South Europe

With over 1,000 km of coastline and numerous islands to explore, Portugal offers an excellent destination for sailors. Constant warm winds, ideal sailing conditions, and a variety of oceanic and sheltered waters make it a perfect place for both adventurous and relaxed sailing. With marinas, historic ports and excellent cuisine, Portugal is an attractive destination for sailors.

The Algarve's coastline is a breathtaking sight, with stunning red rock formations, rolling sand dunes and hidden sea caves. Sailing here offers access to remote spots and uninhabited islands, far away from crowded tourist areas. The scenic journey along this coast often extends as far as Gibraltar in southern Spain, where playful dolphins and the occasional whale accompany sailors. The natural beauty and serene sailing conditions of this region make it a highlight of Portuguese maritime adventures. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Portuguese waters are rich in diverse marine life and offer sailors the chance to spot incredible wildlife. With more than 25 species of whales, over 40 species of sharks and 3 different species of turtles recorded, bringing binoculars is a must. In addition, the area is a seabird paradise, from gannets and gulls to shearwaters and petrels.

After a day of sailing, enjoying Portugal's culinary delights is a real pleasure. From piri-piri chicken to fresh seafood, stews and meat dishes, Portuguese cuisine reflects the country's rich and eclectic history. The food here combines hearty, healthy Mediterranean flavours with Arabic, African and Portuguese influences.

Sailing holidays in Spain offer the opportunity to see this diverse and popular country in a completely different way. From the breathtaking fjords on the north coast to the sheltered bays of the Balearic Islands, Spain's coastline boasts incredible landscapes, dazzling blue waters and a rich mix of cultures and history. A sailing holiday in Spain is the perfect way to discover it all.

The air is filled with the scent of eucalyptus descending from the mountains and this wild coast is lined with the majestic collection of coastal inlets known as Rías Baixas. The Rías Baixas are a series of four estuaries that turn into beautiful fjords on Galicia's south-west coast. Cruising through and exploring these fjords by boat is truly a breathtaking experience, with towering cliffs dropping rapidly to long stretches of deserted sandy beaches and hidden coves.

Along the coastline and in the estuaries are groups of islands that offer the best off-the-beaten-path anchorages. The beautiful archipelago of Iles Cies, located at the mouth of the Vigo River, is a designated national park with picturesque sheltered coves, clear shimmering waters and vast deserted sandy beaches. These islands are also rich in birds, making them perfect for wildlife watching.

Spain's northern coast is vastly different from the tourist attractions of the south, and there is no better way to take in the authenticity and atmosphere of this coastline than by boat. This wild coastline has a remarkable mix of rugged cliffs, deserted estuaries and traditional fishing villages, with the port of Vigo still home to Europe's largest fishing fleet.

La Coruña is a historic fishing and trading port on the north coast. The historic part of the city has an interesting Romanesque road network with squares and medieval churches, as well as the Hercule Tower, the oldest lighthouse in the world. The Museum of Fine Arts, with works by Goya and others, is also worth a visit.

Wild and pristine, trendy and fashionable, the Aeolian Islands effortlessly combine trendy cities with old port towns, each surrounded by unspoilt volcanic beauty. Sailing in the Aeolian Islands is fantastic with a wide selection of sights and activities. Admire the whitewashed buildings sliding down steep cliffs, enjoy the hot springs and mud baths found on the island of Vulcano and experience the action of Stromboli, an active volcano best admired from the sturdy deck of a ship!

A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, the entire archipelago offers more than 6,000 years of culture and history. With seven islands to explore, there is something for everyone, from rich green landscapes to arid, jagged craters - the natural diversity is stunning and the hiking opportunities are endless. History buffs are spoilt for choice with an abundance of traditional villages and towns to explore in the archipelago, while more adventurous guests may want to experience the hot springs and mud baths on Vulcano.

The Canary Islands are a stunning archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, just a three-hour flight from Western Europe. A sailing trip around these islands offers all the ingredients for a fantastic holiday:

• Wintersun:Enjoy wonderful temperatures between 22 and 28 degrees
• Nature and landscape: Admire the beautiful nature and spectacular cliffs.
• Maritime Life: Great chance of seeing whales and dolphins.
• Wind: A steady trade wind that accelerates in places for extra spectacular sailing.
• Diversity: Highly diverse landscapes from impressive volcanic ridges to subtropical forests.
• Culture: Enjoy the laid-back Spanish atmosphere and lifestyle.

The Canary Islands consist of seven major inhabited islands (La Palma, El Hierro, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Gomera, Gran Canaria and Tenerife) and several small islands near Lanzarote. Each island has its own unique charm. For example, the islands further from Tenerife, such as La Gomera and El Hierro, may experience less tourism and retain an unspoilt beauty.

The islands' beauty stems from their volcanic origins. According to one legend, they are said to be the peaks of Atlantis rising above the water. The steep cliffs, green slopes, palm trees, cacti and white villages give this area a character all its own. The western islands (El Hierro, La Palma and La Gomera) are green with black lava beaches, while the eastern islands (Fuerteventura and Lanzarote) are dry with wide beaches and Sahara sand.

In the centre of the islands you will find high mountains of volcanic origin. Next to the deep and wide ravines (barrancos) are dense natural parks with beautiful hiking trails. The island of La Palma is home to the very rare dragon's blood tree, which can live up to three thousand years and gives off blood-red resin. La Gomera is known for its banana trees, laurel forests and tree heaths that can grow up to 15 metres tall.

Tenerife is home to Spain's highest mountain, El Teide, with a height of 3718 metres. The Atlantic Ocean is at its deepest between the islands of Tenerife and La Palma, with a depth of 3,500 metres. Gran Canaria combines all the characteristics of the islands: greenery in the north and beautiful sand dunes of Las Maspalomas in the south.

In short, a sailing holiday in the Canary Islands is an ideal alternative to a sailing holiday in the Caribbean. The best sailing period here is in late winter, which also makes it an attractive alternative to a winter sports holiday, but with a sun guarantee! Perfect for getting vitamin Sea as well as vitamin D.