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Horseback riding vacations in
Portugal
 Portugal is a country of astonishing diversity, idyllic weather, welcoming people and exceptional horse riding. Hidden Trails’ Portuguese horse riding holidays include coastal rides on deserted beaches, trails along rolling hillsides, and classical dressage clinics. Portugal contains enough World Heritage Sites, picture postcard scenery and windswept coastlines to keep any visitor busy – especially on a world-class horse riding vacation!
Horse Riding in Portugal
Portugal is a land of infinite options from mingling with the crowds in one of the more sophisticated beach resorts to wandering through the medieval quarters of historic cities like Lisbon, Porto, Braga or Coimbra. To explore the more remote beauty spots, stay overnight in a romantic pousada - a converted farm, monastery or manor house enjoying a wonderful setting. Many of our horseback vacations in Portugal offer the chance to enjoy similar accommodations.
Hidden Trails horse riding vacations cover three distinct Portuguese horse riding options – coastal, farmland or dressage clinic.
Our Alentjo (Blue Coast) horse riding holidays are located on the stunning southwest coast of Portugal. Here you can ride along the isolated and stunning Blue Coast, or combine your love of horse riding with dolphin encounters on the Dolphin Coast rides.
Alto Alentjo offers horse vacations in the farmlands and rolling hills of the upper Alentjo. Our Royal Horse Trails horse tour introduces you to the pleasures of the Portuguese countryside.
Finally, those riders wishing to embark on a classical dressage clinic can try our Lusitano Riding Centre Alcainca Program. This world-class facility offers dressage training with renowned riding instructors, on beautiful Lusitano horses for an educational horseback vacation.
The Lusitano Horse
The Lusitano horses are successors of the Iberian horses and are today one of the most preferred and famous horse breeds in Portugal. They have been considered to be extremely efficient in case of various activities in the warfront or during bullfighting. In fact they have been regarded as one of the best riding horses. They have a calm temperament and are extremely sensible and therefore they are capable of working in close coordination with their riders. A dressage favorite as well.
Portuguese Climate and Weather
The northwest of Portugal has mild winters with high levels of rainfall and fairly short summers. The northeast has longer winters and hot summers.
In the south, summers (March to October) are warm with very little rain except in early spring and autumn. High temperatures are moderated by a permanent breeze in Estoril (July to August).
Explore more European Horse Riding Vacations
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Holidays on horseback in Portugal
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Portugal
Travel restrictions
From December 1st 2021 essential and non-essential travel is authorized for the following countries: European Union or a State associated with the Schengen Area (Liechtenstein, Norway, Finland and Switzerland), Brazil, USA and the UK.
Countries with flights authorized for non-essential travel subject to reciprocal confirmation: Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, UAE, Indonesia, Kuwait, New Zealand, Peru, Qatar, Republic Popular in China, Rwanda, Uruguay, as well as the administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau and Taiwan.
Effective November 29th 2021 the Government of Portugal has suspended all flights to and from Mozambique. All passengers arriving from Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe, will have to fulfil a mandatory 14 -days quarantine upon entering Portugal at their residence or a location designated by the Portuguese Health Authorities.
From December 1st 2021, the following rules apply to all arriving passengers in Portugal:
- Mandatory negative test for all flights arriving in Portugal, even for those who have a digital vaccination certificate, regardless of the point of origin of the flight or the passenger's nationality.
- RT-PCR Test (or similar NAAT test) - 72h before boarding, or Rapid Antigen Test - 48h before boarding.
- A valid EU Digital COVID Certificate, or a valid recovery certificate issued by a third country, under reciprocal conditions: Albania, Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Israel, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Monaco, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, San Marino, Turkey, United Kingdom, Ukraine, The Vatican.
- All passengers need to fill a Passenger Locator Card (individually) before departure to Portugal or on board at https://portugalcleanandsafe.pt/en/passenger-locator-card
Travelers are not able to board an outbound flight from Portugal without a negative COVID test. Under the State of Contingency, the Portuguese Government can impose obligatory quarantine for individuals infected with COVID-19 and individuals deemed by health officials to require special medical observation.
Azores Specific:
- Passengers aged 12 and older arriving to the Azores, even on domestic flights from outside the Azores, must either show their EU digital Covid certificate (other proof of vaccination, such as a white CDC card, is not acceptable at this time), provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to departure or proof of recovery from the disease or must test upon arrival and remain in isolation until the results are known. To speed the process on arrival, the Regional Government of the Azores suggests travelers complete a health questionnaire at least 72 hours before disembarking.
- Passengers aged 12 or older who travel from the island of Sao Miguel to any of the other eight islands of the Azores, must either provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to departure or proof of recovery from the disease or must test upon arrival and remain in isolation until the results are known. The costs of inter-island tests are paid by the Regional Government when visiting an approved lab with proof of travel (confirmed booking).
For more information on testing and other requirements, visit: https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/
Measures taken by the government
Portugal is in a countrywide State of Calamity effective December 1st 2021. Under the State of Calamity, the Portuguese Government can impose obligatory quarantine for individuals infected with COVID-19 and individuals deemed by health officials to require special medical observation.
Please note specific restrictions based on conditions in each municipality may also apply.
For more information on the specific levels of risk and restrictions for each municipality visit:
https://covid19estamoson.gov.pt/new-state-of-emergency-measures/
A digital vaccine certificate or a negative COVID 19 test is required for air and sea travel, cultural, sporting, and business events, residential for elderly, hospitals, bars and discos.
Effective January 10th 2022, the following rules apply:
- Mandatory telework until January 14th 2022.
- Capacity limitation at public spaces such as shopping malls (1 person for every five square meter).
- A negative test is required for: Nursing home visits, Visits to patients admitted to health facilities, Large events without seating assigned, Sport venues & Bars and Disco.
- The EU digital Certificate is required for: Restaurants, Hotels and similar, Cultural events & Gymnasiums.
- Mandatory use of protective masks in all indoor spaces such as commercial establishments (restaurants, stores, malls, public transportation, etc.). Local health authorities (DGS) may require use of face masks for certain specific outdoor events.
- Social Distancing measures are recommended (to include mandatory use of protective masks in closed public spaces).
You can consult the Travel FAQ issued by the Portugal Official Tourism at the following link:
https://www.visitportugal.com/en/node/421189
Testing
PCR and/or antigen tests are available for travellers in Portugal and test results are reliably available within 72 hours.
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
Mainland Portugal – (+ 351) 808 24 24 24 (Press 9 for English)
Azores – (+351) 808 24 60 24
Madeira – (+351) 800 24 24 20
Source:
US Embassy in Portugal https://pt.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Published on January 7th 2022 (checked on January 19th 2022)
Portugal Official Tourism Website https://www.visitportugal.com/en/node/421175
Published on January 10th 2022 (checked on January 19th 2022)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx
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