, or Aveiro, the temperatures are still pleasant at the beginning of autumn and we're sure you can have a cheap getaway in these cities. Often hotels in Portugal and transport companies launch promotions for the 5th of October holiday in order to attract more tourists. We are sure you will have the best travel experience at this time.
Getaway destinations for the 1st November holiday
After October, the month of November kicks off the festivities and brings a holiday right away. All Saints' Day 2022, the 1st of November, falls on a Tuesday and you can take advantage of the bank holiday to visit family in your hometown or travel to the hometown of all the Portuguese: Guimarães.
In fact, for those who like traditional events, the best time to visit Guimarães is November, as that month sees the famous Festas Nicolinas. The name is not misleading and these secular festivities created by students, whose origin dates back to 1664, are in honour of Saint Nicholas of Mira, whom everyone knows as Father Christmas.
Best holiday destinations: Christmas 2022
December arrives and so do two bank holidays, on the 1st and the 8th. Both will be on a Thursday, so in addition to the holiday you'll can take a day off for an extra long weekend. Take the opportunity to take a trip to Leiria, Guarda or Óbidos. Let yourself get involved in the cosy atmosphere of these cities and the comfort of their lodgings, where you can spend a few days by the fireplace and in the company of those you love the most.
There is still some time to go, but we want you to start thinking about your Christmas trip in 2022. Christmas 2022 will be a Sunday, as will January 1st 2023. Although those days are a bit inconvenient, we're sure you'll enjoy a trip to Madeira.
Madeira Island is one of the best destinations for the holidays, but if you travel during this season you can enjoy its homemade Christmas sweets, take a dip in its waters where the temperature will be around 21°C, or stand in a belvedere until the stroke of twelve to watch the Guiness record-breaking New Year's Eve fireworks.
Wander around Funchal's Old Town and see the Christmas lights all over the island, which welcomes thousands of German, British and French tourists.
Organise your travel schedule for holidays 2022
Now that you know the list of public holidays 2022, all that's left is to choose the destination that best suits your needs and coordinate your holiday days with your company. It's a good idea to book your holidays in advance to avoid any inconvenience.
There are numerous destinations for travel during the 2022 holidays, so take note of our recommendations and organise your schedule as best as possible.
You can leave as soon as you finish your working day before the holiday, to save time. Another suggestion is to make trips at the end of the day or early in the morning so that you have enough time to get to know everything about a certain destination. Don't miss the best of our cities!
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